Image Forming Apparatus Asymmetrical Adjustment Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in aligning images due to restrictions on the width of the image reading apparatus and image forming conditions, leading to incomplete reading of adjustment images and limitations in forming adjustment images on the four corners of the sheet.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus forms a plurality of adjustment images asymmetrical with respect to the center of the sheet or the printing image, allowing for flexible adjustment of the image forming position by reading these images regardless of the image reading apparatus's width and image forming conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adjustment images are formed on the four corners of the sheet, then alignment accuracy is improved, but the image reading apparatus must be wider than the sheet which is not always possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by forming adjustment images at specific non-symmetric positions on the sheet rather than requiring symmetric four-corner placement. This allows the images to be positioned within the readable area even when the image reading apparatus is narrower than the sheet width, thereby maintaining alignment accuracy without requiring the apparatus to be wider than the sheet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by forming adjustment images at specific local positions on the sheet where they can be reliably read by the image reading apparatus. Instead of uniformly placing images at all four corners, the invention selectively positions images at locations that guarantee readability while still providing sufficient alignment information, adapting to the limited width of the image reading apparatus.
2Measurement precision
If adjustment images are formed on the four corners of the sheet, then alignment capability is improved, but user flexibility in defining image forming position is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the adjustment image positions adjustable rather than fixed. Users can dynamically define the positions of adjustment images based on their specific alignment requirements and printing image characteristics. This dynamic positioning capability allows users to flexibly adjust image forming positions while maintaining alignment capability, resolving the contradiction between fixed four-corner placement and user flexibility.
3Device complexity
If the image reading apparatus is narrower than the sheet, then device compactness is improved, but complete reading of adjustment images becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by extracting only the necessary alignment information from the sheet and placing adjustment images at positions that can be reliably captured by the narrower image reading apparatus. Instead of requiring the apparatus to read the entire sheet or all four corners, the invention extracts minimal sufficient information at strategically positioned images that ensure complete alignment data can be obtained despite the limited reading width.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image former that forms a plurality of adjustment images on a sheet. The plurality of adjustment images are used for adjusting a forming position of a printing image to be formed on the sheet. The plurality of adjustment images are formed at positions that are asymmetrical with respect to the center of the sheet or the center of the printing image.