Printer Optical Sensor Sensitivity Adjustment via Reverse Sheet Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printer devices with transmission-type optical sensors face challenges in adjusting sensitivity due to deterioration or differences in transmittance between printing media, requiring detection of the print position of black marks, which is inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A printer device with a transport mechanism and a control unit that adjusts the sensitivity of the transmission-type optical sensor by reversing the transport direction of the continuous sheet beyond the gap width after detecting the printing medium, allowing for sensitivity adjustment without detecting the print position of black marks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensitivity of a transmission-type optical sensor is adjusted in accordance with continuous sheet type by detecting the print position of a black mark, then the measurement precision of the optical sensor is improved, but the device complexity and operation time increase due to the requirement of black mark detection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the black mark detection function from the optical sensor adjustment process. Instead of using the optical sensor to detect black marks for sensitivity adjustment, the system uses a separate reflection-type optical sensor specifically for black mark detection. This separation allows the transmission-type optical sensor to be adjusted using detection values from the reflection sensor, eliminating the need for the transmission sensor to detect black marks and thereby reducing measurement errors while simplifying the overall detection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflection-type optical sensor acts as an intermediary in the sensitivity adjustment process. It detects the black mark positions and provides detection values that are used to adjust the sensitivity of the transmission-type optical sensor. This intermediary approach allows the transmission sensor to be calibrated without directly detecting black marks, thus avoiding the measurement errors associated with black mark detection while maintaining adjustment accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the transmission-type optical sensor detects the print position of black marks for sensitivity adjustment, then the sensitivity adjustment can be performed, but the loss of time increases due to the additional detection step
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of black marks using the reflection-type optical sensor before the transmission-type optical sensor needs to be adjusted. The reflection sensor detects black marks during the normal printing process, and these detection values are stored and used later for sensitivity adjustment. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate black mark detection during sensitivity adjustment, thereby reducing the time loss while maintaining adjustment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflection-type optical sensor continuously detects black marks during the normal printing operation, and this detection process is integrated with the sensitivity adjustment process. Instead of stopping the printing process for separate black mark detection, the system continuously accumulates detection data that can be used for sensitivity adjustment at any time, maintaining the continuity of useful action and reducing time loss.
3Area of stationary object
If the optical sensor detects both the gap and the printing medium with black marks, then the detection coverage is improved, but the reliability of sensitivity adjustment deteriorates due to the lower detection value at black mark positions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the detection function into two separate sensors: a reflection-type optical sensor for black mark detection and a transmission-type optical sensor for printing medium detection. The reflection sensor is positioned to detect black marks on the mount, while the transmission sensor detects the printing medium through the mount. This segmentation allows each sensor to perform its specialized function reliably, with the reflection sensor providing accurate black mark positions and the transmission sensor providing accurate printing medium detection, thereby improving overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the transmission-type optical sensor to detect black marks (which results in lower detection values and reduced reliability), the invention inverts the approach by using a reflection-type optical sensor for black mark detection. The reflection sensor detects black marks by measuring the reflection of light, which provides high detection values even for black marks. This inverted approach ensures that black mark detection does not compromise the reliability of sensitivity adjustment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate adjustment of the optical sensor sensitivity, ensuring reliable detection of printing media positions without relying on black mark detection, thus improving operational efficiency and flexibility with various types of printing media.
Implementation Method 1
a first light-emitting unit configured to emit light to the continuous sheet and a first light-receiving unit configured to receive light transmitted through the continuous sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A printer device includes a transport mechanism that transports a continuous sheet in which a plurality of printing media are spaced apart from each other by a gap width and attached on a mount, a transmission sensor that detects transmittance of the continuous sheet, and a control unit that adjusts the transmission sensor. The control unit transports the continuous sheet in the +Y direction by using the transport mechanism, performs reverse transport control to transport the continuous sheet in the −Y direction by a reverse-feed distance that is greater than the gap by using the transport mechanism when the head position of a printing medium is detected by the transmission sensor, and adjusts the transmission sensor after the reverse transport control.