Media Processing Device Function Disabled Mode Ink Conservation

Solution Overview

Problem

Media processing devices with multiple functions are rendered unusable if an error occurs in either the print or scanning unit, leading to unnecessary maintenance and ink consumption when only some functions are used.

Innovation Solution

A media processing device with a conveyance path, print unit, and reading unit that enters a function-disabled mode when commanded to disable a function, suppressing error reporting for the disabled function, allowing continued use and reduced maintenance and ink consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the media processing device reports all errors to ensure system reliability, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates when only some functions are used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The error reporting behavior is made dynamic based on the operational status of functions. The control unit dynamically adjusts whether to report errors by checking if the corresponding function is currently enabled or disabled, allowing the system to adapt its error handling strategy to the actual usage scenario

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different error reporting policies are applied to different functions based on their operational status. Enabled functions follow the traditional error reporting policy, while disabled functions follow a suppressed error reporting policy, allowing localized customization of error handling behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If all functions are maintained in a usable condition to ensure complete functionality, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of substance increases due to unnecessary ink consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidink consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance requirements are made dynamic based on function usage. The control unit dynamically determines whether to perform maintenance operations by checking if the corresponding function is disabled, allowing the system to reduce maintenance activities and associated resource consumption when functions are not in use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different maintenance policies are applied to different functions based on their operational status. Disabled functions are excluded from maintenance routines, allowing localized reduction of maintenance activities and associated substance consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the device disables error reporting for disabled functions to reduce maintenance burden, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiderror detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The error reporting behavior is made dynamic based on the operational status of functions. The control unit dynamically adjusts whether to report errors by checking if the corresponding function is currently enabled or disabled, allowing the system to adapt its error handling strategy to the actual usage scenario

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different error reporting policies are applied to different functions based on their operational status. Enabled functions follow the traditional error reporting policy, while disabled functions follow a suppressed error reporting policy, allowing localized customization of error handling behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9643433B2Media processing device and method of controlling a media processing device

Publication Date: 2017.05.09 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Maintenance requirements are reduced by using only a subset of the functions of a media processing device having plural function units for processing processed media. When a control unit of the media processing device receives a command from a host computer to disable a function of an inkjet printer unit disposed to a conveyance path for the processed media or to disable a function of a contact image sensor unit disposed to the conveyance path, a function-disabled mode is entered that disables the specified function. While in the function-disabled mode, detected operating errors related to the disabled function are not reported to the host computer.