Printer Discharge Unit Pause Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image formation apparatuses cannot stop printing at an arbitrary page when handling multiple pages, which limits user convenience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a setting unit to set a print pause sheet number, a discharge unit to hold printed media outside the discharge port, and a controller to manage the holding operation, allowing printing to be paused and resumed at specified sheet numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If printing multiple pages continuously, then productivity is improved, but the ability to pause at arbitrary pages is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The printing process is segmented into multiple batches, where each batch prints a specified number of sheets (print pause sheet number) and then pauses. The controller divides the total print job into segments corresponding to the print pause sheet number, allowing users to pause and resume printing at convenient intervals while maintaining continuous printing capability for each segment.
2Ease of operation
If printing is paused at arbitrary pages, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages the pause and resume operations based on pre-set print pause sheet numbers. The controller autonomously determines when to pause printing, holds the specified number of sheets, and resumes printing when the held sheets are removed, eliminating the need for complex manual intervention while providing arbitrary pause capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sheet detection sensors to monitor when the print pause sheet number is reached and when held sheets are removed. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to automatically pause and resume printing at the correct moments, simplifying the control logic while enabling arbitrary pause functionality.
3Ease of operation
If sheets are held outside discharge port, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time occurs during pause
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for pause by pre-holding the exact number of sheets specified by the print pause sheet number before the pause occurs. This preliminary action ensures that when printing is paused, the correct number of sheets are already ready for user collection, minimizing disruption and allowing quick resumption when sheets are removed.
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation apparatus according to an embodiment may include: a discharge unit configured to transport printed media from a discharge port to an outside; and a controller configured to cause the discharge unit (i) to perform a holding operation to hold a part of a first group of printed media corresponding to a first print pause sheet number set in a setting unit at the discharge port by the discharge unit, and (ii) when the part of the first group of printed media is removed from the discharge port, to transport a second group of printed media corresponding to a second print pause sheet number set in the setting unit from the discharge port toward the outside and to perform the holding operation to hold a part of the second group of the printed media with being exposed to the outside from the discharge port.