Diagnostic System for Image Forming Apparatus Using External Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diagnostic systems for image forming apparatuses either require an image sensor to identify components causing image deficiencies or fail to detect these deficiencies altogether, limiting their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic system comprising an image forming apparatus that forms a diagnostic image on a sheet and an image capturing apparatus, which captures the image and outputs a sheet image, allowing for component diagnosis based on image deficiency positions, even without an integrated image sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an image sensor is integrated into the image forming apparatus to identify components causing image deficiencies, then diagnostic capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary image capturing apparatus (such as a smartphone or digital camera) that captures images of the formed output to enable diagnostic analysis. This mediator allows the system to achieve diagnostic capabilities without integrating an image sensor directly into the image forming apparatus, thus resolving the contradiction between diagnostic capability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the formed image through the image capturing apparatus and performs diagnostic analysis on this copy. This approach enables comprehensive diagnostic functionality without requiring the original apparatus to contain image sensing components, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving precise measurement
2Measurement precision
If an image sensor is integrated into the image forming apparatus, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as users must purchase specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the image capturing apparatus universal by using common devices like smartphones or digital cameras that users already possess. This multi-functional approach allows the same device to serve both as a general-purpose imaging tool and as a diagnostic instrument, eliminating the need for specialized equipment and improving ease of operation while maintaining diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to perform diagnostic functions using their own existing devices without requiring additional specialized equipment from the manufacturer. This self-service approach improves ease of operation by allowing users to conduct diagnostics with familiar devices while the system maintains high diagnostic accuracy through sophisticated image analysis
3Device complexity
If image deficiencies are not detected, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of the image forming apparatus deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image capturing apparatus captures images of the formed output, and the processor analyzes these images to identify component conditions. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain high reliability by detecting image deficiencies and identifying problematic components without adding complex sensing equipment to the image forming apparatus itself
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic system may comprise an image forming apparatus that forms a diagnostic image on a sheet and an image capturing apparatus that captures an image of the sheet on which the diagnostic image is formed and which has been discharged from the image forming apparatus, and outputs the image captured as a sheet image. The image capturing apparatus may make a diagnosis for a component of the image forming apparatus based on a position of an image deficiency in the sheet image, and output a diagnosis result for the component of the image forming apparatus.