Printer Color Tone Display for Real-Time Stability Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recent on-demand image forming apparatuses, or printers, face limitations in achieving image quality comparable to offset printing, particularly in color stability, which is crucial for expanding their market presence.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a printer with a display and a controller to acquire and display color tones during print processing, allowing real-time monitoring and adjustment of color variations by forming patch toner images on an intermediate transfer belt and recording medium, using sensors to calculate and compare toner amounts and RGB values, and determining the necessity of correction measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If gradation correction control is implemented to stabilize colors, then color stability is improved, but the complexity of the printing process increases due to additional sensing and correction steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sensing of the intermediate transfer belt before the printing process completes, allowing correction measures to be prepared in advance. Patch toner images are formed and sensed early in the process to predict color outcomes before final printing, enabling proactive rather than reactive correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate transfer belt as a mediator between the printing process and final output. By sensing color tones on this intermediate carrier and comparing them with target values, the system creates a feedback loop that allows correction without directly modifying the final printed product, thus managing complexity through intermediate measurement points.
2Stability of the object's composition
If real-time color monitoring is implemented by sensing intermediate transfer belts, then color stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is designed to serve multiple functions: it monitors color tones on the intermediate transfer belt, compares them with target values, determines correction amounts, and displays status information. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into an integrated solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction by automatically sensing color variations, comparing them with targets, and determining correction amounts without external intervention. The display unit provides self-monitoring capability, allowing the system to service itself regarding color quality maintenance.
3Measurement precision
If color tone sensing is performed on both intermediate transfer belt and recording medium, then measurement precision is improved, but the loss of time increases due to multiple sensing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sensing on the intermediate transfer belt before final printing completes. This early measurement allows correction decisions to be made while the printing process is still ongoing, rather than after completion, thus reducing total processing time despite multiple sensing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing operations are integrated into the continuous printing workflow rather than being separate batch operations. The system continuously monitors color tones during the printing process, maintaining continuous useful action throughout rather than interrupting for discrete measurement phases.
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
Enhances color stability and quality by enabling real-time notification and adjustment of color tone variations, thereby improving the image forming process and potentially expanding the market for on-demand printers.
Implementation Method 1
reads, via a sensor, a printed product obtained by printing performed by a printer
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a printer which performs printing on a recording medium according to a print job includes a display configured to display information, acquires first color tones, on a member halfway through print processing, of at least a first print job and a second print job, and acquires second color tones, on the recording medium subjected to printing, of at least the first print job and the second print job, wherein the display displays first color information that is based on the first color tones of at least the first print job and the second print job and second color information that is based on the second color tones of at least the first print job and the second print job.