Image Forming Apparatus Preview Processing with Segmented Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-function peripherals require large storage capacities to manage and display preview images of multiple pages, which is inefficient and costly, especially when only a subset of pages needs to be processed and displayed.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus scans and processes one or more predetermined head pages, performs preview display, and then scans and processes subsequent pages only after user acceptance, utilizing a small-capacity storage device to store image data and perform image processing in stages, allowing for efficient use of RAM and non-volatile storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If preview images of all pages are stored and displayed, then complete preview functionality is achieved, but storage device capacity requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the document into head pages and subsequent pages, processing and displaying them separately. Only head pages are stored and displayed in the preview, while subsequent pages are processed and displayed only when needed, reducing storage requirements while maintaining essential preview functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs image processing for head pages in advance and stores them for preview display. This preliminary processing allows the system to display previews without storing all subsequent pages, reducing storage capacity requirements while maintaining preview reliability
2Reliability
If all pages are scanned and processed in advance, then complete document processing is achieved, but processing time and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments document processing into two phases: head pages are scanned and processed in advance for preview, while subsequent pages are scanned and processed only after user acceptance. This segmentation reduces initial processing time while ensuring complete document processing is eventually achieved
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary scanning and processing of head pages to enable preview display. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare essential document portions in advance without processing all pages, reducing initial processing time while maintaining processing completeness
3Device complexity
If a small-capacity storage device is used, then device cost and complexity are reduced, but the ability to store and display multiple page previews is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments preview content into head pages (stored and displayed) and subsequent pages (processed on demand). This segmentation allows a small-capacity storage device to support multi-page preview functionality by storing only essential head pages while processing subsequent pages when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic processing where subsequent pages are scanned and processed only after user acceptance of head pages. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt storage and processing resources based on actual user needs, enabling multi-page preview capability with limited storage capacity
Data Source
AI summary
An image scanning device scans one or plural document images of one or plural predetermined head pages, and a preview processing unit performs preview display of the document image(s) of the head page(s). After detecting a user operation to accept the document image on the preview display, the image scanning device scans a document image of a subsequent page to the head page(s), and the image processing unit performs the image process for the document image of the subsequent page. Further, the image processing unit performs a part or whole of the image process for the document image(s) of the head page(s) before the preview display. If a part of the image process is displayed before the preview display, the image processing unit performs a remaining part of the image process after detecting a user operation to accept the document image on the preview display.