Duplex Printing Order Reconfiguration for Odd-Page Documents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in duplex printing, particularly when handling documents with an odd number of pages, as they often require reconfiguring the printing order and adding blank pages to maintain even page counts, leading to increased printing and processing times.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus employs a processor to reconfigure the printing order by adding a blank sheet page as needed, allowing for duplex printing of documents with odd page counts, and controls the sheet-feeding and developing units to optimize the printing process, reducing unnecessary operations and processing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the image forming apparatus uses conventional duplex printing for documents with odd page counts, then it can maintain a standard printing process, but it requires adding blank pages and reconfiguring printing order which increases printing time and processing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The processor pre-calculates the optimal printing order for all pages before actual printing begins. It determines which pages should be printed on front surfaces and which on back surfaces, and prepares the sheet feeding sequence in advance. This preliminary planning eliminates the need for blank pages and reconfiguration during printing, directly resolving the contradiction by maintaining simple processing while improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the sheet feeding control based on the calculated printing order. The processor modifies the sheet feeding sequence in real-time to match the optimized printing arrangement, allowing the apparatus to handle odd-page documents efficiently without manual intervention or additional blank pages, thus improving productivity without significantly increasing complexity
2Ease of operation
If the image forming apparatus prints blank pages to maintain even page counts for duplex printing, then it can simplify the printing process control, but it increases printing time and causes unnecessary wear on the developing unit
Solution Approach 1:
The processor pre-calculates the optimal printing order for all pages before actual printing begins. It determines which pages should be printed on front surfaces and which on back surfaces, and prepares the sheet feeding sequence in advance. This preliminary planning eliminates the need for blank pages and reconfiguration during printing, directly resolving the contradiction by maintaining simple processing while improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous useful action by eliminating idle printing of blank pages. The processor optimizes the printing sequence so that the developing unit and sheet feeding mechanism operate continuously on meaningful content pages only, removing unnecessary blank page operations that waste time and cause wear, thus improving productivity without compromising ease of operation
3Productivity
If the image forming apparatus reconfigures printing order for odd-page documents, then it can optimize duplex printing efficiency, but it requires additional processing operations and control complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The processor pre-calculates the optimal printing order for all pages before actual printing begins. It determines which pages should be printed on front surfaces and which on back surfaces, and prepares the sheet feeding sequence in advance. This preliminary planning eliminates the need for blank pages and reconfiguration during printing, directly resolving the contradiction by maintaining simple processing while improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The processor automatically determines and executes the optimized printing order without requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems. The system self-manages the reconfiguration by internally calculating the optimal sequence and adjusting sheet feeding accordingly, improving duplex printing efficiency while keeping the added complexity contained within the processor rather than requiring additional device complexity
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the image forming apparatus avoids printing on blank pages, then it extends the lifespan of the developing unit, but it requires precise control of printing order and sheet feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The processor pre-calculates the optimal printing order for all pages before actual printing begins. It determines which pages should be printed on front surfaces and which on back surfaces, and prepares the sheet feeding sequence in advance. This preliminary planning eliminates the need for blank pages and reconfiguration during printing, directly resolving the contradiction by maintaining simple processing while improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the document's actual page count and structure to dynamically adjust the printing order calculation. The processor analyzes the document characteristics and optimizes the printing sequence accordingly, ensuring precise control that avoids blank pages while maintaining manageable complexity through intelligent adaptation rather than rigid predetermined sequences
Data Source
AI summary
An example image forming apparatus includes an image forming part, a plurality of batches type sheet-feeding part to sequentially feed a plurality of sheets, and a processor. The processor is to reconfigure, based on receiving a print command to duplex print a document into a plurality of copies, a printing order of the plurality of copies to one print job with respect to the print command, control the plurality of batches type sheet-feeding part to feed sheets to feed sheets according to the reconfigured printing order, and control the image forming part to print the document according to the reconfigured printing order.