Printer Discharge Orientation Control for Two-Sided Print Jobs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet printers face challenges in efficiently managing the discharge of one-page print jobs in two-sided print settings, leading to mismatched discharge orientations and increased user complexity due to the omission of reverse processes when no data is printed on the back side.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control method that allows switching the discharge manner of one-page print jobs between face-up and face-down orientations based on the two-sided print setting and the number of pages printed, enabling the printer to adapt the discharge process according to specific print job requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the reverse process is omitted for one-page print jobs in two-sided print setting, then the print completion time is shortened, but the discharge orientation becomes mismatched with subsequent multi-page print jobs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the discharge orientation configurable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the discharge orientation based on user-selected settings, allowing the system to adapt between face-up and face-down discharge modes. This resolves the contradiction by enabling users to choose the orientation that matches their workflow, whether they prioritize speed (face-up) or consistency with multi-page jobs (face-down).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of discharge orientation from a fixed state to a variable state with multiple possible values (face-up or face-down). By introducing this parameter change through user-selectable settings, the system can optimize for different operational priorities - either minimizing print completion time or ensuring discharge orientation consistency, thereby resolving the technical contradiction.
2Device complexity
If the discharge manner is fixed for one-page print jobs, then the control logic is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to different user needs and print job sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a control system that handles multiple discharge scenarios through a unified configurable interface. The same control unit manages both face-up and face-down discharge modes, and the setting mechanism works consistently across different print job types. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to various user needs without requiring separate control logic for each scenario, balancing simplicity with versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing discharge orientation settings in advance, before actual printing occurs. Users configure their preferred discharge manner ahead of time, and the control unit retrieves and applies these settings automatically during printing. This preliminary configuration reduces real-time decision complexity while maintaining adaptability to different user preferences and print job sequences.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus controls a printer capable of printing on a sheet-shaped recording medium. The apparatus includes a memory containing instructions and a processor for executing the instructions to set, as a print setting for a first print process, a two-sided print setting or a one-sided print setting. In addition, a controller controls whether to execute control for discharging a recording medium printed by the first print process in a face-up manner or a face-down manner based on at least one of whether the two-sided print setting is set for a second print process executed before the first print process and whether the second print process is for printing pages, when the two-sided print setting is set for the first print process that prints one page.