Patent EP0599294A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0599294A2
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Image forming apparatus
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1993-11-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-11-24
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus is designed to compensate for voltage to be applied to an exposure lamp (18) and a charger (22) in accordance with changes in the density of a toner image formed on a photoreceptor (21) that occur from its initial state to its final state after an image forming operation. More specifically, the density of a reference toner image is measured by a toner-density sensor (32). The amount of change in the density is measured beginning with its initial state by a subtracter, and the amount of compensation for the voltage required for obtaining the optimum image quality is found. By using these amounts of compensation as teaching data, learning is made as to the relationship between the amount of change in the density and the amount of compensation in a neurocomputer. Upon forming an image, the neurocomputer executes operations in accordance with the contents of the learning based on an inputted amount of change in density, and finds an appropriate amount of compensation. With this arrangement, it is possible to constantly obtain copied images having stable image quality, and to lower the cost of image forming apparatuses by reducing the number of parts used for the sensors or other devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuyuki Ohnishi
- 👤 Yasutaka Maeda
- 👤 Yoichi Shimazawa
- 👤 Mihoko Okada
- 👤 Yuichi Kazaki
- 👤 Shin-Ichirou Ohhashi
- 👤 Yoshie Iwakura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:49
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/50; G03G15/5033; G03G15/5041; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/32; H04N1/32561; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00025; G03G2215/00029; G03G2215/00033; G03G2215/00037; G03G2215/00042; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0077; H04N2201/0081; H04N2201/0082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a photoreceptor; image forming means which includes the photoreceptor, and which carries out an operation for forming an image; density detection means for detecting the density of a toner image that is formed on the photoreceptor; initial density storage means for storing a density of the toner image in an initial state, the density having been detected by the density detection means; density-change detection means for detecting a change in density between the density stored in the initial density storage means and the density of a toner image that is detected by the density detection means after a plurality of image forming operations have been carried out by the image forming means; density-change storage means for storing the change in density that has been detected by the density-change detection means; and image-quality compensating means for learning a relationship between input data and teaching data, the input data being derived from the change in density stored in the density-change storage means, the teaching data being derived from a compensating amount that matches the change in density for a control value to be given to the image forming means, and for calculating a compensating amount for a control value that is suitable for the change in density stored in the density-change storage means, in accordance with the contents of the leaning, upon executing an image forming operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: the image forming means includes an exposure lamp for exposing the photoreceptor and a charger for charging the photoreceptor so as to form a latent image on the photoreceptor through an exposure of the exposure lamp; the image-quality compensating means calculates amounts of compensation for control voltages to be applied to the exposure lamp and the charger; the initial-density storage means includes first and second initial-density storage sections for individually storing the densities of toner images of two kinds having different densities; and the density-change storage means includes first and second density-change storage sections for individually storing changes in the densities of toner images of two kinds that have been detected by the density-change detection means in comparison with the densities that have been individually stored in the first and second initial-density storage sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the image-quality compensating means includes a neurocomputer of perceptron type that is constituted of an input layer, a hidden layer and an output layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the neurocomputer contains two units in the input layer for receiving as input data the changes in densities that have been stored in the first and second density-change storage sections as well as containing two units in the output layer for releasing the amounts of compensation that are to be given to the charger and the exposure lamp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
303 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a photoreceptor; image forming means which includes the photoreceptor, and which carries out an operation for forming an image; density detection means for detecting the density of a toner image that is formed on the photoreceptor; initial-density storage means for storing a density of the toner image in an initial state, the density having been detected by the density detection means; density-change detection means for detecting a change in density between the density stored in the initial density storage means and the density of a toner image that is detected by the density detection means after a plurality of image forming operations have been carried out by the image forming means; density-change storage means for storing the change in density that has been detected by the density-change detection means; operation-number counting means for counting the number of accumulated operations as to the image forming means since the initial state of the density of the toner image; and picture-quality compensating means for learning a relationship between input data and teaching data, the input data being derived from the change in density stored in the density-change storage means and the number of accumulated operations on the image forming means that has been detected by the operation-number counting means, the teaching data being derived from a compensating amount that matches the change in density and the number of accumulated operations as to the image forming means for a control value to be given to the image forming means, and for calculating a compensating amount for a control value that is suitable for the change in density stored in the density-change storage means and the number of accumulated operations that has been calculated by the operation-number counting means, in accordance with the contents of the learning, upon executing an image forming operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein: the image forming means includes an exposure lamp for exposing the photoreceptor and a charger for charging the photoreceptor so as to form a latent image on the photoreceptor through an exposure of the exposure lamp; the image-quality compensating means calculates amounts of compensation for control voltages to be applied to the exposure lamp and the charger; the initial-density storage means includes first and second initial-density storage sections for individually storing the densities of toner images of two kinds having different densities; and the density-change storage means includes first and second density-change storage sections for individually storing changes in the densities of toner images of two kinds that have been detected by the density-change detection means in comparison with the densities that have been individually stored in the first and second initial-density storage sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the image-quality compensating means includes a neurocomputer of perceptron type that is constituted of an input layer, a hidden layer and an output layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein: the image forming means includes a developing device for developing a latent image that has been formed on the photoreceptor; and the operation-number counting means includes a developing counter for counting the number of developing processes that are carried out in the developing device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the neurocomputer contains three units in the input layer for receiving as input data the changes in densities that have been stored in the first and second density-change storage sections and a count value of the developing counter, as well as containing two units in the output layer for releasing the amounts of compensation that are to be given to the charger and the exposure lamp.