Printer Power Control for Reserved Print Jobs

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing apparatuses execute unnecessary preparation operations when receiving print data, even if the data is reserved for later use, leading to inefficiencies and delays in printing.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus with a power control unit that adjusts power supply to the printer unit based on settings that reserve print jobs, preventing unnecessary preparation operations by disabling the printing prediction return function when the forcible reservation function is enabled, ensuring that preparation operations are only executed when a user inputs an execution instruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the network controller determines whether received data is print data and controls execution of the preparation operation, then the time until the printer unit starts printing is reduced, but unnecessary preparation operations are executed when print data is reserved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime until printer unit starts printingVSAvoidunnecessary preparation operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the preparation operation execution timing based on the reservation status of print data. When reservation is detected, the preparation operation is postponed until user instruction is received. When no reservation is detected, the preparation operation executes immediately upon receiving print data. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to different operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter of preparation operation execution timing based on the reservation setting. The power control unit modifies when power is supplied to the printer unit by detecting the reservation status through the port number. This parameter change allows the system to switch between immediate execution and postponed execution modes, resolving the contradiction between reducing time loss and avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the preparation operation is executed in advance when print data is received, then printing can start faster, but power is consumed unnecessarily when the user will input execution instruction later

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting start speedVSAvoidpower consumption of printer unit

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the preparation operation execution timing based on the reservation status of print data. When reservation is detected, the preparation operation is postponed until user instruction is received. When no reservation is detected, the preparation operation executes immediately upon receiving print data. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to different operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter of preparation operation execution timing based on the reservation setting. The power control unit modifies when power is supplied to the printer unit by detecting the reservation status through the port number. This parameter change allows the system to switch between immediate execution and postponed execution modes, resolving the contradiction between reducing time loss and avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If the printing prediction return function is always active, then printing response time is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control logic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting response timeVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the reservation detection function from the main control flow and implements it in the power control unit through port number detection. This separates the complexity of determining whether to execute preparation operations from the main printing control logic, reducing the overall device complexity while maintaining the printing prediction return function's effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The power control unit autonomously detects reservation status by examining the port number in received data and independently decides whether to execute the preparation operation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex coordination between multiple controllers, simplifying the control logic while maintaining fast printing response when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10536600B2Printing apparatus capable of holding received print job and control method of printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 CANON KK

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes a printer unit that prints an image on a sheet, a network controller that instructs the printer unit to execute a preparation operation according to receipt of print data, and a controller that instructs the printer unit to execute the preparation operation according to input of an execution instruction in a case where a reservation function for reserving printing based on the print data received by the network controller until receipt of the execution instruction is received is enabled.