Ink Jet Printer Test Pattern Placement in Continuous Paper Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming devices that cut continuous paper to form test patterns result in increased non-image regions between images, leading to inefficient use of paper and potential gaps in printed matter.

Innovation Solution

An image forming device with a transporting section, an ink jet head, and a cutting section, where the controller forms adjacent images and a test pattern between them, then cuts the paper to separate the test pattern region, minimizing unused space and ensuring no gaps in printed matter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a test pattern is formed after forming multiple images on continuous paper with gaps between them, then the test pattern can be formed for monitoring printing state, but the region not used to form images other than the test pattern increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting state monitoringVSAvoidpaper usage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The test pattern is formed in advance in the gap region between images before the paper is cut into separate sheets. This preliminary action allows the test pattern to be created using the otherwise wasted space, enabling printing state monitoring without requiring additional paper resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The gap region between images, which was previously considered wasted space, is converted into a useful area for forming test patterns. This transforms the harmful effect of increased non-image regions into a beneficial feature that enables printing quality monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Adaptability or versatility

If gaps are present between images on continuous paper, then the test pattern formation region is available, but the non-image region increases reducing printing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest pattern formation capabilityVSAvoidprinting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The gap region between images serves multiple functions: it maintains the necessary spacing for proper image formation and simultaneously provides a dedicated area for test pattern formation. This multi-functionality allows the same space to support both primary printing operations and quality monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The test pattern is preliminarily formed in the gap region before the paper is cut and distributed. This ensures that quality monitoring capability is built into the printing process itself, allowing verification of printing state before the printed material is separated and delivered.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11590765B2Image forming device and image formation method

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An ink jet printer includes a transporting section configured to transport continuous paper in a transport direction, an ink jet head forming a nozzle array having a plurality of nozzles aligned in the transport direction, a cutting section configured to cut the continuous paper in an intersecting direction, and a controller configured to control the transporting section, the ink jet head, and the cutting section. The controller causes the ink jet head to form, on the continuous paper, a first image and a second image that are adjacent to one another in the transport direction, causes a nozzle among the nozzles aligned in the nozzle array to form a test pattern in a region between the first image and the second image, and causes the cutting section to cut the continuous paper to separate, from the continuous paper, the inter-image region in which the test pattern was formed.