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the operation-number counting means includes a turning-on counter for counting the number of turning-on processes of the exposure lamp.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the neurocomputer contains three units in the input layer for receiving as input data the changes in densities that have been stored in the first and second density-change storage sections and a count value of the turning-on counter, as well as containing two units in the output layer for releasing the amounts of compensation that are to be given to the charger and the exposure lamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein: the image forming means includes a developing device for developing a latent image that has been formed on the photoreceptor; and the operation-number counting means includes a developing counter for counting the number of developing processes that are carried out in the developing device and a turning-on counter for counting the number of turning-on processes of the exposure lamp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the neurocomputer contains four units in the input layer for receiving as input data the changes in densities that have been stored in the first and second density-change storage sections, a count value of the developing counter, and a count value of the turning-on counter, as well as containing two units in the output layer for releasing the amounts of compensation that are to be given to the charger and the exposure lamp.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
158 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image-information reading means for reading out image information of a document image; image forming means for carrying out an operation for forming an image based on the image information read by the image-information reading means; image-quality condition input means for inputting conditions on image quality for image formation; control means for controlling the image forming means based on the set conditions on image quality; and image-quality condition setting means for learning a relationship between input data and teaching data, the input data being derived from the image information read by the image-information reading means, the teaching data being derived from the conditions on image quality that have been inputted through the image-quality condition input means, and for setting conditions on image quality that are suitable for the image information read by the image-information reading means by conducting operations in accordance with the contents of the learning, upon copying the image of the document.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
169 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image-information reading means for reading out image information of a document image; image forming means for conducting an operation for forming an image based on the image information read by the image-information reading means; image-quality condition input means for inputting conditions on image quality for image formation; converting means for converting the image-quality conditions inputted through the image-quality condition input means into parameters that are suitable for the control on the image forming means; control means for controlling the image forming means based on the parameters that have been set; and parameter setting means for learning a relationship between input data and teaching data, the input data being derived from the image information read by the image-information reading means, the teaching data being derived from the parameters from the converting means, and for setting parameters that are suitable for the image information read by the image-information reading means by conducting operations in accordance with the contents of the learning, upon copying the document image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
162 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image-information reading means for reading out image information of a document image; image forming means for conducting an operation for forming an image based on the image information read by the image-information reading means; image-quality condition input means for inputting conditions on image quality for image formation; control means for controlling the image forming means based on the set conditions on image quality; and image-quality condition setting means for learning a relationship between input data and teaching data in correlation with an identification number, the input data being derived from the image information read by the image-information reading means, the teaching data being derived from the image-quality conditions inputted thereto from the image-quality condition input means, and for setting image-quality conditions that are suitable for the image information read by the image-information reading means by conducting operations in accordance with the contents of the learning that corresponds to the specified identification number, upon copying the document image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 16, further comprising: a processing section for executing operations in accordance with the learning and the contents of the learning; a plurality of learned-contents storage sections, each installed for each identification number, for storing the contents of learning that has been executed by the processing section; and a connecting section for connecting the learned-contents storage section corresponding to the specified identification number to the processing section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the image-quality condition setting means includes a data storage section for storing pairs of the input data and the teaching data for use in the learning as learning data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the image-quality condition setting means starts the learning after a predetermined amount of the learning data has been accumulated in the data storage section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the data storage section stores only the learning data that was last inputted thereto with respect to the same document.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the image-quality condition setting means, when it determines that inputted learning data are similar to the learning data that has already stored in the data storage section, prevents the inputted learning data from being stored in the data storage section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the image-quality condition setting means includes a plurality of neurocomputers, each installed for each identification number.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 22, further comprising: a first switch for selecting an output of one of the neurocomputers in accordance with a specified identification number.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 23, further comprising: an external storage medium for storing the contents of the learning that has been obtained from the learning of the neurocomputers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the external storage medium stores a specific identification number and the contents of the learning made by a specific one of the neurocomputers corresponding to the identification number, and passes the identification number to the first switch so that an output of the specific neurocomputer is selected.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 25, further comprising: a second switch for connecting the external storage medium to the corresponding specific neurocomputer by the use of the specific identification number stored in the external storage medium.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein the external storage medium is a memory card.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the image-quality condition setting means is connected to an external apparatus so as to share the contents of the learning, the external apparatus being provided with the same function as the image-quality condition setting means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
