Image Forming Apparatus Double-Side Printing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In one-side continuous printing methods, incomplete sheets with only one side printed occur due to lack of colorant, leading to higher instances compared to double-side continuous printing methods.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus selects a double-side printing method where the number of one-side printed sheets is minimized and the number of opposite-side printed sheets is maximized when the remaining colorant amount is below a threshold, ensuring that the printing operations on both sides of a sheet are performed closer in time, thereby reducing incomplete sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If one-side continuous printing method is used to increase printing speed, then productivity is improved, but the number of incomplete sheets increases when colorant is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically switches between one-side continuous printing method and double-side continuous printing method based on the remaining colorant amount. When colorant is sufficient, the high-speed one-side continuous method is used; when colorant is insufficient, the system transitions to the double-side continuous method to ensure complete printing. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting the printing method according to real-time colorant levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the printing operation parameters (method selection) based on the colorant amount parameter. By monitoring the remaining colorant and comparing it with threshold values, the system selects appropriate printing methods to maintain reliability while optimizing productivity. This parameter-based control strategy allows the system to adapt to different colorant availability conditions.
2Reliability
If double-side continuous printing method is used to ensure complete printing, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between printing methods based on colorant availability. The double-side continuous printing method is used as a fallback when colorant is insufficient, ensuring reliability, while the one-side continuous method is used when colorant is sufficient to maintain high productivity. This dynamic selection resolves the contradiction by using each method in its optimal context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the printing method parameter based on the colorant amount parameter. When the remaining colorant exceeds the threshold, the system switches to the high-speed one-side continuous method; when it falls below the threshold, it switches to the reliable double-side continuous method. This parameter-driven approach optimizes the trade-off between reliability and productivity.
3Productivity
If one-side printing operation is performed on other sheets during sheet inversion time, then productivity is improved, but the number of incomplete sheets increases when colorant is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the printing strategy based on colorant availability. When colorant is sufficient, the system performs one-side printing on other sheets during inversion time to maximize productivity. When colorant is insufficient, it prioritizes completing the current sheet's double-side printing to ensure manufacturing precision. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the printing schedule to colorant levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the colorant amount detection to control the printing operation. The determination unit monitors colorant levels and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the printing method accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system maintains manufacturing precision by preventing incomplete sheets when colorant is insufficient, while still achieving high productivity when colorant is sufficient.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a determination unit determining whether an amount of colorant remaining in a container is equal to or greater than a threshold value and a control unit causing a print unit selectively to perform plural double-side printing methods in which at least one of the number of one-side printed sheets N and the number of opposite-side printed sheets M is different. When the determination unit makes a negative determination, the control unit performs a negative selection process of selecting a double-side printing method satisfying at least one condition of a condition that the number of one-side printed sheets N is smaller than that when the determination unit makes an affirmative determination and a condition that the number of opposite-side printed sheets M is greater than that when the determination unit makes the affirmative determination.