Moving Color Reference Component for Image Streak Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading devices face challenges in maintaining image quality due to contamination of the color reference component, which affects the accuracy of correction data generation and leads to vertical streaks in the read images.
Innovation Solution
The image reading device incorporates a color reference component, such as a white reference guide plate, that is moved orthogonally relative to the image reader to obtain multiple color reference data points, allowing for the extraction of clean data to generate accurate shading correction values, thereby preventing vertical streaks and ensuring high-quality image reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the color reference component is kept stationary to simplify the device structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image quality deteriorates due to vertical streaks caused by contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The color reference component is changed from a stationary state to a movable state, where it moves in the sub-scanning direction during document conveyance. This dynamic configuration allows the reading unit to read multiple positions of the color reference component, enabling selection of clean areas for correction data generation and eliminating vertical streaks in read images
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the color reference component is changed by moving it relative to the reading unit. By varying the reading position across the color reference component in the sub-scanning direction, the system can select positions that are not contaminated, thus changing the quality parameter of the correction data
2Manufacturing precision
If the color reference component is moved in the conveyance direction to avoid contamination, then the image quality is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional movement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The movement of the color reference component is merged with the existing document conveyance mechanism. The color reference component moves along with the document in the conveyance direction, utilizing the same mechanical structure without requiring separate movement mechanisms, thus avoiding increased device complexity
3Measurement precision
If multiple color reference data points are collected by moving the component to ensure clean data, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of time increases due to additional movement and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The color reference component moves continuously during document conveyance, and the reading unit continuously reads its position. This continuous action allows multiple color reference data points to be collected without interrupting the document processing flow, eliminating additional time loss
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading device and an image forming apparatus. The image reading device includes an image reader to read an image of a document, and a color reference component arranged to face the image reader. In the image reading device, the image reader reads the color reference component at a prescribed timing to obtain color reference image data, and correction data generating processes are executed based on the obtained color reference image data to generate correction data used to correct data of the image read by the image reader. In the image reading device, wherein the color reference component is moved relative to the image reader in a direction orthogonal to a direction toward and away from the image reader. The image forming apparatus includes the image reading device, and an image is formed on a recording material based on data of the image read by the image reading device.