Sheet Type Determination via Light Attenuation Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image formation apparatuses face challenges in determining the type of paper sheets quickly enough to optimize printing and fixing conditions, particularly due to delays in determining paper sheet thickness and grammage before conveyance starts, and existing methods only provide data on thickness and number of sheets.
Innovation Solution
A sheet type determination apparatus that includes a tray, light source, detection unit, and database to calculate the attenuation rate of transmitted light intensity, allowing for precise determination of sheet type, thickness, and grammage while the sheets are still in the feed tray, using a light source to illuminate the sheet bundle and a detection unit to measure light intensity distribution, with a database correlating attenuation rates to sheet types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the type of paper sheet is determined after the start of paper sheet conveyance, then the measurement can be performed during the conveyance process, but the conditions of the printing/fixing process cannot be set in time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the paper sheet type, thickness, and grammage before the conveyance process starts. The media sensor performs these measurements when the paper sheet is still in the feed tray, allowing the control unit to pre-calculate optimal printing and fixing conditions before the actual image formation begins, thus eliminating time loss during conveyance.
2Device complexity
If only the side surface of a pile of paper sheets is imaged, then the measurement process is simple, but only data on thickness and number of paper sheets can be provided, not grammage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light as an intermediary to penetrate the paper sheet bundle and detect both thickness and grammage simultaneously. By measuring light transmission through the paper sheets, the system obtains additional information about density and grammage beyond what simple side-surface imaging provides, while maintaining relatively simple measurement hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The media sensor performs multiple functions: it measures thickness, determines paper sheet type, and calculates grammage all through a single integrated measurement process. This multi-functional approach provides comprehensive paper sheet data without requiring separate measurement systems for each parameter.
3Measurement precision
If the type of paper sheet is determined before the paper sheets are conveyed, then the printing/fixing conditions can be optimized in advance, but the measurement must be performed while the paper sheets remain in the sheet feed tray
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the measurement system to operate automatically within the feed tray structure without requiring manual intervention or complex external equipment. The media sensor integrates directly with the feed tray, allowing the system to measure and determine paper sheet characteristics autonomously before conveyance begins.
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
Enables accurate and timely determination of sheet type, thickness, and grammage, allowing for optimal setting of printing and fixing conditions before the paper sheet conveyance begins, thereby improving image quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light source to apply illumination light to a first region on at least one first surface of the sheet bundle, and a detection unit to measure a light intensity distribution of transmitted light emerging from a second region on at least one second surface of the sheet bundle
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a sheet type determination apparatus includes a tray, light source, detection unit, database, and operation unit. The tray is configured to hold a sheet bundle formed by stacked sheets. The light source emits illumination light to a first region. The detection unit detects a light intensity distribution of transmitted light emerging from a second region. The transmitted light is generated as the illumination light passes through the sheet bundle, and the second region is different from the first region. The database stores a table describing a relation between reference attenuation rates and types. The operation unit is configured to calculate an attenuation rate of the transmitted light based on the light intensity distribution, and determine a type of the sheets by comparing the attenuation rate with the reference attenuation rates.