Inkjet Density Correction via Image Reading Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid discharge heads in inkjet image forming apparatuses experience manufacturing dimensional errors, leading to variations in discharge speed and amount, resulting in uneven image density on recording media, which existing techniques struggle to fully correct.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system that includes a reading device to calculate the density of each unit area of an image, determines regions satisfying a predetermined density condition, and outputs images and visual representations to identify and correct uneven density regions, using a density adjusting method executed by processors to ensure uniform image density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If liquid discharge heads are used in inkjet image forming apparatuses, then image formation capability is provided, but dimensional error in manufacturing causes variations in discharge speed and amount, resulting in uneven image density
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of density unevenness by reading the formed image and calculating density for each predetermined unit area before final output. This allows identification of regions with density variations so that correction can be applied in advance to subsequent printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the reading device detects the actual density distribution of the printed image, the calculation unit processes this information to determine density variations, and the control unit adjusts the liquid discharge heads accordingly. This closed-loop feedback continuously improves manufacturing precision by compensating for discharge inconsistencies.
2Manufacturing precision
If density detection and correction techniques are applied, then image density uniformity is improved, but the complexity of the system increases due to additional reading device and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The reading device serves multiple functions: it reads the formed image for density analysis, provides data for calculating density distributions, and enables the system to detect and correct unevenness. The calculation unit performs both density calculation and determination of correction values, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly measuring liquid discharge characteristics which would require complex sensors, the system creates a copy of the actual printed image and analyzes the density distribution from this copy. This indirect measurement approach simplifies the overall system structure while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Productivity
If manual inspection of image density is performed, then detection capability is provided, but inspection efficiency and objectivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-inspection by automatically reading the formed image and calculating density distributions without requiring manual intervention. The calculation unit objectively quantifies density variations through computational analysis, eliminating subjectivity and improving both efficiency and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual visual inspection with an automated reading device and computational analysis mechanism. Instead of human eyes and judgment, optical reading combined with digital calculation provides objective, reproducible density measurements that are both efficient and precise.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an image forming device configured to form an image on a recording medium, a reading device configured to read the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming device, and circuitry. The circuitry is configured to control the reading device; calculate a density of each predetermined unit area of the read image; determine whether the read image includes a region satisfying a predetermined density condition based on the calculated density; and output an image of a first region of the read image not satisfying the predetermined density condition, an image of a second region satisfying the predetermined density condition, and a visual representation associated with the second region in response to a determination that the read image includes the second region.