Printer Control Unit for Dual Printing Unit Path Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printers with shared sheet conveyance paths for dot and thermal printing units cannot perform printing simultaneously, requiring external device reprogramming for adjustments in print settings or unit replacements.
Innovation Solution
A printer design with a control unit that determines the usage of each printing unit independently, allowing exclusive control without modifying the external device's control program, ensuring only one unit prints at a time and preventing media collision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a single sheet conveyance path is shared by dot and thermal printing units, then the printer size is reduced, but printing operations cannot be performed simultaneously and require external device reprogramming for adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the shared conveyance path by introducing a path selection mechanism that can dynamically route sheets to different printing units based on real-time operational status. The control unit monitors the state of both dot and thermal printing units and dynamically switches the conveyance path configuration to enable simultaneous operations or sequential operations without requiring external device reprogramming.
2Reliability
If printing timing is controlled by an external device, then printing conflicts can be avoided, but the external device needs to be reprogrammed when print settings are modified or printing units are replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service control by equipping the printer with an internal control unit that autonomously manages printing operations and timing coordination. The control unit independently monitors the operational status of both printing units, determines optimal printing timing, and manages the shared conveyance path without requiring external device intervention or reprogramming, thereby maintaining both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously receives feedback from sensors monitoring the state of printing units and the conveyance path, processes this information, and automatically adjusts printing timing and path configuration to prevent conflicts while adapting to changing print settings or unit replacements without external reprogramming.
3Device complexity
If multiple printing units share a common conveyance path, then device complexity is reduced, but media collisions occur when both units attempt to print simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a path selection mechanism as an intermediary component between the shared conveyance path and the two printing units. This intermediary actively manages sheet routing by directing sheets to the dot printing unit or thermal printing unit based on real-time operational status, thereby preventing media collisions while maintaining a relatively simple overall conveyance path structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a discharge unit, a first printing unit disposed along a sheet conveying path extending from the discharge unit and configured to print an image on a first sheet while the first sheet is conveyed from the discharge unit to the first printing unit and then to the discharge unit, a second printing unit disposed farther from the discharge unit than the first printing unit along the sheet conveyance path and configured to print an image on a second sheet while the second sheet is conveyed towards the discharge unit therethrough, using a printing method that is different from a printing method of the first printing unit, and a control unit configured to determine whether or not each of the first and second printing unit is in use and control only one of the first and second printing units to print the image, based on the determination.