Zone-Based EP Engine Settings for Imaging Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging devices consume substantial resources and incur ongoing expenses due to the consumption of substances, media, and power, necessitating technologies that reduce these costs while offering flexibility in printing options.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device capable of applying distinct electrophotographic (EP) engine settings to different zones within a page of media, allowing for tailored printing by defining zones based on size indicators and adjusting settings such as darkness, media type, and resolution, thereby optimizing resource use and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If imaging devices use uniform printing settings across the entire page, then the device operation is simple, but resource consumption increases and waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the printing page into multiple zones, each with its own independent printing settings. The controller separates the page into zone portions and applies different EP engine settings to each zone based on zone information in the print stream, enabling selective resource consumption only where needed rather than uniformly across the entire page.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables different printing qualities and settings to be applied to different zones of the same page. Each zone can have customized settings for darkness, media type, and resolution based on local requirements, allowing high-quality printing only where necessary and standard quality elsewhere, thereby reducing overall resource consumption.
2Loss of substance
If imaging devices apply different printing settings to different zones, then resource consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the page into multiple zones with distinct printing settings. The controller processes zone information from the print stream and applies appropriate EP engine settings to each zone, enabling precise control over toner consumption in each area rather than using a blanket approach across the entire page.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes printing parameters such as darkness level, media type settings, and resolution on a per-zone basis. The controller modifies EP engine settings dynamically for different zones based on the printed image data and zone information, allowing optimization of toner usage in each zone according to its specific requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If imaging devices use higher printing quality settings, then image quality improves, but resource consumption and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high-quality printing settings only to specific zones where image quality is critical, while using standard settings in other zones. The controller determines which zones require enhanced quality based on the print stream information and applies appropriate EP engine settings accordingly, optimizing the balance between print quality and media consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Generally, an imaging device is capable of applying respective EP engine settings to different zones within a page of media. In an example embodiment, a method includes printing in first and second zones on a page of media using first and second EP engine settings that are respectively associated with the first and second zones. The imaging device prints in the first zone on the page of media based on a first EP engine setting that is associated with the first zone. The imaging device switches from the first zone on the page of media to the second zone on the page of media responsive to a size indicator. The imaging device prints in the second zone on the page of media based on a second EP engine setting that is associated with the second zone.