Image Forming Apparatus Toner Selection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses face challenges in effectively utilizing toners with high chroma values due to increased costs and inefficient utilization of Vivid toners, as they are more expensive than Normal toners, and their characteristics are not fully exploited depending on the original image color and printing conditions.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with both Normal and Vivid toner groups, where color information from image data is converted into a prescribed color space to determine the appropriate toner group for printing based on the reproducible range of each toner group and the specific characteristics of the recording sheet and printing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Vivid toner is used to reproduce colors outside the Normal toner's reproducible range, then color reproduction fidelity is improved, but printing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different toner types (Normal or Vivid) in different regions of the image based on color requirements. The control section analyzes each pixel's color values and determines whether Vivid toner is needed for that specific region, rather than using Vivid toner for the entire image. This allows high-chroma toner to be applied locally only where color fidelity requires it, optimizing both reproduction quality and cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of toner selection based on color space analysis. By converting image data to a prescribed color space and comparing color values against the reproducible ranges of Normal and Vivid toners, the system dynamically adjusts which toner group to use. This parameter-based selection approach enables adaptive toner assignment that balances color accuracy with cost considerations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If Vivid toner is used for all printing jobs, then color reproduction capability is improved, but cost efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using Vivid toner only when necessary for colors outside the Normal toner's reproducible range. The control section performs color space analysis to determine the extent to which Vivid toner is needed, using it partially rather than for all printing jobs. This selective approach maintains adequate color reproduction capability while avoiding unnecessary costs for images that can be adequately reproduced with Normal toner.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus is equipped with multiple toner groups, then toner selection flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the image forming apparatus to handle multiple toner groups (Normal and Vivid) through a unified control mechanism. The control section serves multiple functions: it manages both toner types, performs color space conversions, compares color values against reproducible ranges, and makes automated selection decisions. This multi-functional approach allows the apparatus to accommodate different toner groups without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus having a printing section loaded with a first toner group, and a second toner group having a higher chroma value than the first toner group; and a control section which is configured to: convert color information of each part of an image based on image data specified by a print job into values in a prescribed color space; make a first judgment of a toner group proper to the image by comparing the values in the prescribed color space with color reproducible range of previously registered each toner group; make a second judgment of the toner group proper to a recording sheet and/or a printing condition which being specified by the print job, by referring to previously stored correlation information; and determine the toner group to be used for printing the image, based on results of the first and second judgments.