Image Recording Apparatus Juxtaposed Layout for Roll Paper Waste Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
When recording images on roll paper, a significant wasted area occurs if the image length is equal to or less than half the width of the roll paper, leading to inefficient use of the sheet medium.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus and system that includes a print engine, a storage device to store the sheet medium's width, and a controller to calculate the maximum natural number of images that can be recorded side by side without exceeding the sheet width, allowing for a juxtaposed image recording process to minimize wasted area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If images are recorded in the longitudinal direction of roll paper, then image length can be extended, but wasted area increases when image length is equal to or less than half the sheet width
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-direction (longitudinal) image arrangement to multi-directional arrangement by placing images side by side in the width direction. The controller calculates the maximum number of images that can be arranged in the width direction and records them in a juxtaposed manner, effectively utilizing the sheet width dimension to reduce wasted area while maintaining adequate image length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic image arrangement by calculating the optimal number of images to arrange based on the relationship between image dimensions and sheet width. The controller adaptively determines whether to record images in the longitudinal direction only or to arrange multiple images side by side in the width direction, optimizing the use of sheet medium based on real-time dimensional calculations.
2Loss of substance
If multiple images are arranged side by side in the width direction, then wasted area is reduced, but calculation and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically performs the calculation to determine the maximum number of images that can be arranged side by side in the width direction based on the sheet width and image dimensions. This self-service calculation eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex external control systems, reducing overall device complexity while achieving optimal image arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the arrangement parameter from single-column longitudinal placement to multi-column juxtaposed placement by calculating the maximum number of images fit in the width direction. This parameter change optimizes space utilization without requiring complex mechanical adjustments, as the calculation itself determines the optimal configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes a controller to calculate n that is a maximum natural number satisfying nX≤X0, where X0 represents a width of a sheet medium, and X represents a longest one of respective lengths, in a width direction of the sheet medium, of a plurality of first images or a single second image based on image data. The plurality of first images are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the sheet medium. When the calculated n is equal to or more than two, the controller performs a juxtaposed image recording process to control a print engine in such a manner that two or more and n or less images, among the plurality of first images or among a plurality of divisional images into which the single second image is divided, are recorded to be arranged side by side along the width direction.