Image Forming Color Verification With Automated Failure Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses require expert intervention for color reproducibility verification failures, necessitating time-consuming and inefficient manual re-evaluation when printing quality does not meet certification standards, due to the lack of user-friendly automated solutions for addressing color reproducibility issues.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with integrated circuitry that stores evaluation conditions, calculates results, and suggests handling methods for color reproducibility verification failures, enabling self-diagnosis and user notification of necessary actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual re-evaluation is performed by users without expert knowledge, then time and effort are required to resolve color reproducibility issues, but the complexity of the verification process increases and user burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of resolving color reproducibility issuesVSAvoidtime required for manual re-evaluation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The image forming apparatus automatically performs re-evaluation of color reproducibility without requiring user intervention. The determination unit re-calculates evaluation results based on adjusted printing conditions, and the notification unit informs users of the outcomes, enabling the system to serve itself in resolving verification failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by notifying users of determination results (pass/fail) and automatically adjusting printing conditions based on previous evaluation failures. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual re-evaluation by users while ensuring color reproducibility standards are met.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If expert intervention is required for color reproducibility verification failures, then accurate resolution can be achieved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of resolving color reproducibility issuesVSAvoidcomplexity of verification and resolution process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The determination unit automatically analyzes evaluation failures and determines appropriate printing condition adjustments without requiring expert intervention. The system self-diagnoses and self-corrects, maintaining reliability while reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system stores determination results and printing conditions in advance, enabling automatic re-evaluation without manual intervention. This preliminary storage of data allows the system to quickly restore verified printing conditions or adjust them automatically, maintaining accuracy while simplifying the resolution process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated handling methods are implemented for color reproducibility verification, then productivity and ease of operation improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of color reproducibility verificationVSAvoidcomplexity of automated verification system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The determination unit serves multiple functions: it calculates evaluation results, determines pass/fail status, identifies printing condition adjustments, and stores determination results. This multi-functionality improves productivity while minimizing the addition of separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260019526A1Image forming apparatus, handling method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes an engine and circuitry that stores a verification condition including an evaluation item for color reproducibility verification, a tolerance value, an evaluation chart, and color information of an intended printing standard. The circuitry calculates an evaluation result for the item based on a color measurement value of the chart and the color information and compares the evaluation result with the tolerance value to generate a determination result indicating pass or fail. The circuitry stores the determination result and number of determinations for the condition; and a handling method to resolve an issue that has caused the verification under the condition to fail, for a case where 10 the verification has never passed, and for a case where the verification has passed. The circuitry determines a handling method for the item when the item fails, based on the information, and notifies a user of the method.