Printer Tab Sheet Discharge Control for Mixed-Type Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses are unable to properly discharge tab sheets that become unnecessary when multiple types of tab sheets are used, as they are designed to discharge all remaining tab sheets after a printing job, which is not applicable to scenarios requiring different types of tab sheets at various page positions.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a tab sheet supplying unit and a control unit that allows for the selective discharge of unnecessary tab sheets based on type, using multiple sheet supply trays and controlling the discharge process to ensure that only the required tab sheets are removed and reused for the next printing job.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tab sheets are discharged after all pages of a printing job are printed and discharged, then the discharge process is simple, but unnecessary tab sheets cannot be properly discharged when multiple types of tab sheets are used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the discharge process by type of tab sheet. The control unit identifies and discharges each type of tab sheet separately based on the printing job requirements. When multiple types of tab sheets are used (e.g., different sizes or formats), the system divides them into distinct groups and discharges only the unnecessary ones from each group, rather than discharging all tab sheets uniformly after the job completes.
2Device complexity
If all remaining tab sheets are discharged after a printing job, then the system is simple to operate, but tab sheets that need to be reused are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the unnecessary tab sheets from the set of all tab sheets for discharge. The control unit compares the tab sheets used in the current printing job with the available tab sheets in the tray, identifies which ones are not needed, and discharges only those specific ones. This extraction approach prevents waste of tab sheets that may be needed for future jobs while still clearing out the unnecessary ones.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of tab sheets are supplied from a single tray, then the system is versatile, but it becomes impossible to properly manage and discharge tab sheets by type
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors which tab sheets have been used and which remain in the tray. After a printing job, the system receives feedback about the job requirements and compares it with the current tray contents. This feedback loop enables the control unit to accurately identify and discharge only the tab sheets that are no longer needed, even when multiple types are mixed in a single tray, without requiring physical separation of the tab sheets.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer as an image forming apparatus controls to discharge the tab sheets that became no longer necessary when the type of tab sheets supplied is changed. Thus, the printer controls to discharge the tab sheets that became no longer necessary while printing a unit number of copies for a printing job.