Image Forming Device Environmental Adjustment Pattern Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in determining the appropriate adjustment pattern for varying temperature and humidity environments in existing image forming devices, limiting the ability to accurately adjust print mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

An image forming device equipped with a scanner mechanism, inkjet-type print mechanism, and a control unit that includes a pattern storage unit associating temperature, humidity, and adjustment patterns, allowing for the acquisition of environmental measurements and generation of print data with corresponding adjustment patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjustment patterns are printed on one sheet to provide more options for different environments, then the variety of adjustment patterns increases, but it becomes more difficult for users to visually determine which pattern is suitable for their use environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariety of adjustment patternsVSAvoidease of determining suitable pattern

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically determines the appropriate adjustment pattern group based on pre-stored correspondence between environmental conditions (temperature and humidity ranges) and adjustment pattern groups. This preliminary classification eliminates the need for users to manually search through multiple patterns, as the system has already selected the suitable group based on measured environmental data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the environmental conditions and the adjustment patterns. It measures temperature and humidity, references the stored correspondence data, and automatically selects and outputs the appropriate adjustment pattern group, thereby mediating the complex relationship between environmental variables and pattern selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users manually select adjustment patterns based on environmental conditions, then flexibility in adjustment is improved, but the complexity of the adjustment process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs self-service by automatically measuring environmental conditions, determining the appropriate adjustment pattern group based on pre-stored correspondence, and outputting the selected patterns without requiring manual user intervention. This automation maintains flexibility while eliminating complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters automatically by measuring temperature and humidity values, then using these parameter changes to select corresponding adjustment pattern groups from pre-stored data, thereby adapting the printing conditions based on environmental parameter variations without increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If adjustment patterns are printed without considering environmental conditions, then the printing process is simplified, but the accuracy of print mechanism adjustment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of printing processVSAvoidaccuracy of print mechanism adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary action by measuring environmental conditions and determining the appropriate adjustment pattern group before printing begins. This ensures that the correct patterns are selected in advance based on temperature and humidity, maintaining printing simplicity while ensuring adjustment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates environmental parameter changes (temperature and humidity measurements) into the printing process by selecting adjustment patterns that correspond to the measured conditions. This parameter-based selection maintains process simplicity while improving adjustment accuracy through environmentally-appropriate pattern selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11934708B2Image forming device and control method of image forming device that implement an adjustment pattern group for liquid adjustment

Publication Date: 2024.03.19 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An image forming device includes: a scanner mechanism; an inkjet-type print mechanism; a display mechanism; and a control unit configured to control the scanner mechanism, the print mechanism, and the display mechanism. The control unit includes a pattern storage unit configured to store a temperature, a humidity, and an adjustment pattern group including a plurality of adjustment patterns, in association with each other, a first acquisition unit configured to acquire a first measured temperature and a first measured humidity from a temperature and humidity sensor, and a data generation unit configured to read an adjustment pattern group corresponding to the first measured temperature and the first measured humidity acquired by the first acquisition unit from the pattern storage unit, and generate print data including the read adjustment pattern group.