Printing Apparatus Automatic Width Detection and Setting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users are required to manually input printing setting information for the width of the printing medium each time it is set in a printing apparatus, which is inefficient and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus equipped with a sensor to detect the width of the printing medium and a processing circuit that stores and applies pre-registered printing settings based on detected width information, allowing automatic application of settings if previously stored, or prompts the user to input new settings if not stored.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual input of printing setting information is required each time printing medium is set, then printing settings can be accurately configured, but operation efficiency deteriorates and user convenience worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidtime for setting input

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus automatically detects the printing medium width using a sensor and self-configures the printing settings by retrieving pre-stored setting information corresponding to the detected width, eliminating the need for manual user input and thereby improving operation efficiency and user convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Printing setting information for various medium widths is pre-stored in the apparatus memory before actual printing operations. When a printing medium is detected, the system quickly retrieves the corresponding pre-prepared settings, avoiding time-consuming manual configuration and enabling rapid setup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If printing settings are manually configured for each medium width, then printing precision can be maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to repeated setup operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting setup efficiencyVSAvoidtime for repeated setting input

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic width detection and setting application through sensor-based automation, eliminating repetitive manual setup operations and significantly improving printing setup efficiency and overall productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical input operations are replaced by an automated detection and retrieval system that uses sensors to detect medium width and automatically fetches corresponding printing settings from stored data, replacing manual configuration with automated electronic processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11983453B1Printing apparatus and printing setting method

Publication Date: 2024.05.14 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes a sensor and a processing circuit. The sensor detects a width of a printing medium. The processing circuit acquires detected width information based on detection of the width by the sensor. The processing circuit applies, if printing setting information on the width indicated by the detected width information is stored in a storage unit, a printing setting to the printing apparatus based on the printing setting information on the width indicated by the detected width information.