Print Medium Transport Error Visualization in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current design support systems for print medium conveyance paths in image forming apparatuses cannot quantitatively evaluate small tilt or horizontal deviations of the print medium, making it difficult to identify and specify errors in print accuracy, especially for high-quality printed products.
Innovation Solution
A design support apparatus that includes a simulation unit to simulate the behavior of the print medium, an obtaining unit to calculate transport errors, and a generation unit to create a geometric characteristic screen displaying the tilt and horizontal deviation of the print medium, allowing for detailed visualization and quantification of transport errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If simulation results are displayed using simple animation or 2D track visualization, then the system is easy to operate and understand, but it cannot quantitatively evaluate small tilt or horizontal deviation errors in print accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D animation display to 3D geometric characteristic display, adding spatial dimensions to visualize tilt angles and horizontal deviations. The 3D coordinate system allows quantitative representation of transport errors in multiple directions simultaneously, enabling precise evaluation of print accuracy issues that cannot be captured in 2D views.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces geometric characteristic information (tilt angles, horizontal deviations, coordinate transformations) as an intermediary layer between the simulation results and the visual display. This intermediary data structure enables quantitative error evaluation while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured data organization and calculation.
2Measurement precision
If detailed geometric characteristic information is calculated and displayed, then transport errors can be precisely evaluated, but the calculation and processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs coordinate transformations and geometric characteristic calculations during the simulation process itself, rather than as a separate post-processing step. By pre-calculating position, orientation, and geometric characteristics at each time step, the system avoids redundant computations and reduces overall processing time while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the print medium into multiple segments or sections along its length, calculating geometric characteristics for each segment independently. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different sections, reducing total computation time while providing detailed error information throughout the entire medium.
3Measurement precision
If only the portion under focus is displayed in 3D simulation, then the operator's attention is concentrated, but it is impossible to evaluate small tilt or horizontal deviation of paper throughout the entire conveyance path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides multiple view modes including overall 3D visualization of the entire conveyance path and detailed 3D geometric characteristic displays. Users can switch between viewing the complete path overview and examining specific sections in detail, maintaining both comprehensive evaluation capability and focused analysis capability without compromising ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional display system that can simultaneously or alternately present different types of information: overall path visualization, detailed geometric characteristics, animation views, and tabular data. This universal display framework allows the system to adapt to different operational needs without requiring separate systems, maintaining simplicity while providing comprehensive evaluation capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A simulation of behavior of a recording medium, which moves a conveyance path of an image forming apparatus, is performed. A transport error of the recoding medium is obtained based on a result of the simulation, and the transport error indicates a deviation between an orientation of the recording medium moving the conveyance path in an ideal transport state in which there is no disturbance, and a simulated orientation of the recording medium. A geometric characteristic screen is generated to present the obtained transport error.