Dynamic Calibration Chart Patch Arrangement for Sensor Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately calibrating color reproducibility due to limitations in existing calibration technologies, particularly in arranging color patches within measurable regions of sensors to correct for density fluctuations and irregular sheet sizes.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that generates a calibration chart with patches at different densities, utilizing a CPU, colorimetric sensors, and a calibration chart generation unit to acquire sheet data and sensor data, rearranging patches to ensure they fall within measurable regions and account for density fluctuations, thereby enabling precise color correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If calibration charts are generated with fixed patch arrangements, then the generation process is simple, but the patches may fall outside measurable regions or be affected by density fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration chart generation system dynamically adjusts patch arrangements based on sensor positions, sheet size detection, and density fluctuation patterns. Instead of using fixed predetermined arrangements, the system adapts the patch positions and configurations to match the actual measurable regions and density characteristics of each sheet, thereby ensuring all patches fall within measurable regions while accounting for density variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters including patch positions, patch sizes, and arrangement patterns based on detected sheet characteristics and sensor capabilities. By varying these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes the calibration chart for each specific measurement scenario, ensuring accurate color measurement while adapting to different sheet sizes and density distributions.
2Area of stationary object
If patches are arranged to cover the entire sheet area, then the calibration chart is comprehensive, but patches may fall outside the sensor's measurable region
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by concentrating calibration patches specifically within the sensor's measurable region rather than uniformly distributing them across the entire sheet. The patch arrangement is optimized for the local measurable area, ensuring each patch falls within the sensor's detection capabilities while maintaining comprehensive calibration coverage within that region.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration chart is segmented into multiple sections with patches strategically positioned in different measurable regions. This segmentation allows the system to cover the entire measurable area with multiple focused patch groups, ensuring comprehensive calibration coverage while keeping each patch within sensor detection limits.
3Productivity
If the calibration chart is generated without considering density fluctuations, then the generation process is fast, but color reproducibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of density fluctuation patterns before generating the calibration chart. By detecting and analyzing density variations in advance, the system can pre-adjust patch positions and configurations to compensate for expected density fluctuations, thereby ensuring accurate color measurement while maintaining efficient generation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where density measurement results from preliminary scans are used to adjust subsequent calibration chart generation. The density fluctuation data feeds back into the patch arrangement algorithm, allowing the system to optimize patch positions based on actual density patterns, thereby improving color reproducibility while maintaining generation efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively improves color reproducibility by generating calibration charts that account for sensor positions and density fluctuations, ensuring accurate color measurement and correction, even for irregular sheet sizes, thereby enhancing the overall quality of image output.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for detecting colors and densities
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus generates a calibration chart including a plurality of patches at different densities. The image forming apparatus includes at least one sensor, a memory, and a circuitry. The memory stores patch data values of the patches. The circuitry acquires sheet data about a sheet to which the calibration chart is output. The circuitry generates the calibration chart in which the patches are arranged in a color measurable region of the at least one sensor, based on at least the sheet data and data indicating the color measurable region.