Duplex Sheet Pattern Detection With Combined Image Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems require excessive memory usage and prolonged processing time to check for specific patterns on both surfaces of a recorded sheet by sequentially processing first and second data, leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that reads and combines data from both surfaces of a sheet simultaneously, checks for specific patterns during data generation, and demagnifies images to reduce memory usage and processing time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pieces of first data and pieces of second data are checked for sequentially to detect specific patterns, then pattern detection accuracy is improved, but memory usage increases and processing time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern detection accuracyVSAvoidmemory usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines pieces of first data and pieces of second data into combined data structures that integrate information from both document surfaces. This merging allows the system to check for specific patterns across both surfaces simultaneously using a unified data structure, thereby reducing the total memory required compared to storing and checking separate data sets for each surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the checking process into iterative steps where combined data is processed in manageable units. By dividing the large-scale pattern detection task into smaller sequential checks on combined data segments, the system avoids loading entire data sets into memory at once, thus reducing peak memory usage while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If pieces of first data and pieces of second data are checked for sequentially to detect specific patterns, then pattern detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary combining of first data and second data into combined data structures before the actual pattern checking begins. This preliminary action organizes the data in advance so that subsequent pattern detection can proceed efficiently by checking patterns against the pre-combined data, rather than performing complex cross-surface comparisons during the checking phase, thus reducing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous processing where the checking of combined data for specific patterns occurs iteratively without idle waiting periods. By maintaining continuous useful action through efficient data structure utilization and avoiding redundant operations, the system achieves fast processing while ensuring accurate pattern detection across both document surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If data from both surfaces is read and stored completely before checking, then comprehensive pattern detection is improved, but memory usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive pattern detectionVSAvoidmemory usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges data from both document surfaces into combined data structures that are immediately used for pattern checking. This approach ensures comprehensive pattern detection across both surfaces while using memory efficiently, as the combined data structure integrates necessary information from both surfaces without requiring separate storage for each surface's complete data set.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4686186A1Image processing apparatus, program, and method for determining whether a pattern is dispatched on the two sides of a recorded sheet
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP4686186A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4686186A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4686186A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: read a first surface of a recorded sheet to generate pieces of first data; read a second surface of the recorded sheet to generate pieces of second data; combine the generated pieces of first data with the respective generated pieces of second data; and check whether a specific pattern is present, the specific pattern being a pattern which is possibly included in the pieces of combined data.