Image Forming Apparatus for Scanner Spot-Based Density Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately correcting image density due to scanner spots, which degrade the uniformity of printed images, and current techniques fail to effectively detect and address these spots.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a reading device that detects spots, stores spot information with date-and-time data, and determines cleaning requirements based on comparative analysis of spot information, prompting users to clean the device when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If spot detection is performed using a scanner to correct image density, then the uniformity of printed images is improved, but the detection accuracy is reduced when the scanner itself has spots
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary spot detection on the scanner glass surface before conducting the density uniformization process. By detecting and marking scanner spots in advance, the system can exclude these areas from the density correction calculation, thereby preventing scanner spots from degrading the detection accuracy of actual image defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary detection mechanism that distinguishes between scanner spots and actual image defects. By using a separate detection pass specifically for the scanner glass surface, the system creates an intermediary layer of information that allows it to filter out false positives from the main density uniformization process.
2Measurement precision
If the reading device is cleaned frequently to remove spots, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the operational time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically detecting spots on the scanner glass surface and determining whether cleaning is required. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual inspection and intervention, allowing the system to maintain high detection accuracy while minimizing operational disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the scanner glass surface for spots and provides real-time information about cleaning requirements. This feedback loop allows the system to optimize cleaning timing based on actual contamination levels rather than following a fixed schedule, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while maximizing productivity.
3Reliability
If spot information is stored and compared over time to determine cleaning requirements, then the detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary spot detection and stores the results with timestamp information before proceeding with subsequent detections. By establishing a baseline of scanner glass conditions in advance, the system can reliably determine whether cleaning has occurred and whether the current spots are new or pre-existing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a digital copy of the scanner glass surface condition by storing spot information and metadata. This copy serves as a reference that can be compared against future detections without requiring physical re-examination of the same areas, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity through data rather than physical resources.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a reading device to read an image, a control unit to detect a first spot from the image read by the reading device, a storage to store first spot information of the first spot detected from the image and date-and-time information of time of detection of the first spot, and a display to display a clean message to clean the reading device. The control unit further detects second spot information from the image stored in the storage, compares the first spot information and the second spot information to determine whether the reading device is to be cleaned based on the first spot information, the date-and-time information and the second spot information, and causes the display to display the clean message when the reading device is determined to be cleaned.