Inkjet Printing Apparatus Side-by-Side Page Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing apparatuses with ink-jet printing portions face inefficiencies when printing multiple pages side by side, as image printing is delayed until all pages are read, leading to increased time requirements and potential unsuitable printing performance.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a scanning portion, data generating portion, storage, conveyor, and printing portion that allows for simultaneous reading and printing of multiple pages by generating partial data for each page, joining it with existing data, and printing based on joint data, enabling side-by-side layout in the scanning direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image printing is performed only after reading all plural pages of documents is completed, then complete image data for all pages is available for printing, but the time required for image printing increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by reading and storing image data for multiple pages in advance before printing begins. The image reading unit reads plural pages of documents and stores the image data in memory, so that when printing is initiated, the data is already prepared and ready for immediate processing, eliminating the need to wait until all pages are read before starting the printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing process is segmented into multiple independent printing operations. Instead of printing all pages sequentially after complete reading, the system divides the pages into multiple groups and prints each group separately. This allows overlapping of reading and printing operations, where while one page group is being printed, another page group can be read and prepared, thereby reducing total processing time.
2Manufacturing precision
If all image data for plural pages is prepared before printing, then printing quality is ensured, but the recording head requires more reciprocating movements increasing printing time
Solution Approach 1:
The printing operation is divided into multiple separate printing processes for different page groups. Each printing process handles a specific subset of pages, allowing the recording head to complete reciprocating movements for fewer pages at a time. This segmentation reduces the total duration of recording head movements compared to printing all pages in a single continuous process.
3Area of stationary object
If images of plural pages are laid out side by side in the scanning direction, then space utilization is improved, but the printing process becomes more complex requiring data manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The side-by-side layout is achieved by segmenting the page set into multiple groups and processing each group independently. For each group, the system extracts image data, performs necessary manipulations, and prints the pages in sequence within the scanning direction. This segmentation approach simplifies the overall data processing complexity by breaking down the complex multi-page layout task into manageable sub-tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the printing process based on the desired side-by-side layout requirement. When multiple pages need to be printed in the scanning direction, the system automatically modifies the printing parameters and data processing steps to accommodate this layout, optimizing the balance between space utilization and processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus wherein first image data corresponding to a first document is generated, second partial data corresponding to a partial range of a second document is generated in a state in which the first image data is stored in a storage portion, joint data in which first partial data and the second partial data are joined is generated, the first partial data being included in the first image data and corresponding to a partial range of the first document which is laid out side by side with respect to the partial range of the second document based on the second partial data in a state in which a first image based on the first image data and a second image based on second image data are laid out side by side in a scanning direction of a head, and an image based on the joint data is printed.