Image Forming Apparatus Parallel Printing Order Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in mixed print jobs involving single-sided and double-sided printing, leading to reduced productivity and operability issues due to time intervals between image transfers and potential page order errors, as well as challenges in maintaining image quality when switching between different printing conditions.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a control system that prioritizes image formation of double-sided printing sheets before single-sided printing sheets, utilizing a re-feeding mechanism and sensors to optimize sheet conveyance and image formation order, allowing for parallel execution of single-sided and double-sided printing while maintaining image quality and preventing page order errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the first side of a double-sided printing sheet is subjected to image formation prior to a single-sided printing page group, then single-sided printing can be executed in parallel with double-sided printing, but if sheets for single-sided printing cannot be fed during this period, the printing operation must be stopped and sheets must be manually removed, degrading operability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary image formation on the first side of double-sided printing sheets before the single-sided printing page group starts printing. This allows the double-sided sheets to be prepared in advance and kept on standby in the double-sided conveying path, enabling parallel execution of single-sided and double-sided printing operations, thereby dramatically reducing total printing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a sheet detection mechanism that continuously monitors whether sheets are present in the sheet feeder during the passing control process. When sheets are detected to be insufficient or absent, the system automatically adjusts the printing execution: it prioritizes completing the single-sided printing page group first, then prints the first side of subsequent double-sided printing sheets, and only then prints the second side. This feedback-based dynamic adjustment prevents page order errors and eliminates the need for manual sheet removal, thereby maintaining high operability while improving productivity.
2Reliability
If conventional double-sided printing methods are used with time intervals between front-side and reverse-side image transfer, then sheets can be circulated through the double-sided conveying path, but total printing speed is considerably reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates idle time intervals between front-side and reverse-side image transfers by implementing passing control. The system continuously keeps sheets moving through the double-sided conveying path and maintains continuous image formation operations. By preparing the first side of subsequent double-sided sheets in advance and having them ready on standby, the system ensures that the image forming unit never remains idle, thereby dramatically improving total printing speed while maintaining image quality consistency.
3Productivity
If the first side of double-sided printing sheets is printed prior to single-sided printing pages, then parallel execution is achieved, but printing conditions may change between front and reverse sides, causing differences in color hue and glossiness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a dynamic printing execution strategy that adapts based on real-time sheet availability detection. The system can flexibly switch between different printing sequences: when sheets are sufficient, it executes passing control with parallel processing; when sheets are insufficient, it prioritizes single-sided printing first. This dynamic adjustment ensures that printing conditions remain consistent for both sides of each sheet, preventing color hue and glossiness differences while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus capable of improving productivity in a print job mixedly involving single-sided printing and double-sided printing. Sheets are fed one by one to an image forming section. When double-sided printing is to be performed, a sheet having an image formed on the first side thereof by the image forming section is re-fed thereto so as to have an image formed on the second side thereof. When a sheet for double-sided printing exists, which is posterior in page order to a sheet for single-sided printing, an image forming order is changed such that the first side of the sheet for double-sided printing is subjected to image formation prior to the sheet for single-sided printing. When it is predicted that a state will occur in which the sheet for single-sided printing cannot be fed, the image forming order is not changed.