Print Media Accumulator Control via Job Attributes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current finishing operations in printing technologies face challenges in achieving higher throughput while maintaining acceptable quality, as they often require uniform handling of print jobs regardless of their attributes, leading to inefficiencies in media accumulation and processing.

Innovation Solution

A finisher apparatus with a processor and memory system that uses print job attributes such as media size, orientation, ink density, and environmental conditions to control the accumulator and actuated components, allowing for job-specific operation to optimize throughput and quality by selectively using components like edge clamps and adjusting conveyance speed based on print job attributes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If uniform handling of print jobs is used regardless of attributes, then consistent processing is achieved, but throughput is reduced due to inefficiencies in media accumulation and processing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidjob-specific operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts accumulator operation based on print job attributes. The processor receives job attributes and generates control signals that modify accumulator behavior in real-time, transitioning from static uniform handling to dynamic adaptive processing, thereby resolving the contradiction between throughput and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters of the accumulator based on print job attributes such as media size, orientation, and ink density. By modifying parameters like conveyance speed and component activation based on job-specific conditions, the system achieves both high throughput and job-specific optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional hardware components are added to enable job-specific control, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejob-specific operation capabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from print job attributes to control accumulator operation. The processor receives attribute information and uses it to generate appropriate control signals, creating a closed-loop system that achieves job-specific adaptability without requiring additional physical hardware components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The accumulator system serves itself by using the print job attribute information already available in the printing system. Rather than requiring external control devices, the system uses its own operational data to make intelligent decisions about media accumulation and processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3676100B1Print media accumulators controlled by print job attributes
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP3676100B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3676100B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3676100B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A finisher apparatus includes an accumulator to register a print medium of a print job in preparation for a finishing operation, memory to store an attribute of the print job, and a processor coupled to the accumulator and the memory. The processor is to execute instructions. The instructions are to control the accumulator based on the attribute of the print job.