Print Data Comparison for Avoiding Unnecessary Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing devices print data at the main acquisition time even if it differs from the preliminary acquisition time data, leading to unnecessary printing of outdated content.
Innovation Solution
A printing device with a storage section, first and second acquiring sections, a difference determining section, a necessity determining section, and a printing section, which acquires and compares print data at different times, determining if the second data is necessary before printing, and printing the first data if the second data is unnecessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the printing device acquires and prints the latest print data at the main acquisition time, then the print data is up-to-date, but unnecessary printing occurs when the data content is not needed by the user
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary acquisition of print data at a first timing after the print job is received, storing it in advance in the storage section. This preliminary action allows the system to have data ready before the actual print instruction is given, enabling later comparison and avoidance of unnecessary printing while ensuring data is available when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism by comparing the first print data (acquired preliminarily) with the second print data (acquired at main acquisition time). The difference determining section analyzes whether the data has changed, and the necessity determining section uses this information to decide whether printing is actually needed, creating a closed-loop control that prevents wasteful printing.
2Loss of energy
If the printing device compares print data at different acquisition times, then unnecessary printing is avoided, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The data processing function is segmented into distinct sections: the first acquiring section obtains data preliminarily, the second acquiring section obtains data at main acquisition time, the difference determining section compares them, and the necessity determining section makes the final decision. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, making the complex process manageable and efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage section acts as an intermediary between the first acquiring section and the comparison process. It stores the first print data and provides it for comparison with the second print data, facilitating the difference determination without requiring direct complex interaction between acquisition and comparison functions.
3Productivity
If the printing device stores print data in advance, then printing speed is improved, but storage memory is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by storing only the first print data preliminarily in the storage section, rather than storing all possible data or maintaining multiple copies. This partial storage approach provides the benefit of fast printing access while limiting memory consumption to what is strictly necessary for the comparison function.
Data Source
AI summary
A first acquiring section acquires, at first timing after a print job is received and before a print instruction is given, first print data located at a reference location indicated by reference information of data included in the print job, and stores the first print data in a storage section. A second acquiring section acquires, at second timing when the print instruction is given, second print data located at the reference location. A difference determining section determines whether the second print data are different from the first print data. A necessity determining section determines whether the second print data are necessary, when the second print data are different from the first print data. A printing section prints the second print data when the second print data are necessary, and prints the first print data when the second print data are unnecessary.