Image Processing Apparatus Reprinting with Stored Print Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing technologies, such as those in scanners, copiers, and multifunction peripherals, face challenges in reprinting documents with accurate print settings and collective printing of multiple units, as they often require re-reading barcodes on each document and cannot reproduce print settings effectively.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with an image storage unit, identification storage unit, detecting unit, and output unit that associates image IDs with medium and unit IDs, allowing for the detection and reproduction of print settings across multiple recording media, enabling efficient collective reprinting of documents with accurate settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If barcode detection is performed on each document for collective printing, then printing control can be achieved, but user workload increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting and storing barcode information from documents during the initial printing process. The print setting management unit stores the detected barcode along with print settings in advance, so that during reprinting operations, the system can directly retrieve pre-stored barcode information without requiring users to manually detect barcodes again, thereby reducing user workload and improving efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses copying by storing replicated barcode information and print settings in the print setting management unit. Instead of requiring users to re-detect barcodes on each document, the system creates and stores copies of the barcode data and associated print settings, allowing rapid retrieval and reproduction during reprinting operations without manual intervention
2Manufacturing precision
If print settings are not stored for reprinting, then storage complexity is reduced, but reprinting accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by dividing the storage function into specialized components: the print setting management unit stores barcode information, while the image storage unit stores document images. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high reprinting accuracy through dedicated storage of print settings without overwhelming overall system complexity, as each component has a specific, manageable function
Solution Approach 2:
The print setting management unit acts as an intermediary between the barcode detection process and the reprinting execution. It stores and manages the correlation between barcode information and print settings, serving as a mediator that enables accurate reprinting by retrieving the correct settings without requiring complex direct storage mechanisms in other system components
3Adaptability or versatility
If only command information is added to documents, then document processing is simple, but reprinting capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges barcode information with print settings information in the print setting management unit. By combining these previously separate data elements into a unified storage structure, the system enables reprinting capability while maintaining simple document processing. The merged information allows the system to retrieve both the command information and the associated print settings together, preventing loss of printing parameters
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus stores an input image and an image ID for identifying the image in association with each other, stores a medium ID for identifying a recording medium on which the image is printed n, a unit ID for identifying a print unit having a plurality of recording media, and an image ID of an image included in the print unit in association with each another, detects a plurality of medium IDs from at lease one recording medium, obtains image IDs of all images included in the print unit identified by the unit ID associated with the medium ID, obtains images associated with obtained image IDs, and outputs obtained images.