Image Forming Apparatus Partial Index Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in index printing, as they often produce unnecessary index prints when a large amount of image data is stored, leading to increased paper waste and resource utilization without considering the cancellation of index printing once the target image is found.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus is designed to print a portion of list information on a predetermined number of sheets and then interrupt the printing process, allowing the user to select whether to continue or cancel the remaining list information, thereby reducing unnecessary index printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If index printing is performed for a large amount of image data, then complete list information can be obtained, but unnecessary index prints are produced increasing paper waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelist information completenessVSAvoidpaper waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by printing only a predetermined number of sheets (e.g., 1 sheet) of index printing at a time instead of printing all list information at once. This allows users to check printed thumbnails and cancel further printing if the target image is found, thereby reducing unnecessary paper waste while still obtaining complete list information when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Loss of energy

If index printing is canceled after target image is found, then unnecessary index printing is reduced, but printed sheets are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidprinted sheets waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By limiting each index printing operation to a predetermined small number of sheets, the patent ensures that even if cancellation occurs after finding the target image, the waste is minimized to only the predetermined number of sheets rather than all planned index printing sheets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of information

If all list information is printed at once, then complete index printing is achieved, but time and resources are consumed unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelist information completenessVSAvoidprinting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the complete list information printing into multiple batches of predetermined number of sheets each. Users can cancel after the first batch if the target is found, significantly reducing printing time while still allowing complete information to be obtained if needed by continuing to print subsequent batches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11785162B2Image forming apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus incudes a printer and a controller. The controller causes the image forming apparatus to generate thumbnail images of a part of a plurality of pages of image data stored in an external storage medium, cause the printer to print onto one or more sheets the generated thumbnail images and index information corresponding to the printed thumbnail images, and then cause the printer to stop printing based on performing printing of the generated thumbnail images. In addition, a user is allowed to select whether or not to perform printing thumbnail images of pages of image data following the part of the plurality of pages of the image data.