Printing Control Apparatus Error Restart Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printing systems using continuous sheets, restarting printing after an error occurs is challenging due to issues with correctly reading identification marks and determining the correct position for resuming printing, especially when the error affects the cutting of the printing medium.
Innovation Solution
A controlling apparatus that updates printing information to specify the printing state of both printing apparatuses, determines errors, and controls the second printing apparatus to continue printing based on the specified error position, allowing for accurate restarts without relying on identification marks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If identification marks are printed and used to detect restart positions, then printing can be resumed after errors, but the system fails when marks cannot be correctly read due to erroneous detection or cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification mark system from the printing control mechanism and replaces it with a computational approach. Instead of relying on physical marks printed on the media, the system uses an updating unit to maintain printing information in memory, tracking the state of each printing apparatus independently through data structures that record completion status and position information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical identification mark detection system with an information processing system. The updating unit continuously updates printing information based on completion status from each apparatus, and the determination unit uses logical operations to identify error positions and calculate restart positions without any physical marks or sensors.
2Loss of substance
If printing is continued on remaining printing medium after cutting out affected portions, then material waste is reduced, but correct positioning for restart becomes difficult when identification marks are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the updating unit continuously receives completion status information from each printing apparatus and updates the printing information accordingly. This real-time feedback allows the system to track which portions have been successfully printed and which require restart, enabling accurate positioning without relying on identification marks that may be damaged or misplaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating restart positions based on the printing information maintained in memory. Before actual printing restart occurs, the determination unit has already identified the error position and calculated the correct restart position, ensuring that when printing resumes, the second apparatus prints exactly where needed without wasting material or creating positioning errors.
3Ease of operation
If the system specifies restart positions based on identification marks, then printing can be resumed, but errors in mark detection lead to incorrect restart positions and potential quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The printing system performs self-service by automatically maintaining and updating its own printing information without external intervention. The updating unit continuously updates the printing information based on completion status from each apparatus, and the determination unit automatically identifies errors and calculates restart positions, eliminating the need for identification marks and manual intervention while ensuring both ease of operation and print quality consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
A controlling apparatus, which controls a first printing apparatus that prints an image on a continuous sheet and a second printing apparatus that prints on the continuous sheet on a downstream side in a conveyance direction of the continuous sheet, stores a printing state of the first printing apparatus and a second printing apparatus. When an error is detected in the first printing apparatus, conveyance of the continuous sheet is suspended, and occurrence position of the error is specified. When it is detected that the error is solved, and conveyance of the continuous sheet is restarted, control is performed such that the second printing apparatus performs printing on the continuous sheet on which printing has been finished by the first printing apparatus before the detection of the error, based on the specified occurrence position of the error.