181 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image-information reading means for reading out image information of a document image; image forming means for conducting an operation for forming an image based on the image information read by the image-information reading means; image-quality condition input means for inputting conditions on image quality for image formation; converting means for converting the image-quality conditions inputted through the image-quality condition input means into parameters that are suitable for the control on the image forming means; control means for controlling the image forming means based on the parameters that have been set; and parameter setting means for learning a relationship between input data and teaching data in correlation with an identification number, the input data being derived from the image information read by the image-information reading means, the teaching data being derived from the parameters from the converting means, and for setting parameters that are suitable for the image information read by the image-information reading means by executing operations in accordance with the contents of the learning that corresponds to the specified number, upon copying the document image.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
74 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 29, further comprising: a processing section for executing operations in accordance with the learning and the contents of the learning; a plurality of learned-contents storage sections, each installed for each identification number, for storing the contents of learning that has been performed by the processing section; and a connecting section for connecting the learned-contents storage section corresponding to the specified identification number to the processing section.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein the parameter setting means includes a data storage section for storing as learning data pairs of the input data and the teaching data for use in the learning.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 31, wherein the parameter setting means starts the learning after a predetermined amount of the learning data has been accumulated in the data storage section.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 32, wherein the data storage section stores only the learning data that was last inputted thereto with respect to the same document.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
49 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein the parameter setting means, when it determines that inputted learning data are similar to the learning data that has already stored in the data storage section, prevents the inputted learning data from being stored in the data storage section.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein the parameter setting means includes a plurality of neurocomputers, each installed for each identification number.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 35, further comprising: a first switch for selecting an output of one of the neurocomputers in accordance with a specified identification number.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 36, further comprising: an external storage medium for storing the contents of the learning that has been obtained from the learning of the neurocomputers.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
57 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 37, wherein the external storage medium stores a specific identification number and the contents of the learning made by a specific one of the neurocomputers corresponding to the identification number, and passes the identification number to the first switch so that an output of the specific neurocomputer is selected.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 38, further comprising: a second switch for connecting the external storage medium to the corresponding specific neurocomputer by the use of the specific identification number stored in the external storage medium.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 39, wherein the external storage medium is a memory card.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein the parameter setting means is connected to an external apparatus so as to share the contents of the learning, the external apparatus being provided with the same function as the parameter setting means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
231 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image-information reading means for reading out image information of a document image; image forming means for conducting an operation for forming an image based on the image information read by the image-information reading means; image-quality condition input means for inputting conditions on image quality for image formation; control means for controlling the image forming means based on the set conditions on image quality; and basic-learning operation means for learning a reference relationship between image information and image-quality conditions beforehand, and for calculating image-quality conditions in accordance with the contents of the learning; subtraction means for calculating a difference between an output of the basic-learning operation means and the image-quality conditions forming teaching data that are inputted thereto from the image-quality condition input means; difference-learning operation means for learning a relationship between input data and difference-teaching data in correlation with an identification number, the input data being derived from the image information read by the image-information reading means, the difference-teaching data being obtained from an output of the subtraction means, and for calculating a difference between the image-quality conditions and an output of the basic-learning operation means in accordance with the contents of the learning that corresponds to the specified number, upon copying the document image; and addition means for adding an output of the difference-learning operation means and an output value of the basic-learning operation means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 42, wherein upon receiving a specified identification number, the difference-learning operation means erases the corresponding contents of the learning for each specified identification number.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
251 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image-information reading means for reading out image information of a document image; image forming means for conducting an operation for forming an image based on the image information read by the image-information reading means; image-quality condition input means for inputting conditions on image quality for image formation; converting means for converting the image-quality conditions inputted through the image-quality condition input means into parameters that are suitable for the control on the image forming means; control means for controlling the image forming means based on the parameters that have been set; basic-learning operation means for learning a reference relationship between image information and parameters beforehand, and for calculating parameters in accordance with the contents of the learning; subtraction means for calculating a difference between an output of the basic-learning operation means and the parameters forming teaching data that are inputted thereto from the converting means; difference-learning operation means for learning a relationship between input data and difference-teaching data in correlation with an identification number, the input data being derived from the image information read by the image-information reading means, the difference-teaching data being obtained from an output of the subtraction means, and for calculating a difference between the parameters and an output of the basic-learning operation means in accordance with the contents of the learning that corresponds to the specified number, upon copying the document image; and addition means for adding an output of the difference-learning operation means and an output value of the basic-learning operation means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
The image forming apparatus as defined in claim 44, wherein upon receiving a specified identification number, the difference-learning operation means erases the corresponding contents of the learning for each specified identification number.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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