Operating Parameter Determination in Image Forming Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming devices face inefficiencies in setting operating parameters, particularly due to the time-consuming toner patch sensing procedure, which reduces throughput and causes toner waste, and struggles with accurately detecting black toner on dark surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The method determines operating parameters for image forming stations based on factors from other stations and device information, using weighting factors to improve accuracy, and specifically addresses black toner detection by utilizing predictions from cyan, magenta, and yellow toner patch sensing, along with age and environmental considerations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If toner patch sensing procedure is used to determine operating parameters, then parameter setting accuracy is improved, but device productivity deteriorates due to time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs toner patch sensing in advance before actual print jobs, and stores the obtained operating parameters in memory. When a print job is received, the pre-determined parameters are directly applied without repeating the sensing procedure, thus maintaining accuracy while improving throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies operating parameters from one image forming station to another. When determining parameters for a particular station, the system references parameters from other stations that have already been calibrated, avoiding redundant sensing procedures and accelerating parameter setup.
2Measurement precision
If toner patch sensing procedure is performed for each color, then color balance accuracy is improved, but toner waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs toner patch sensing and determines operating parameters in advance before actual print jobs. The calculated parameters are stored and reused for subsequent printing operations, eliminating the need to continuously consume toner for repeated sensing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses the operating parameters determined through toner patch sensing. Instead of discarding the sensing results after single-use, the parameters are stored in memory and applied to multiple subsequent print jobs, reducing the frequency of toner consumption for calibration.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If black toner patch sensing is performed on dark surface, then detection capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to reflectivity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses cyan, magenta, and yellow toner patches as intermediary elements to indirectly determine black toner operating parameters. Since these colored toners have sufficient reflectivity for accurate sensing, their parameters are used to calculate the black toner parameters through a predictive model, avoiding the reflectivity problem of direct black toner detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the direct optical detection mechanism for black toner with a computational approach. Instead of relying on optical sensors to detect black toner reflectivity (which fails on dark surfaces), the system uses mathematical models to predict black toner parameters based on measurements from other toner colors.
4Measurement precision
If operating parameters are determined individually for each image forming station, then parameter accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal parameter determination approach where operating parameters determined for one image forming station can be applied to other stations. A single sensing procedure's results are reused across multiple stations through copying and predictive modeling, reducing the overall complexity of the parameter determination process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies operating parameters from one image forming station to another. When a station's parameters are determined through sensing, these parameters are stored and automatically applied to other stations with similar characteristics, eliminating the need for each station to undergo separate sensing procedures and reducing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for setting an operating point within an image forming device. The operating point for one or more image forming stations may be determined without performing a toner patch sensing procedure. The operating points are determined based on other information, such as the operating points of one or more other image forming stations, information about the device, and information about the image forming stations themselves. The different factors may be weighted to more accurately determine the operating parameter(s).