Printing Device Data Transmission Control for Production Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
In recent printing systems, the separation of control and data lines between the printer controller and printer engine leads to high-speed data transmission but can result in delayed data processing due to increased print data volumes, particularly during production printing where efficient workflow and speed are critical.
Innovation Solution
A printing device with a station comprising a printing unit, holding units, an identification information output unit, a determination unit, a conveyance control unit, and a control unit that manages the transmission and processing of image data by determining the number of stations and adjusting conveyance speed, and requesting thinned-out transmission of image data from the upper-level device in raster units to optimize data handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If image data is transmitted for each color through separate data lines, then data transmission speed is improved, but data processing delay increases due to increased print data volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments image data into multiple data blocks corresponding to different color channels (e.g., yellow, cyan, magenta, black). Each data block is transmitted independently through separate data lines to the corresponding holding unit, enabling parallel transmission and reducing overall transmission time while maintaining organized processing of each color component
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having holding units receive and store image data blocks in advance before the actual printing process begins. The determination unit pre-determines the number of stations and conveyance speed based on the stored data, allowing the system to be prepared and synchronized before production printing starts, thus reducing processing delays during operation
2Productivity
If the number of stations is increased to handle high-volume production printing, then productivity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the number of stations variable rather than fixed. The determination unit dynamically determines the optimal number of stations based on the actual print data volume and characteristics. The conveyance control unit dynamically adjusts the conveyance speed to match the determined number of stations, allowing the system to adapt its complexity to the production requirements without being over-engineered for all scenarios
Data Source
AI summary
A printer device connects a plurality of stations each having a plurality of data transmission control units which perform data transmission for respective colors of C, M, Y, and K received from an upper level device, and prints transmitted image data of the respective colors. The transmission of image data received from the upper level device is performed to be thinned out in a raster unit in accordance with the number of stations by a plurality of data transmission control units, which controls image data of the same color, from among a plurality of data transmission control units of each of a plurality of stations. A sheet conveying speed is determined in accordance with the number of stations, and the determined conveyance speed is allocated on a conveyance control unit when sheet conveying starts.