Duplex Printer Sequence Inversion to Reduce Roller Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer printers, the aggressively textured drive roller compromises the paper surface during duplex printing, leading to visible density differences and image artifacts, which existing compensation algorithms cannot fully correct, necessitating a reduction in contact between the drive roller and paper.

Innovation Solution

The preferred method involves starting the next two-sided print on the same thermal print head and paper side as the previous print, reducing unnecessary repositioning and contact with the drive roller's aggressive texture, and using a host computer to manage page data sequencing to maintain proper page order and minimize printer artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If an aggressively textured drive roller is used to maintain image registration during duplex printing, then paper feed control is improved, but paper surface quality deteriorates causing visible density differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage registrationVSAvoidpaper surface compromise

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional printing sequence by printing even pages first, then odd pages, rather than the traditional odd-then-even approach. This reversal changes which paper side contacts the drive roller at each printing stage, thereby reducing the frequency and impact of aggressive texture contact on the final paper surface while maintaining registration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the printing sequence based on real-time feedback from sensors that detect paper position and drive roller contact. This dynamic control allows the printer to optimize the printing order to minimize harmful contact while maintaining proper image registration, adapting to variations in paper feed and roller position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional printing sequence is used with repositioning between print heads, then both sides of paper can be printed, but paper surface contact with drive roller increases causing more artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduplex printing capabilityVSAvoidprinter artifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Manufacturing precision

If compensation algorithms are used to correct density variations, then image quality can be improved, but hardware limitations prevent complete compensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedensity uniformityVSAvoidcompensation algorithm limitations

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by optimizing the printing sequence before the actual printing process begins. By pre-calculating and pre-setting the even-then-odd printing order, the system prevents density variations and paper surface compromise from occurring in the first place, rather than relying on post-processing compensation algorithms to correct defects after they have been introduced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach reduces paper surface compromise, enhances printer throughput by eliminating one repositioning step, and ensures proper page order in photo books by optimizing the printing sequence and contact with the drive roller.

Implementation Method 1

Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer printers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDye Diffusion Thermal Transfer:

Data Source

PatentUS8885002B2Printing system for maintaining proper page sequence while reducing printer artifacts

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 KODAK ALARIS LLC

AI summary

A printing system or a printer with a pair of printheads detects a position of receiver media in the printer and directs either second page data or first page data to be printed first depending at which printhead the receiver media is positioned.