Image Forming Apparatus Color Calibration via Pixel Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately calibrating color reproducibility due to deterioration of components and environmental fluctuations, leading to increased toner consumption and reduced productivity, as current calibration methods require test printing and are limited by the data available for calibration.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that detects color information for every pixel region, converts it into predetermined color space coordinates, extracts regions with color deviations, and corrects input image data based on output image information to store accurate calibration data, thereby reducing toner consumption and improving productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If test printing of a patch for test is performed to perform calibration, then calibration accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates and toner consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color information from actual print output as a substitute for traditional test patch printing. By detecting color information from regularly printed images and using this data for calibration, the system eliminates the need for separate test printing while maintaining calibration accuracy, thus preserving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs calibration using color information from its own regular printing operations. The image forming apparatus automatically detects color information from its output and uses this self-generated data for calibration, eliminating the need for external test procedures and reducing both toner consumption and productivity loss
2Measurement precision
If test printing of a patch for test is performed to perform calibration, then calibration accuracy is improved, but toner consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical test patch printing process with color detection from actual print output. By copying and utilizing color information from regularly printed images, the system achieves calibration without the additional toner consumption that would result from separate test printing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts what would normally be waste color information from regular printing into useful calibration data. By detecting and utilizing color information from routinely printed images, the system transforms ordinary print output into a resource that eliminates the need for separate test printing, thereby reducing toner consumption
3Productivity
If calibration is performed based on color information of input image data for which a printing command is actually issued, then productivity is maintained, but calibration accuracy deteriorates due to limited color information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the color detection system universal by applying it to all printed images regardless of their content or purpose. The same detection mechanism used for regular printing quality control is also used to gather comprehensive color information for calibration, allowing the system to maintain productivity while improving calibration accuracy through diverse color data
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus that forms an output image corresponding to input image data on an image carrier by superimposing toner images of colors, includes a hardware processor that: detects color information of the output image for every pixel region; converts color information of the input image data for every pixel region and color information of the output image for every pixel region into indexes which define colors in predetermined color space coordinates; extracts a pixel region in which the color information of the output image is different from the color information of the input image data, and corrects the color information of the input image data with respect to the extracted pixel region; and stores the color information of the input image data as data for calibration in combination with the color information of the output image and image forming conditions when forming the output image.