Image Forming Apparatus Print Quality Adjustment

Solution Overview

Problem

Users of image forming apparatuses face difficulties in understanding and adjusting output conditions to achieve desired print quality, leading to increased user loads and time consumption.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with an image generator, result determiner, method presenter, and setting changer that assesses user dissatisfaction, provides resolution methods based on appearance features, and adjusts output conditions accordingly, while also monitoring the usage environment and acquiring feature information from read images to optimize print settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If users manually adjust output conditions to improve print quality, then print quality can be optimized, but user operation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoiduser operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The image forming apparatus automatically adjusts output conditions by analyzing the print image and comparing it with reference images, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust settings. The system serves itself by autonomously optimizing print quality based on visual analysis of the actual print output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a feedback loop where the actual print image is captured, analyzed, and compared with reference images to determine quality metrics. Based on this feedback, the output conditions are automatically adjusted and reprinted until the desired quality is achieved, creating a closed-loop optimization system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If users manually adjust output conditions to improve print quality, then print quality can be optimized, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The image forming apparatus automatically adjusts output conditions by analyzing the print image and comparing it with reference images, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust settings. The system serves itself by autonomously optimizing print quality based on visual analysis of the actual print output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a feedback loop where the actual print image is captured, analyzed, and compared with reference images to determine quality metrics. Based on this feedback, the output conditions are automatically adjusted and reprinted until the desired quality is achieved, creating a closed-loop optimization system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the system automatically adjusts output conditions based on print analysis, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses reference images as copies of ideal print outputs. By comparing the actual print image with these reference copies, the system can automatically determine quality metrics and adjust output conditions without requiring complex manual intervention or sophisticated user expertise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment operations with automated image processing and analysis systems. Instead of users physically adjusting knobs or menus, the system uses digital image comparison and automated control to adjust output conditions, substituting human expertise with computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11200008B2Image forming apparatus, recording medium, and control method with problem solving guidance

Publication Date: 2021.12.14 SHARP KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a CPU. After a print image is printed on a sheet, the CPU determines whether a print result is dissatisfactory. When it is determined that the print result is dissatisfactory, the image forming apparatus provides support to resolve the quality mismatch indicating the difference between the actual print quality and the print quality desired by the user.