Image Forming Apparatus Post-Processing Control via Embedded Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses lack efficient control over post-processing execution times, which can lead to inconsistencies in image quality and processing errors due to the absence of a systematic method to read and utilize control patterns for synchronizing image formation and post-processing operations.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that includes an image forming section, a post-processing unit, and a controller, where the controller reads control patterns from the recording medium to determine the optimal post-processing execution time, ensuring synchronized control of image formation and post-processing operations, thereby enhancing image quality and reducing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If post-processing is performed without synchronized control based on control patterns, then processing can proceed independently and quickly, but image quality consistency deteriorates and processing errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control pattern is formed on the recording medium in advance during the image forming process. This preliminary action embeds synchronization information that the post-processing unit can read and utilize to execute post-processing at the correct timing, ensuring image quality consistency without requiring complex real-time coordination systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control pattern acts as an intermediary carrier that transfers synchronization information from the image forming section to the post-processing unit. By reading this intermediate control information, the post-processing unit can independently determine the correct execution timing, resolving the contradiction between reliability and system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If post-processing execution timing is not precisely controlled, then processing operations can proceed without synchronization overhead, but processing errors increase due to misalignment with image formation stages
Solution Approach 1:
The control pattern encodes timing information that is prepared in advance during image formation. This allows the post-processing unit to determine precise execution timing by reading the pre-encoded control pattern, achieving high timing precision without requiring continuous real-time communication or synchronization overhead during processing.
3Reliability
If control patterns are read and used to synchronize post-processing, then image quality and timing precision improve, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control pattern serves multiple functions: it controls image forming parameters and simultaneously provides timing information for post-processing synchronization. By making the control pattern multi-functional, the system achieves reliable synchronization without adding separate control mechanisms, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section, a post-processing unit, and a controller. The image forming section forms an image on a recording medium. The post-processing unit processes the recording medium obtained after the image forming section forms the image. The controller controls a post-processing execution time of the post-processing unit on the basis of information obtained by reading at least one control pattern from the recording medium. The at least one control pattern is formed to control the image forming section.