Dynamic Page Layout Adjustment for Sheet Space Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for laying out pages on sheets result in wasted space or increased number of sheets when the total number of pages changes due to deletion or addition, as they fail to efficiently adjust the number of pages per sheet.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that adjusts the number of pages per sheet by calculating new page sizes and sheet usage based on changes in the total number of pages, ensuring that the number of sheets used is minimized while maintaining user-specified settings for page layout and toner conservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the number of pages per sheet is fixed after specification, then the initial layout is maintained, but wasted space appears on sheets when the total number of pages changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the number of pages per sheet dynamic rather than fixed. When pages are deleted or added, the system automatically recalculates and adjusts the number of pages per sheet to optimize space utilization. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the layout to adapt (improving space utilization) while maintaining a systematic approach (preserving layout stability through controlled adjustment).
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of pages per sheet based on the total number of pages. When pages are deleted, it recalculates the optimal pages per sheet value; when pages are added, it similarly adjusts this parameter. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining initial layout settings and preventing wasted sheet space.
2Loss of substance
If the number of pages per sheet is reduced when pages are deleted, then sheet space is utilized more effectively, but the number of sheets may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by calculating both the sheet space utilization and the total number of sheets required when adjusting pages per sheet. It evaluates the impact of reducing pages per sheet on both metrics and selects the optimal configuration that balances space utilization improvement against sheet count increase, preventing excessive sheet usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the pages per sheet parameter based on feedback from space utilization calculations, while simultaneously monitoring the resulting sheet count. This controlled parameter change resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance point between improving space utilization and minimizing sheet consumption.
3Quantity of substance
If page size is reduced to fit more pages per sheet, then sheet capacity increases, but page quality and readability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system intelligently adjusts the pages per sheet parameter based on the actual deletion or addition of pages, rather than uniformly reducing page size. By calculating the optimal pages per sheet value dynamically, it ensures that page size is only reduced when necessary and appropriate, thereby maintaining page quality while increasing sheet capacity when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique is presented for making effective use of sheets when the total number of pages to be printed on a sheet is changed after the number of pages per sheet was originally specified. In one aspect, the technique is implemented on an apparatus that accepts a specified number of pages per sheet, obtains a page group having a number of pages, determines whether the number of pages in the page group has changed, changes the specified number of pages per sheet when the number of pages in the page group has changed, and generates output data of the pages with the specified number of pages when the number of pages in the page group has not been changed, and generates the changed number of pages when the number has been changed.