Image Forming Apparatus Blank Area Minimization via Shape Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses form large blank areas to prevent developer scattering, which can result in irregular borders due to sheet shape differences and conveyance displacements, degrading the image quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an image forming portion, an image reading portion, a reduction processing portion, and a data processing portion that reduces external shape data and executes an obfuscation process to minimize the blank area size while maintaining image quality by forming a blank area using the reduced external shape data and obfuscating the border of the print target area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large blank areas are formed to prevent developer scattering, then developer scattering is prevented, but image quality deteriorates due to irregular borders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing to different regions: the center region uses normal printing while the peripheral region uses obfuscated blank areas. This local differentiation allows the peripheral blank areas to be obfuscated (improving image quality) while still maintaining their function of preventing developer scattering (maintaining reliability).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of the sheet's external shape using an image reading portion before printing. Based on this detection, it pre-calculates and sets the blank area positions and applies obfuscation processing in advance, allowing the main printing process to proceed efficiently without real-time adjustments.
2Manufacturing precision
If blank area size is reduced to improve image quality, then image quality improves, but developer scattering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the blank areas in peripheral regions obfuscated while keeping center regions normal. This local quality differentiation allows reduced blank area size in visible regions (improving image quality) while maintaining adequate blank areas in non-visible peripheral regions for developer containment (maintaining reliability).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces obfuscation processing as an intermediary measure that transforms the appearance of blank areas. This allows the blank areas to maintain their functional size for developer scattering prevention while their obfuscated appearance prevents them from degrading image quality visually.
3Ease of manufacture
If external shape data is used directly for blank area formation, then blank area formation is simple, but irregular external shape data degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces obfuscation processing as an intermediary step between using the detected external shape data and forming the final blank areas. This obfuscation mediator transforms irregular external shape data into visually acceptable blank area patterns, maintaining both the simplicity of using detected shape data and the quality of the final output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the visual parameters of blank areas through obfuscation processing. By modifying parameters such as pattern density, opacity, or texture of the blank areas, it transforms irregular shapes into visually acceptable forms while maintaining the underlying functional structure derived from external shape detection.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image reading portion, a reduction processing portion, a data processing portion, and a print processing portion. The image reading portion reads image data of a print target sheet. The reduction processing portion reduces external shape data included in the image data based on a predetermined ratio. The data processing portion executes a blank forming process to form a blank area in the print target data by using the external shape data that has been reduced by the reduction processing portion, and executes an obfuscation process to obfuscate a border of the print target area. The print processing portion causes the image forming portion to form an image on the print target sheet based on the print target data that has been subjected to the processes executed by the data processing portion.