Toner Image Location Accuracy via Reference Mark Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image printing systems face inaccuracies in determining the location of toner images on an image bearing surface due to asynchronous machine clock and belt hole clock signals, leading to suboptimal streak correction and calibration reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that generate signals from a detector and a clock system to correlate the reference mark and incremental movement signals, determining a first value at the start of characterization and a second value to precisely locate toner images on the image bearing surface, synchronizing image bearing surface and toner image readings for accurate calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If machine clock counts are used to determine toner image location, then the process is simple, but the location accuracy is poor
Solution Approach 1:
A reference mark is introduced as an intermediary element on the image bearing surface. The detector reads this reference mark to generate a reference signal, which serves as a mediator to synchronize the machine clock with the actual physical position. This allows accurate location determination without complicating the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system reads the reference mark signal and uses it to adjust or correlate the machine clock counts. This feedback mechanism ensures that the clock counts accurately reflect the actual position of the image bearing surface, thereby improving location accuracy while maintaining system simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If belt hole clock is used as reference, then start locations can be determined, but reliability is poor due to asynchrony with machine clock
Solution Approach 1:
The reference mark serves as a reliable intermediary that is directly attached to or on the image bearing surface. Unlike the belt hole clock which is asynchronous, the reference mark provides a direct, reliable signal that correlates perfectly with the actual position, enabling both ease of operation and high reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If machine clock and belt hole clock are used separately, then both signals are available, but synchronization is difficult due to asynchrony
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the reference mark signal with the machine clock by using the reference mark readings to correlate and synchronize the clock counts. This combining approach maintains the versatility of having multiple signals while simplifying synchronization through a direct correlation method.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a location on an image bearing surface of an image printing system where a toner image is to be printed is provided. The method comprises generating a first signal from a detector that is configured to detect a reference mark on the image bearing surface, and a second signal from a clock system that counts incremental movements of the image bearing surface, determining a first value that correlates the first signal and the second signal, where the first value corresponds to a value of the second signal at a start of characterization of the image bearing surface, and determining a second value using the first value, where the second value provides the location on the image bearing surface where the toner image is to be printed.