Image Formation Apparatus Skipping Defective Pages With 2D Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printing on roll paper, temporary stops due to failures result in wasted blank areas and inefficiencies, as existing methods do not effectively manage defective pages during resumed printing, leading to ink wastage and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An image formation apparatus with a first image formation unit for a base and a second unit for additional images, where the second unit skips defective pages and prints a two-dimensional code to identify them, allowing for post-processing handling and reducing ink waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If printing is temporarily stopped due to a printing failure and then resumed with preparatory feeding, then the printing can continue after acceleration to predetermined conveyance speed, but wasted blank areas are created on the roll paper
Solution Approach 1:
The system skips the preparatory feeding step that causes waste by directly resuming printing at the current conveyance speed without stopping, thus rushing through the failure recovery process without creating blank areas
2Reliability
If printing is stopped and then resumed, then the printing can continue after clearing the failure, but the resumption process takes time reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting printing failures in advance and preparing recovery procedures before the failure completely stops printing, allowing smoother and faster resumption without lengthy stopping and restarting processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous printing action by avoiding complete stops, instead using incremental speed adjustments and overlay printing to keep the printing process ongoing while recovering from failures
3Productivity
If printing continues without stopping during automatic failure clearance, then printing efficiency is maintained, but defective pages may be mixed into the print product
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color changes by printing two-dimensional codes in different colors or patterns on defective pages, enabling visual identification and separation of defective pages from normal print products while maintaining continuous printing
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces two-dimensional codes as an intermediary element that carries information about page status, allowing defective pages to be identified and handled separately without interrupting the continuous printing process
4Manufacturing precision
If the second image formation unit prints on defective pages, then complete images are formed, but ink is wasted on pages that cannot be properly used
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by printing only the necessary two-dimensional code on defective pages instead of complete images, using minimal ink while still providing sufficient information for identifying and handling the defective pages
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the essential information (two-dimensional code) from the complete image and prints it on defective pages, removing the unnecessary portions that would waste ink while still enabling proper handling of the defective output
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation apparatus includes a first image formation unit configured to form a first image on a print medium being conveyed in the image formation apparatus, and a second image formation unit configured to form a second image on the first image formed on the print medium, in a case where the first image is normally formed, and not to form the second image in a case where the first image is not normally formed and the print medium is being conveyed.