Paper-Type Detection Failure Handling in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in determining paper type when the paper-type detecting device fails, leading to difficulties in setting appropriate printing conditions, and require additional storage for historical sheet usage data, increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a paper-type detecting unit that includes a failure determination mechanism using voltage detecting circuits to assess the paper-type detecting unit's functionality, allowing for pre-set paper types to be used during failures and user selection, eliminating the need for historical data storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a paper-type detecting device is used to detect paper type, then printing conditions can be automatically adjusted, but the system becomes vulnerable to detection failures and requires complex failure handling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing detection results and usage histories in advance. When a detection failure occurs, the stored historical data is immediately available to determine paper type, eliminating the need for complex real-time decision-making during failure states.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism (control unit with failure determination logic) that mediates between the paper-type detecting device and the printing system. When detection fails, this intermediary uses alternative methods (usage history, manual input) to determine paper type, ensuring continuous operation.
2Reliability
If historical data storage is used to determine paper type during sensor failure, then paper type can be estimated, but device complexity and cost increase due to separate storage device requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the storage function with the existing control unit or main memory of the image forming apparatus. The storage unit that saves usage history is integrated into the apparatus's existing memory structure, eliminating the need for separate storage devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it controls the paper-type detecting device, stores usage history data, determines paper type during failures, and manages printing conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate storage hardware.
3Reliability
If feature value measurement is used to determine sensor failure, then failure can be detected, but it is unclear in what state the feature value is measured making failure determination difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the output of the paper-type detecting device and compares it against expected ranges. When the detected feature value falls outside the predetermined range, the control unit determines sensor failure and switches to alternative determination methods, providing clear feedback about system state.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit preliminarily determines whether the paper-type detecting device is in a failable state by checking if the detected feature value is within the expected range before proceeding with normal printing operations. This preliminary check provides clear failure determination criteria.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus having a paper-type detecting unit includes a paper-type detecting unit that detects a paper type of a sheet to be printed, a fixing unit that sets fixing temperature on the basis of the paper type detected by the paper-type detecting unit and fixes a toner image on the sheet, a paper-type-detection-failure determining unit that determines that the paper-type detecting unit is in failure, a paper-type-during-failure setting unit that sets in advance a paper type having a high frequency of use as a paper type during a failure according to a region, and a printing-during-failure selecting unit which is selectably provided, when the paper-type-detection-failure determining unit determines that the paper-type detecting unit is in failure, whether a printing condition for the paper type set by the paper-type-during-failure setting unit is set or it is determined that the paper type is a paper type of a sheet printed immediately before the failure and a printing condition is continued.