Image Forming Apparatus Transparent Toner Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses using transparent toner face challenges in achieving consistent glossiness due to variations in media type, amount of transparent toner, and color toner, leading to unpredictable effects and wastage of transparent toner during repeated operations to achieve desired glossiness.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a system that allows for quick and precise control of transparent toner application by using a test mode to select and synthesize transparent image data based on user input, ensuring consistent glossiness across different media types, reducing wastage and operational inefficiencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If transparent toner is applied to achieve desired glossiness, then the glossiness effect is improved, but the amount of transparent toner consumed increases due to repeated operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention stores multiple types of transparent image data with different transparent toner amounts in advance. Users can select from pre-prepared options rather than repeatedly adjusting and re-printing, thereby achieving the desired glossiness effect while minimizing transparent toner consumption through repeated operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides dynamically selectable transparent image data with varying degrees of transparency and toner amounts. This allows users to adjust the glossiness effect by selecting different pre-stored image data options, optimizing both the visual effect and toner efficiency without requiring multiple trial printings.
2Manufacturing precision
If transparent image data is adjusted to achieve desired effect, then the glossiness is improved, but the time required for repeated operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple transparent image data options with different glossiness levels are prepared and stored in advance. Users can directly select from these pre-configured options instead of repeatedly adjusting image data and performing test prints, significantly reducing the time required to achieve the desired glossiness effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a range of transparent image data options with varying degrees of transparency and toner amounts. Users can select the most appropriate option from pre-prepared choices, avoiding the need for iterative adjustments and multiple printing operations, thus optimizing both quality and efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If transparent toner amount is increased to achieve desired effect, then the glossiness is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system offers dynamically selectable transparent image data with varying transparent toner amounts. Users can choose from pre-stored options that provide different levels of glossiness effect, allowing optimization of the balance between visual effect and toner consumption without requiring excessive transparent toner application.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple transparent image data options with different degrees of transparency are prepared in advance. Users can select the most appropriate option that achieves the desired glossiness effect with optimal toner usage, avoiding both insufficient and excessive transparent toner application, thereby controlling costs effectively.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus enables rapid formation of images with the desired transparent toner effect, minimizing wastage and improving operational efficiency by allowing users to select and apply the optimal transparent toner amount and pattern, resulting in consistent output quality.
Implementation Method 1
the previously formed image passes through a fixing device two times and therefore the glossiness thereof is increased
Implementation Method 2
a transparent image is formed with a transparent toner
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion for superposedly outputting a color toner image and a transparent toner image on a recording material; an image data obtaining portion for obtaining a color image data used for forming the color toner image and first and second transparent image data used for forming the transparent toner image; and an executing portion for executing an operation in a test mode in which a test image which collects and coordinates a predetermined number of images including a first image and a second image is outputted on the recording material smaller in number than the predetermined number. The first image is prepared by synthesizing and reducing the color image data and the first transparent image data. The second image is prepared by synthesizing and reducing the color image data and the second transparent image data different from the first transparent image data.