Synchronizing Component Phase to Reduce Image Banding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Perceptible image quality defects in image printing systems, such as banding, arise from variations within components and subsystems, which are difficult to eliminate with tight tolerances that increase manufacturing costs without ensuring uniform prints.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that identify and synchronize the phase of image quality defects within components and subsystems, using a controller to adjust their operation so that defects overlap at least once per cycle, thereby minimizing their visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If tight tolerances are applied to all components and subsystems, then image quality defects are reduced, but unit manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of components (rotation speed, phase alignment) rather than relying solely on tight manufacturing tolerances. By adjusting the phase relationship between periodic variations in different subsystems, the system achieves improved image quality uniformity without requiring all components to be manufactured with tight tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts harmful periodic variations into beneficial effects by synchronizing them in phase. Instead of trying to eliminate all variations through tight tolerances, the system allows variations to exist but aligns them so that their combined effect minimizes perceptible image quality defects, particularly banding artifacts.
2Manufacturing precision
If tight tolerances are applied to all components and subsystems, then image quality defects are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces control parameters (phase adjustment, synchronization timing) that allow the system to achieve uniform image quality through operational adjustments rather than complex manufacturing tolerances. The controller modifies operational parameters to synchronize component variations, reducing the need for complex manufacturing specifications.
3Ease of manufacture
If components operate with independent variations, then manufacturing is simpler, but perceptible image quality defects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the harmful effect of independent component variations into a beneficial outcome by synchronizing these variations in phase. The controller detects periodic variations in each subsystem and adjusts their timing so that their combined effect minimizes perceptible defects like banding, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system that monitors image quality defects and adjusts component operation accordingly. The controller detects periodic variations, determines their phase relationships, and modifies operational parameters to synchronize variations, thereby reducing perceptible defects while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for synchronizing variations in components or subsystems in an image printing system is provided. The method includes identifying a plurality of image quality defects printed by the image printing system by a controller, said image quality defects each occurring with an associated frequency and each being associated with a component or subsystem of the image printing system; determining a phase difference of the image quality defects by the controller; and adjusting operation of each component or subsystem associated with the image quality defects, such that image quality defects are in phase.