Tone Correction Based on Printer Status Differences
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent output density due to time-dependent fluctuations in printer status, requiring frequent calibrations to correct tone variations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a memory to store status and density values from initial and subsequent tone corrections, using a first detected density value and a second detected density value to calculate a correction value, which is applied to adjust for changes in printer status, thereby maintaining image quality through a combination of first and second tone correction methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent calibrations are performed to correct tone variations, then output density consistency is improved, but calibration time and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a first tone correction using a dither pattern to establish baseline correction data before actual printing operations. This preliminary correction reduces the need for frequent full calibrations during operation, as the correction values are stored and applied subsequently to maintain density consistency without repeated calibration cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where correction values obtained from tone corrections are stored in memory and reused for subsequent printing operations. The system monitors print status and applies stored correction values dynamically, creating a feedback loop that maintains output density consistency without requiring continuous recalibration, thus reducing calibration time while preserving reliability
2Measurement precision
If multiple calibrations are executed to reduce correction needs, then tone accuracy is improved, but device complexity and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is segmented into two distinct stages: a first tone correction using a dither pattern to establish baseline correction values, and subsequent applications of these stored correction values during normal printing operations. This segmentation allows the complex calibration work to be performed once initially, while subsequent operations use the pre-computed correction data, maintaining tone accuracy without requiring multiple full calibration executions
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the correction values obtained from the first tone correction and stores them in memory for reuse. Instead of repeatedly executing the full calibration process, the system copies and applies the stored correction data to multiple subsequent printing operations, reducing device complexity and processing load while maintaining tone accuracy through the use of these copied correction values
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a memory and circuitry. The memory is configured to store a status of the image forming apparatus and a first detected density value obtained in a first tone correction based on a dither pattern. The circuitry is configured to calculate a difference between the status of the image forming apparatus upon the first tone correction and the status of the image forming apparatus upon a second tone correction following the first tone correction. The circuitry is further configured to calculate a correction value according to the difference in the status of the image forming apparatus, based on the first detected density value and a second detected density value obtained in the second tone correction based on a reference pattern.