Thermal Head Color Development Sequence for Black Image Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with image quality when there are deviations in the timing of color development, leading to unwanted color formation around mixed color images, particularly affecting the appearance of black images formed by combinations of yellow, magenta, and cyan colors.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that controls energy application to develop colors in a specific order and power duration, ensuring that the first color (e.g., yellow) is developed after the second and third colors (e.g., magenta and cyan), allowing the mixed color to be formed by adjusting the time average of power supplied to the thermal head, thereby minimizing conspicuous color development around the black image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the print head is controlled by the above-described method (using Logic OR of signal patterns), then the image formation process is simplified, but unwanted yellow color develops around the black image due to timing deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by developing the cyan and magenta colors first before developing the yellow color. This sequential approach ensures that when yellow develops, the cyan and magenta are already in place, preventing yellow from appearing around the black image due to timing deviations. The control device generates signal patterns that activate color developing layers in a specific sequence rather than simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the control method adaptable to timing deviations. The system dynamically adjusts the signal pattern generation to account for variations in color development timing. By using a sequence-based control approach rather than a fixed simultaneous activation method, the system can accommodate timing variations while maintaining image quality.
2Productivity
If all three color developing layers develop simultaneously, then the black image is formed efficiently, but timing deviations cause yellow to develop around the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by developing the cyan and magenta colors first before developing the yellow color. This sequential approach ensures that when yellow develops, the cyan and magenta are already in place, preventing yellow from appearing around the black image due to timing deviations. The control device generates signal patterns that activate color developing layers in a specific sequence rather than simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by using discrete signal patterns with different activation sequences for different colors. Instead of continuous simultaneous activation, the system uses periodic signal cycles that activate cyan, magenta, and yellow in a controlled sequence, allowing each color to develop at the appropriate time while maintaining overall productivity.
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 maintains the appearance of the image by suppressing the development of yellow around the black image, ensuring the colors developed around the mixed color image are inconspicuous, thus enhancing the overall image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first layer configured to develop a first color based on exceeding a first temperature; a second layer configured to develop a second color based on exceeding a second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature; and a third layer configured to develop a third color based on exceeding a third temperature, the third temperature being lower than the second temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus records an image on a recording medium including a first layer developing a first color when exceeding a first temperature, a second layer developing a second color when exceeding a second temperature, and a third layer developing a third color when exceeding a third temperature. The image forming apparatus includes a head applying energy to the recording medium from the first layer side and a control device configured to control the energy to be applied to the recording medium by the head so as to form an image of a mixed color of the first color, the second color, and the third color on the recording medium by controlling the head to apply the energy to the recording medium to develop the first color on the recording medium after developing the second color or the third color.