Image Forming Apparatus Fluorescence Color Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses struggle to accurately reproduce colors on sheets containing fluorescent whitening agents due to the absorption of ultraviolet light, leading to inconsistent color reproduction between read signals and user observations, as the read signals do not account for the fluorescence effect.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a dual reading system, where a first reading section emits visible light and a second reading section emits both visible and ultraviolet light to capture the fluorescence, allowing for correction of the read signal to match user-observed colors by incorporating the signal component of fluorescence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a reading section uses only visible light to read images on sheets, then the reading section can operate with a simple light source, but the color reproduced by the read signal does not match the color observed by users due to missing fluorescence signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two reading sections with different light sources (visible light and ultraviolet light) into a single image forming apparatus. The visible light reading section captures the image without fluorescence, while the ultraviolet reading section captures the fluorescence signal. These two signals are then merged and combined to produce a corrected read signal that accurately represents the color as observed by users under natural lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a correction section that acts as an intermediary between the two reading sections and the final output. This correction section processes the signals from both reading sections, calculates the fluorescence component, and applies correction to the visible light read signal. The correction section mediates the integration of fluorescence information into the final color representation, ensuring accurate color reproduction.
2Ease of operation
If color correction for fluorescent color is performed using only read signal values, then the correction process is simple, but the change amount of hue cannot be determined and color consistency is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the read signal from the ultraviolet reading section (capturing fluorescence) is used to determine the appropriate correction amount for the visible light read signal. The correction section compares the fluorescence signal with the visible light signal and applies a calculated correction factor. This feedback loop ensures that the correction amount is dynamically adjusted based on the actual fluorescence present, achieving accurate color consistency while maintaining operational simplicity.
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 ensures that the color reproduced by the read signal accurately reflects the color observed by users, enhancing color reproducibility by accounting for the fluorescence effect.
Implementation Method 1
In natural light, ultraviolet light included in the natural light is absorbed by the fluorescent whitening agent in a sheet
Implementation Method 2
light (fluorescence) is released. Since the fluorescence is visible light having a wavelength close to that of the ultraviolet light, the hue of blue color appears to be strong to the user and the whiteness of the sheet is enhanced
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, including: a first reading section which emits visible light to a sheet having an image formed thereon, receives light from the sheet and outputs a read signal having an intensity corresponding to an amount of the received light; a second reading section which emits light including at least ultraviolet light to a ground region of the sheet, receives light from the sheet and outputs a read signal having an intensity corresponding to an amount of the received light; and a correction section which corrects the read signal output from the first reading section by using the read signal output from the second reading section so that a color reproduced by the read signal output from the first reading section is consistent with a color observed by a user.