Image Forming System Special Sheet Group Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming systems, when the number of special sheets used for printing is not an integral multiple of the number of sheets in a special sheet group, unnecessary sheets are left over, causing inconvenience as they may be inserted into subsequent printed matters unless removed, and users must pre-divide printed matter into groups to correctly arrange special sheets.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a special sheet feeding unit, setting input unit, and control unit that calculates and discharges unnecessary special sheets based on the number of sheets in a set and the number inserted, ensuring correct insertion order by setting the first sheet of each group to the top of the sheet set and discharging leftovers before starting a new group.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If special sheets are inserted continuously from one set without removal, then the system operation is simple, but unnecessary special sheets are mixed into subsequent printed matter causing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary special sheets from the special sheet group after completing one set of printed matter. The control unit identifies and separates the remaining special sheets that are not needed for the current print job, discharging them separately to prevent contamination of subsequent printed matter while maintaining continuous operation capability
2Manufacturing precision
If users pre-divide printed matter into groups, then special sheets can be correctly arranged in each group, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic division and arrangement of special sheets based on the total number of printed matter pages and the special sheet group configuration. The control unit automatically calculates how to divide the printed matter into groups and arranges special sheets accordingly, eliminating the need for users to manually pre-divide documents while ensuring accurate special sheet placement in each group
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of special sheets is not an integral multiple of pages per set, then flexibility in printing is improved, but leftover special sheets cause problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful leftover special sheets into a managed resource by automatically identifying, separating, and discharging them. The control unit calculates the exact number of remaining special sheets after one set is completed and directs their removal, transforming what would be contamination into a controlled disposal process that enables flexible printing without integral multiple constraints
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an image forming system including: an image forming unit for forming images based on a plurality of document pages on a plurality of recording media to form a printed matter; a special sheet feeding unit for storing a special sheet group constituting one set in which a plurality of different types of special sheets are arranged in a predetermined order; a special sheet setting input unit for accepting the number of the special sheets constituting the one set and a page of which the special sheet is inserted into the plurality of recording media; a division setting input unit for accepting an instruction for dividing the printed matter into a plurality of groups by carrying out a post-processing for the printed matter; and a control unit for setting a special sheet inserted into a first place in each of the plurality of groups to a special sheet arranged at a top of the one set when the special sheet setting input unit accepts the page of which the special sheet is inserted and when the division setting input unit accepts the instruction for dividing the printed matter into the plurality of groups.