Image Former Jam Handling for Sheet Group Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses burden users with incomplete sheet ejection during jams, as they prioritize ejecting sheets over completing image forming processing, leading to user verification needs.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a hardware processor that detects jams and completes image forming processing for sheets in a group not including the jammed sheet, ensuring only completed sheets are ejected, thereby reducing user burden.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the image forming apparatus consistently ejects sheets when a jam occurs, then the sheet ejection speed is improved, but the image forming processing completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet ejection speedVSAvoidimage forming processing completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of the jammed sheet position and determines which sheets can be completed before initiating ejection. This allows the apparatus to prioritize completion of processable sheets while preparing to eject only those sheets that have been fully processed, resolving the contradiction between speed and completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sheet processing is segmented into two distinct groups: sheets that can be completed (processed through the full image forming process) and sheets that cannot be completed (ejected without full processing). This segmentation allows the system to handle different sheets differently, ensuring completed sheets are properly processed while incomplete sheets are efficiently ejected, thus resolving the contradiction between processing completeness and ejection speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the image forming apparatus completes processing for all sheets except the jammed sheet, then the image forming processing completeness is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage forming processing completenessVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by completing processing only for sheets that can be successfully processed (all sheets except the jammed sheet and sheets dependent on the jammed sheet). Instead of attempting to process all sheets or none, the system selectively processes the maximum possible subset, thus improving completeness without the full time cost of processing every sheet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis to identify which sheets can be completed before the jam occurs and which sheets cannot be completed. This preliminary identification allows the system to avoid wasting time on sheets that cannot be processed, thus improving overall processing efficiency while maintaining completeness for processable sheets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If the apparatus ejects sheets out of sequence during a jam, then the ejection speed is improved, but the user verification burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveejection speedVSAvoiduser verification burden

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary sorting of sheets into completed and incomplete groups before ejection. By pre-organizing sheets according to their processing status, the system ensures that completed sheets are ejected in the correct sequence without requiring user verification, thus maintaining both speed and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10623588B2Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming program configured to process image forming following jam

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes: an image former that performs image forming processing to a plurality of sheets included in each of a plurality of sheet groups; and a hardware processor that detects occurrence of a jam, wherein the image former completes the image forming processing to each of the plurality of sheets included in a sheet group not including a jammed sheet that has generated the jam.