Image Forming Apparatus Job Linking and Fixing Unit Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face difficulties in managing multiple jobs, such as envelope and content printing, as they require frequent switching of fixing units, leading to complex job progress tracking and integration of printing conditions, making it hard for users to understand and execute combined jobs effectively.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a job input unit, storage, link setting unit, and control section that allows users to link multiple jobs as linked jobs, enabling them to be executed simultaneously with independent printing conditions, and displaying linked jobs and their statuses for easy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple jobs are performed separately with fixing unit replacement, then each job can be executed with appropriate fixing unit, but job management complexity increases and user understanding becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate jobs (envelope job and content job) into a single integrated job. The control section manages both jobs as one unified job, eliminating the need for users to separately track and manage multiple jobs. The fixing unit is automatically replaced based on the current printing task within the integrated job, without requiring user intervention or complex job switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The control section serves multiple functions: it manages job integration, automatically controls fixing unit replacement, and provides unified job status display. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle both envelope printing and content printing within a single job framework, reducing the complexity of job management while maintaining adaptability to different printing requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixing units are replaced between jobs, then appropriate fixing units can be used for each job type, but job execution time increases due to replacement operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control section performs preliminary planning of the entire job sequence, including anticipating when fixing unit replacements are needed. By integrating multiple jobs and pre-determining the execution sequence, the system can automatically replace fixing units at optimal moments without interrupting user workflow, thereby reducing overall job execution time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by integrating envelope job and content job into one continuous printing process. The fixing unit replacement occurs automatically within the continuous job flow without requiring user intervention or job interruption. This ensures that the printing process continues seamlessly, minimizing idle time and reducing total job execution time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent jobs are managed separately, then each job maintains its own printing conditions, but tracking progress status of each job becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control section merges the status information of multiple jobs into a unified display. Instead of requiring users to track separate envelope job and content job statuses, the system provides a single integrated job status that reflects the progress of all constituent jobs. This unified information presentation prevents information loss and improves user awareness of overall job progress.
4Device complexity
If jobs are combined into one integrated job, then job management becomes simpler, but original printing conditions of individual jobs may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the integrated job into distinct sub-jobs (envelope job and content job) that are managed separately within the unified job structure. Each sub-job maintains its own printing conditions and parameters, while the control section coordinates their execution as part of the integrated job. This segmentation allows the system to achieve simple job management through integration while preserving the specific printing conditions of each individual job type.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image forming apparatus. The apparatus includes: a job input unit inputting a job; a job storage storing the job input by the job input unit; a link setting unit linking a new job input from the job input unit and the stored job stored in the job storage, or linking each independent job stored in the job storage; a storage section storing link information indicating the link of jobs set by the ink setting unit; a control section executing predetermined processes based on the link information stored in the storage section; and a print section printing the job.