Image Forming Apparatus Collection Setting Change Without Quality Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses degrade print quality when changing collection settings for print data generated by external apparatuses, as they require conversion of print data into image data, leading to a decrease in resolution.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a receiving unit, control unit, acquisition unit, division unit, instruction unit, and layout unit that allows for changing collection settings without degrading print quality by dividing drawing commands and re-laying out print data based on user instructions, using information about the collection setting and coordinate information within the print data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If print data is converted into image data to determine and cancel collection printing, then the collection setting can be changed, but the image data is enlarged in accordance with sheet size resulting in print quality degradation due to decrease in resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the print data processing by separating the collection setting cancellation function from the image data conversion process. Instead of converting all print data to image data, the system divides and processes only the necessary portions (collection setting information) while maintaining the original print data in its native format, thereby avoiding resolution degradation while still enabling collection setting changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the collection setting information from the print data without requiring full conversion to image data. By taking out only the necessary metadata and layout information needed to determine and cancel collection printing, the system avoids the quality degradation that would result from enlarging complete image data while still achieving the desired functionality.
2Ease of operation
If print data is converted into image data to perform processing, then collection printing determination can be performed, but resolution decreases leading to print quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The processing is segmented into two parts: collection printing determination (which only requires metadata and layout information) and print data rendering. The system performs determination using extracted information without converting the entire print data to image data, thereby maintaining resolution while enabling collection printing determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary extraction of collection setting information from print data before any conversion or processing that might degrade quality. This preliminary action allows the system to determine collection printing status using the original high-resolution print data, avoiding the need to convert to lower-resolution image data for determination purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller in an image forming apparatus, which stores print data generated based on a collection setting received from an external apparatus and performs printing in response to an instruction from a user, acquires information about the collection setting of the print data, uses information about the collection setting and coordinate information contained in each of drawing commands included in the print data to divide the drawing command for each page, and lays out, when an instruction to change the collection setting has been issued to the print data by the user, the divided drawing commands based on the instruction to change the collection setting.