Image Printing Apparatus Page-Based Postprocessing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image printing apparatuses lack the ability to efficiently set and manage image printing conditions on a page basis, particularly for postprocessing such as staple and punch processing, which requires operators to manually classify and organize sheets for uniform processing, limiting flexibility in handling different types of postprocessing for series of recording sheets.
Innovation Solution
An image printing apparatus with a setting device that allows for page-based image printing condition setting, including postprocessing options, using a controller to group pages and apply conditions uniformly across groups, enabling different types of postprocessing for each group, and a display system for easy checking and setting of conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the same postprocessing is performed on a series of recording sheets, then the processing is simple and uniform, but different types of postprocessing cannot be performed on some recording sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a series of recording sheets into multiple groups, where each group can have different postprocessing settings. The controller automatically identifies group boundaries and applies appropriate postprocessing to each group, enabling different postprocessing types (staple, punch, none) on different groups without requiring manual intervention for each sheet.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects group boundaries in the original document and self-determines the appropriate postprocessing for each group based on predefined rules or user-set parameters. The controller autonomously manages the classification and processing without requiring operators to manually organize sheets, making the system self-sufficient in handling diverse postprocessing requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operators manually classify and organize image information for each similar postprocessing, then different postprocessing can be performed on different sheets, but the operation becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of recording sheets into groups during the printing process based on automatic detection of group boundaries. This preliminary grouping action enables subsequent different postprocessing to be applied to different groups without requiring time-consuming manual classification operations by operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual classification operation with an automated controller that uses electronic detection and control algorithms to identify group boundaries and assign postprocessing types. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to physically sort and organize sheets, dramatically reducing operation time while maintaining the ability to apply different postprocessing to different groups.
3Ease of operation
If image printing conditions are set on a job basis or multiple page basis, then the setting process is simplified, but page-based flexibility in postprocessing is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hierarchical setting structure where the overall job is divided into multiple groups, and each group can have its own postprocessing conditions. This segmentation allows users to set conditions at the group level rather than individual page level, maintaining operational simplicity while enabling different postprocessing settings for different groups within the same job.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows different postprocessing conditions to be applied to different groups within the same printing job. Each group can have locally optimized settings (staple, punch, or no postprocessing) while the overall job maintains a unified management structure. This local quality approach provides flexibility in postprocessing without complicating the overall condition setting process.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is directed to an image printing apparatus which prints an original image as image information on a recording sheet and performs postprocessing on the recording sheet after printing operation. According to the image printing apparatus of the invention, image printing conditions include conditions concerning postprocessing to be executed by a punch unit and postprocessing device and selection information of a main tray or sub-tray. The image printing conditions are stored after being set as individual image printing conditions for each image information and linked to the image information. When image printing conditions are to be read out by a page readout unit, such individual image printing conditions are read out together with image information, printing and postprocessing are executed for each image information, i.e., each original image.