Image Recording Apparatus Scanning Direction Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image recording apparatuses, such as ink-jet printers, face inefficiencies in recording time due to fixed scanning directions and the need to traverse blank areas, leading to prolonged recording times, especially when only part of the recording medium is used.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus that includes a recording head, a scanning mechanism, and a recording direction deciding unit, which calculates and adjusts the scanning direction to optimize recording time based on image data, allowing the recording head to scan in the most efficient direction, either along the short or longitudinal direction of the recording medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the scanning direction of the recording head is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the recording time becomes long when only part of the recording medium is used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the scanning direction changeable rather than fixed. The recording head can dynamically switch between scanning in the longitudinal direction of the recording medium and scanning in the width direction, allowing the system to adapt to different image recording scenarios and minimize unnecessary scanning passes over blank areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scanning direction parameter based on the characteristics of the image data. By calculating recording times for different scanning directions and selecting the optimal direction, the system modifies the scanning parameter to achieve faster recording while maintaining simple device structure.
2Productivity
If the recording head scans across blank areas, then the scanning mechanism operates continuously, but the recording efficiency decreases due to wasted passes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating the recording times for different scanning directions before actually performing the recording. This advance calculation allows the system to determine the optimal scanning direction that avoids blank areas, thereby preventing wasted passes and improving recording efficiency from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the recording head to skip unnecessary passes over blank areas by selecting the scanning direction that minimizes traversal of empty spaces. This allows the system to rush through the recording process more efficiently by avoiding redundant movements.
3Loss of time
If the scanning direction is changed based on image data, then the recording time is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the scanning direction to change based on image data characteristics. The recording head can switch between longitudinal scanning and width scanning dynamically, allowing the system to optimize recording time without requiring a completely complex device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the scanning direction parameter based on calculated recording times for different directions. This parameter change allows the system to achieve faster recording speeds while maintaining relatively simple device architecture, as it only requires the ability to change scanning direction rather than complete system redesign.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes: a recording head which records an image to a recording surface of a recording medium; a scanning mechanism which reciprocates the recording head along a scanning direction; a recording direction deciding unit which decides a recording direction along which the recording head scans with respect to the recording surface of the recording medium to record the image, from a first direction along the recording surface and a second direction intersecting with the first direction and along the recording surface; and a changing unit which changes one of the scanning direction of the recording head and a direction of the recording medium to bring the recording direction with respect to the recording surface decided by the recording direction deciding unit and the scanning direction of the recording head in line.