Patent Grant
12138941
Printing systems perform printing operations within a wide variety of different printing environments. However, depending on the content being printed and the printing technology used by the printing system, undesired particles may be released to the environment. Amongst others, impacts derived from these undesired particles are a lower efficiency of the printing system, a damage over the own system and system(s) close by, and depending on the nature of the particles, they may eventually imply a hazard for operators within the printing environment when being breathed in.
Features of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and are not limited in the following figure(s), in which like numerals indicate like elements, in which:
For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the present disclosure is described by referring mainly to examples. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be readily apparent, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, some methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure.
Throughout the present disclosure, the terms “a” and “an” are intended to denote at least one of a particular element. As used herein, the term “includes” means includes but not limited to, the term “including” means including but not limited to. The term “based on” means based at least in part on.
Printing devices and systems are to perform printing operations within printing environment(s). During the performance of printing operations, particles may be released into the printing environment as a result of a step of a printing operation, for instance, an application of printing fluid or an evaporation of printing fluid. Some printing devices and systems comprise applying a pre-treatment upfront ejecting fluid on the media and applying a post-treatment upon the fluid has been disposed on the media. Additionally, during the ejection of the fluid on the media the print zone may be within a range of conditions so as to assure a standard of quality. Depending on the technology being used to perform the printing operation, the steps and the conditions may differ, e.g., absence of pre-treatment stage, different special conditions for the ejection, application of a coating to increase properties, amongst others.
As used herein, “printing fluid” refers generally to any substance that can be applied upon a substrate by a printer during a printing operation, including but not limited to inks, primers, and overcoat materials (such as a varnish), water, and solvents other than water.
Some printing technologies use a printing fluid comprising a series of solvent components to provide the color load or fluid properties. During a printing operation, part of the solvents may be evaporated as a step of the printing process, and the rest may evaporate either in natural conditions or being forced by other means, for instance, by using lamps and dryers. As evaporation occurs, particles may accumulate in the room in which the printing device is located, i.e. the printing environment. However, the concentration of particles within the printing environment may have an impact on the performance of the printing device itself and the other devices sharing the printing environment. In an example, the concentration of particles may decrease the accuracy of optical sensors used by the printing system, such as encoders or line sensors. In other examples, an accumulation of particles around a specific volume within the printing environment can impact on the performance of the printing device. Furthermore, some of these particles released to the printing environment may be limited by the environmental and workplace regulations, since in case of being inhaled in by people within the room, they may imply risks for their health.
The importance of monitoring the particles released by a printing device or system arises when the printer is associated to industrial environments in which printing devices and systems are used to perform printing operations over large periods of time. Nonetheless, non-industrial facilities with lower volumes may also be impacted by the particles generated during printing operations. In order to comply with the regulations concerning specific types of particles, printing operations should be tracked while being performed.
Disclosed herein are examples of methods, printing systems, and printing devices that may be used to track and manage the particles emitted during printing operations. Hence, different examples of devices, methods, and systems will be described.
According to some examples, a concentration of particles within a printing environment may be determined based on a printing operation to be performed by using a printing device. The printing environment may be associated with configuration data, wherein the configuration data defines several features for the printing environment, for instance the dimensions, the location of the printing device within the printing environment, and the extraction mechanism(s) being used in the printing environment and its extraction capabilities.
When referring to tracking a concentration of particles, different concentrations of particles may be determined. On the one hand, dust levels emitted to the environment as a result of the usage of powder-based printing technologies, such as toners, may be determined upfront and during the printing operation from the data associated to the printing operation such as an amount of fluid applied, a printing speed, an amount of pre-processing/post-processing fluid, and configuration data for the printing environment. By tracking the concentration within the environment, the concentrations of dust particles outside safe levels, for instance above 9 μg/m3, may be prevented.
On the other hand, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to be released to the printing environment may be determined upfront and during the printing operation. Volatile organic compounds may result from the usage of, for instance, thermal inkjet technologies or piezoelectric technologies. Some printing technologies comprise the evaporation of fluids during their printing operations, and therefore, some particles may be accumulated in the room resulting from evaporation of a printing fluid, such as solvents. These particles may create discomfort within the printing environment and they may even imply a risk to the individuals who may breathe them in. As previously described in reference to dust levels, the concentration of particles for volatile organic compounds may be determined from the printing operation, taking into account printing operation characteristics such as an amount of fluid applied, a printing speed, an amount of pre-processing/post-processing fluid, and configuration data for the printing environment. By determining a concentration of particles for the printing operation, the concentrations of volatile organic compounds outside safe levels, for instance above 85 mg/m3, may be prevented. Depending on the regulations, such as workplace regulations or environmental regulations, other safe levels may be set, for instance 120 mg/m3.
