Image Forming Apparatus Edge Exposure Correction for Toner Sweep
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with 'sweeping' and 'edge effects' where toner adheres excessively at edges, leading to varying toner increase regions that are not accurately accounted for, resulting in suboptimal exposure adjustments and deteriorated image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a determination unit that identifies first and second correction regions based on distance from image edges and adjusts exposure amounts accordingly, with larger reductions for pixels in the first correction region and smaller reductions for those in the second region, to maintain target toner adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed correction region is used for all image forming apparatuses, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates because variation in the size of the toner increase region due to variation between individual image forming apparatuses is not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The correction region is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The determination unit determines the correction region based on actual toner adhesion measurements from the specific image forming apparatus, allowing the correction region to adapt to individual apparatus variations. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to operate easily (automatic determination) while achieving high manufacturing precision (apparatus-specific correction regions).
Solution Approach 2:
The parameters defining the correction region (distance from edge, region size) are changed based on measured toner adhesion characteristics of each individual apparatus. By adjusting these parameters according to actual performance data, the system achieves both ease of operation (automatic parameter adjustment) and manufacturing precision (customized correction regions for each apparatus).
2Device complexity
If the correction region is smaller than the toner increase region, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of substance increases because the amount of adhering toner increases from the target value and the toner consumption amount increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from toner adhesion measurements to determine the appropriate correction region size. The determination unit measures actual toner adhesion in the toner increase region and uses this feedback to set the correction region that matches the actual toner increase region size. This prevents both over-correction and under-correction, reducing toner waste while maintaining simple device operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by measuring its own toner adhesion characteristics and automatically determining its own correction region. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex external calibration equipment while ensuring the correction region is optimally sized to prevent toner waste.
3Device complexity
If exposure amount is adjusted for pixels that do not need correction, then the image quality deteriorates, but the device complexity is reduced by using a simplified fixed correction region approach
Solution Approach 1:
The correction application is made dynamic by linking it to measured toner adhesion data. The decision unit uses the determined correction region (based on actual apparatus characteristics) to selectively apply exposure adjustments only where needed. This dynamic approach maintains simple device operation while preventing both unnecessary corrections and missed corrections, preserving image quality.
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 effectively suppresses toner increase due to sweeping and edge effects, maintaining image quality while reducing toner consumption by accurately adjusting exposure amounts based on individual apparatus variations.
Implementation Method 1
an exposure unit configured to, based on image data, form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor by exposing the photoconductor
Implementation Method 2
a developing unit configured to cause a developer to adhere to the electrostatic latent image and thereby form an image of the developer on the photoconductor
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a unit configured to determine a first region, which is within a range from where a distance from a first edge of an image is a first value to a second value, and a second region, which is within a range from where a distance from the first edge is the second value to a third value; and a decision unit configured to, for each of a plurality of first pixels included in the first region and a plurality of second pixels included in the second region, decide an amount of reduction from an exposure amount, wherein the decision unit makes the amount of reduction of each of the plurality of first pixels greater than the amount of reduction of each of the plurality of second pixels.