Image Display Control for Multi-Set Document Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses lack the ability to set up different image output conditions for multiple sets of documents during continuous scanning, limiting user flexibility in settings such as one-sided or dual-sided printing, color versus monochrome printing, and finishing processes.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with an input unit, storing unit, output unit, and an image display control device that includes a function setup controller for individual or all-in setup of image output conditions, allowing separate input modes for each set of image data, displaying a single control key for directing image output, and enabling finishing processes like stapling or punching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous reading and copying function is used to scan multiple documents, then scanning efficiency is improved, but the ability to set different image output conditions for each document set is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous scanning process into separate document sets, allowing independent image output condition settings for each set. The control unit stores multiple image data sets and their corresponding output conditions separately, enabling selective application of different printing parameters (color/monochrome, one-sided/dual-sided, 2-in-1/4-in-1) to different document groups while maintaining continuous scanning operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control keys are provided for different image output conditions, then user control flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control key that can trigger different image output conditions based on pre-stored settings associated with each document set. Instead of providing separate control keys for each condition (color start key, monochrome start key, etc.), a single control key references the stored image data and its corresponding output conditions, reducing the number of physical control keys while maintaining full functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate image output conditions are set for each document set, then user customization is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary setup by automatically storing image output conditions (color/monochrome, one-sided/dual-sided, 2-in-1/4-in-1 settings) in the control unit when documents are initially scanned and stored as image data sets. This pre-storation of conditions eliminates the need for users to manually reconfigure settings for each document set during operation, simplifying the user interaction to merely selecting from pre-configured options via the universal control key.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a document reader, a storage for storing image data, an image output unit and a control unit. The control unit includes: a function setup controller for setting up the image output conditions of output images; and a control-unit side controller having a function of displaying a function setup screen corresponding to the function setup controller, on a display panel. The function setup controller has an additional input mode having a function of reading documents a multiple number of times to form multiple sheaves of documents. The additional input mode includes: an individual setup function of setting up individual image output conditions for each sheaf of documents and an all-in setup function of setting up identical image output conditions for all sheaves of documents. When the additional input mode is set up, the control unit-side controller offers a display of a setup change suggestion of the image output conditions for the next input on the display screen at the stage where the first image data input has been completed.