Image Forming Apparatus Margin Diagnosis via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses using an electrophotographic system struggle to identify correspondences between formed images and the conditions under which they were created, particularly when images are formed without charging or exposure to light, making fault diagnosis challenging.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is configured to perform a series of operations under different charging and exposure conditions, forming margins with varying forms, sizes, and densities on recording media, and uses a processing system to analyze these images to identify the execution order and conditions applied, enabling diagnosis of the apparatus state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If images are formed under various conditions including without charging nor exposure to light for apparatus diagnosis, then the ability to detect apparatus malfunctions is improved, but the difficulty of identifying which image corresponds to which condition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into distinct segments: a margin area and a main image area. The margin area is formed under specific conditions (with or without charging/exposure) and contains identification information that segments the overall image into condition-specific regions, making it easier to identify which image corresponds to which formation condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the margin area with specific identification characteristics before the main image formation. This preliminary margin formation establishes condition identifiers that will be used later for diagnosis, allowing the system to pre-mark images with their formation conditions before actual diagnostic imaging occurs.
2Measurement precision
If margins of different forms are formed on recording media in respective operations under different conditions, then the identification of image formation conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the margin area different across operations while keeping the main image formation process consistent. The margin area has different properties (presence/absence, size, pattern) depending on the formation condition, while the rest of the image uses standard formation procedures, thus improving identification without requiring complete redesign of the entire image forming system.
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 allows for effective identification of image formation conditions and apparatus state by analyzing margins with different forms, sizes, and densities, facilitating accurate diagnosis and fault detection.
Implementation Method 1
a toner image being formed on an image carrier by an electrophotographic system
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that transfers a toner image onto a recording medium, the toner image being formed on an image carrier by an electrophotographic system; and one or more processors that control an operation of the image forming unit, and that are configured to: perform multiple operations under different conditions about charging and exposure to light in predetermined order, the operations including at least an operation of forming a toner image on the recording medium with the image carrier having been subjected to charging and exposure to light and an operation of forming a toner image on the recording medium with the image carrier having been subjected to no exposure to light and optionally to charging; and control the image forming unit to form margins of different forms, the margins being formed on pieces of the recording medium in the respective operations performed under the different conditions.