Image Forming Apparatus Custom Sheet Size Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses require users to manually register user-defined sheet sizes and settings, which is cumbersome and involves multiple steps, especially when switching between different sheet sizes.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with firmware that includes a registration unit for user-defined sheet sizes, an acceptance unit for user instructions, and a control unit for managing printing based on selected sheet sizes, allowing for streamlined registration and selection of user-defined sheets directly within the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users manually register user-defined sheet sizes and settings through multiple steps, then the apparatus can support custom sheet sizes, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus automatically detects the sheet size by reading the sheet itself, eliminating the need for users to manually input dimensions. The system serves itself by using the physical sheet as the source of size information, thereby simplifying the registration process while maintaining support for custom sheet sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus performs automatic sheet size detection and registration before the printing operation begins. By preparing the sheet size information in advance through automatic detection rather than manual input, the system reduces the operational steps required during actual printing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users manually input sheet dimensions and match them with tray settings, then printing on user-defined sheets becomes possible, but the process requires multiple coordination steps between PC driver and apparatus settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sheet size detection function from the PC driver environment and relocates it to the image forming apparatus itself. The apparatus independently detects and registers sheet sizes without requiring coordination with external driver software, thereby simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining custom sheet printing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus introduces an automatic detection mechanism as an intermediary between the user and the sheet size registration process. This intermediary automatically reads and interprets sheet dimensions, eliminating the need for manual coordination between PC driver settings and apparatus tray settings.
3Ease of operation
If the apparatus automatically detects sheet size and transmits it to the printer driver, then sheet size registration is simplified, but the system requires communication infrastructure between apparatus and driver
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs sheet size detection and registration as a self-contained operation without requiring communication with external systems. The detection result is used directly within the apparatus, eliminating the need for transmission to the printer driver and the associated communication infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a control method for an image forming apparatus including firmware and an application operating on the firmware, the control method including registering a size of a defined sheet in a storage unit in accordance with a user operation under control of the firmware, accepting a selection instruction of the registered size of the defined sheet in accordance with the user operation under control of the application, and control printing using the defined sheet having the size according to the selection instruction under the control of the firmware.