Printer Gradation Correction Mode Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in switching between color and monochrome print modes, leading to unnecessary consumption of chromatic color toners and mechanical degradation, especially when constantly forming and reading patches of all colors for gradation correction.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that switches between color and monochrome image formation modes, forming a gradation pattern image based on the print mode, measuring its color, generating gradation correction data, and applying it to perform image data correction, thereby optimizing toner usage and preventing mechanical degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an adjustment chart with all four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) is constantly printed regardless of print mode, then gradation correction can be performed, but chromatic color toners are unnecessarily consumed in monochrome mode
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment chart is segmented into different color configurations based on print mode. A monochrome adjustment chart containing only black patches is used for monochrome printing, while a full-color adjustment chart with cyan, magenta, yellow, and black patches is used for color printing. This segmentation eliminates unnecessary toner consumption while maintaining correction accuracy for the active print mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition of the adjustment chart is adapted to match the local requirements of the print mode. When monochrome printing is detected, the adjustment chart contains only black patches relevant to that mode. When color printing is detected, all four color patches are included. This local quality approach ensures that toner is only consumed for the colors actually being used in the current print job.
2Productivity
If the print mode is switched between color and monochrome, then productivity is increased and mechanical degradation is suppressed, but switching time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the print mode requirement and prepares the appropriate adjustment chart configuration in advance. By analyzing the print job characteristics before printing begins, the system can pre-determine whether to use monochrome or full-color adjustment charts, eliminating the need to switch chart types during printing and reducing overall switching time.
3Loss of substance
If a monochrome adjustment chart is used when monochrome printing is performed, then chromatic color toner consumption is reduced, but the adjustment chart must be determined based on image formation mode detection
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus performs self-detection of its own print mode by monitoring which toners are actually being used during printing. Based on this self-service detection, the system automatically determines whether to generate a monochrome or full-color adjustment chart, eliminating the need for external mode selection interfaces and simplifying the overall system 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 solution allows for efficient gradation correction and toner usage optimization, preventing unnecessary consumption of chromatic color toners and reducing mechanical degradation by adapting the gradation pattern image to the current print mode, ensuring stable output quality and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring unit configured to read the formed gradation pattern image and measure a color of the gradation pattern image
Data Source
AI summary
A gradation pattern image is determined in accordance with an image formation mode acquired when printing of a predetermined number of pages has been performed. A color gradation pattern image is formed when a color image formation mode has been acquired, whereas a monochrome gradation pattern image is formed when a monochrome image formation mode has been acquired.