Image Forming Apparatus Visual Sheet Discharge Destination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed print-on-demand and production printing environments, operators face difficulties in quickly recognizing and changing the available sheet discharge destinations for image forming jobs due to the complexity of procedures required to manage multiple image forming apparatus and sheet stacking units, leading to potential downtime.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a controller that generates configuration and sheet images, allowing operators to visualize and intuitively change the sheet discharge destination by moving the sheet image on a display, simplifying the process of redirecting sheet bundles across multiple sheet stacking units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple sheet stacking units are mounted to handle large-volume printing, then the sheet discharge capacity is improved, but the complexity of recognizing and changing sheet discharge destinations worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a visual display that creates a graphical copy or representation of the physical sheet stacking units and their current states. The display shows icons representing each stacking unit, their capacity levels, and allows operators to select destinations visually rather than memorizing complex configurations. This graphical copy simplifies the interaction with multiple stacking units while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a display device and control interface as an intermediary between the operator and the multiple sheet stacking units. This intermediary provides visual feedback about the state of each stacking unit and enables easy selection of discharge destinations without requiring the operator to directly manage the complexity of multiple units. The intermediary translates physical states into visual information that is easy to comprehend and manipulate.
2Reliability
If operators manually check sheet discharge state and determine destinations, then sheet discharge control is achieved, but downtime increases due to complex procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the display device continuously shows the current state of sheet stacking units, including their capacity levels and readiness to receive sheets. This real-time feedback allows operators to make immediate decisions about discharge destinations without manual checking procedures. The system also provides feedback when a stacking unit becomes full, automatically or visually indicating the need to change destinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables operators to pre-select or easily change sheet discharge destinations before the stacking units become full. The display shows the current state in advance, allowing operators to plan and change destinations proactively rather than reactively when downtime becomes necessary. This preliminary action approach prevents interruptions by maintaining continuous awareness of stacking unit states.
3Productivity
If high-speed image formation is performed, then productivity is improved, but the ability to recognize and adjust discharge settings in real-time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display device creates a visual copy of the physical sheet stacking units and their states, allowing operators to monitor and control discharge destinations visually without slowing down the high-speed image formation process. The graphical representation updates to reflect current states, enabling real-time adjustments while maintaining production speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control interface acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of real-time adjustments automatically or through simplified visual selection. Operators can change discharge destinations through the display interface without needing to manually intervene in the high-speed imaging process or memorize complex unit configurations. The intermediary manages the real-time data and presents it in an easily actionable format.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is capable of easily changing a scheduled stacking position of any image forming job. An image region in which an overall arrangement mode of the image forming apparatus and sheet discharge apparatus is displayed and a list region in which standby jobs are listed are displayed on a monitor screen. In the image region, a sheet bundle of the selected standby job is displayed on a tray that is set as the scheduled stacking position of the selected standby job. When the sheet bundle is selected and dragged and dropped by a mouse pointer on the monitor screen, the tray being set as the scheduled stacking position is changed, and a position at which the sheet bundle is displayed is also changed.