Printer Control Unit Sheet State Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses perform unnecessary initializing operations when the power is turned on, even if the sheet state has not changed, leading to increased start-up time due to the inability to determine if the sheet has been exchanged or repositioned while the power is off.

Innovation Solution

The printing apparatus includes a control unit that determines the state of the sheet's leading edge before turning off the power and upon turning it back on, it only performs initializing operations if the sheet has been exchanged or repositioned, by checking if the leading edge is in a predetermined state, thus omitting unnecessary operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all predetermined initializing operations are performed when the power is turned on, then the sheet state changes can be detected, but the starting time of the printing apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet state detectionVSAvoidstarting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs a preliminary determination of the sheet state by checking whether the leading edge of the sheet is in a predetermined state before power-off. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-judge whether full initialization is needed upon power-on, avoiding unnecessary initialization operations and reducing start-up time while maintaining reliable sheet state detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the sheet state is not determined before power-off, then the power consumption is reduced, but unnecessary initializing operations are performed when power is turned on

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidstarting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs a preliminary determination of the sheet state by checking whether the leading edge of the sheet is in a predetermined state before power-off. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-judge whether full initialization is needed upon power-on, avoiding unnecessary initialization operations and reducing start-up time while maintaining reliable sheet state detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the leading edge position is checked before and after power-off, then the sheet state change is accurately determined, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet state determination accuracyVSAvoidcontrol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit utilizes the existing conveyance roller pair and sheet holding structure to automatically determine the sheet state by checking whether the leading edge is in a predetermined state. The system serves itself by using the same mechanical components already present in the printing apparatus, avoiding the need for additional sensors or complex control mechanisms while achieving accurate sheet state determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9216602B2Printing apparatus and method for controlling sheet processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 CANON KK

AI summary

A method includes determining, if power to an apparatus is turned on, whether a state of a sheet has been changed while the power is off, based on a change of the sheet state before turn-off and after turn-on of the power, and performing control to perform initializing operations according to a result of the determination.