Image Forming Apparatus White Toner Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving high image quality when transferring images onto materials like T-shirts, as they struggle to maintain sufficient toner amounts and adhesive distribution, leading to potential image quality issues.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an image processing section that corrects pixel values for an auxiliary color developer to ensure the total developer amount falls within a predetermined range, using a duty ratio calculator to adjust the white toner amount based on target duty ratios, ensuring adequate adhesive and toner distribution for improved transfer characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If white toner is used to reduce the influence of ground color on image quality, then image quality improves, but the total toner amount increases which may cause transfer problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the white toner pixel values based on the ground color characteristics and existing color toner distribution. The image processing section calculates appropriate white toner amounts to compensate for ground color influence while maintaining total toner amount within transferable ranges, thus improving image quality without causing transfer problems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the total toner amount (sum of color toners and white toner) and adjusting the white toner pixel values accordingly. When the calculated total exceeds the predetermined range, the system reduces white toner amounts; when insufficient, it increases them, ensuring optimal transfer characteristics while maintaining image quality
2Manufacturing precision
If excessive white toner is applied to compensate for ground color, then ground color influence is reduced, but adhesive distribution becomes insufficient leading to poor transfer characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of white toner pixel values dynamically based on ground color characteristics and total toner amount constraints. By calculating appropriate white toner amounts that account for both ground color compensation needs and adhesive distribution requirements, the system achieves effective ground color reduction while maintaining reliable transfer characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-calculating and limiting the white toner pixel values before the transfer process. The image processing section establishes upper bounds on white toner amounts that prevent excessive toner application, thereby ensuring sufficient adhesive distribution and preventing transfer failures before they occur
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus (1, 2) includes an image processing section (52, 82) and an image forming section (20, 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20W). The image processing section (52, 82) corrects, on the basis of pieces of image data (D2, D2Y, D2M, D2C, D2W), a pixel value (DRW) corresponding to an auxiliary color developer in a first pixel (P) and thereby causes a developer amount (DRtotal) in the first pixel (P) to fall within a predetermined range. The pieces of image data (D2, D2Y, D2M, D2C, D2W) correspond to respective developers including one or more basic color developers that configure an image and the auxiliary color developer. The developer amount (DRtotal) in the first pixel (P) is a total amount of the one or more basic color developers and the auxiliary color developer in the first pixel (P) when the one or more basic color developers and the auxiliary color developer are disposed on each other. The image forming section (20, 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20W) forms an image on a transfer print medium (9) on the basis of the pieces of processed image data (D2, D2Y, D2M, D2C, D2W) processed.