Image Forming Apparatus Buffer Overflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face issues with sector deformation causing distortion in printed images due to varying nip pressure during secondary transfer, leading to defective images when buffer capacity is exceeded during correction processing.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a buffer system that performs correction processing to adjust image data, including clip processing to ensure the data size fits within the buffer limits, and allows users to select correction methods based on printing purposes, using a derivation unit to calculate correction conditions for distortion correction in both main and sub-scanning directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If correction processing is performed to correct sector deformation distortion in printed images, then image quality is improved, but the image data size increases and may exceed buffer capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The image data is divided into multiple bands in the sub-scanning direction, with each band processed and stored separately in the buffer. This segmentation allows the system to handle large correction data volumes by processing smaller chunks sequentially rather than loading the entire corrected image at once, thus preventing buffer overflow while maintaining correction quality.
2Reliability
If clip processing is performed to reduce image data size to fit buffer capacity, then buffer overflow is prevented, but the correction accuracy may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Clip processing is applied selectively based on local buffer capacity constraints. The system determines whether clipping is needed for each band individually and applies it only where necessary to fit buffer limits, rather than uniformly applying clipping to all data. This localized approach maintains correction accuracy in regions where buffer capacity is sufficient while preventing overflow in constrained regions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the intermediate transfer belt and sheet conveyance speeds are not synchronized, then flexibility in operation is improved, but sector deformation occurs causing image distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs speed synchronization correction as a preliminary action before the secondary transfer process. By calculating and adjusting the sheet conveyance speed to match the intermediate transfer belt speed in advance, the system prevents sector deformation from occurring during the transfer process, thereby maintaining image quality while allowing operational flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents defective images by ensuring the image data size after correction fits within the buffer capacity, allowing for effective sector correction and maintaining print quality by selecting appropriate correction methods according to user needs.
Implementation Method 1
the frictional force to the sheet S also enhances, which enables easy transmission of the rotational force to the sheet S
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus can inhibit occurrence of defective images caused when a buffer consumption amount in sector correction exceeds a previously estimated capacity. The image forming apparatus comprises a line buffer for temporarily storing image data. The image forming apparatus performs correction processing of the image data to correct distortion of the image to store the corrected image data in the line buffer. Further, the image forming apparatus forms images on a recording medium based on the image data having experienced the correction processing. The CPU of the image forming apparatus determines whether a size of the image data having experienced the distortion correction by a first correction value based on a sector correction seed value exceeds the number of lines in the line buffer. If it is determined that it exceeds the number of lines, the CPU obtains a second correction value, correcting the first value.