Printing Apparatus Asymmetric Chart Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing technologies face challenges in accurately aligning and adjusting the printing direction between pre-printing and post-printing processes, leading to potential misalignment and inefficiencies in overprinting operations.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and system that includes a memory and hardware processor to execute processes for pre-printing and post-printing, utilizing asymmetric charts printed during test printing to determine and adjust the paper sheet direction, enabling precise alignment and adjustment between pre-printing and post-printing engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If symmetric charts are used for test printing, then the printing process is simpler, but the printing direction cannot be accurately determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using an asymmetric chart pattern for test printing instead of a symmetric one. The asymmetric pattern contains unique directional features that allow the system to accurately determine the printing direction by analyzing which orientation produces the expected pattern on the medium. This resolves the contradiction by sacrificing some operational simplicity (requiring asymmetric pattern generation) to gain precise printing direction determination capability.
2Productivity
If printing direction is not accurately determined, then the test printing process is faster, but misalignment occurs between pre-printing and post-printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing test printing with an asymmetric chart pattern before the actual overprinting process. This test printing determines the correct printing direction and allows for preliminary adjustment of the printing system. By completing this directional determination in advance, the system ensures that subsequent pre-printing and post-printing operations are properly aligned, resolving the contradiction between speed and alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the asymmetric chart pattern analysis to determine printing direction and adjust printing parameters. The asymmetric pattern provides visual or detectable feedback about the printing orientation, allowing the system to automatically identify the correct direction and make necessary adjustments before production printing, thus ensuring alignment accuracy without significantly impacting productivity.
3Device complexity
If manual adjustment of printing direction is used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but alignment accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the asymmetric chart pattern to automatically determine the printing direction without requiring manual intervention. The system analyzes the printed asymmetric pattern itself to identify the printing direction and automatically adjusts accordingly. This eliminates the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms while maintaining high alignment precision, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes: a memory storing a program; and at least one hardware processor configured to execute a process in the program. The process includes: performing pre-printing of overprinting which is an operation of performing pre-printing on a medium and then performing post-printing on the medium; and printing a chart asymmetric with respect to rotation toward a direction of the medium on the medium during test printing related to the pre-printing.