Image Forming Control for Early Color Stabilization Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet image forming apparatuses experience downtime due to the need to wait for ink stabilization on the recording medium, which delays printing and affects color reproducibility.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a controller that performs continuous color measurement after image formation, utilizing history data from previous print jobs to identify color stabilization based on similar conditions, allowing early termination of measurements when color stability is achieved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color measurement is performed after waiting for ink stabilization, then color measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to printing downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary color measurements at multiple time points during the ink drying process to capture the color transition trajectory. By measuring color values at predetermined time intervals from immediately after image formation, the system builds a historical record of color stabilization patterns that can be referenced for future measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual model of the color stabilization process by storing time-series color measurement data from past test printings. This historical data serves as a reference template that allows the system to predict when color stabilization will occur without waiting for the actual physical stabilization process to complete, thereby eliminating downtime while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If color measurement is performed continuously until color stabilization, then color measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to extended measurement duration
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors color measurement results and compares them against historical data from similar printing conditions. When the measured color values converge within a predetermined threshold of the reference values, the system automatically terminates the measurement process, ensuring both accuracy and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs color measurements at a predetermined number of time points that may exceed the actual stabilization point. By oversampling the color transition process and using historical data to identify the stabilization moment, the system ensures sufficient data for accurate determination while avoiding unnecessary extended measurement time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If test printing is performed under various use situations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple measurement conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal measurement approach that captures comprehensive color transition data under various printing conditions (different media types, ink types, temperatures, humidities). This single multi-functional measurement system replaces the need for separate specialized measurement procedures for each condition, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broad adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an image former; a color measurer; a hardware processor that continuously performs the color measurement of the image since immediately after the test printing and identify a color value after color stabilization; and a memory that stores as history data color measurement results and image formation conditions in past test printing. While continuously performing the color measurement in the new test printing, the hardware processor refers to a color measurement result under an image formation condition identical or similar to an image formation condition of the new test printing. Upon identifying that a difference in transition between the time-series color measurement data in the new test printing up to a current time point and the time-series color measurement data that has been referred to is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the hardware processor terminates the color measurement at that time point.