Image Forming Apparatus Dust Detection Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately adjusting image forming conditions due to abnormalities in read images, such as dust or dirt, which can affect calibration and image quality, especially when using automatic document feeders.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a reader having a transparent member for dust detection, a document feeder for automatic sheet handling, and a controller that corrects reading results and generates conversion conditions excluding abnormal data from test chart readings to ensure accurate calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an automatic document feeder is used to reduce operator workload during calibration, then ease of operation is improved, but dust or dirt on the transparent member causes black streaks or abnormalities in read images, worsening measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary dust detection on the transparent member before conducting calibration. By detecting dust positions in advance and excluding those regions from calibration calculations, the system maintains measurement precision while still utilizing the automatic document feeder for convenient operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and excludes the abnormal regions containing dust or dirt from the calibration process. By separating the clean regions from the contaminated regions and performing calibration only on clean areas, the system eliminates the harmful effect of dust while maintaining the benefits of automatic feeding.
2Measurement precision
If pixel signals are replaced to correct abnormalities in read images, then measurement precision is improved, but calibration accuracy deteriorates when dust is present at critical positions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attempting to correct dust artifacts through pixel replacement, the system converts the harmful effect into a beneficial filtering process. By detecting dust positions and systematically excluding those regions from calibration calculations, the system transforms the presence of dust from a correction problem into a selective sampling strategy that ensures calibration accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If test charts are printed on multiple sheets for adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but operator workload increases, worsening ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting dust on the transparent member and autonomously excluding affected regions from calibration calculations. This eliminates the need for operator intervention to manually handle multiple test chart sheets, reducing workload while maintaining the system's ability to adjust various image processing conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image, a reader having a transparent member, the reader being configured to read an original through intermediation of the transparent member, a document feeder configured to feed the original in order to read the original by the reader, a reader image processor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the image forming unit to form a test chart on a sheet, to control the reader image processor to detect the dust on the transparent member based on a result of reading the test chart, and to generate a conversion condition based on other signal values excluding an abnormal signal value caused by the dust on the transparent member.