Printer Insertion Sheet Control for Source-Based Sorting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies consume a large number of insertion sheets and reduce printing throughput when switching between print requests from different sources, making it difficult to efficiently sort discharged sheets.
Innovation Solution
A printing device with a control unit that selectively discharges an insertion sheet to a sheet discharge tray only when the request source changes, using user or host information to determine when to insert the sheet, and printing source information on the sheet for easy identification, thereby reducing unnecessary sheet consumption and maintaining high printing throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an insertion sheet is inserted every time the print request is switched, then sorting of discharged sheets is facilitated, but a large number of insertion sheets are consumed and throughput of printing decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by inserting insertion sheets only when necessary (when request source changes and it is the first sheet from that source), rather than inserting them for every print request switch. This selective approach maintains sorting functionality while reducing unnecessary sheet consumption and preserving printing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit determines in advance whether an insertion sheet needs to be inserted by checking if the request source has changed and if this is the first sheet from the new source. This preliminary determination prevents unnecessary insertion sheet insertion and maintains printing throughput while still facilitating sorting when needed.
2Ease of operation
If an insertion sheet is inserted every time the print request is switched, then sorting of discharged sheets is facilitated, but a large number of insertion sheets are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by inserting insertion sheets only when necessary (when request source changes and it is the first sheet from that source), rather than inserting them for every print request switch. This selective approach maintains sorting functionality while reducing unnecessary sheet consumption and preserving printing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically determines whether an insertion sheet is needed by checking request source changes, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This self-service approach reduces unnecessary insertion sheet consumption while maintaining sorting capability through automated intelligent control.
3Loss of substance
If the insertion sheet is inserted only when the request source changes, then consumption of insertion sheet is suppressed, but sorting of discharged sheet may become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines in advance whether an insertion sheet needs to be inserted by checking if the request source has changed and if this is the first sheet from the new source. This preliminary determination ensures insertion sheets are placed at the correct positions to facilitate sorting while suppressing unnecessary consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors request source information and uses this feedback to determine when insertion sheets are needed. This feedback mechanism ensures insertion sheets are inserted only when request sources change, maintaining both low consumption and effective sorting functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a printing unit that processes the first print request accumulated in a reception buffer to print an image on a sheet, a sheet discharge tray to which a sheet on which an image is printed by the printing unit is discharged, and a controller that causes the printing unit to discharge, to the sheet discharge tray, an insertion sheet different from a sheet on which an image is printed by processing a print request before causing the printing unit to process a first print request in a case where a request source of the first print request is different from a request source of a second print request which is a print request immediately before the first print request.