Image Forming Apparatus Streak Diagnosis Test Chart
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in detecting and diagnosing faults, such as streaks, due to degradation, which requires manual identification by service personnel, leading to increased costs and downtime, as existing methods struggle to accurately analyze and describe faults like color, direction, and size of streaks.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus generates test charts with digital and analog patterns, including camouflage patterns, to help the diagnostic unit analyze read data and identify the causal part of streaks, allowing for automated determination of replacement parts, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual detection by service personnel is used to identify faults, then fault identification can be performed, but cost and downtime increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus performs self-diagnosis by automatically generating pattern images, capturing them with the image reader, and analyzing the data to identify faults. The diagnostic unit processes the captured images to determine the causal part of streaks without requiring service personnel intervention, enabling the system to service itself and eliminate downtime associated with manual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual inspection process with an automated diagnostic system that uses image processing and data analysis. Instead of physical inspection by service personnel, the system uses digital pattern images and automated analysis algorithms to detect and diagnose faults, substituting mechanical inspection with information processing.
2Measurement precision
If manual detection by service personnel is used to identify faults, then fault identification can be performed, but service cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus performs self-diagnosis by automatically generating pattern images, capturing them with the image reader, and analyzing the data to identify faults. The diagnostic unit processes the captured images to determine the causal part of streaks without requiring service personnel intervention, enabling the system to service itself and eliminate downtime associated with manual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual inspection process with an automated diagnostic system that uses image processing and data analysis. Instead of physical inspection by service personnel, the system uses digital pattern images and automated analysis algorithms to detect and diagnose faults, substituting mechanical inspection with information processing.
3Ease of operation
If detailed information about streaks is not collected, then simple operation is maintained, but fault analysis becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating pattern images with specific characteristics (including camouflage patterns) before actual printing operations. These pre-prepared pattern images are designed to elicit specific fault responses that reveal detailed information about streaks, allowing the diagnostic unit to collect comprehensive fault data without complicating user operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs camouflage patterns with specific color characteristics in the pattern images. These patterns are designed to interact with the image forming apparatus in a way that makes streaks and faults visually distinguishable through color density variations. The diagnostic unit analyzes these color changes and density variations to extract detailed fault information automatically.
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
This approach enables efficient and accurate identification of faulty components, minimizing downtime and costs by automating the diagnosis of faults, allowing users to continue operations without service personnel intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a charging device configured to charge a photosensitive drum
Implementation Method 2
an exposure device configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum charged by the charging device
Implementation Method 3
a developing device including a carrying member configured to carry a toner and being configured to develop the electrostatic latent image using the toner to form a toner image
Implementation Method 4
a transfer portion configured to transfer the toner image onto a sheet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A reader (2) can read an original. A printer (3) can form an image on a sheet based on a read result of the reader. A controller (29) can control the printer to form a test chart on the sheet, and control the reader to read the test chart. The test chart is used for detecting a causal part of a streak that occurs when an image is formed by the printer. The test chart has a pattern for obscuring an image defect occurring when the test chart is formed by the printer.