Image Forming Apparatus Automatic Medium Setting Synchronization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming apparatuses face operational inefficiencies due to the need for manual updating of sheet settings when replacing printing media, leading to potential sheet mismatch errors and printing failures, especially when handling elongated printing sheets like rolled label sheets.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a storage section for medium settings, a determining section to compare and update medium settings from a print job with stored settings, and a controller to automatically synchronize these settings, ensuring accurate printing area information is used.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual updating of sheet settings is required when replacing printing media, then the image forming apparatus can maintain setting accuracy, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex update procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet setting accuracyVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The image forming apparatus automatically detects the type of printing media loaded and updates the sheet settings autonomously without requiring manual user input. The system self-services by comparing detected media characteristics with stored setting templates and applying the appropriate settings automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sheet setting templates are pre-stored in the apparatus corresponding to different types of printing media. When media is loaded, the system retrieves and applies the corresponding pre-prepared settings, eliminating the need for manual configuration during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of sheet setting items is increased to accommodate various printing media, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases due to more setting parameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia type compatibilityVSAvoidsetting parameter quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet settings are segmented into multiple independent templates, each corresponding to a specific type of printing media. Instead of managing one complex comprehensive setting structure, the system divides settings into discrete, manageable templates that can be independently selected and applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system stores copies of sheet setting templates for different media types in the storage section. When a particular media type is detected, the corresponding template copy is retrieved and applied, avoiding the need to create and manage complex settings from scratch each time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If automatic detection of all sheet setting items is implemented, then the ease of operation improves, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to detection limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic setting updateVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary approach where sensors detect basic media characteristics (such as presence and type), and this detection information serves as a key to retrieve pre-configured detailed settings templates. The intermediary template system bridges the gap between limited detection capabilities and comprehensive setting requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If printing is forced while ignoring sheet mismatch errors, then the productivity improves, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential printing failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting continuityVSAvoidprinting success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by automatically detecting media types and updating settings before printing operations commence. This preventive approach eliminates sheet mismatch errors before they can occur, ensuring both printing continuity and success without needing to ignore errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS10394496B2Image forming apparatus, image forming system, setting method and computer-readable medium

Publication Date: 2019.08.27 OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a storage section that stores a medium setting including information representing a printing area on a printing medium, a printing section that performs printing on the printing medium based on the medium setting stored in the storage section, a determining section that determines whether a first medium setting included in a print job sent from an information processing apparatus and including information representing a printing area on a printing medium differs from a second medium setting stored as the medium setting in the storage section, and a controller that changes the medium setting stored in the storage section from the second medium setting to the first medium setting, when the determining section determines that the first medium setting differs from the second medium setting.