Test Pattern Visibility via Shifted Disconnected Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in improving the visibility of test patterns formed by linear patterns, leading to poor adjustment accuracy due to overlapping or simply joined reference and adjustment patterns.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a pattern forming unit that creates a test pattern comprising a first and second linear pattern, both parallel to the nozzle arrangement direction, but with disconnected portions shifted relative to each other, enhancing visibility and adjustment accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If linear reference patterns and linear adjustment patterns are simply joined or overlapped, then the test pattern can be formed, but the visibility of the test pattern becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the linear patterns into multiple segments with disconnected portions. Instead of continuous linear patterns, the reference pattern and adjustment pattern are segmented such that they have gaps at specific positions. This segmentation creates distinct visual boundaries between overlapping patterns, significantly improving visibility while maintaining the ease of forming the test pattern using standard printing mechanisms.
2Ease of manufacture
If the disconnected portions of the first pattern and the second pattern are aligned, then the patterns can be simply formed, but the visibility is poor; if they are shifted, then visibility improves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry by shifting the disconnected portions of the first pattern and second pattern relative to each other in the nozzle arrangement direction. This asymmetric positioning creates a distinctive visual relationship between the patterns when overlapped, enabling precise measurement of positional deviations. The asymmetric shift ensures that the degree of overlap or separation directly correlates with the positional deviation, improving measurement precision while maintaining simple pattern formation processes.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid droplets; and a pattern forming unit configured to form a test pattern used for positional deviation adjustment including a first pattern serving as a reference pattern and a second pattern serving as an adjustment pattern. The first pattern and the second pattern each are a linear pattern that is parallel to a nozzle arrangement direction and has a disconnected portion. The disconnected portion of the first pattern and the disconnected portion of the second pattern are shifted from each other in the nozzle arrangement direction.