Print Width Specification Using Conveyance Path Center Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print control systems fail to accurately specify the width of a print medium when the width is large or when only one end is detectable due to detection errors, leading to misalignment and incomplete printing.
Innovation Solution
A print control apparatus and method that includes an obtaining unit for positional information of the print medium's ends and a specification unit to determine the width based on detected positions, where both ends are specified, or where only one end is detected, by calculating a width corresponding to twice the distance between the detected end and the conveyance path center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor detects both end portions of the print sheet to specify the width, then the measurement precision is improved, but the reliability deteriorates when the width is so long that only one end portion is detectable or when detection errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the conveyance path center as an intermediary reference point. Instead of directly measuring the distance between both ends of the print sheet, the system measures the distance from one end to the center and uses this intermediate measurement to calculate the full width, thereby maintaining reliability even when only one end is detectable
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary alignment by positioning the print sheet center with the conveyance path center before width measurement. This preliminary action ensures that the print sheet is properly positioned, allowing reliable width specification even when only one end portion is detectable by the sensor
2Adaptability or versatility
If the print sheet width is large, then the adaptability is improved to handle various sheet sizes, but the detection capability deteriorates as only one end portion becomes detectable
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance path center serves as an intermediary reference that enables width measurement of large print sheets even when only one end is detectable. By measuring from the detected end to the center and doubling this distance, the system can accurately specify widths of various sheet sizes including large formats
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the measurement approach from directly measuring the full width between both ends to measuring half the width from one end to the center. This dimensional change in measurement strategy allows the system to handle larger sheet sizes that would otherwise be undetectable
Data Source
AI summary
A print control apparatus includes an obtaining unit and a specification unit. The obtaining unit obtains positional information for specifying positions of ends of a print medium detected by a sensor when the print medium is conveyed along a conveyance path such that a print medium center is aligned with a conveyance path center. The specification unit specifies, when positions of both ends of the print medium are specified by the obtained positional information, a width of the print medium in accordance with the specified positions of both ends, and specifies, when the position of only one end of the print medium is specified by the positional information, a width corresponding to a length twice as long as a distance between the specified position of the one end of the print medium and a position corresponding to the conveyance path center as the width of the print medium.