Printing Engine Control for Dynamic Sheet Supply Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming processes in copying machines and multifunction devices face inefficiencies due to uncertain image processing times, leading to prolonged sheet supply delays and increased power consumption, as the start of primary sheet supply is not optimized for varying print job capacities.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that divides image data into bands based on predetermined data amounts, calculates primary sheet supply and delivery band orders, and controls the printing engine to initiate sheet supply and data delivery at optimal times, ensuring efficient processing and reducing unnecessary engine operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the primary sheet supply is started simultaneously with the receipt of a print job, then the printing time is shortened, but the sheet supply timing cannot be optimized for varying print job capacities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the primary sheet supply timing adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically determines the timing based on the print job capacity (number of pages) received from the host computer. For large print jobs, the primary supply is started earlier, while for small jobs, the timing is adjusted accordingly, allowing the system to adapt to varying capacities while maintaining optimal printing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sheet supply timing based on print job capacity. The control unit modifies the timing parameter according to the number of pages in the print job, enabling the system to optimize printing performance for different job sizes without unnecessary early supply or delayed supply.
2Productivity
If the primary sheet supply is accelerated, then the printing process is sped up, but the printing engine is driven unnecessarily for small print jobs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing only the necessary degree of acceleration based on print job capacity. The control unit calculates the appropriate primary supply timing based on the number of pages, ensuring that the printing engine is accelerated only when necessary for large jobs, while avoiding unnecessary acceleration and associated energy consumption for small jobs.
3Device complexity
If the image data processing is performed sequentially, then the processing is simple, but the image processing time becomes uncertain and prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing image data processing in advance during the primary sheet supply phase. The control unit initiates image data processing before the printing engine is fully ready, utilizing the primary supply timing to prepare image data. This allows the printing engine to receive ready-to-process image data when it is ready, reducing overall processing time without significantly increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to an image forming apparatus including a print job input unit; an image data storing unit that stores the image data by dividing the image data into a band basis; a job managing unit that outputs a primary sheet supply numerical order of the band and an image data delivery numerical order of the band; an image data output control unit that acquires the image data on the band basis from the image data storing unit, outputs primary sheet supply permission information and delivery permission information to a print engine control unit, and outputs the image data to the printing engine; and the printing engine control unit that outputs the primary sheet supply permission information and the delivery permission information to the printing engine, and controls the primary sheet supply and the delivery of the image data.