Printer Mode Control for Sleep Transition and Print Head Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers used in settlement processing systems often shift to a sleep mode due to communication interruptions, leading to potential clogging of print positions when resuming printing with new data, as the power-saving mode can disrupt motor phase control.
Innovation Solution
A printer with a detection unit that monitors idle duration and a mode control unit to shift from a normal mode to a sleep mode only when a predetermined idle time is exceeded and a cut event is detected, maintaining power to essential components for communication and preventing motor phase initialization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the printer shifts to sleep mode to reduce power consumption during communication interruptions, then power consumption is reduced, but motor phase control is disrupted causing print position clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the printer's operation mode adjustable and event-driven. The mode control unit dynamically switches between normal mode and sleep mode based on detected events (communication interruption with cut command received, communication interruption without cut command, or predetermined time elapse). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power consumption while maintaining print position accuracy through appropriate mode selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the printer by introducing distinct normal mode and sleep mode states with different power consumption levels and motor control characteristics. The mode control unit adjusts these parameters based on event detection, allowing the system to transition between high-performance (normal mode with accurate motor phase control) and low-power (sleep mode) states appropriately.
2Reliability
If the printer maintains normal mode to ensure accurate print positioning, then print position accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on real-time event detection. Rather than maintaining normal mode continuously, the printer transitions to sleep mode when appropriate events occur (predetermined time elapse or communication interruption with cut command), thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining print accuracy when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of communication status and idle time through the detection unit. This periodic detection allows the system to rhythmically switch between normal and sleep modes based on detected events, optimizing the balance between power consumption and print position accuracy through timed transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a technique for controlling shift of an operation mode from a normal mode to a sleep mode. A printer according to one embodiment includes a print head, a cutter, a detection unit, and a mode control unit. The print head prints an image based on print data on a recording medium. The cutter cuts the recording medium based on a cut command. The detection unit detects that a duration time of an idle state in a first mode exceeds a predetermined time. The mode control unit changes, in response to the detection unit detecting that the duration time of the idle state exceeds the predetermined time, control of shifting an operation mode from the first mode to a second mode in which consumed power is lower than that of the first mode, in accordance with an event related to shift to the idle state.