Selective Image Correction for Printers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses perform unnecessary correction processes during color printing, leading to inconsistencies in image tone and increased processing load, and fail to efficiently manage correction functions during monochrome printing.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system and computer program that selectively execute correction modes based on print data, measuring positional deviation only when necessary and adjusting image forming conditions accordingly, allowing for efficient operation in both monochrome and color printing modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If correction process is always performed during color printing, then image quality is improved, but processing load increases and unnecessary corrections occur when no color pages are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing correction processes selectively rather than always. The control section determines whether color page data is actually present in the print data before executing correction. This avoids unnecessary correction processes when only monochrome pages are printed, reducing processing load while maintaining image quality when color printing is actually performed.
2Manufacturing precision
If correction function is executed during printing process, then image quality is improved, but color tone unity is compromised due to adjustments during printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the correction process before the actual printing process. The control section executes correction based on measurement results, then maintains these corrected settings throughout the subsequent printing process. This ensures color tone unity is preserved across all printed pages while still achieving high image quality through pre-adjustment.
3Productivity
If correction process is performed for monochrome printing, then processing load is reduced, but image quality improvement is limited due to lower sensitivity to position and density non-uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating correction execution based on print type. For color printing, full correction processes are executed to achieve high image quality. For monochrome printing, correction is either skipped or performed with reduced intensity, as monochrome images are less sensitive to position and density non-uniformity. This localized approach optimizes processing load while maintaining appropriate quality levels for each print type.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including: a forming section (10); a correction section configured to measure at least one of a position and a density of a formed image and perform a correction function for adjusting an image forming condition based on the measurement; a determination section configured to determine whether a color condition is satisfied; and a control section configured to selectively perform a first mode or a second mode if there is a print request while a correction execution condition satisfied, wherein in the first mode, the correction section is caused to perform the correction function, before a printing process begins in response to the print request, and wherein in the second mode, the correction section is caused to perform the correction function at least before the printing process to the color page data, on condition that the determination section determines that the color condition is satisfied.