A method for minimizing the Inter-Document Zone (IDZ) in printing system
architectures with print engines running at constant speed, employing
asynchronous paper delivery; and providing control over paper feed times.
The method of the present invention comprising first receiving input
electronic data of an image intended to be printed. Then, inspecting said
data to determine both the lead edge (L.E.) and the trail edge (T.E.)
blank borders of said image. A determination is then made as to whether
the blank borders exceed a minimum design distance. If the blank border
of the L.E. exceeds the minimum then the process causes the printing of
that image to occur sooner. If the blank border of the T.E. exceeds the
minimum then the process causes the finishing of printing that image, and
the starting of any subsequent images, to occur sooner. This has the
advantageous result of generating faster prints per minute with smaller
paper to paper timing and identical intermediate substrate pass to pass
timing to the nominal design guidelines. This technique varies the
page-per-minute (ppm) throughput based on the border margins of each
document through timing adjustments. As a result, there are no additional
stress placed on any of the image drum subsystems because process speed
remains relatively constant.