Canon has filed a patent for a printing apparatus that includes a supply unit, a first roller, a printing unit, and a control unit. The control unit is capable of creating a state of overlap between print media and adjusting the overlap amount based on print data. This technology aims to improve printing efficiency and accuracy. GlobalData’s report on Canon gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Canon, E-transaction user interfaces was a key innovation area identified from patents. Canon's grant share as of September 2023 was 36%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Printing apparatus with adjustable overlap for print media
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230311543A1) describes a printing apparatus that includes a supply unit, a first roller, a printing unit, and a control unit. The supply unit is responsible for providing the print medium, while the first roller transports the print medium in a specific direction. The printing unit is used to print onto the print medium, and the control unit is capable of controlling both the supply unit and the first roller.
One of the key features of this printing apparatus is the ability to create a state of overlap between the leading end of a following print medium and the trailing end of a preceding print medium on the upstream side of the first roller. The control unit adjusts the amount of overlap based on the print data for both the preceding and following print mediums. This allows for precise control over the overlap amount, ensuring accurate printing and preventing any misalignment issues.
The patent also mentions the inclusion of a second roller, which is located downstream from the printing unit. This second roller is responsible for transporting the print medium that has been transported by the first roller. The overlap amount between the preceding and following print mediums can be adjusted by driving at least the second roller.
Additionally, the printing apparatus may include a third roller, which is located downstream from the second roller. This third roller is used to separate the preceding and following print mediums.
The control unit in the printing apparatus calculates an initial overlap amount based on the print data for the preceding print medium and adjusts the overlap amount to be smaller than the initial amount. The control unit also calculates the transport time for which the first roller is driven based on the print data for the following print medium in a predetermined section and adjusts the overlap amount accordingly. Similarly, the control unit calculates the transport stop time for which the first roller is stopped based on the print data for the following print medium in the predetermined section and adjusts the overlap amount based on this stop time.
Overall, this patent describes a printing apparatus with precise control over the overlap amount between print mediums, ensuring accurate printing and preventing misalignment issues. The inclusion of multiple rollers and the use of print data for adjustment further enhance the functionality of the apparatus.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
