Duplex Cleaning Operations for Print Apparatus Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Print apparatus components accumulate print agents like ink or toner, leading to reduced print quality and reliability over time, necessitating cleaning operations such as printing 'cleaner pages' to maintain performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that determines print operation instructions to incorporate duplex printing for cleaning cycles, where both sides of a media sheet are printed, with specific print parameters and media types optimized for effective residue removal, and strategically interleaving cleaning pages with user-specified print tasks to ensure thorough cleaning without compromising print quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If cleaning operations are performed frequently to maintain print quality, then print quality is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased interruption of user printing tasks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidprinting throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic cleaning operations at predetermined intervals or after a specified number of pages are printed. The processor monitors printing activity and automatically schedules cleaner page printing at optimal intervals, balancing cleaning effectiveness with maintaining user printing productivity by not interrupting the workflow unnecessarily.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The print apparatus automatically performs cleaning operations without requiring user intervention. The processor detects when cleaning is needed based on predetermined criteria (page counts, time intervals) and autonomously initiates cleaner page printing, allowing the system to self-maintain print quality while minimizing impact on user productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If cleaner pages are printed frequently to remove print agent residue, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance worsens due to increased consumption of print agent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint apparatus reliabilityVSAvoidprint agent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system schedules cleaner page printing periodically based on predetermined intervals or page counts rather than continuously. The processor monitors usage patterns and triggers cleaning operations only when necessary, reducing unnecessary print agent consumption while maintaining sufficient cleaning frequency to ensure reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system adjusts cleaning frequency and intensity based on detected printing conditions and patterns. By monitoring actual usage, the processor dynamically modifies when and how often cleaner pages are printed, optimizing the balance between maintaining reliability and minimizing print agent waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If duplex printing is used for cleaning operations to clean both sides of pattern receiving surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity worsens due to coordination of double-sided printing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidprinting operation coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines the cleaning function with the existing duplex printing capability. By integrating cleaner page printing into the regular duplex printing workflow, the system utilizes already-coordinated double-sided printing mechanisms, avoiding the need for separate complex cleaning mechanisms while achieving thorough cleaning of both pattern receiving surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The duplex printing mechanism serves dual purposes: it performs both regular user printing tasks and cleaning operations. The same printing system that prints user documents is also used to print cleaner pages on both sides of media, eliminating the need for dedicated cleaning hardware and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If cleaning operations are interleaved with user printing tasks to maintain efficiency, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision worsens due to potential mis-registration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidprint registration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments cleaning operations into discrete cleaner page printing tasks that are carefully integrated into the overall printing workflow. The processor manages the segmentation of user printing tasks and cleaning operations, ensuring that cleaner pages are printed at specific intervals when they will not interfere with the registration accuracy of user documents, thus maintaining both productivity and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11480911B2Print operations comprising user specified printing tasks and cleaning operations

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 HP INDIGO BV

AI summary

In an example, a method includes receiving, by at least one processor, an instruction to print a user specified printing task to at least one media sheet. Print operation instructions may be determined. Such print operation instructions may comprise instructions to control a print apparatus to print the user specified printing task and instructions to control a print apparatus to carry out at least one cleaning operation, wherein the cleaning operation comprises duplex printing a print media sheet.