Gradation Correction Apparatus for Image Quality Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining image quality due to environmental and aging-related fluctuations, as existing calibration methods are inadequate in accurately correcting gradation values across varying conditions.

Innovation Solution

An image forming control apparatus and method that store target property data sets for original gradation values, acquire actual property data, convert gradation values using a relationship between target and actual data, generate primary and secondary correction data, and compare these to produce gradation correction data, ensuring accurate correction of gradation values within a specific range while maintaining the maximum gradation value.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional calibration methods are used to correct gradation values, then image quality can be stabilized to some extent, but accurate correction across varying environmental conditions and aging effects cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage quality stabilityVSAvoidgradation value correction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The correction data is divided into two distinct types: primary correction data for general gradation adjustment and secondary correction data specifically for maintaining maximum gradation values. This segmentation allows each correction type to be optimized for its specific purpose, improving overall correction accuracy while maintaining reliability across varying conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts correction parameters based on measured actual property data compared to target property data. By changing correction parameters according to environmental conditions and aging effects, the system maintains both reliability and precision across varying operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If primary correction data is generated to correct gradation values, then gradation accuracy improves, but the maximum gradation value may be compromised or voids may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegradation value accuracyVSAvoidmaximum gradation value maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different correction strategies are applied to different regions of the gradation range. The secondary correction data specifically targets the maximum gradation region to prevent voids and maintain solid coverage, while primary correction data handles the overall gradation curve. This local differentiation ensures both gradation accuracy and maximum value maintenance without compromise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system generates secondary correction data that intentionally applies additional correction beyond what primary correction alone would provide, specifically to ensure maximum gradation values are maintained. This excessive action in the maximum gradation region prevents void formation while the combined correction maintains overall gradation accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If correction data is generated without considering maximum gradation value maintenance, then correction process is simpler, but voids or over-correction issues occur in the image output

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrection process complexityVSAvoidimage output quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of actual property data and generates both primary and secondary correction data before actual image formation. This advance preparation ensures that maximum gradation value maintenance is built into the correction process from the start, preventing voids and over-correction issues without adding complexity to the actual image formation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9930215B2Image forming control apparatus, method of generating correction data, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An image forming control apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus to form an image on a recording medium includes a memory to store a target property data of original gradation values of image data of a target image to be formed on the recording medium; and circuitry to acquire actual property data of the target image actually formed on the recording medium, convert the original gradation values to another gradation values, generate a primary correction data based on the original gradation values and the another gradation values, generate a secondary correction data to supplement the generated primary correction data, compare the primary correction data and the secondary correction data, and generate gradation correction data used for correcting the original gradation values existing in a specific range of the original gradation values based on a comparison result of the primary correction data and the secondary correction data.