Printer Recording Medium Consumption Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printers that use long recording media, the precision of calculating the remaining amount of the recording medium is compromised due to the lack of correction for the length of the medium pulled out during preparation operations, leading to inaccuracies in storage and consumption tracking.
Innovation Solution
A printer configuration that includes a feeder, printing head, cutter, take-up portion, memory for storing consumed amounts, and correction mechanisms to accurately calculate and correct the remaining recording medium amount, using operation signals to trigger corrections based on the length of the medium pulled out during preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the consumed amount of the recording medium is calculated based on the fed amount by the feeder, then the calculation is simple, but the precision of the remaining amount decreases due to the uncorrected length pulled out during preparation operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the length of recording medium pulled out during preparation operation before the main printing process begins. The detection unit measures this preliminary consumption, and the correction unit adjusts the remaining amount calculation accordingly, ensuring high precision from the start without affecting the simplicity of the main feeding calculation.
2Ease of operation
If the tip end of the recording medium is pulled out and connected to the take-up means during preparation operation, then the printing process can start, but the consumed amount is not corrected leading to measurement inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the detection unit to continuously monitor the position of the recording medium during preparation operation. The detected information about the pulled-out length is fed back to the correction unit, which adjusts the remaining amount calculation. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the consumed amount information is accurately tracked throughout the preparation and printing processes.
3Quantity of substance
If no correction is applied for the pulled out length, then the system remains simple, but the remaining amount storage precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the consumed amount tracking into two distinct segments: the main feeding consumption calculated by the feeder, and the preparation operation consumption detected by the detection unit. The correction unit combines these segmented measurements, allowing each segment to be handled independently with appropriate measurement methods, thereby improving overall accuracy without creating a monolithic complex system.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure discloses a printer comprising a take-up portion, a first memory, a consumed amount calculating portion, a first correcting portion, an operation signal input portion, and a second correcting portion. The take-up portion takes up a recording medium on which printing was performed by the printing head. The first memory stores a value related to a remaining amount or a consumed amount of the recording medium. The consumed amount calculating portion calculates a first consumed amount based on a fed amount by the feeder. The first correcting portion corrects the value stored in the first memory by the first consumed amount. The second correcting portion corrects the value r stored in the first memory by using a predetermined second consumed amount, triggered by input of the operation signal to the operation signal input portion.