Image Forming Apparatus Trace Pattern Visibility Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatus technologies fail to maintain constant visibility of trace patterns across varying usage conditions, such as changes in photoreceptor layer thickness and humidity, which can lead to reduced decipherability and print quality.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that adjusts the size of the trace pattern's image area by reducing the number of pixels or pixel size based on photoreceptor layer thickness and humidity, using information from sensors and cumulative usage metrics to ensure consistent visibility, and incorporates a humidity sensor to control the trace pattern's size accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the trace pattern is added with fixed image area size, then the trace pattern can be easily generated, but the visibility of the trace pattern changes with photoreceptor layer thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the image area size of the trace pattern variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the image area size based on the detected photoreceptor layer thickness, ensuring that the trace pattern maintains appropriate visibility across different usage conditions while still being easily generated through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of image area size based on the photoreceptor layer thickness parameter. When the photoreceptor layer thickness decreases, the image area size is reduced proportionally, maintaining the trace pattern's visibility and decipherability under varying operational conditions
2Reliability
If the image area size is reduced to compensate for thin photoreceptor layer, then the visibility is maintained, but the trace pattern becomes more complex to generate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the detected photoreceptor layer thickness information to automatically determine the appropriate image area size for the trace pattern. This feedback mechanism simplifies the generation process by eliminating manual calculation and selection, as the control unit automatically adjusts parameters based on real-time device state
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically adjusting the trace pattern parameters based on its own operational state (photoreceptor thickness). The control unit uses internally detected information to self-regulate the image area size, eliminating the need for external intervention or complex manual configuration
3Measurement precision
If the trace pattern visibility is increased, then the decipherability improves, but the print quality of the main image may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of different image regions. The trace pattern areas receive adjusted image area sizes based on photoreceptor thickness, while the main image areas maintain their original quality standards. This localized adjustment ensures trace pattern decipherability without compromising overall print quality
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus which forms an image on a medium on the basis of an input image signal includes: an image carrier configured to carry a developed toner image transferred to the medium on a photoreceptor layer; a contact member arranged so as to be in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor layer; a trace pattern generating unit configured to generate a trace pattern indicating specific information on the image forming apparatus; a composition unit configured to add the trace pattern to the image signal; and an acquiring unit configured to acquire information on the thickness of the photoreceptor layer of the image carrier, wherein the trace pattern is used for arranging a plurality of image areas at respective positions, and the trace pattern generating unit is configured to generate the trace pattern with the image area whose size is reduced in accordance with reduction of the thickness of the photoreceptor layer.