Printer Page Pick Timing Based on Current Print Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining high page throughput in printers without risking jamming is challenging due to the difficulty in timing the page pick decision, especially when the next page is picked while the current page is still being printed, leading to potential sensor confusion or reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
A controller in the printer determines the timing of the next page pick based on quantifying the data to be printed to the current page, considering factors like the amount and position of data, heat-generating component temperatures, and media stack height, to adjust the pick speed and timing to avoid jams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the next page is picked while the current page is still being printed to maintain high throughput, then page throughput rate is improved, but the risk of jamming increases due to potential sensor confusion or improper timing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by picking the next page before the current printing operation is completely finished. The controller determines a pick time based on quantification of remaining print data, allowing the next page to be prepared in advance while the current page is still being processed, thus maintaining high throughput without causing jams
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from quantification of the remaining print data to dynamically adjust the pick timing. The controller continuously monitors the printing progress and data quantity, using this feedback to determine the optimal moment to pick the next page, balancing throughput and jam prevention
2Reliability
If the page pick decision is made later during the printing process to ensure proper timing, then jamming risk is reduced, but page throughput rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of waiting for printing to complete before making pick decisions, the system performs preliminary pick decisions based on quantification of remaining data. This allows the pick timing to be determined in advance while still maintaining reliable gaps between pages, thus avoiding both premature picks and throughput reduction
3Device complexity
If a fixed pick timing is used to simplify control, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to adapt to varying print data quantities and positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed timing to dynamic timing by continuously adjusting the pick decision based on real-time quantification of remaining print data. The controller adapts the pick timing according to actual printing progress, data quantity, and position, providing versatility while maintaining manageable control through automated quantification algorithms
Data Source
AI summary
An example printing device includes a memory to store data to print to a print media, a page pick mechanism to pick a page of the print media from a print media source, and a controller connected to the memory and the page pick mechanism. The controller is to control a timing of the page pick mechanism to pick a next page of print media based on a quantification of the data in the memory for a current page.