Double-Sided Printing Controller Segmentation for Waste Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in minimizing waste when trouble occurs during image reading, particularly during double-sided printing, as they often require reprocessing and wasting sheets even if the first side is correctly printed.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus starts printing the first side of a document before the image reading is completed and waits to print the second side until the image reading is finished, allowing for efficient handling of errors and minimizing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the printer starts printing before image reading is completed to shorten FCOT, then the First Copy Output Time is reduced, but waste of printing sheets increases when trouble occurs during image reading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the printing process into two distinct phases: front surface printing which can start before reading completion, and back surface printing which waits for reading completion. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for speed on the first surface while ensuring quality and error handling on the second surface, thereby resolving the contradiction between reducing FCOT and preventing sheet waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by starting the front surface printing process before the image reading is fully completed. The controller initiates printing of the front surface using the read image data available at that moment, while simultaneously continuing to read the original. This preliminary action reduces FCOT without affecting the quality of the final output.
2Loss of substance
If the printer waits for complete image reading before printing to ensure quality, then sheet waste is minimized, but the First Copy Output Time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the double-sided printing into two independent operational phases: front surface printing that operates in parallel with reading completion, and back surface printing that sequentially waits for reading completion. This segmentation enables the system to achieve both fast output (front surface) and error prevention (back surface).
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the image reading process running continuously while the front surface printing is being performed. Rather than stopping reading to start printing, both operations proceed concurrently, maximizing resource utilization and reducing overall processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image reader configured to perform image reading of a first original and perform image reading of a second original after reading of the first original, a printer configured to print a read image read by the image reader on a sheet, and a controller configured to control operation of the image reader and the printer. As to the first original, the controller is configured, in a case where the printer performs double-sided printing to print on both sides of a sheet, to start to print a read image of the first original before the image reading of the first original is completed, and as to the second original, the controller is configured, in a case where the printer performs double-sided printing to print on both sides of a sheet, to start to print a read image of the second original after the image reading of the second original is completed.