Multi-color image-forming apparatus, optical sensor, and method for the same

A method of using a multi-color image-forming apparatus including an optical sensor having a light-casting section that casts light that is polarized in a predetermined direction and a light-receiving section that receives light that is polarized in a direction different from the predetermined direction, at least one high reflectance pattern configured for detecting toner position and including a high reflectance toner having high reflectance to a particular wavelength of the light cast by the light-casting section, and at least one low reflectance pattern including a high reflectance toner foundation and a low reflectance toner portion formed on top of the high reflectance toner foundation within a central portion of the high reflectance toner foundation, wherein the low reflectance toner having low reflectance to the particular wavelength of the light cast by the light-casting section, wherein said high reflectance toner is at least one of a magenta (M) toner and a yellow (Y) toner, and said low reflectance toner is at least one of a cyan (C) toner and a black (K) toner, the method comprising:

• casting light by the light-casting section having a wavelength from substantially 620 nm to substantially 720 nm;
• using the cyan (C) toner to form the low reflectance toner portion when the magenta (M) toner forms the high reflectance toner foundation, and using the black (K) toner to form the low reflectance toner portion when the yellow (Y) toner forms the high reflectance toner foundation;
• detecting at least one of the high reflectance pattern and the low reflectance pattern through use of the optical sensor;
• and
• correcting for a color shift.

A method of manufacturing a multi-color image-forming apparatus including an optical sensor having a light-casting section that casts light that is polarized in a predetermined direction and a light-receiving section that receives light that is polarized in a direction different from the predetermined direction, at least one high reflectance pattern configured for detecting toner position and including a high reflectance toner having high reflectance to a particular wavelength of the light cast by the light-casting section, and at least one low reflectance pattern including a high reflectance toner foundation and a low reflectance toner portion formed on top of the high reflectance toner foundation within a central portion of the high reflectance toner foundation, wherein the low reflectance toner having low reflectance to the particular wavelength of the light cast by the light-casting section, and said high reflectance toner is at least one of a magenta (M) toner and a yellow (Y) toner, and said low reflectance toner is at least one of a cyan (C) toner and a black (K) toner, the method comprising:

• configuring the apparatus to detect at least one of the high reflectance pattern and the low reflectance pattern by the optical sensor to correct a color shift,
• configuring the light-casting section to cast light having a wavelength from substantially 620 nm to substantially 720 nm, wherein when the magenta (M) toner forms the high reflectance toner foundation, the cyan (C) toner forms the low reflectance toner portion, and when the yellow (Y) toner forms the high reflectance toner foundation, the black (K) toner forms the low reflectance toner portion;
• providing a control unit configured to control an operation of the multi-color image-forming apparatus;
• providing a toner carrier located adjacent the optical sensor;
• and
• programming the control unit such that it controls the apparatus to produce at least one high reflectance pattern and at least one low reflectance pattern on the toner carrier.

A multi-color image-forming apparatus comprising:

• an optical sensor having a light-casting section that casts light that is polarized in a predetermined direction and a light-receiving section that receives light that is polarized in a direction different from the predetermined direction;
• at least one high reflectance pattern configured for detecting toner position and including a high reflectance toner having high reflectance to a particular wavelength of the light cast by the light-casting section;
• and
• at least one low reflectance pattern including a high reflectance toner foundation and a low reflectance toner portion formed on top of the high reflectance toner foundation within a central portion of the high reflectance toner foundation, wherein the low reflectance toner has low reflectance to the particular wavelength of the light cast by the light-casting section,
• wherein the apparatus is configured to detect at least one of the high reflectance pattern and the low reflectance pattern by the optical sensor to correct a color shift;
• wherein said high reflectance toner is at least one of a magenta (M) toner and a yellow (Y) toner and a cyan (C) toner, and said low reflectance toner is a black (K) toner;
• and
• wherein the yellow (Y) toner forms the high reflectance toner foundation and the black (K) toner forms the low reflectance toner portion.