Image Forming Apparatus Crossmark Positioning for Duplex Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing production printing technologies face variations in image position correction due to the lack of real-time measurement of crossmarks on each paper, and digital front-end processors are unable to print crossmarks if the K component is absent, leading to inefficiencies in duplex printing.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with an engine that expands and converts image data, adds positioning elements for correcting image positions, and controls mechanical systems to print crossmarks on both surfaces, distributing processing load from the digital front-end processor to enhance duplex printing efficiency and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If crossmarks are added to Y component for positioning, then positioning marks can be printed, but monochrome sensors cannot easily read Y color compared to K color

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrossmark reading accuracyVSAvoidcolor component flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of color component selection by adding crossmarks to the K component instead of the Y component. This parameter change enables monochrome sensors to easily read the crossmarks since they are optimized for reading K color, while still achieving the positioning function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If correction is not performed for each paper by measuring crossmarks every time, then processing time is reduced, but there are variations in correction among papers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage position correction accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where crossmarks are printed on each paper, measured by a sensor, and the measurement results are used to calculate correction values. This feedback loop ensures that correction is performed for each paper individually, eliminating variations in correction while maintaining efficient processing through automated measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If digital front end processor adds crossmarks, then positioning marks can be added to image data, but the processor cannot print crossmarks if K component does not exist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrossmark printing capabilityVSAvoidprocessor functionality requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the image processing system universal by enabling it to handle both cases where K component exists and where it does not. The system can add crossmarks to the appropriate color component (K if available, Y otherwise) and control the printing process accordingly, making the processor versatile for different printing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9965707B2Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method

Publication Date: 2018.05.08 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes an engine including circuitry that expands first image data, converts the expanded first image data into second image data in a format printable by the image forming apparatus, adds a positioning element to the second image data, the positioning element to be used for correcting positions of a first image and a second image, and controls a mechanical system of the image forming apparatus to print the second image data.