Image Forming System Substitution Copying Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems face inefficiencies during cascade copying when errors occur, leading to unnecessary extra outputs as substitution copying often results in incomplete copies being printed by one copier while the other completes the task, wasting resources.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system that includes a determining unit to assess the need for substitution based on error occurrence, allowing the system to selectively manage unprinted pages and ensure complete copies are produced by either copier, optimizing the printing process by controlling which copier prints uncompleted pages based on user settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If substitution copying is performed in units of copies upon error occurrence, then copying reliability is improved, but unnecessary extra outputs are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the substitution copying process into two distinct modes: copy-unit substitution (when stapling is selected) and page-unit substitution (when stapling is not selected). This segmentation allows the system to adapt the granularity of substitution based on the stapling setting, thereby preventing unnecessary extra outputs while maintaining copying reliability. Specifically, when stapling is enabled, substitution occurs at the copy level ensuring complete copies; when stapling is disabled, substitution occurs at the page level to minimize waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of substitution copying behavior based on the stapling setting. The determining unit dynamically selects between copy-unit and page-unit substitution modes according to whether stapling is selected. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between reliability and resource efficiency in real-time based on user requirements, resolving the contradiction between ensuring complete copies and avoiding unnecessary outputs.
2Reliability
If substitution copying is performed upon error occurrence, then copying completeness is improved, but resource efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different stapling scenarios with different substitution strategies. When stapling is selected, the system ensures complete copy substitution to maintain quality and usability of finished copies. When stapling is not selected, the system adopts a more efficient page-level substitution approach. This localized adaptation of substitution granularity to specific stapling conditions resolves the contradiction between copying completeness and resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the substitution unit parameter dynamically based on the stapling setting. The determining unit modifies the substitution granularity parameter - using copy-unit substitution when stapling is enabled and page-unit substitution when stapling is disabled. This parameter change allows the system to balance copying completeness with resource efficiency by adapting the substitution strategy to the specific output requirements.
3Reliability
If extra pages are printed during substitution copying, then copying reliability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments substitution copying into copy-unit and page-unit modes based on stapling settings. When stapling is selected, copy-unit substitution ensures reliable complete copies but may print extra pages. When stapling is not selected, page-unit substitution reduces unnecessary printing time by only printing needed pages. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between reliability and time loss by adapting substitution granularity to user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by printing only the necessary pages during substitution copying. When stapling is not selected and page-unit substitution is used, the system prints only the specific pages needed to complete copies, avoiding excessive printing of entire copies. This partial action approach maintains copying reliability while minimizing unnecessary printing time and resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
When a printing process on a first apparatus is interrupted due to an error and the printing process is resumed by a second apparatus, it is determined whether a predetermined function (for example, stapling) is selected for the printing process according to the printing mode. If the predetermined function is selected for the printing process, the second printing apparatus prints the number of copies including the copy interrupted in the first machine according to the print setting. If the predetermined function is not selected for the printing process, the second printing apparatus prints the number of copies excluding the interrupted copy and the unprinted pages in the interrupted copy according to the print setting.