Line-Type Printhead Feed Timing Control for Concurrent Recording
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image recording apparatuses with line-type printheads, the existing technologies face challenges in maintaining throughput while accommodating varying recording conditions, particularly when switching between monochrome and color recording modes, as the time required to supply drive data to printheads differs, leading to potential delays and restricted recording conditions.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus introduces a feed control mechanism that adjusts the feeding timing of recording media based on whether the drive data can be supplied concurrently, allowing for two distinct feed timings: one where the distance between recording media is minimized for concurrent recording and another where it is maximized, enabling flexible selection of recording conditions without restricting throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the following recording medium is fed to the recording area before the preceding recording medium passes through the recording area to enable concurrent recording, then throughput is improved, but drive data cannot be supplied to the printheads in time when color recording is performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the feed timing adaptable based on recording conditions. The feed control portion dynamically selects between first feed timing (for concurrent recording) and second feed timing (for data supply completion) depending on whether the drive data can be supplied in time, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining high throughput and ensuring timely data supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the feed timing parameter based on recording conditions (monochrome vs. color). By switching between two distinct feed timing modes, the system adapts to different data supply requirements, allowing concurrent recording when feasible and sequential processing when necessary, thus balancing throughput and data supply timing.
2Productivity
If the distance between recording media is minimized for concurrent recording, then throughput is enhanced, but recording conditions are restricted due to data supply timing constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts feed timing based on recording conditions, making the recording process adaptable. The feed control portion determines whether to use first feed timing (minimized distance for concurrent recording) or second feed timing (maximized distance for data supply completion), thereby maintaining versatility across different recording scenarios without restricting recording conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the feed timing parameter according to recording mode (monochrome/color) and data supply capability. This parameter change enables the system to accommodate various recording conditions while maintaining optimal throughput, as the feed timing is adjusted to match the specific requirements of each recording scenario.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between recording media is maximized to ensure data supply completion, then recording conditions are flexible, but throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects feed timing based on actual data supply requirements. When drive data can be supplied in time, the system uses first feed timing (maximized distance) to maintain flexibility. When concurrent recording is feasible, it switches to second feed timing (minimized distance) to enhance throughput, thereby balancing adaptability and productivity dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the feed timing parameter based on recording conditions and data supply status. By switching between first feed timing (for throughput optimization) and second feed timing (for data supply assurance), the system maintains recording condition flexibility while maximizing throughput when possible.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes a sheet feeder, line-type printheads arranged in a sheet feed direction, a drive-data supplier and a feed controller. The feed controller has the sheet feeder initiate feeding a following sheet which is fed next to a preceding sheet, (i) at a first feed timing in order that a distance between the preceding sheet and the following sheet becomes smaller than a dimension of a recording area of the printheads in the sheet feed direction, when the drive-data supplier can supply the drive data to the printheads at a concurrent-recording enabling timing at which it is possible to concurrently record, at the recording area, an image on a trailing end portion of the preceding sheet and an image on a trailing end portion of the preceding sheet and an image on a front end portion of the following sheet, and (ii) at a second feed timing having a longer interval than that of the first feed timing, when the drive-data supplier can not supply the drive data at the concurrent-recording enabling timing.