LED Array Density Correction via Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming systems face variations in density due to characteristics of constituent elements, particularly the light emitting device and image forming device, leading to inconsistent image quality.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a light emitting device, a controller, an image forming device, an acquiring device, and a calculator that form a test image, acquire density information, and calculate correction values to adjust the light output, thereby suppressing density variations and enhancing image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If light output from the light emitting device is increased to improve image density, then image density is improved, but density variations increase due to device characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the actual light output density using a density meter and feeds this information back to the controller, which then adjusts the light emission intensity of each LED to compensate for variations and achieve uniform image density across the entire image bearer surface
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically changes the emission parameters (intensity, duration) of individual light emitting elements based on measured density characteristics, adjusting these parameters to compensate for manufacturing variations in the light emitting device and achieve consistent image density
2Manufacturing precision
If correction values are calculated and applied to each light emitting element to correct density variations, then image quality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement and correction value calculation during the initialization phase, storing these correction values in memory before actual image formation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations during image formation, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction by automatically measuring its own light output characteristics, calculating correction values, and applying them without external intervention, thereby improving image quality while minimizing the need for external calibration equipment or complex manual adjustment mechanisms
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 solution effectively corrects light output based on calculated correction values, reducing density variations and improving image quality by compensating for the characteristics of the light emitting and image forming devices.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting device irradiates the surface of the image bearer thus charged with a light beam emitted by the light emitting device
Implementation Method 2
An optical writer including a light emitting device irradiates the surface of the image bearer thus charged with a light beam emitted by the light emitting device to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image bearer
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes a light emitting device, a controller, an image forming device, an acquiring device, a calculator, and a storage device. The controller corrects an amount of light, which is outputted from the light emitting device, based on a first correction value stored in the storage device. The image forming device forms a test image with the amount of light corrected based on the first correction value. The acquiring device acquires density information indicating a characteristic of density of the test image. The calculator calculates a second correction value based on the density information and calculates a third correction value based on the first correction value and the second correction value. The controller corrects the amount of light based on the third correction value. The image forming device forms a target image with the amount of light corrected based on the third correction value.