Image Processing Apparatus Fax Communication Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing apparatuses restrict document sheet reading processes when the separation distance between regulating portions exceeds a threshold, leading to unnecessarily long fax communication times, even after fax communication has started.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a conveying portion, regulating portions, and control logic that determines whether the output process is a fax transmission, allowing the reading process to proceed even if the separation distance exceeds the threshold, thereby preventing unnecessary restriction during fax communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reading process is restricted when the separation distance between regulating portions exceeds a threshold value, then document sheets are prevented from being conveyed in an inclined posture, but fax communication time becomes unnecessarily long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the reading process restriction conditional rather than static. The system dynamically adjusts whether to restrict reading based on real-time detection of document sheet presence and fax communication status. When a document sheet is detected and fax communication is ongoing, the reading process is allowed to proceed even if the separation distance exceeds the threshold, thus adapting the restriction rule to current operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of reading process execution from a fixed restriction based solely on separation distance to a flexible parameter that considers multiple conditions including document sheet presence detection and fax communication status. This parameter change allows the system to override the distance-based restriction when appropriate conditions are met, optimizing both conveyance accuracy and communication efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus (10) includes: a restriction processing portion (54) that, in a case where a difference between a separation distance between a pair of regulating portions (15) and a reference distance exceeds a threshold value, restricts execution of a reading process that reads image data of a document sheet place on a document sheet placing portion (11); a determination processing portion (52) that, in a case where an output process that outputs the image data read by the reading process is executed, determines whether or not the output process is a specific fax transmission process that establishes a communication connection for fax communication before execution of the reading process; and a prohibition processing portion (56) that, in a case where it is determined that the output process is the specific fax transmission process, prohibits restriction on the execution of the reading process.