Image Forming Apparatus Paper Jam Correction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies and paper waste when a paper jam occurs during gamma correction processing, as they cannot accurately determine whether remaining sheets are for normal jobs or correction, leading to improper correction processing and waste.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a control unit that performs prepurge processing by discharging valid transfer media on both sides of a paper jam, continues image formation correction processing, and ensures gamma correction based on patch image readings, thereby reducing waste and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prepurge processing is performed when a paper jam occurs during correction processing, then sheets can be discharged to prevent jam, but the correction processing is interrupted and may be performed inefficiently or on wrong sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sheet handling process into different paths: one for normal sheets and another for correction sheets. By identifying correction sheets through specific markers or attributes, the system can route them separately to ensure correction processing continues uninterrupted while normal sheets are discharged through prepurge processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of correction sheets before the paper jam occurs by marking or tagging them with specific attributes. This allows the control unit to recognize correction sheets during the jam condition and maintain their processing continuity, preventing interruption of the correction workflow.
2Loss of substance
If blank sheets are output during prepurge processing, then sheets can be reused and toner not wasted, but the sheets may not be appropriate for continuation of correction processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different handling qualities to different sheet types. Correction sheets are identified by specific local attributes (such as markers, tags, or data identification) that distinguish them from normal sheets. This allows the system to maintain correction sheets for continued processing while discharging normal sheets as blank sheets for reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that identifies and separates correction sheets from normal sheets based on their attributes. This intermediary function ensures that correction sheets are not mistakenly discharged as blank sheets, while normal sheets can be appropriately reused.
3Device complexity
If the system cannot determine whether remaining sheets are for normal job or correction, then processing can be simplified, but correction processing may be performed at unintended time or on wrong sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual or detectable markers (analogous to color changes) on correction sheets to make them distinguishable from normal sheets. These markers can be physical tags, printed indicators, or data attributes that allow the control unit to easily identify correction sheets without complex analysis, maintaining simplicity while ensuring accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously monitors sheet attributes and adjusts processing accordingly. When correction sheets are detected through their identifying markers, the system receives feedback and modifies its behavior to maintain correction processing continuity, preventing unintended correction operations on normal sheets.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a conveying unit and a control unit, the control unit has a function of image formation correcting of performing correction of the image forming unit in response to a reading result of an image on the transfer medium, and a function of prepurge processing of, when a paper jam occurs, performing control to discharge a valid medium located on a downstream side of a position where the paper jam occurs to outside the conveyance path and discharge a medium located on an upstream side of the position where the paper jam occurs to outside the conveyance path, and, when the paper jam occurs, and the medium being conveyed includes a medium for correction to be used for image formation correcting, the control unit performs control to perform the prepurge processing and continue the image formation correcting.