Recording System Warning Controller for Inkjet Printers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printers face issues with users accidentally touching undried recording surfaces, particularly on media like photo paper that takes time to dry, leading to reduced recording quality due to the invisible recording surface when discharged face-down.

Innovation Solution

A recording system with a controller that outputs a warning message when specific media types are selected, prompting users to avoid touching the recording surface, and includes a discharger configuration to handle media with the recording surface facing either up or down, ensuring visibility and reducing accidental contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the medium is discharged with the recording surface facing down, then the discharge space can be compacted, but the recording surface becomes invisible and users may accidentally touch it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge spaceVSAvoidaccidental touching of recording surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by displaying a warning message before the user can accidentally touch the recording surface. The controller detects the medium type and outputs a warning message indicating that the recording surface is facing down and should not be touched, preventing the harmful effect before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The warning message acts as an intermediary between the invisible recording surface and the user. Instead of making the recording surface visible (which would require changing the discharge orientation), the system introduces a visual warning message that conveys the same protective information, allowing the recording surface to remain face-down while still informing users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If a warning message system is added, then user awareness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser awareness of recording surface orientationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller leverages its existing multi-functionality by adding the warning message output function to its current responsibilities. The controller already manages medium type detection, discharge orientation control, and various operational modes; adding the warning message function utilizes the same processor and output interfaces, avoiding the need for separate dedicated hardware and minimizing complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240173959A1Recording system, recording device, and control method

Publication Date: 2024.05.30 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A recording system includes a recorder configured to eject a liquid to perform recording on a recording surface of a medium, a first discharger, a second discharger, and an external controller. The first discharger configured to discharge the medium on which recording is performed by the recorder, is configured to discharge the medium with the recording surface facing down. The second discharger configured to discharge the medium on which recording is performed by the recorder, is configured to discharge the medium with the recording surface facing up. In the recording system, the external controller is configured to, when a predetermined medium is set as an object on which recording is to be performed, output a message that provides a warning not to touch the recording surface of the predetermined medium.