Referring now to
In an example, a remedial action comprises at least one action selected from modifying a printing speed of a dispenser of the printing system and modifying an amount of fluid ejected by the dispenser of the printing system. Due to the fact that some particles are more likely to be emitted to the printing environment at specific conditions of the printing system, i.e. high speeds of the dispenser or high density plots, printing operations may be modified so as to keep the concentration of particles below the threshold value. However, other different remedial actions may be performed, such as temporarily halting the printing operation or modifying the amount of fluid to be printed and/or the number of swaths along a scan axis of the printing system.
In other examples, remedial actions are selected based on a set of characteristics of the printing operation. The set of characteristics may comprise a type of printing operation, a specific range of colors/quality, a number of copies, a printing time for the printing operation, amongst others.
Referring now to
In an example, the additional printing systems are discovered using a wired connection such as a local network or a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. In other examples, other discovery protocols may be used, such as neighbor discovery protocols (NDPs), Link Layer Discovery Protocols (LLDPs), or local networks using multicast Domain Name System (mDNS) service records.
In some examples, the configuration data may be defined during the installation of the printing system in a facility. As described above, the configuration data may comprise a volume in which the printing system is to be located and the air change rate for the volume. As a part of the installation, the printing system may comprise a stage in which the printing environment is defined, i.e. the layout of the facility and the available equipment for air exchange. In other examples, when using the printing system in a more dynamic layout, a user may store configuration data into a readable medium so as to introduce/update the data referring to the printing environment. In some examples, the readable medium is a memory comprised in the printing device itself. In other examples, the configuration data may be stored remotely, i.e. a server, a computer having connectivity with the printing system, or an external device connectable to the printing system.
According to an example, a concentration of particles may be determined within a volume of air. In case a concentration of particles is to exceed a threshold over a time period in which the printing operation is to be performed, a remedial action may be scheduled to be executed at some point within the time period. Determining a concentration of particles of a printing operation comprises computing the printing operation so as to calculate concentration released, i.e. emitted, to the environment.
According to some examples, the determination of the concentrations may be performed before the printing operation, and hence, the remedial actions may be scheduled to be executed based on the user's criteria and job priority or priorities. In an example, the user may prefer to maintain the printing time while decreasing the density of the plot. In other examples, the user may desire to increase the printing time while having a higher standard of quality. In some other examples, a printing operation may be temporarily stopped to prevent a concentration of particles over the threshold concentration.
Referring now to
In the example of
In some examples, a remedial action is executed on a printing operation if a concentration of particles is to exceed a threshold concentration. For instance, referring back to
Referring now to
In the example of
As shown in
According to some examples, further printing systems may be discovered within a printing environment, as explained in the method of
Referring now to
As shown in
In some examples, the printing operations may be scheduled to start at a different time than the expected so as to comply with the threshold levels of concentration of particles. In some cases, the printing operations for the printing systems may be scheduled to be performed automatically, without the assistance of operators. Therefore, in case of knowing beforehand that a set of printing operations have to be available before a deadline, a scheduling of the printing operations may be performed. In an example, printing operations may be assigned with a priority, wherein printing operations with a higher priority are less likely to be affected by a remedial action, as previously described above in reference to other examples. In other examples, the scheduling of the printing operations and the remedial actions may be based on a criterion, wherein the criterion may comprise a set of characteristics of the printing operation.
In other examples, the remedial actions may be scheduled so as to reduce an additional time of each of the printing operation and the additional printing operations. The additional time may be determined as a difference between an expected time of an operation and an actual time of the operation, as previously explained in reference to
Referring now to
In other examples, remedial actions may be executed so as to reduce an additional printing time for the printing operations. Even though the finish time 504b of the second printing operation 520b is greater than the finish time 504a, in other examples the printing times for the printing operations may be reduced as a result of the execution of remedial actions. In some other examples, other remedial actions may be possible depending on the criteria selected by the operator of the printing systems or pre-defined criteria such as reducing overall delays.
According to some examples, a printing device is managed by a printing control system. The printing device may have a series of printing operations to execute, wherein the printing device is within a printing environment characterized by configuration data. In an example, the configuration data of the printing environment comprises dimensions of a volume in which the printing device is to be located and the air change rate for the volume.
In other examples, the configuration data may further comprise a relative location of the printing device within the volume. In case of having additional printing device(s) managed by the printing control system in the same printing environment, the additional printing device(s) may share the configuration data with the printing device.
Referring now to
In an example, the configuration data 611 of the printing environment for the printing control system 600 comprises dimensions of a volume in which the printing device is to be located and an air change rate for the volume. The air change rate may be defined as a measure of the air volume added to or removed for a space divided by the volume of the space.
In some examples, the memory 610 may be replaced for a processor-readable media including, for example, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor media. More specific examples of suitable processor-readable media include a hard drive, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), memory cards and sticks and other portable storage devices.
According to some examples, the processor 630 of the printing control system 600 is further to discover additional printing devices to execute additional printing operations in the printing environment, to determine an additional concentration of particles of the additional printing operations, and to aggregate the additional concentration of particles of the additional printing operations to the concentration of particles of the printing operation. In case the concentration of particles exceeds the threshold concentration 612 within the time period execute the remedial action further comprises executing the remedial action on the additional printing operations. In some examples, the processor is further to receive a criterion to apply the remedial action and schedule a time in which the remedial action will be executed on at least one of the printing operation and the additional printing operations.
