Image Forming Colorimeter Maintenance Through Segmented Chart Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently performing color measurement and maintenance of large color charts due to failures or maintenance needs in the in-line color measurement section, which can be exacerbated by the use of external colorimeters that require significant time and effort for color adjustment.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates an image former to print a color chart on a sheet, an in-line colorimeter for direct measurement, and an image processor that combines divided colorimetric data from both in-line and external measurements to obtain colorimetric values, allowing for easy maintenance and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external colorimeter is used to measure colors of a large number of color patches, then color measurement can be performed, but time and effort required for color measurement and color adjustment are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The color chart is divided into multiple divided color charts, each containing a subset of color patches. The external colorimeter measures each divided color chart separately, and the image processor combines the divided colorimetric data to obtain complete colorimetric values for all color patches. This segmentation approach reduces the time required for color measurement compared to measuring all patches individually while maintaining measurement capability.
2Productivity
If an in-line color measurement section is used, then color measurement of large color charts can be performed efficiently, but maintenance and calibration become complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the color measurement function from the in-line color measurement section and performs it externally using a separate colorimeter. This allows the in-line color measurement section to be maintained or replaced without affecting the overall color measurement capability of the image forming apparatus. The external colorimeter can be calibrated and maintained independently, simplifying maintenance procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The external colorimeter creates colorimetric data that copies or replicates the function of the in-line color measurement section. By measuring divided color charts externally and combining the data, the system reproduces the color measurement results that would otherwise be obtained from the in-line section, ensuring continuity of color adjustment capability during maintenance.
3Ease of repair
If an external colorimeter is used instead of an in-line color measurement section, then maintenance can be performed more easily, but the size of measurable color charts is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The large color chart is segmented into multiple smaller divided color charts that fit within the measurement capability of the external colorimeter. Each divided color chart is measured separately, and the results are combined through data processing to reconstruct the complete colorimetric information for the entire large color chart, effectively overcoming the size limitation of the external colorimeter.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image former that prints a color chart on a sheet, an in-line colorimeter that performs color measurement of color patches formed on the color chart, and an image processor that performs color adjustment based on colorimetric values of the color patches formed on the color chart. The image processor combines multiple divided colorimetric data obtained by performing color measurement of color patterns into which a chart is divided, the chart in which color patches are arrayed to be common to the color chart, and obtains colorimetric values of the color patches formed on the color chart from the multiple divided colorimetric data combined.