Image Forming Apparatus Automated Test Copy via Object Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses like MFPs, performing a test copy to confirm the quality of printed images is cumbersome, as users must select and reorganize pages, complicating the process and requiring unnecessary handling of documents.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a scanner unit, printer-control unit, storage device, and characteristic-extracting unit that extracts and prints specific page characteristics based on user selection, allowing for targeted test copies without reordering pages or refeeding documents, using a system-control unit to manage the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users perform traditional test copy by selecting and reorganizing pages manually, then image quality confirmation is achieved, but operational complexity increases and time is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically analyzes document pages and identifies those containing objects matching user-selected characteristics without requiring manual page selection or reorganization. The characteristic extracting unit autonomously performs object analysis and page identification, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring user intervention for page management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (physically selecting, removing, and reorganizing pages) with automated information processing. The characteristic extracting unit uses object recognition algorithms to identify pages, and the system-control unit automatically manages page selection and printing, substituting physical manipulation with digital automation.
2Quantity of substance
If users manually select and reorganize pages for test copy, then specific pages can be printed, but time is wasted on page handling
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary object analysis and page identification before the printing process. The characteristic extracting unit pre-processes all document pages, identifying which ones contain objects matching user-selected characteristics, so that when printing is initiated, the correct pages are already selected and ready, eliminating time-consuming manual handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously performs page selection and identification without requiring user intervention. The characteristic extracting unit automatically analyzes pages and the system-control unit automatically selects and prints the appropriate pages, allowing the system to manage itself rather than requiring continuous user involvement in page handling.
3Measurement precision
If traditional test copy process is used, then image quality can be confirmed, but document handling becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of page selection from the manual document handling process. The characteristic extracting unit isolates and identifies only the pages containing objects with user-selected characteristics, separating the selection function from physical document manipulation. This extraction simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for users to manually handle and reorganize documents.
4Measurement precision
If all pages are printed for test copy, then complete image quality check is possible, but paper waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and identifies only the specific pages containing objects that match user-selected characteristics, rather than processing all pages. The characteristic extracting unit isolates the relevant pages, allowing printing to be limited to only those pages, thus preventing paper waste while maintaining the ability to confirm image quality for the relevant content.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of printing all pages (excessive action), the system performs partial printing only on pages containing objects with user-selected characteristics. This partial action is sufficient for confirming image quality of relevant content while avoiding the waste associated with printing unnecessary pages.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image forming apparatus that solves a problem of work related to copying becoming complicated when a test copy is performed. The image forming apparatus according to this disclosure includes a scanner unit, a printer-control unit, a storage device, a characteristic-extracting unit, and a system-control unit. The printer-control unit executes a printing process of image data. The storage device stores image data of a document having plural pages that is read by the scanner unit. The characteristic-extracting unit, based on an extraction instruction to extract characteristics of an object, extracts characteristics of the object by object recognition of image data for each of the pages. The system-control unit, based on a selection instruction to select characteristics of the object, instructs the characteristic-extracting unit to perform the extraction, and instructs the printer-control unit to print image data of a page having the object characteristics that are extracted by the characteristic-extracting unit.