Image Forming Control Using Outside-Print-Area Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently adjusting image forming conditions during normal printing processes, particularly when the detection image forming process is incomplete due to the normal process ending prematurely.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a second image processing portion that initiates a detection image forming process outside the print area on the transfer object, allowing for conditional switching based on predetermined conditions to either continue or halt the detection process, ensuring complete condition adjustment without unnecessary operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the detection image forming process is executed during the normal image forming process, then image quality improvement is achieved, but the normal image forming process may be delayed or interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the area outside the print area on the transfer object as an additional spatial dimension to form detection images. This allows detection image formation to occur simultaneously with normal printing without interfering with the print area, thereby achieving image quality improvement without delaying the normal image forming process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the transfer object into a print area and a non-print area, assigning different functions to each segment. The print area is used for normal printing while the non-print area is used for detection image formation. This segmentation enables both processes to occur independently and simultaneously, resolving the time conflict.
2Reliability
If the detection image forming process continues after the normal image forming process ends, then complete condition adjustment is achieved, but resource waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control portion monitors the execution status of both the normal image forming process and the detection image forming process. Based on this feedback, the control portion dynamically adjusts whether to continue or terminate the detection image forming process, ensuring complete condition adjustment when needed while avoiding resource waste when not necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the detection image forming process dynamic by allowing its continuation or termination to be switched based on real-time conditions. The control portion evaluates whether the normal image forming process has ended and whether complete condition adjustment is necessary, then dynamically adjusts the detection process accordingly, optimizing resource utilization.
3Measurement precision
If the detection image is formed in the print area, then detection accuracy is improved, but the print quality is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the detection image formation to a different spatial dimension - specifically, the area outside the print area on the transfer object. This spatial relocation maintains detection functionality while completely avoiding interference with the print area, thus preserving print quality while enabling accurate detection.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus (100) includes an image forming portion (3), a first image processing portion (51), and a second image processing portion (52). The second image processing portion (52), when a predetermined execution condition is satisfied, executes a detection image forming process in which a detection image that is used for adjusting an image forming condition in the image forming portion (3), is formed by the image forming portion (3) in an area (A3) outside a print area on a transfer object (26). In a case where, after the detection image forming process is started during execution of a normal image forming process, the normal image forming process ends before the detection image forming process ends, the second image processing portion (52) switches between continuing and not continuing the detection image forming process in accordance with a predetermined switch condition.