Duplex Printer Color Correction via Intermediate Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, show-through occurs when printing on both sides of a medium, making it difficult to accurately acquire and correct print color information, especially when the color information of the printed image on one side affects the other side.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus acquires color information of the image printed on the first side after printing is completed on that side but before starting to print on the second side, allowing for accurate color correction without interference from the unprinted side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color information is acquired after printing on both sides of the print medium, then the printing process is simple and fast, but show-through occurs and color information cannot be acquired appropriately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring color information of the first side image before printing on the second side. The reading unit reads the first side image after the first side printing is completed but before the second side printing starts, thereby preventing show-through interference while maintaining efficient printing flow
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the printing process into distinct phases: first side printing, color information acquisition, and second side printing. This segmentation allows the reading unit to access accurate color information from the first side without interference from the second side printing, resolving the show-through problem
2Reliability
If color correction is performed using color information from the second side, then the printing process is simplified, but show-through prevents accurate color information acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures reliable color correction by acquiring color information preliminarily before the second side printing begins. This preliminary acquisition guarantees that the color information reflects only the first side image without contamination from show-through, ensuring accurate color correction
3Productivity
If printing on both sides is performed without intermediate color information acquisition, then productivity is improved, but show-through causes measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains high productivity while ensuring measurement precision by inserting the color information acquisition step at the optimal moment - after first side printing completes but before second side printing starts. This timing minimizes interruption to the printing flow while ensuring accurate color information capture
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a printer configured to print on a print medium, and a reading unit configured to acquire color information of an image printed on the print medium. In printing on both sides being a first side and a second side of the print medium opposite the first side, upon a determination that a predetermined condition is met, the reading unit is configured to acquire the color information of the image printed on the first side of the print medium, after printing on the first side of the print medium is provided and before printing on the second side of the print medium is provided.