Duplex Printing With Remainder-Aware Equal-Piece Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing apparatuses do not effectively handle printing on both surfaces of a medium, particularly when the number of pages is not divisible by a specific number, leading to inefficiencies in image formation and discharge.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus with a first and second conveying mechanism and a cutting mechanism that allows printing on both surfaces of a medium, followed by cutting into equal pieces, with a controller managing the processes to ensure page images are printed in sequential order and cut when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional printing apparatus performs printing on both surfaces of a medium, then printing efficiency is improved, but the apparatus cannot properly handle cases where the number of pages is not divisible by 2n, leading to incorrect page ordering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidpage ordering accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting mechanism performs a preliminary cut on the printing medium before all pages are printed. When the number of pages is not divisible by 2n, the apparatus cuts the medium after printing the last page number, separating the printed portion from the unprinted portion. This preliminary cutting action prevents page ordering errors by ensuring that only properly printed sections are discharged in the correct sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus dynamically adjusts its operation based on whether the number of pages is divisible by 2n. The controller determines the remainder of pages divided by 2n and selectively activates the cutting mechanism only when needed (when remainder is not zero). This dynamic adjustment maintains printing efficiency for standard cases while ensuring page ordering accuracy for exceptional cases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the cutting mechanism cuts the printing medium into n equal pieces, then the medium is properly prepared for discharge, but manual sorting is required when page numbers do not align with cutting positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge preparationVSAvoidmanual sorting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting mechanism automatically performs the sorting function that would otherwise require manual intervention. By cutting the printing medium at precisely calculated positions based on the number of pages to be printed, the apparatus self-regulates the discharge order of cut pieces. The controller calculates the appropriate cutting position to ensure that cut pieces are discharged in correct page number sequence without requiring user sorting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller uses feedback from the page count information to determine whether cutting is necessary and where to position the cut. The system receives information about the number of pages to be printed, calculates the remainder when divided by 2n, and based on this feedback, decides to activate the cutting mechanism only when needed, positioning it correctly to maintain proper discharge order.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the apparatus discharges cut pieces in sequential order, then printing efficiency is improved, but the complexity of coordinating conveying mechanisms and cutting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge efficiencyVSAvoidcoordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first conveying mechanism serves multiple functions: it conveys the printing medium during the first conveying process, positions the medium for cutting, and later conveys the cut pieces during discharge. By making this single mechanism multi-functional, the apparatus achieves efficient sequential discharge without requiring additional dedicated conveying mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the number of pages is not divisible by 2n, then incomplete printing cycles occur, but conventional apparatus lacks the mechanism to handle such cases properly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling flexibilityVSAvoidprinting completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12420564B2Printing apparatus, control method of printing apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium therefor

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes an image printer, a first conveying mechanism configured to convey a printing medium in a first conveying direction, a second conveying mechanism configured to convey the printing medium in a second conveying, a cutting mechanism configured to cut the printing medium into n equal pieces, and a controller. The controller is configured to perform a first conveying process of conveying the printing medium in the first conveying direction to print on a front surface of the printing medium, a second conveying process of conveying the printing medium in the second conveying direction to print on a back surface of the printing medium, an image printing process of printing the page images on the front and back surface in a page number order, and a first cutting process of cutting the printing medium on which the last page image is printed.