Toner Amount Calculation Using Independent Spatial Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately calculating toner consumption due to the 'edge effect,' which varies between primary and secondary scanning directions, requiring complex adjustments of filter coefficients to account for electric field variations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a toner amount calculating unit that determines the distribution pattern of electrostatic latent images and electric field variations using spatial filters independently in both scanning directions, allowing for precise toner consumption calculations based on exposure signals and electric field intensities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a spatial filter with filter coefficients adjusted to account for edge effect in both primary and secondary scanning directions is used, then measurement precision of toner consumption is improved, but device complexity and adjustment work increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the spatial filter into two independent one-dimensional filters: one for the primary scanning direction and another for the secondary scanning direction. Each filter handles edge effect compensation independently in its respective direction, avoiding the need to adjust a single complex two-dimensional filter for both directions simultaneously. This segmentation reduces the complexity of filter coefficient adjustment while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If filter coefficients are adjusted to account for edge effect in both scanning directions, then toner consumption calculation accuracy is improved, but adjustment work and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the spatial filter into two independent one-dimensional filters for primary and secondary scanning directions, the patent reduces the adjustment work from handling a complex two-dimensional filter to adjusting two simpler one-dimensional filters separately. This significantly reduces the time and effort required for filter coefficient adjustment while maintaining accurate toner consumption calculation.
Data Source
AI summary
An exposure device irradiates a photoconductor with light on the basis of an exposure signal and thereby forms an electrostatic latent image. A toner amount calculating unit (a) determines a distribution pattern of the electrostatic latent image on the basis of the exposure signal, (b) determines an electric field variation level of a target pixel, (c) determines an electric field intensity of the target pixel on the basis of a value of the target pixel in the distribution pattern and the electric field variation level, and (d) determines a toner consumption amount corresponding to the electric field intensity. Further, using spatial filters independently of each other in a primary scanning direction and in a secondary scanning direction, the toner amount calculating unit determines the electric field variation level on the basis of (a) the distribution pattern or (b) the exposure signal.