Image Forming Apparatus Simultaneous Reading Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses experience delays in starting printing due to the need to complete reading of both surfaces of an original document before producing printing data, which leads to inefficiencies in the printing process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a first read device and a second read device to read the first and second surfaces of an original document line by line in the main scanning direction, producing band data that is combined and used for immediate printing, allowing printing to start during the reading process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the apparatus waits to complete reading both surfaces before producing printing data, then the data accuracy is ensured, but the printing start time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by starting to produce printing data for the first surface before the reading of the second surface is completed. The image data processor begins processing printing data as soon as the first surface reading is finished, while the second surface is still being read. This allows the printing process to start earlier without compromising the completeness of data processing, as the second surface data will be processed subsequently.
2Reliability
If the apparatus reads both surfaces completely before printing, then the complete image data is available, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of printing data for the first surface while the second surface reading is still in progress. This overlapping of operations allows the printing process to begin before all reading operations are complete, thereby improving processing speed while maintaining data completeness through continued processing of the second surface data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining parallel operations: the image data processor continuously produces printing data for the first surface while the reading device simultaneously reads the second surface. This continuous overlapping of processing and reading operations eliminates idle time and improves overall productivity without sacrificing data completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a first read device configured to read a first surface of an original document in a main scanning direction and to produce a first band data. The image forming apparatus further includes a second read device configured to read a second surface of the original document in the main scanning direction and to produce a second band data during the reading of the first surface by the first read device. The image forming apparatus still further includes an image data processor configured to produce printing band data by combining the first band data with the second band data, during the reading of at least one of the first surface and the second surface. Moreover, the image forming apparatus includes a printing device configured to start printing an image of the printing band data produced by the image data processor on a printing sheet, during the reading of at least one of the first surface and the second surface.