Printer Control Device Sensor Variation Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printer devices face reduced detection accuracy due to large individual variations in optical sensors, which are not easily defined, leading to increased costs when selecting products with smaller variations.

Innovation Solution

A control device and method that corrects cutter movement based on the individual variation of the PI sensor's detection voltage, using a threshold value table, rank determining table, and movement amount correcting table to determine the appropriate movement amount, thereby maintaining detection accuracy even with sensors having large individual variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a sensor with small individual variation is selected to maintain detection accuracy, then detection accuracy is improved, but product cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidproduct cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of detection voltage by applying individual correction values to each sensor based on its unique characteristics. The correction value is determined by measuring the detection voltage at a specific position (when the blade is at the reference position) and using this to adjust subsequent measurements, thereby compensating for individual sensor variations without requiring expensive precision sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by measuring the actual detection voltage of each sensor and using this information to determine a correction value. This correction value is then applied to subsequent detection results, creating a closed-loop system that automatically compensates for sensor individual variations and maintains consistent detection accuracy across all sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of manufacture

If a sensor with large individual variation is used to reduce cost, then product cost is reduced, but detection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct costVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the detection voltage parameter by adding individual correction values to compensate for sensor variations. By measuring each sensor's baseline detection voltage and calculating a unique correction value, the system enables the use of low-cost sensors with large individual variations while maintaining uniform detection accuracy across all sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from initial sensor measurements to determine correction values that are applied to all subsequent detections. This feedback mechanism allows inexpensive sensors to achieve consistent accuracy by automatically adjusting for their individual characteristics through the correction value calculation and application process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The solution effectively suppresses the reduction in detection accuracy, allowing the printer device to function accurately despite large sensor variations, potentially reducing costs by using sensors with higher individual variations.

Implementation Method 1

an optical sensor including a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion configured to receive light from the light emitting portion to output a detection voltage based on the amount of the received light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3112103B1Control device and control method
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 SEIKO INSTR INC
  • EP3112103B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3112103B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3112103B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A control device comprises: a movement control unit configured to control movement of an object; a detecting unit configured to optically detect, at a specific position, the object moving through control by the movement control unit, to thereby output a detection voltage; and a movement amount determining unit configured to determine a movement amount of the object to be moved through the control by the movement control unit, based on a tendency of a change in the detection voltage when the object is moved.