Luminescent Toner Mark Image for Document Source Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses lack a method to identify the transmission source of printed images on a recording medium, which can lead to confusion between original and copied documents.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that uses a luminescent toner to form a mark image on the recording medium, allowing the identification of the transmission source by controlling the printing of the mark image based on the type of input image data, with the luminescent toner being visible under ultraviolet light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mark image is formed using luminescent toner to identify transmission source, then the ability to distinguish original from copied documents is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional toner types and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the toner by using luminescent toner with different optical properties compared to normal toner. This allows the mark image to be formed using the same electrophotographic process but with altered material properties that enable UV detection, thereby improving identification accuracy without fundamentally changing the device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a copy of the normal toner formation process to create the mark image. The same electrophotographic mechanisms (charging, exposure, development, transfer, fixation) are used to form the luminescent toner mark image, allowing the system to leverage existing processes while adding identification capability
2Illumination intensity
If luminescent toner is used to form mark images, then the visibility of transmission source identification is improved under UV light, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to specialized toner requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The luminescent toner is created by changing the optical parameter of conventional toner through the addition of luminescent particles. This allows the toner to maintain its basic electrophotographic properties while gaining UV detection capability, simplifying the manufacturing approach compared to creating entirely new specialized materials
3Measurement precision
If the controller determines transmission source type to control mark image printing, then the accuracy of transmission source identification is improved, but the processing time increases due to additional detection and determination steps
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs transmission source determination early in the image formation process, before the actual printing begins. By completing the identification and decision-making about mark image formation in advance, the system minimizes the time added to the overall printing process while ensuring accurate transmission source identification
4Reliability
If a luminescent mark image is formed on the recording medium, then the ability to distinguish document types is improved, but the print quality may be affected due to the presence of luminescent particles in the toner
Solution Approach 1:
The luminescent toner is formulated to maintain all the essential properties of conventional toner (adhesion, transfer efficiency, fixation) while adding only the specific optical property of luminescence. This ensures that the mark image formation does not compromise overall print quality while achieving reliable document type distinction
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
Enables clear distinction between original and copied documents by forming a visible mark image with luminescent toner, ensuring accurate identification and maintaining satisfactory print quality without interfering with normal toner images.
Implementation Method 1
a type of developer which forms an image with luminescent developer on a recording medium... the luminescent toner being visible under ultraviolet light
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus (1) includes an image forming device (100) which forms an image on a recording medium and an image scanning device (200) which transmits scanned image data to the image forming device (100). The image forming device (100) includes a receiver (110), a first image forming unit (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K), a second image forming unit (2V), and a controller (120). The receiver (110) receives at least one of external image data transmitted from an external device and the scanned image data as input image data. The first image forming unit (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K) forms a developer image based on the input image data on the recording medium. The second image forming unit (2V) forms a mark image on the recording medium. The controller (120) determines whether to make the second image forming unit (2V) form the mark image or not depending on a type of a transmission source of the input image data.