Image Processing for Post-Processing Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses struggle to perform post-processing on printing sheets of different sizes without user intervention, often requiring cancellation of post-processing settings when sheets of incompatible sizes are detected.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a document reader, size detector, image processor, printer, and post-processors, which apply image processing such as rotation, enlargement/reduction, and margin adjustment to align the main scanning direction size of documents with a reference size, allowing post-processing to be performed automatically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If automatic rotation function is used to align documents, then post-processing can be performed on some document size combinations, but post-processing cannot be performed when document sizes are not compatible even after rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility of post-processingVSAvoiduser operation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary size detection and compatibility determination before printing. By detecting the size of each document in advance and determining whether post-processing is possible beforehand, the system can prepare appropriate handling methods in advance, avoiding the need for user intervention during the printing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects document sizes, determines compatibility, and executes appropriate processing without user intervention. The automatic sheet selection mode enables the system to self-manage the post-processing compatibility issue by selecting appropriate sheets or adjusting processing based on detected document sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If post-processing settings are maintained for documents with incompatible sizes, then processing continuity is improved, but post-processing cannot be executed due to size mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing continuityVSAvoidpost-processing execution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback to the user about post-processing compatibility based on detected document sizes. When documents of incompatible sizes are detected, the system notifies the user and can automatically adjust processing or sheet selection, ensuring both processing continuity and reliable post-processing execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes processing parameters automatically based on detected document sizes. When size incompatibility is detected, the system can change the sheet size parameter or processing mode parameter to ensure post-processing compatibility, maintaining both productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If user intervention is required to cancel post-processing settings for incompatible documents, then post-processing reliability is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepost-processing executionVSAvoiduser operation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically manages post-processing compatibility by detecting document sizes and making appropriate adjustments without requiring user intervention. The automatic sheet selection mode and compatibility determination enable the system to self-resolve size mismatch issues while maintaining post-processing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If automatic sheet selection mode is used, then adaptability to different document sizes is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument size compatibilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: document size detection, compatibility determination, automatic sheet selection, and processing parameter adjustment. By making the controller universal and capable of handling various document sizes and processing requirements through a single integrated system, the patent manages adaptability while controlling complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12206827B2Image forming apparatus and image forming method

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 SHARP KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes one or more controllers that control reading of a plurality of documents, an image processing, a printing, and a post-processing, wherein in a case where the post-processing is set, and when a main scanning direction size is alignable to a main scanning direction size of one of the documents by applying, to an image of each document, at least one of image processing among rotation in the unit of 90 degrees, enlargement/reduction, and margin increase/decrease adjustment, the controller allows to perform the post-processing by aligning the main scanning direction size of each image with respect to the alignable size as a reference size.