Optical Sensor Matrix for Recording Medium Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately discriminating between different types of recording media, leading to suboptimal image forming conditions, especially when dealing with various brands of plain papers that have distinct surface conditions.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus is equipped with an information detector that obtains feature information from the recording medium, a memory that stores recording medium information and corresponding image forming conditions, and a candidate determining unit that selects the appropriate conditions for forming images based on the detected features, allowing for precise discrimination and optimal image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an optical sensor is used to detect recording medium information, then the ability to discriminate recording medium types is improved, but the accuracy in distinguishing between different brands of plain papers with distinct surface conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor is divided into multiple sensors arranged in a matrix pattern, where each sensor detects light from a specific region of the recording medium. This segmentation allows the system to capture spatial variations in surface properties across different brands of plain papers, enabling accurate discrimination while maintaining broad adaptability to various recording medium types.
2Device complexity
If image forming conditions are set based on general recording medium types, then the process is simplified, but the printing quality deteriorates due to inability to account for brand-specific surface conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs measurement and discrimination of recording medium types and brands without requiring manual intervention. The optical sensors capture surface properties, the controller discriminates the specific brand and type, and the appropriate image forming conditions are automatically selected from stored data, achieving both simplicity and high printing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Image forming conditions for various recording medium types and brands are pre-stored in the controller's memory. When a recording medium is detected, the system quickly retrieves the appropriate pre-prepared conditions, avoiding complex real-time calculations while ensuring optimal printing quality for each specific medium.
3Ease of operation
If manual setting of image forming conditions is used, then the system is easier to operate, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming condition adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic feedback through optical sensors that detect the actual recording medium being used. This detection information feeds back to the controller, which automatically adjusts the image forming conditions without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving productivity through automated condition optimization.
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 solution enables the image forming apparatus to accurately determine the type of recording medium and set optimal image forming conditions, resulting in improved printing quality and efficiency by distinguishing between different brands and types of papers.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitting element of the information detector emits light to a surface of a recording medium. Among the light emitted by the light emitting element, the light reflected on the surface of the recording medium is received by a reflection light receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an information obtainer, a memory, a candidate determining unit, and an image forming device. The information obtainer obtains feature information from the target recording medium. The memory stores at least one set of recording medium information regarding the target recording medium associated with the feature information and at least one set of image forming condition information corresponding to the recording medium information. The recording medium information is identification information. The candidate determining unit determines a candidate recording medium information from the recording medium information stored in the memory based on the feature information of the target recording medium obtained by the information obtainer. The image forming device forms an image on the target recording medium based on the image forming condition information in the memory according to the candidate recording medium information determined by the candidate determining unit.