Image Forming Apparatus Trial Printing Postprocessing Position Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In printing processes involving postprocessing like staple and punch processing, there is a wasteful consumption of recording sheets and toner due to incorrect positioning, leading to time and labor inefficiencies, prompting the need for trial printing to confirm positions before the actual print job.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a processor, storage unit, paper sheet feeder, and postprocessing unit that performs trial printing on the first copy, labeling predetermined marks on the head page indicating intended and possible postprocessing positions, allowing operators to confirm and adjust positions before proceeding with the actual print and postprocessing job.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If trial printing is performed to confirm postprocessing positions, then positioning accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional printing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepostprocessing position accuracyVSAvoidtrial printing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the first copy as a trial print to verify postprocessing positions before producing the remaining copies. The marking unit adds position indication marks to the first copy, allowing operators to confirm staple and punch positions without wasting recording sheets or toner on incorrect postprocessing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary marking of postprocessing positions on the first copy before completing the full print job. The marking unit superimposes position indication marks on the first copy during the printing process, enabling position verification in advance and preventing waste from incorrect postprocessing on subsequent copies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If postprocessing is performed on single recording sheets during trial printing, then position confirmation is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepostprocessing position verificationVSAvoidpostprocessing unit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the first copy to serve dual purposes: as a trial print for position verification and as a usable document. The marking unit adds position indication marks that do not interfere with the document's usability, eliminating the need for separate trial printing and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The first copy performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as a trial print for verifying postprocessing positions and as a final usable document. The position indication marks are added in a manner that does not compromise the document's usability, allowing one sheet to fulfill both roles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If multiple copies are printed with postprocessing, then productivity increases, but loss of substance increases due to waste from incorrect positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint job throughputVSAvoidrecording sheet and toner waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the first copy as feedback to verify postprocessing positions before producing the remaining copies. The position indication marks on the first copy provide visual feedback to operators, allowing them to confirm correct positioning and make adjustments if needed, thereby preventing waste of recording sheets and toner on subsequent copies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary verification of postprocessing positions on the first copy before completing the full print job. By marking position indications on the first copy and verifying them in advance, the system prevents incorrect postprocessing on subsequent copies, thereby reducing waste while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9986118B2Image forming apparatus that ensures reduced waste of recording sheet when performing trial printing

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a processor, a storage unit, a paper sheet feeder, an image forming unit, and a postprocessing unit. The postprocessing unit performs postprocessing on the recording sheet following image formation by the image forming unit. When a print/postprocessing job in which a plurality of copies is printed and postprocessing is performed on each copy is executed by the print-job execution unit, the postprocessing-position marking unit labels image data for at least the head page of the first copy with predetermined marks respectively in a position where postprocessing is to be performed and in a position where postprocessing is performable. The print-job execution unit, when executing the print/postprocessing job, performs control such that the first copy is printed without postprocessing, an image in which at least the head page has been labeled with the marks is printed, and the print/postprocessing job is temporarily halted.