Image Forming System Exception Designation Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming systems cannot effectively designate exceptions to execution conditions for specific pages and repeatedly apply these exceptions to other pages, limiting flexibility in printing operations.

Innovation Solution

An image forming system with an acquisition unit for setting information, a first designation unit for specifying exceptions on specific pages, and a second designation unit for repeatedly applying these exceptions to other pages, allowing for flexible changes in printing conditions such as medium type and color mode across multiple pages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If exceptions are designated for each specific page individually, then printing flexibility is improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting flexibilityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the exception designation process into two distinct functional units: a first designation unit for specifying exceptions on particular pages, and a second designation unit for defining repetition patterns. This segmentation allows users to separately configure exception details and repetition parameters, reducing the complexity of managing exceptions across multiple pages while maintaining printing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action by enabling users to designate a repetition pattern (e.g., every N pages) in the second designation unit. This allows exceptions to be automatically applied at regular intervals across multiple pages, eliminating the need to manually configure each exception individually and significantly reducing operation complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Manufacturing precision

If manual exception designation is performed for each page, then printing precision is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting precisionVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by allowing users to pre-configure exception parameters and repetition patterns in advance through the two designation units. Once configured, the system automatically applies these exceptions to the appropriate pages during printing, eliminating the need for manual page-by-page configuration and significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining precise control over printing parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements copying by enabling the repetition pattern function, which automatically copies the designated exception settings to multiple target pages according to the specified pattern. This copying mechanism ensures consistent application of exceptions across pages while dramatically reducing the time required compared to manual configuration of each page individually.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If simple execution conditions are set, then system simplicity is improved, but adaptability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidhandling varied printing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by providing a configurable two-unit system where users can adjust the level of complexity based on their needs. The first designation unit handles specific page exceptions, while the second designation unit optionally handles repetition patterns. This dynamic structure allows the system to operate in simple mode for basic needs or expand to handle complex varied printing requirements, maintaining system simplicity while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11294611B2Image forming system for designating exception for specific page and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program
Publication Date: 2022.04.05 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • US11294611B2 patent drawing
  • US11294611B2 patent drawing
  • US11294611B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An image forming system includes an acquisition unit that acquires setting information indicating an execution condition which is set to execute printing from printing instruction information for giving an instruction for execution of the printing, a first designation unit that designates an execution condition which is different from the execution condition related to the setting information acquired from the printing instruction information as an exception for plural specific page images included in the printing instruction information, and a second designation unit that repeatedly designates the exception designated by the first designation unit every number of pages of the plural specific page images for plural page images other than the plural specific page images.