Image Forming Apparatus Sheet Profile Retrieval by Environment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of selecting sheet profiles in image forming apparatuses increases due to the similarity between profiles assigned with and without environment-specific setting values, leading to potential mistakes in selecting the correct profile based on changing environmental conditions like temperature and humidity.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus and system that includes a storage section for sheet profiles coordinated with environment information, an acquisition section to gather current environment data, and a retrieval section to automatically select the appropriate sheet profile based on the stored information, reducing the need for manual selection and preventing mistaken choices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sheet profiles are registered with environment-specific setting values, then the adaptability to different environmental conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the presence of similar profiles that differ only in assignment of setting values
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration of multiple sheet profiles with environment-specific setting values assigned in advance. Each profile is pre-configured with appropriate settings for specific environmental conditions (temperature, humidity ranges), so that when image formation is needed, the system can directly retrieve the matching profile without complex real-time analysis or user configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple similar sheet profiles are registered, then the adaptability to cover various environmental conditions is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users must carefully distinguish between similar profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation by automatically retrieving the appropriate sheet profile based on currently detected environmental conditions. The control unit compares the current environment information with the registered sheet profiles and automatically selects and applies the matching profile without requiring user intervention or manual selection, thereby eliminating the operational complexity despite having multiple similar profiles available.
3Ease of operation
If automatic retrieval of sheet profiles based on environment information is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for acquisition and retrieval sections
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it detects environmental conditions, stores environment information, retrieves appropriate sheet profiles, and controls image formation parameters. By making the control unit multi-functional rather than adding separate dedicated components for each function, the system achieves automatic profile retrieval and selection without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a storage section configured to store a sheet profile in coordination with environment information of at least one of a temperature and a humidity around the apparatus, the sheet profile including an image formation condition in accordance with a sheet; an acquisition section configured to acquire the environment information; and a retrieval section configured to retrieve a sheet profile corresponding to current environment information acquired by the acquisition section from among the sheet profile stored in the storage section.