Image Forming Apparatus Association Without ID
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming technologies cannot associate and compose differences between image data from originals lacking identification information, limiting the ability to link such data with corresponding image data.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus and method that includes a reading unit, memory, and processor to specify image data from a comparison source document, extract differences, and create a composite image by comparing image data from the source with other documents, even if they lack identification information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If identification information is used for association between images, then image data can be associated with other image data, but image data from originals without identification information cannot be associated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces position information as an intermediary element to enable image association. Instead of relying solely on identification information, the system uses the physical position where the original is placed on the reading unit as a mediator to link image data. This allows originals without identification information to be associated through their position data, resolving the contradiction between association reliability and adaptability to diverse original types
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal association mechanism that works with both originals having identification information and those without. By implementing a dual-mode association system that can use either identification information or position information (or both), the system achieves multi-functionality. This universal approach allows the same image forming apparatus to handle various types of originals uniformly, improving both reliability and adaptability
2Measurement precision
If identification information is required for difference extraction, then accurate difference composition is achieved, but processing cannot be performed on originals without identification information
Solution Approach 1:
Position information serves as an intermediary that enables difference extraction for originals lacking identification information. The system uses position data to match and associate image data, allowing the difference extraction process to proceed based on spatial correspondence rather than relying exclusively on identification markers. This maintains measurement precision while expanding adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for association from solely identification information to include position information. By introducing position coordinates as a key parameter for image matching, the system can perform difference extraction on a broader range of originals. This parameter change enables the processing capability to extend to originals without identification information while maintaining accurate difference composition through position-based alignment
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus comprises a reading unit that reads a document sheet, specifies image data of a comparison source document sheet, among image data of document sheets read by the reading unit; extracts a difference by comparing the image data of the specified comparison source document sheet, and image data of each of other document sheets included in the read document sheets; and creates a composite image by composing the extracted difference and the image data of the comparison source document sheet.