Image Forming Apparatus Human Body Detection Adjustment Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face issues where the adjustment process is often interrupted during image forming operations, leading to increased waiting times for users and potential degradation of image quality, as the adjustment process is typically executed after a predetermined number of prints, regardless of user presence or need.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a human-body detection system to determine user presence, allowing the adjustment process to be postponed until a predetermined period without user instruction, thereby reducing waiting times and maintaining image quality by executing the adjustment only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the adjustment process is executed after a print operation is terminated, then image quality can be maintained through calibration, but the next print operation cannot be started until the adjustment process is completed, increasing waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the adjustment process execution dynamic by detecting user presence. When a user is detected near the apparatus, the adjustment process is suspended or cancelled, allowing immediate resumption of print operations. When no user is present, the adjustment process executes to maintain image quality. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting the system behavior based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism using a human body detection sensor to monitor user presence. The detection result feeds back to the control unit, which then decides whether to execute or suspend the adjustment process. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically balance between maintaining image quality and minimizing waiting time based on actual user needs.
2Loss of time
If the adjustment process is suspended while user detection is performed, then waiting time is reduced, but image quality may be degraded due to lack of calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the execution of the adjustment process based on user presence detection. Instead of a fixed schedule, the adjustment process is adaptively enabled or disabled, ensuring it runs only when necessary for quality maintenance while minimizing interruptions to user workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment based on detected conditions. When no user is present, the apparatus automatically executes the adjustment process to maintain its own image quality without requiring user intervention or awareness, thereby balancing quality maintenance with operational efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If the adjustment process is executed at a fixed timing regardless of user presence, then image quality is maintained through regular calibration, but user productivity decreases due to unnecessary interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed-timing adjustment process into a dynamic one conditioned on user presence. The adjustment process executes only when the detection unit confirms no user is present, eliminating unnecessary interruptions while ensuring quality maintenance when appropriate, thus resolving the contradiction between quality and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the execution parameter of the adjustment process from a fixed time interval to a condition-based trigger (user presence absence). This parameter change allows the system to maintain quality assurance while adapting to actual usage patterns, preventing unnecessary productivity loss.
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
This approach reduces waiting times for users by initiating the image forming process before adjustment, while ensuring image quality by executing adjustments only when the user is not present or not actively using the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a human-body detection unit configured to detect a human body in a predetermined region
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a human-body detection unit, an instruction receiver, and a controller. The controller determines whether an adjustment process is to be performed in accordance with a result of a determination, at an end of an image forming process, as to whether a human body is detected. The controller executes the adjustment process when the image forming process is terminated where the human-body detection unit does not detect a human body. The controller starts the image forming process before the adjustment process is executed where a human body is detected and the image forming instruction is received within a predetermined period. The controller executes the adjustment process when the predetermined period has elapsed while the image forming instruction is not received after the end of the image forming process where the human-body detection unit detects a human body.