Image Forming Apparatus Test Chart Adjustment Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses wastefully consume resources by printing test charts during adjustment procedures, even when the actual printed material can be used for adjustments, leading to unnecessary toner, sheet, and needle usage.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus and method that determines whether a test chart needs to be printed based on a predetermined setting status, allowing adjustment processing to use either the test chart or the already printed and post-processed material, thereby reducing wasteful printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a test chart is printed during adjustment procedures, then adjustment processing can be performed, but resources (toner, sheet, needle) are wastefully consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment capabilityVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines whether printing is necessary based on its own analysis of the setting status and adjustment requirements. When adjustment is not required, the system automatically skips test chart printing, allowing the apparatus to serve itself by eliminating unnecessary resource consumption while maintaining adjustment capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of test chart printing from a fixed always-print approach to a conditional approach based on setting status analysis. By dynamically adjusting the printing parameter based on whether adjustment is actually required, the system reduces resource consumption while preserving measurement precision when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a test chart is always printed for adjustment, then adjustment accuracy is ensured, but productivity is reduced due to unnecessary printing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment accuracyVSAvoidoutput efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of always performing the complete test chart printing action, the system performs only the necessary portion - printing the test chart only when adjustment is actually required. This partial action approach maintains adjustment accuracy when needed while eliminating unproductive printing steps that reduce overall output efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs a preliminary determination of whether adjustment is necessary before initiating test chart printing. By analyzing the setting status in advance and deciding whether printing is required, the system avoids unnecessary printing steps that would reduce productivity, while ensuring adjustment accuracy is maintained when actually needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12107998B2Image forming apparatus that performs adjustment for post processing on a printed material, control method thereof, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 CANON KK

AI summary

The present invention is directed to an image forming apparatus comprising determining whether printing of a test chart used in adjustment processing related to post processing is necessary in accordance with a predetermined setting status; and executing the adjustment processing using the test chart output as a result of printing and the post processing on the test chart in a case where the printing of the test chart is determined to be necessary, and executing the adjustment processing using a printed material that has already been printed and subjected to the post processing, in a case where the printing of the test chart is determined to be unnecessary.