Continuous Print Inspection with Sample and Failed-Print Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems do not allow for sample printing during continuous printing operations, which hinders visual inspection of printing quality, and fail to efficiently separate and distinguish between failed and sample printed materials.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that inspects printing quality, performs continuous printing, and separates failed printed materials to a first discharge unit while allowing sample printing to a first discharge unit, with options for distinguishing between sample and failed materials through discharge position adjustments or blank paper insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous printing is performed without sample printing, then productivity is improved, but the ability to visually inspect printing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the printing process by introducing sample printing as a separate function from continuous printing. The printing apparatus can switch between normal printing mode and sample printing mode, allowing quality inspection without interrupting the overall printing workflow. This segmentation enables both continuous production and quality verification to coexist.
2Ease of operation
If sample printing is performed during continuous printing, then visual inspection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, allowing the same device to perform both continuous printing and sample printing operations. The control unit can interpret various types of print jobs and automatically determine whether to execute sample printing based on the job characteristics, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sample printing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining when sample printing is needed based on the print job data. The control unit analyzes the print job information and autonomously decides to execute sample printing without requiring external intervention or complex additional control systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Device complexity
If failed and sample printed materials are discharged to the same unit, then device complexity is reduced, but material distinction capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color changes as a visual indicator to distinguish between different types of discharged materials. Sample printed materials and failed printed materials can be differentiated by their color characteristics, allowing the system to maintain simple discharge hardware while preserving material identification capability through optical differentiation.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system includes a processor configured to inspect a printing quality of a printed material and perform continuous printing of a subsequent printed material, discharge a printed material having an inspection result of fail and a printed material printed until printing is stopped after the printed material having the inspection result of fail, as failed printed materials, to a first discharge unit, discharge a printed material having an inspection result of pass to a second discharge unit, and discharge a printed material to which an instruction of sample printing is given, as sample printing, to the first discharge unit, in a case where the instruction is received.