Printer Ticket Length Detection and Print Condition Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printer apparatuses with limited features for one-way conveyance discard two boarding tickets before reaching the print-standby state, as they measure and adjust for both first and second ticket lengths, leading to unnecessary ticket wastage.
Innovation Solution
The printer apparatus includes storage for first and second printing conditions, a sensor to detect cue marks, conveyance means, data receiving, and printing means, with control logic to set and adjust printing conditions based on detected cue marks, minimizing ticket discard by optimizing the printing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the printer apparatus measures and adjusts for both first and second ticket lengths, then it can handle both ticket types, but two boarding tickets are discarded before reaching print-standby state
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the cue mark detection function already present in the printer to automatically determine ticket length and select appropriate printing conditions, eliminating the need for manual measurement and adjustment that would waste tickets. The printer serves itself by autonomously adapting to different ticket types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes printing parameters (printing conditions) based on the detected ticket length. By detecting the cue mark position and determining whether the ticket is first or second length, the system adjusts printing conditions accordingly, enabling handling of both ticket types without discarding unnecessary tickets.
2Device complexity
If the printer apparatus uses one-way conveyance only, then device complexity is reduced, but ticket measurement and adjustment requires discarding two tickets
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the cue mark position during medium conveyance to determine ticket length before printing begins. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare appropriate printing conditions in advance, avoiding the need to discard tickets for measurement and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the cue mark detection to automatically determine ticket length and adjust printing conditions. The detection result feeds back to the control unit, which then selects the appropriate printing conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ticket discarding.
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 solution reduces the number of tickets discarded during setup by measuring and adjusting only when necessary, optimizing the printing process for both ticket lengths, thereby minimizing wastage.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to detect a cue mark that is formed at a joint between adjacent unprinted tickets of the medium
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
When a medium is set to a printer apparatus, a first printing condition for a longer boarding ticket of two types of boarding ticket length is read and set, the medium is started to be conveyed. Upon detection of a cue mark of the medium, the medium is advanced by a predetermined distance and the apparatus is set to a print-standby state of a second boarding ticket to wait to receive data. Upon reception of first printing data, printing is started under the first printing condition. When the cue mark is detected, if printing is completed, subsequent printing is performed under the first printing condition. If the cue mark is detected before printing is completed, a second printing condition for a shorter boarding ticket is read and set and the printing is performed under the second printing condition.