Image Forming Apparatus Adjustable Size Document Enlargement
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Solution Overview
Problem
When scanning documents of irregular sizes in adjustable size mode, it is unclear which portion of the document to extract for enlargement, leading to unintended output, as the document size cannot be determined before scanning, and existing memory-efficient techniques fail to ensure the user's intended output.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a reading unit, storage unit, and control unit that determines the document size before scanning, allowing for either full-page or partial-page image data processing based on magnification settings, ensuring that only necessary image data is stored and processed, and allowing users to specify an output reference position for accurate enlargement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If only a portion of image data is stored in memory during scanning to reduce memory usage, then memory efficiency is improved, but the document size cannot be determined before scanning in adjustable size mode, making it impossible to ensure accurate extraction of the intended portion for enlargement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the document size before scanning begins. The control unit identifies the document boundaries and calculates which portions will be needed after enlargement based on the user-specified reference position and magnification ratio. This pre-calculation allows the system to prepare the exact extraction region in advance, ensuring accuracy while optimizing memory usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary portion of image data from the scanned document based on pre-calculated parameters. The control unit identifies and extracts specifically the region that will be displayed after enlargement, discarding unnecessary portions. This selective extraction reduces memory storage requirements while maintaining the ability to produce accurate enlarged images at the user-specified reference position.
2Reliability
If the entire page image data is written in storage unit, then the user's intended output is ensured, but memory usage increases and processing time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between necessary and unnecessary portions of the document image. Based on the user-specified reference position and magnification ratio, the system identifies the local region that requires processing and preserves high quality only for that area. Other regions are either discarded or processed at lower quality, optimizing both memory usage and processing efficiency while ensuring the intended output quality at the reference position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs partial action by scanning and processing only the necessary portion of the document rather than the entire page. The control unit calculates the exact area needed based on enlargement requirements and reference position, then scans and processes only that region. This partial processing reduces memory usage and processing time while still delivering the complete information needed for the user's intended output.
3Adaptability or versatility
If magnification setting is applied to adjustable size documents, then enlargement capability is provided, but it becomes unclear which portion should be extracted, leading to unintended output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by providing visual confirmation to the user about which portion of the document will be extracted and enlarged. The system displays a preview or indication of the extraction region based on the user-specified reference position and magnification ratio, allowing the user to verify that the correct area will be processed. This feedback mechanism ensures ease of operation by making the portion selection transparent and predictable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the control unit - that mediates between the user's magnification setting and reference position specification and the actual image extraction process. The control unit calculates and determines the exact extraction region, acting as an intelligent intermediary that translates user intentions into precise processing parameters, thereby eliminating ambiguity about which portion will be extracted.
Data Source
AI summary
When a reading operation in a magnification setting is performed, an image at a position intended by a user can be magnified and output, and an output product intended by the user can be provided in a similar manner in either case of a regular size mode and an adjustable size mode while an efficient memory use is realized.