Movable Spectrometer for Two-Dimensional Color Patch Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming devices face challenges in efficiently measuring color patches on transparent and opaque media, leading to increased media consumption and manufacturing costs due to complex and large apparatus configurations.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a spectrometer that is movable relative to the media, using light transmitting units to enhance light quantity and accuracy, and a printing apparatus that simplifies the configuration by moving the spectrometer and printing unit in one direction, allowing for accurate color measurement and reproducibility without increasing the number of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If color measurement patches are arranged only along the transport direction of the medium, then the measurement can be performed with a simple configuration, but media consumption increases and running costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by arranging color measurement patches not only along the transport direction (one dimension) but also in the width direction (second dimension). This two-dimensional arrangement allows multiple patches to be measured within a shorter media length, reducing media consumption while maintaining configuration simplicity. The spectrometer scans patches arranged in both directions, enabling efficient use of the measurement area.
2Loss of substance
If color measurement patches are arranged in the intersecting direction to improve medium utilization efficiency, then media consumption decreases, but a moving mechanism is required which increases the number of components and manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the spectrometer movable in both the transport direction and the width direction of the medium. This dynamic positioning capability allows the spectrometer to access color measurement patches arranged in two dimensions without requiring complex additional moving mechanisms for the entire measurement system. The spectrometer's movable design enables flexible scanning across the medium surface while maintaining relatively simple overall apparatus structure.
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurement positions are provided with light transmitting units, then measurement accuracy for transparent media improves, but the apparatus becomes larger and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the light transmitting units into multiple discrete positions corresponding to different color measurement patches. Each light transmitting unit can be independently controlled to illuminate specific patches arranged in two dimensions. This segmented approach allows accurate measurement of transparent media by providing targeted illumination at multiple positions without requiring a uniformly illuminated large area, thus controlling apparatus size while improving measurement precision.
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 enables efficient measurement of multiple color patches with reduced media consumption and manufacturing costs, improving color reproducibility and accuracy by adapting to the translucency of the media and observation conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a front surface side light receiving unit disposed in the surface side of the recording medium and measuring light from the recording medium
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of light transmitting units transmitting light
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a spectrometer which is relatively movable between media having a front surface of the media and a rear surface of the media which is opposite to the first surface and a platen which holds the second surface of the media. The platen includes a plurality of light transmitting units transmitting light.