# US 11,445,091 B2 · Image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, and recording medium > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,445,091 B2 - Document ID: US11445091B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/444,303 - Filed: 2021-08-03 - Published: 2022-02-24 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-08-19 - Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd. - Applicants: Ryotaro Miwa - Inventors: Ryotaro Miwa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11445091B2 ## CPC - H04N 1/6027: {Correction or control of colour gradation or colour contrast (H04N1/6058 takes precedence)} - H04N 1/00602: {Feed rollers} - H04N 1/0061: {Feed belts} - H04N 1/6033: {using test pattern analysis (H04N1/6055 takes precedence)} - H04N 1/6044: {involving a sensor integrated in the machine or otherwise specifically adapted to read the test pattern} - H04N 1/6055: {using test pattern analysis} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract An image forming apparatus includes an image former configured to form a first image on a first recording medium; a feeder configured to feed the first recording medium to the image former; a reader configured to read the first image formed on the first recording medium; a process executor configured to execute a predetermined process based on a first read image that is obtained by the reader by reading the first image; and a corrector configured to correct the reader based on a second read image that is obtained by the reader by reading a second image formed on a second recording medium fed by the feeder, and a predetermined read reference image. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: an image former configured to form a first image on a first recording medium; a feeder configured to feed the first recording medium to the image former; a reader configured to read the first image formed on the first recording medium; a process executor configured to execute a predetermined process based on a first read image that is obtained by the reader by reading the first image; a controller; and a corrector, wherein the image former comprises a transfer belt that transfers the first image to the first recording medium on a conveying path, the reader reads a second image that is formed on a second recording medium fed by the feeder and conveyed on the conveying path, the controller causes the transfer belt to be separated from the second recording medium on the conveying path, and the corrector is configured to correct the reader based on a second read image that is obtained from the second image read by the reader and a predetermined read reference image. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process is at least one of an inspection process of inspecting the first image, a color correction process performed on the image former at a time of non-image formation, and a color correction process performed on the image former at a time of image formation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an accommodator configured to accommodate the first recording medium, wherein the feeder feeds the second recording medium accommodated in the accommodator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: the controller stops an operation of the image former when the reader reads the second image. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image former includes a fixer configured to thermally fix the first image on the first recording medium, and the controller stops heat generation by the fixer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image former performs image formation with a first color and a second color that is different from the first color. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first color is a process color, and the second color is a color other than the process color. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second recording medium includes a gradation correction pattern formed by another image forming apparatus that is different from the image forming apparatus, and the corrector corrects the reader based on read data that is obtained by the reader by reading the gradation correction pattern formed on the second recording medium fed by the feeder. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the corrector corrects the reader based on colorimetric data that is obtained by an external colorimetric apparatus by performing colorimetric measurement on the gradation correction pattern formed on the second recording medium, and the read data that is obtained by the reader by reading the gradation correction pattern formed on the second recording medium. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the corrector corrects another reader included in the another image forming apparatus, based on read data that is obtained by the another reader by reading the gradation correction pattern formed on the second recording medium, and the calorimetric data that is obtained by the external colorimetric apparatus by performing the colorimetric measurement on the gradation correction pattern formed on the second recording medium. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the corrector corrects at least one of the reader and the another reader, based on read reference data in which the colorimetric data that is obtained by the external calorimetric apparatus by performing the calorimetric measurement on the second recording medium is associated with the read data that is obtained by the reader by reading the second recording medium, and the read data that is obtained by reading the second recording, medium. ### Claim 12 An information processing apparatus that is attachable to an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises: an image former configured to form a first image on a first recording medium; and a feeder configured to feed the first recording medium to the image former, the information processing apparatus comprises: a reader configured to read the first image formed on the first recording medium; a process executor configured to execute a predetermined process based on a first read image that is obtained by the reader by reading the first image; a controller; and a corrector, wherein the image former comprises a transfer belt that transfers the first image to the first recording medium on a conveying path, the reader reads a second image that is formed on a second recording medium fed by the feeder and conveyed on the conveying path, the controller causes the transfer belt to be separated from the second recording medium on the conveying path, and the corrector is configured to correct the reader based on a second read image that is obtained from the second image read by the reader and a predetermined read reference image. ### Claim 13 A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute a process performed in an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising: an image former configured to form a first image on a first recording medium; a feeder configured to feed the first recording medium to the image former; a reader configured to, read the first image formed on the first recording medium; a controller; and a process executor configured to execute a predetermined process based on a first read image that is obtained by the reader by, reading the first image, wherein the image former comprises a transfer belt that transfers the first image to the first recording medium on a conveying path, and the process comprises: reading, with the reader, a second image that is formed on a second recording medium fed by the feeder and conveyed on the conveying path; causing, with the controller, the transfer belt to be separated from the second recording medium on the conveying path; and correcting the reader based on a second read image that is obtained from the second image read by the reader and a predetermined read reference image.