Image Forming Apparatus Discarding Incomplete Data

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image processing apparatuses fail to prevent the printing of personal information when the reading and accumulation of image data are not fully completed during combined copying, leading to unnecessary copies and potential unauthorized use of personal information.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a reading unit, accumulating unit, combining unit, output unit, and discard determining unit that ensures printing only occurs when all specified originals are read and the image data is complete, discarding incomplete data to prevent unauthorized copying and wasteful printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the apparatus prints image data as soon as it is accumulated without verifying completion of reading all originals, then printing speed is improved, but personal information may be erroneously printed and unauthorized use may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidaccuracy of reading completion determination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by comparing the number of read originals with the predetermined total number before printing. This preliminary check ensures that all required originals are completely read and accumulated before the printing action is executed, preventing erroneous printing of incomplete data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the reading completion status and using this information to control the printing process. The determination unit receives feedback about whether the number of read originals matches the predetermined number, and this feedback controls whether printing should proceed or be inhibited.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the apparatus waits for complete reading of all originals before printing, then data accuracy is improved, but printing time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of image dataVSAvoidprinting delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by comparing the number of read originals with the predetermined total number before printing. This preliminary check ensures that all required originals are completely read and accumulated before the printing action is executed, preventing erroneous printing of incomplete data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the reading completion status and using this information to control the printing process. The determination unit receives feedback about whether the number of read originals matches the predetermined number, and this feedback controls whether printing should proceed or be inhibited.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the apparatus generates copies without verifying reading completion, then productivity is improved, but unnecessary copies are generated causing waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecopy generation speedVSAvoidwaste of printed material

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by comparing the number of read originals with the predetermined total number before printing. This preliminary check ensures that all required originals are completely read and accumulated before the printing action is executed, preventing erroneous printing of incomplete data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the reading completion status and using this information to control the printing process. The determination unit receives feedback about whether the number of read originals matches the predetermined number, and this feedback controls whether printing should proceed or be inhibited.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8405845B2Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer program product

Publication Date: 2013.03.26 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An accumulating unit accumulates image data of an original read by a reading unit. A combining unit combines the image data accumulated in the accumulating unit in a single printing sheet according to a predetermined copy mode. An output unit prints and outputs the image data according to the copy mode. An input unit receives an input of a read instruction. When a total number of originals read by the reading unit is smaller than a total number of originals specified in the copy mode and when the input unit does not receive an input of the read instruction within a predetermined time, a discard determining unit discards the image data accumulated in the accumulating unit, and finishes a printing process.