Image Forming Apparatus Replacement Page Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image forming apparatuses face difficulties in efficiently outputting designated pages for replacement, as existing methods either require manual intervention or fail to correctly adjust binding and page stamp settings, leading to issues with staples and page numbering.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a control unit that can output all sheets or designated sheets, adjusting output control content based on whether the sheets are for replacement, including temporary release of binding processing modes and page stamp settings, to ensure accurate and efficient replacement of specific pages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If designated sheets are output using existing methods, then output efficiency is improved, but binding processing modes and page stamp settings cannot be correctly adjusted, leading to incorrect staples and page numbering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput efficiencyVSAvoidbinding and page numbering accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit determines whether designated sheets are for replacement media before output, and in advance adjusts the output control content by temporarily releasing binding processing modes and page stamp settings. This preliminary adjustment ensures that when replacement sheets are output, they do not receive incorrect binding or page numbering, thus maintaining accuracy while preserving output efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If manual intervention is used to change output settings for replacement sheets, then binding and page numbering accuracy is improved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding and page numbering accuracyVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically determines whether designated sheets are for replacement media and self-adjusts the output control content by temporarily releasing binding processing modes and page stamp settings. This automation eliminates the need for manual intervention, maintaining binding and page numbering accuracy while significantly simplifying the operation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If all sheet output time sheet information is used for designated sheets, then output control is simplified, but replacement sheets receive incorrect binding processing and page stamps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput control complexityVSAvoidbinding and page numbering accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The output control content is made dynamic based on the determination result. When replacement sheets are detected, the control unit temporarily releases binding processing modes and page stamp settings; when replacement is not needed, normal output control is maintained. This dynamic adjustment ensures accuracy for replacement sheets while keeping the system simple for normal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10032098B2Image forming apparatus having function for determining whether to change output control content for designated sheets depending on whether designated sheets are to be output as replacement media, and image formation management apparatus and computer-readable recording medium having stored therein image formation control program having the same

Publication Date: 2018.07.24 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that outputs an image to a transfer medium on the basis of a job and a control unit that controls the image forming unit. The control unit is capable of outputting all sheets and outputting designated sheets in outputting the job and, when outputting the designated sheets, changes output control content according to whether the designated sheets are output as sheets for replacement media.