Image Forming Apparatus Printing Amount Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in managing printing costs and permissions, particularly in determining the correct timing for changing the printing amount and ensuring sufficient charging, which can lead to incorrect operations and delayed printing.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a control unit that manages printing amounts and permissions through a charging device, performing primary and secondary supplies to optimize printing speed and accuracy by determining the timing of printing medium conveyance and charging based on user permissions and available funds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the apparatus determines printing amount timing based on color fixing completion, then printing cost accuracy is improved, but printing speed deteriorates due to delayed medium supply
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines the timing for changing the printing amount in advance, specifically at the timing when the secondary supply of the printing medium starts, rather than waiting for color fixing completion. This preliminary determination allows the medium supply unit to prepare and execute the secondary supply without delay, thereby maintaining printing speed while still achieving accurate printing cost calculation based on the finalized color information
2Measurement precision
If the apparatus waits for color fixing before determining printing amount, then cost calculation accuracy is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the printing amount determination action in advance at the start of secondary supply rather than waiting for color fixing completion. This timing optimization allows the apparatus to maintain accurate cost tracking while significantly improving operational efficiency by eliminating the waiting period between color fixing completion and medium supply execution
3Reliability
If the apparatus performs secondary supply after color fixing, then image quality is ensured, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines the printing amount timing at the start of secondary supply in advance, allowing the medium supply unit to immediately execute the secondary supply operation without waiting for color fixing to complete. This maintains image quality by ensuring proper timing while reducing overall time consumption by eliminating sequential delays
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus (10) includes a printing unit (24), a drawing data creating circuit (17a), a medium supply circuit (17b), and a printing amount managing circuit (17c) that is adapted to manage a printing amount. The medium supply circuit (17b) is adapted to perform a primary supply and a secondary supply. The medium supply circuit (17b) is adapted to start the primary supply prior to completion of creating drawing data. The drawing data creating circuit (17a) determines a color to be used for printing. If the printing amount needs to be changed to start the primary supply, the printing amount managing circuit (17c) changes the printing amount according to a specified color specified in the print data before the drawing data creating circuit (17a) determines the color to be used. If the printing amount has been changed according to the specified color, the printing amount managing circuit (17c) corrects the printing amount according to the color to be used.