Image Compaction via Vertical Omission Band for Last Page Blank Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
When printing based on image data with little content in the last page, a large blank space results, leading to inefficient use of paper and potential changes in the page format, as existing solutions either reduce the entire page or alter its form significantly.
Innovation Solution
An image forming device that performs vertical width compaction by recognizing fields enclosed by borders, determining if they contain a blank area of sufficient width, setting a vertical omission band to include the blank and part of the borders without deleting information, and shifting the data upwards to compact the image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the entire image data is reduced for printing to avoid large blanks in the last page, then the number of pages and paper usage are reduced, but the form and format of the entire page are largely changed and the printed matter has a different impression from the original
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the page into multiple regions (text regions, image regions, blank regions) and applies different processing to each segment. Specifically, it identifies and removes only the unnecessary blank regions while preserving the layout and format of content regions, thereby reducing paper usage without significantly altering the page format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by treating different regions of the page differently. It selectively removes blank regions while maintaining the original format and layout of content regions. This localized processing approach reduces overall page size and paper usage while preserving the visual appearance and format of the actual content.
2Productivity
If a part of the image data in the page before the last page is eliminated by line unit to compact upward, then the number of pages is reduced, but the last page having a large blank may be excluded from printing and the number of total pages is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the entire document to identify blank regions and determine the optimal compaction strategy before actual printing. It calculates the number of pages and identifies pages with large blanks, then applies selective removal of blank regions in advance, ensuring that content completeness is maintained while optimizing printing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by continuously monitoring the number of pages and the distribution of blank regions during processing. It adjusts the compaction strategy based on the detected blank regions and page structure, ensuring that content is not lost while maximizing page reduction. The system feedbacks on the effectiveness of compaction and refines the processing accordingly.
3Loss of substance
If the entire page is reduced for printing when only a little contents are printed in the last page, then paper usage is reduced, but the form or format of the entire page is largely changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the page into content regions and blank regions, applying different processing to each segment. It selectively removes blank regions while preserving the structure and composition of content regions, thereby reducing paper usage without significantly altering the page structure or format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by treating blank regions differently from content regions. It removes only the unnecessary blank spaces while maintaining the original structure, layout, and composition of the actual content, thus reducing paper usage while preserving page structure stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming device includes an input unit to which image data are input, an image processing unit that performs image processing and generates output data, and an output unit that executes a job on the basis of the output data. The image processing unit, in a vertical width compaction process, recognizes a field enclosed by borders; determines whether the recognized field is a vertical width compaction candidate field; sets a vertical omission band in such a way as to include the blank and part of the border of the vertical width compaction candidate field, without eliminating information; eliminates the vertical omission band of the image data; and shifts and compacts the image data below the vertical omission band in the upward direction.