In some examples, the additional printing devices may be discovered by using a local network. In an example, the additional printing systems are discovered by using a wired connection or a wireless connection, for instance by using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a networking cable such as an ethernet cable. However, any other suitable discovery protocol may be used.
According to some examples, a computer-readable storage medium comprises instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a printing system to: read configuration data of a printing environment, determine based on the configuration data if a concentration of particles emitted by the printing system during a printing operation is to exceed a threshold concentration, and, schedule remedial actions to be executed on the printing operation if the concentration of particles is to exceed the threshold of particles.
In some examples, the computer-readable storage medium may further comprise instructions that cause the printing system to discover additional printing systems in the printing environment, determine additional concentrations of particles emitted by the additional printing systems during the additional printing operations based on the configuration data, and aggregate the additional concentrations to the concentration of particles of the printing environment. If the concentration of particles of the printing environment is to exceed the threshold concentration, schedule remedial actions to be executed on the printing operation further comprises schedule remedial actions to be executed on the additional printing operations.
In other examples, when having more than one printing system within the printing environment, the computer-readable storage medium further comprises instructions that cause the printing system to assign a priority to the printing operation and the additional printing operations, wherein printing operations with a higher priority are less likely to be affected by a remedial action. In an example, the remedial actions are scheduled so as to reduce an additional time of each of the printing operation and the additional printing operations. As previously described in the description, the additional time is determined as a difference between an expected time of an operation and an actual time of the operation.
Referring now to
In an example, the remedial actions comprise at least one of modifying a printing speed of a dispenser of a printing operation and modifying an amount of fluid ejected by the dispenser during a printing operation. In other examples, in case of having more than one printing system within the printing environment, the set of instructions 700 may further comprise instructions to discover additional printing systems to perform additional printing operations. In that case, the remedial actions may comprise at least one of modifying a printing speed of at least one of the printing operation and the additional printing operations and modifying an amount of fluid ejected by the dispenser(s) during at least one of the printing operation and the additional printing operations.
In other examples, the set of instructions 700, when executed by a processor, cause a printing control system to perform the method 100 and the method 200 previously explained in reference to
Referring now to
Upon determining a concentration of particles for the set of printing operations, as described above in the description, a series of remedial actions may be scheduled to be executed so as to prevent concentrations outside allowable levels. Taking into account the contribution to the total concentration of particles, each of the printing operations may be impacted by a remedial action. In an example, a priority value may be assigned for each of the printing operations and the printing operations with a higher priority are less likely to be affected by the remedial actions. In other examples, remedial actions may be scheduled so as to reduce an overall additional time to carry out the printing operations.
Referring now to
The first remedial action 910 comprises modifying the printing speed of the first printing operation 910 so that the first printing operation 810 can be performed at the same time as the second printing operation 920. The second remedial action 930a comprises delaying a start of the third printing operation 830 so as to keep the concentration of particles of the printing environment below the threshold. Upon the first printing operation 910 is finished, the third printing operation 830 starts. Additionally, the third remedial action 930b is executed on the third printing operation 830, wherein the third remedial action 930b comprises stopping the third printing operation 830 because the nature of the printing operation and its characteristics enable to do it. In other examples, in case of assigning as criterion the reduction of the additional time for the printing operations. The fourth remedial action 940 comprises delaying the start of the fourth printing operation 840 so that the printing operation is scheduled to be executed at the same time as the second printing operation 820 and the third printing operation 830. Since the third remedial action 930b takes place meanwhile the fourth printing operation 840 is being performed, it enables to perform the fourth printing operation 840 in a continuous manner, i.e., without interruptions. Furthermore, an additional time for the set of printing operations is reduced.
According to some examples, a printing system may perform a series of printing operations. In the same way, as previously explained in reference to a printing operations, remedial actions may be executed on the series of printing operations based on the determination of concentration of particles. In case that the printing environment comprises additional printing systems to perform additional printing operations, remedial actions may be executed on them. When scheduling remedial actions on the printing systems while having a series of printing operations in each of the printing systems, a printing operation order in each of the printing system(s) may be defined, taking into account the concentration of particles within the environment based on the configuration data. In some examples, when applying priorities and/or a criterion for the selection, different alternatives for the series of printing operations are possible. An alternative may be selected automatically or manually by a user. In some other examples, an optimal solution for the remedial actions may be selected so as to fulfill a rule, for instance reducing an overall additional printing time.
What has been described and illustrated herein are examples of the disclosure along with some variations. The terms, descriptions, and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Many variations are possible within the scope of the disclosure, which is intended to be defined by the following claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2020/043256 | 7/23/2020 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2022/019911 | 1/27/2022 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20230286306 A1 | Sep 2023 | US |
