Gamma Table Adjustment for Toner Container Capacity Variations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses struggle to appropriately adjust the tint of images during printing due to variations in toner container capacities, leading to inconsistencies in reproducibility of intermediate densities, especially when using cartridges with different photosensitive drum film thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a controller that determines a gamma table based on the toner container capacity and uses it to correct the luminance value of the printing-target image, ensuring optimal tint adjustment regardless of the cartridge type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a thick film photosensitive drum is used in large-capacity toner containers to withstand long-term abrasion, then the cartridge life is improved, but the electric potential attenuation characteristics change causing variation in intermediate density reproducibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the gamma correction values based on the photosensitive drum film thickness. Different film thicknesses (corresponding to different cartridge capacities) have different electric potential attenuation characteristics, so the gamma table parameters are modified to compensate for these differences, maintaining consistent intermediate density reproducibility across all cartridge types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different gamma correction characteristics to different cartridge types based on their specific film thickness characteristics. Instead of using a uniform correction approach, the system tailors the gamma table parameters to match the local characteristics of each cartridge's photosensitive drum, ensuring optimal performance for each configuration.
2Duration of action of moving object
If different photosensitive drum film thicknesses are used for different toner container capacities, then the cartridge life is optimized, but the electric potential attenuation differs causing color density variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the gamma correction parameters according to the photosensitive drum film thickness. By storing multiple gamma tables with different correction values and selecting the appropriate one based on the cartridge type, the system compensates for the differences in electric potential attenuation caused by different film thicknesses, ensuring consistent color density across all cartridge capacities.
3Ease of operation
If only coloring degree information from ID chip is used for toner adjustment, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot appropriately adjust tint when toner container capacities differ
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the functionality of the existing ID chip system by making the gamma table selection process universal across all cartridge types. The system now handles multiple parameters (toner container capacity, photosensitive drum film thickness, coloring degree) through a unified gamma correction mechanism, allowing accurate tint adjustment for all cartridge configurations without complicating the user interface or operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is configured to obtain information indicating the capacity of a toner container. In accordance with the obtained information, a gamma table for correcting the luminance value of a printing-target image is determined and the luminance value of the image is corrected by using the determined gamma table.