N-up Sheetlet Formatting for Continuous Feed Paper Waste Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing systems lack flexibility in positioning and formatting logical pages, leading to excessive paper waste due to the need for uniform continuous feed paper, as they cannot adapt to varying dimensions and configurations of print jobs.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of page inclusion objects and sheetlets allows for flexible formatting and positioning of logical pages, enabling operators to input parameters for sizing, rotation, and placement within these objects, which can be linked and positioned on a sheet of tangible medium, allowing for efficient use of paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If uniform continuous feed paper is used for printing, then the printing system can operate with standard paper feeds, but excessive paper waste occurs due to inability to adapt to varying print job dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous feed paper into virtual sheetlets of varying dimensions through software control. The printer controller divides the continuous paper stream into discrete printable areas (sheetlets) that match the specific dimensions of each print job, eliminating the need to waste paper on areas outside the required print boundaries. This segmentation allows efficient utilization of continuous feed paper while adapting to different print job sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of paper feed and sheetlet dimensions through software control. The system can dynamically change the size and position of sheetlets on the continuous feed paper based on the specific requirements of each print job. This dynamic capability allows the printing system to adapt to varying print job dimensions without physical reconfiguration, minimizing paper waste while maintaining versatility.
2Loss of substance
If pre-cut sheets are used to match print job dimensions, then paper waste is minimized, but the complexity of paper handling and feeding increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically segmenting paper into pre-cut sheets, the patent creates virtual sheetlets through software that segment the continuous feed paper into printable areas. This virtual segmentation achieves the paper waste reduction benefits of custom-sized sheets while maintaining the simplicity of continuous feed handling. The printer controller manages the virtual sheetlets and their positioning without requiring physical paper cutting or complex feeding mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a software intermediary (printer controller with sheetlet management) that mediates between the continuous feed paper and the print job requirements. This intermediary creates virtual sheetlets that match print job dimensions without requiring physical paper manipulation. The software layer handles the complexity of dimension matching while the physical paper feeding remains simple and continuous.
3Productivity
If fixed formatting is applied to print jobs, then the printing process is simple and fast, but flexibility in page positioning and layout is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary formatting actions by creating virtual sheetlets with specified positions, sizes, and orientations before the actual printing process. The printer controller pre-processes the print job data to determine optimal sheetlet arrangements and positions them on the continuous feed paper in advance. This preliminary action enables flexible positioning and layout customization without slowing down the actual printing execution, as the formatting decisions are made beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic formatting capabilities where sheetlet dimensions, positions, and orientations can be adjusted based on print job requirements. The system dynamically determines the optimal layout and positioning of multiple logical pages within sheetlets, allowing flexible page positioning and customization. This dynamic formatting is performed through software control, maintaining printing speed while providing adaptability in layout configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems herein provide for flexible formatting of print jobs and their associated logical pages. One N-up printing system is adapted to receive a print job from a host system for printing to a tangible medium. The print job includes at least a first logical page. The printing system includes an N-up formatter interface adapted to receive formatting parameters. The printing system also includes an N-up formatter that is communicatively coupled to the N-up formatter interface. The N-up formatter is adapted to generate a first page inclusion object based on the formatting parameters. The N-up formatter is further adapted to input the first logical page to the first page inclusion object and position the first logical page within the first page inclusion object.