Image Processing for Multi-Cassette Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming technologies do not perform adequate image processing based on the type of sheets used for each copy, leading to inappropriate toner usage when the carbon copy function is employed, which affects print quality.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that receives print data designating multiple copies and sets different sheet feed cassettes for each copy, performs image processing specific to the type of sheets in each cassette, and prints using the processed image data, ensuring appropriate toner usage and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the carbon copy function is used to print multiple copies from different sheet feed cassettes, then printing versatility is improved, but image processing according to sheet type is not performed resulting in inappropriate toner usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by performing different image processing operations on different portions of the printing task. Specifically, it identifies the sheet type for each copy and applies appropriate image processing (such as adjusting toner concentration, contrast, or sharpness) tailored to that specific sheet type. This ensures that each copy receives customized processing based on its destination sheet characteristics, resolving the contradiction between versatile multi-cassette printing and appropriate toner usage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the carbon copy function is used to print multiple copies from different sheet feed cassettes, then printing versatility is improved, but print quality deteriorates due to lack of sheet-specific image processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by performing different image processing operations on different portions of the printing task. Specifically, it identifies the sheet type for each copy and applies appropriate image processing (such as adjusting toner concentration, contrast, or sharpness) tailored to that specific sheet type. This ensures that each copy receives customized processing based on its destination sheet characteristics, resolving the contradiction between versatile multi-cassette printing and appropriate toner usage.
3Manufacturing precision
If image processing is performed for each sheet type in multi-copy printing, then print quality is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing image processing parameters for multiple different sheet types in advance. When a multi-copy printing job is received, the system retrieves the appropriate pre-configured parameters based on the destination sheet type for each copy, rather than calculating or determining parameters in real-time during printing. This approach maintains high print quality through sheet-specific processing while minimizing processing complexity by using pre-prepared parameter sets.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores generated image data, a first processing unit that, based on the image data stored in the storage unit and setting information, performs image processing according to a type of sheets stored in a first sheet feed cassette for printing of an Nth copy, a second processing unit that, based on the image data stored in the storage unit and the setting information, performs image processing according to a type of sheets stored in a second sheet feed cassette for printing of an (N+1)th copy, and a printing unit that prints image data processed by the first processing unit on a sheet fed from the first sheet feed cassette, and prints image data processed by the second processing unit on a sheet fed from the second sheet feed cassette.