Image-Forming Apparatus Sensor Weighted Average Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-forming devices do not account for differences in measurement environments between sensors, leading to variations in measured values and reduced precision in adjusting image-forming operations.
Innovation Solution
An image-forming apparatus that includes at least two sensors and a control device, which forms a test image, reads the test image to acquire values, calculates a weighted average using different weightings for each sensor, and corrects the image-forming operation using the weighted average value to account for variations in measurement environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional image-forming devices use multiple sensors to read marks for adjusting density or positioning, then the adjustment capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because differences in measurement environments between sensors are not accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different weightings to different sensors based on their individual measurement characteristics. Each sensor's measurement environment is evaluated locally, and weightings are determined to reflect the reliability of each sensor. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the use of multiple sensors for adjustment capability while improving measurement precision through differentiated weighting that accounts for environmental differences between sensors.
2Device complexity
If simple average of sensor values is used, then calculation simplicity is improved, but reliability of adjustment deteriorates due to variations in measurement environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of how sensor values are combined by introducing weighted averaging instead of simple averaging. The weighting parameter reflects the measurement environment quality of each sensor. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining computational simplicity while improving reliability through parameter-based differentiation of sensor contributions.
3Manufacturing precision
If correction patterns are formed frequently for adjustment, then adjustment accuracy is improved, but toner consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the reliability of sensor measurements is evaluated and used to determine when correction patterns should be formed. By using weighted averaging of multiple sensor readings, the system can achieve sufficient adjustment accuracy with fewer correction pattern formations, thus reducing toner consumption while maintaining adjustment precision through intelligent feedback-based decision making.
Data Source
AI summary
An image-forming apparatus includes a rotary body, an image-forming unit, at least two sensors, and a control device. The image-forming unit performs an image-forming operation. The at least two sensors read an image formed on the rotary body. The control device is configured to: control the image-forming unit to form a test image on the rotary body; control the sensors to read the test image formed on the rotary body to acquire at least two values each relating to one of the at least two sensors; calculate a weighted average value of the at least two values by using weightings that are assigned to the at least two values, respectively, one of the weightings being different from another of the weightings; and correct the image-forming operation using the weighted average value.