Image Forming Apparatus With Automatic Item-Boundary Resizing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods require users to manually adjust print settings to fit images to item sizes, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus that automatically resizes images to fit within the boundaries of an item without user specification, using an acquisition unit to scan the item and a changing unit to resize the image based on acquired data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the user manually adjusts print settings to fit images to item sizes, then the image can be printed correctly on the item, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage fit accuracyVSAvoidprint setting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic image resizing by scanning the item to obtain its boundary dimensions, then automatically calculates and adjusts the image size to fit the item without requiring user intervention for size specification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system scans and acquires the item boundary information in advance before the printing process, so that when printing is initiated, the image can be automatically resized based on pre-acquired item dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the user manually changes print settings for each different item size, then the image can be customized for each item, but the process becomes inefficient and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage size customizationVSAvoidoriginal goods creation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically adapts images to different item sizes by scanning each item and performing automated resizing, eliminating the need for manual setting changes while maintaining full adaptability to various item dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the image size parameter based on the scanned item boundary dimensions, automatically adjusting the print parameters to match each specific item without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the system automatically resizes images without user specification, then the operation becomes simpler and faster, but the user loses control over the exact image size and positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint setting simplicityVSAvoidimage size control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system scans the item to obtain actual boundary information and uses this feedback to automatically calculate and adjust the image size, ensuring precise fitting while maintaining automated operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary scanning of the item to acquire its boundary dimensions before the printing process, enabling accurate automatic resizing based on actual item measurements rather than estimates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250322196A1Image forming apparatus, control method for the same, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive first image data, an acquisition unit configured to acquire second image data corresponding to a boundary of an item by scanning the item, a changing unit configured to resize an image based on the first image data to fit within the boundary of the item on an image based on the second image data without receiving a size specification for the image based on the first image data from a user, and a printing unit configured to print the image resized by the changing unit on a printing medium.