Optical Sensor Dual Amplifier Circuit Toner Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting toner patterns due to individual differences in light-emitting and light-receiving elements, leading to saturation issues with regularly-reflected light and reduced S/N ratio with diffuse light.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor with two light-emitting elements and two light-receiving elements, along with amplifier circuits, is used to adjust sensitivity and gain for each element, allowing for precise detection of both regularly-reflected and diffuse light by selectively turning on/off the elements and adjusting amplification rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensitivity is adjusted on the basis of diffuse light, then detection sensitivity for diffuse light is improved, but regularly-reflected light signal saturates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light-receiving elements into multiple groups, where each group is responsible for receiving a specific type of reflected light (regularly-reflected light or diffuse light). This segmentation allows independent sensitivity adjustment for each group, enabling diffuse light detection sensitivity to be improved without causing saturation in regularly-reflected light detection.
Solution Approach 2:
Different light-receiving element groups are assigned different sensitivity characteristics tailored to their specific detection tasks. The groups detecting diffuse light have higher sensitivity optimized for weak signals, while groups detecting regularly-reflected light have lower sensitivity to avoid saturation, achieving local optimization of detection quality.
2Measurement precision
If sensitivity is adjusted on the basis of regularly-reflected light, then detection accuracy for regularly-reflected light is improved, but S/N ratio of diffuse light drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments light-receiving elements into multiple groups with different sensitivity optimizations. One group is tuned for regularly-reflected light detection with higher accuracy, while another group is optimized for diffuse light detection with enhanced S/N ratio, allowing both detection tasks to perform optimally simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Each light-receiving element group is assigned local quality characteristics (sensitivity levels) appropriate for its specific detection function. This local optimization ensures that regularly-reflected light detection achieves high accuracy while diffuse light detection maintains adequate S/N ratio, without mutual interference.
3Device complexity
If individual differences in light-emitting elements are not compensated, then device complexity is reduced, but detection precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection system into multiple light-receiving element groups that can be independently calibrated. This segmentation allows individual differences in light-emitting elements to be compensated through group-specific sensitivity adjustments, improving detection precision without requiring complex real-time correction mechanisms for each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent compensates for individual differences by adjusting the sensitivity parameters of different light-receiving element groups. Through parameter optimization during system setup or calibration, the detection precision is improved to account for manufacturing variations in light-emitting elements, achieving high precision without excessive device complexity.
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
This approach enables accurate detection of toner patterns, preventing signal saturation and maintaining a high S/N ratio, thereby improving the reliability of color shift and density detection in image forming processes.
Implementation Method 1
a first light-emitting element provided on the predetermined surface of the substrate, wherein the first light-emitting element emits light to the object to be measured
Implementation Method 2
the light-receiving element receiving reflected light from the object to be measured
Implementation Method 3
a first amplifier circuit configured to amplify the output value output from the light-receiving element; and a second amplifier circuit configured to amplify the output value amplified by the first amplifier circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor comprises a first light-emitting element, a second light-emitting element, a light-receiving element, a first amplifier circuit and a second amplifier circuit. The light-receiving element receives reflected light from an object to be measured, and outputs an output value on the basis of a light receiving result of the light-receiving element. The amplifier circuits amplifies the output value output from the light-receiving element.