Image Recording Control Apparatus Automatic Arrangement Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image recording apparatuses face challenges in easily and accurately setting the operation control for multiple recording operation units, particularly when a large number of units are involved or when units are partially replaced, leading to potential errors in positional arrangement.

Innovation Solution

An image recording control apparatus with a control unit that utilizes a parallel signal path to connect driving units and a secondary signal path for control signal transmission, incorporating switching units to determine the arrangement of recording operation units by analyzing the input status of control signals, allowing for efficient and accurate operation control without requiring significant configuration changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual setting with DIP switch is used to obtain relative positional information of recording operation units, then the arrangement information can be acquired, but the setting process becomes troublesome and errors easily occur especially when a large number of recording operation units are provided or when units are partially replaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of arrangement informationVSAvoidease of setting
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies and obtains relative positional information of recording operation units through automated detection mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual DIP switch setting. The control unit automatically detects the arrangement of recording operation units and acquires necessary positional information without user intervention, making the system self-configuring and error-proof.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual setting with DIP switch is used to obtain relative positional information of recording operation units, then the arrangement information can be acquired, but extensive configuration changes are required when units are replaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of arrangement informationVSAvoidease of replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to changes in recording operation units through automated detection. When units are replaced or added, the control unit automatically detects the new configuration and updates the arrangement information without requiring manual reconfiguration. This dynamic adaptation capability makes the system flexible and easy to maintain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If a large number of recording operation units are provided to improve recording speed and efficiency, then the recording capacity increases, but the complexity of setting and managing arrangement information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording speedVSAvoidcomplexity of configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically detects and manages the arrangement of multiple recording operation units without requiring manual configuration. The system self-configures by automatically obtaining relative positional information through automated detection mechanisms, eliminating the complexity of manual setup even when a large number of units are deployed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3539781B1Image recording control apparatus, image recording apparatus, and method for identifying arrangement of recording operation units
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 KONICA MINOLTA INC
  • EP3539781B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3539781B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3539781B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are an image recording control apparatus, an image recording apparatus, and a method for identifying the arrangement of recording operation units which make it possible to easily and appropriately make a setting concerning the operation control of a plurality of recording operation units. The image recording control apparatus is provided with: a prescribed number of driving units each of which drives a prescribed number of recording operation units, where said prescribed number is at least two; a control unit; a first signal path that connects the control unit and each of the driving units in parallel; and a second signal path via which a control signal input from an input end can be transmitted to the driving units in an arranged order of the recording operation units. The driving units other than the last driving unit in the arranged order have a switching unit that switches between whether or not the control signal input from the input end can be output to a downstream side. The control unit acquires from the first signal path an input status of the control signal to each of the driving units according to a switching state, identifies the arrangement of the recording operation units, and outputs a recording control signal based on the content of a recording operation according to the arrangement to the driving units through the first signal path.