Envelope Flap Length Detection for Printing Apparatus Guide Errors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing apparatuses incorrectly display guide errors when an envelope is placed on a manual feeding tray, as they do not consider the flap length during error notification, leading to erroneous notifications even when the envelope is correctly positioned.

Innovation Solution

The printing apparatus includes a control system that determines the envelope flap size and guides error notifications based on this measurement, ensuring accurate error messages only when necessary, and adjusts image printing accordingly to prevent errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the conventional guide error display method is used, then the system can detect guide width and perform error notification display, but it incorrectly displays guide errors when the envelope flap is not taken into consideration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide width detection accuracyVSAvoiderror notification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter being measured from only guide width to the combined parameter of guide width plus envelope flap length. This allows the error detection to account for the actual total length that determines correct envelope placement, resolving the contradiction between detecting guide width and providing reliable error notifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the envelope is placed with the flap abutting against the guide, then the envelope can be prevented from wrinkling during conveyance, but the conventional system erroneously displays guide errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvelope flatness during conveyanceVSAvoiderror notification reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system modifies the error detection parameter to include the envelope flap length, transforming the detection criterion from单纯的 guide width to the sum of guide width and flap length. This enables the system to correctly recognize when the flap is properly positioned against the guide without triggering false error notifications, while maintaining the stable envelope placement configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the system performs error notification without considering flap length, then the error detection process is simple, but false error notifications are displayed when envelopes are correctly placed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror detection process complexityVSAvoiderror notification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates the envelope flap length as an additional parameter in the error detection calculation. By modifying the detection parameter from just guide width to guide width plus flap length, the system maintains a relatively simple detection process while significantly improving the accuracy and reliability of error notifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2835689B1Printing apparatus, information processing apparatus, printing apparatus control method, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 CANON KK
  • EP2835689B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2835689B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2835689B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes a holding means for holding an envelope having a flap, a detection means for detecting a guide width between two guides provided in the holding means, an acceptance means for accepting information about envelope size and flap length from a user, and a display control means (160) for determining whether to perform an error notification display based on the guide width detected by the detection means as well as based on the envelope size and the flap length accepted by the acceptance means.