Printer Control Device Optimizing Image Placement to Reduce Printing Time

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing technologies face inefficiencies when adding marks to documents, leading to increased printing time, especially when combining object images and additional images like watermarks, due to inadequate consideration of mark placement and differing sheet conveying times across different areas on the sheet.

Innovation Solution

A control device and method for a printer that determines optimal positions for object and additional images within distinct areas on the sheet, minimizing the length of the additional image in time-consuming areas to prevent excessive printing time by arranging images such that the additional image is placed within normal areas rather than delay areas, thereby reducing the need for short conveying operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the additional image is placed in the second area (delay area), then the mark is visible on the printed sheet, but the printing time becomes excessively long due to short conveying operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemark visibilityVSAvoidprinting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating between first areas (normal conveying) and second areas (short conveying) on the sheet. The control device identifies delay areas where short conveying operations occur and prevents placing additional images in those specific local regions, while allowing placement in normal areas. This resolves the contradiction by making the sheet have different functional qualities in different regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control device performs preliminary analysis of the sheet conveying process to identify which areas will require short conveying operations. By pre-determining the delay areas before printing, the system can proactively position additional images in appropriate regions, avoiding the time penalty that would result from placing marks in delay areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the additional image is placed in the second area (delay area), then the mark is added to the print image, but the sheet conveying accuracy decreases due to short conveying operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemark additionVSAvoidconveying accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating between first areas (normal conveying) and second areas (short conveying) on the sheet. The control device identifies delay areas where short conveying operations occur and prevents placing additional images in those specific local regions, while allowing placement in normal areas. This resolves the contradiction by making the sheet have different functional qualities in different regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the printer performs short conveying operations to print in delay areas, then additional images can be printed in those areas, but the overall printing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage placement flexibilityVSAvoidprinting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary analysis of the sheet conveying process to identify which areas will require short conveying operations. By pre-determining the delay areas before printing, the system can proactively position additional images in appropriate regions, avoiding the time penalty that would result from placing marks in delay areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating between first areas (normal conveying) and second areas (short conveying) on the sheet. The control device identifies delay areas where short conveying operations occur and prevents placing additional images in those specific local regions, while allowing placement in normal areas. This resolves the contradiction by making the sheet have different functional qualities in different regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces the time required for printing by minimizing the length of the additional image in delay areas, preventing increased printing times and maintaining image quality by avoiding short conveying operations that can lower conveying accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a print head having a plurality of nozzles each configured to eject a droplet of ink onto the sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInk ejection:

Data Source

PatentUS10611172B2Control device and method for printing object image and additional image

Publication Date: 2020.04.07 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A control device is for controlling a printer. The printer is configured to print by alternatively performing partial printing and sheet conveying. The printer includes a conveyer and a print head. The control device performs: acquiring an object image data representing an object image and additional image data representing an additional image added to the object image, where the additional image has a first length in an area; determining a position of the object image and a position of the additional image in the arrangement area such that the first length of the additional image at the position is minimized, where the first length is greater than or equal to zero.