Image Transmission Apparatus Monochrome Mode Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing facsimile apparatuses face increased CPU processing load and hardware costs due to the need for color/monochrome conversion when transmitting images to mixed destinations, which also slow down user operations and complicate the reading process by requiring images to be read in both color and monochrome modes.

Innovation Solution

An image transmission apparatus that determines whether destinations capable of receiving color or monochrome data exist and transmits image data in monochrome mode to all destinations, eliminating the need for color/monochrome conversion and allowing images to be read in a single mode, thereby reducing CPU load and hardware requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If color/monochrome conversion is conducted before sending image data to monochrome destinations, then transmission compatibility is improved, but CPU processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission compatibilityVSAvoidCPU processing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent determines the destination type (monochrome or color) before conducting the broadcast transmission in advance, and prepares the appropriate transmission mode accordingly. By performing this determination beforehand, the system avoids the need for real-time color/monochrome conversion during transmission, thereby reducing CPU processing load while maintaining transmission compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of reading the document in color mode and then converting to monochrome for monochrome destinations, the patent inverts the approach by determining destination capabilities first and then selecting the appropriate reading mode from the beginning. This eliminates the conversion step entirely and reduces processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If hardware dedicated to color/monochrome conversion is installed, then CPU load is reduced, but apparatus cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCPU loadVSAvoidapparatus cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for dedicated hardware conversion systems with a software-based determination and control mechanism. By using the CPU to determine destination types and control the reading mode appropriately, the system eliminates the need for separate hardware conversion devices, thereby reducing apparatus cost while maintaining low CPU load during transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the same document is read in both color and monochrome modes, then transmission to all destinations is simplified, but reading time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission coverageVSAvoidreading time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs destination type determination before the broadcast transmission starts, and based on this preliminary information, selects the appropriate reading mode (color or monochrome) in advance. This ensures that the document is read only once in the most efficient mode while still being compatible with all destinations through intelligent routing and mode selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If color reading mode is used for all destinations, then image quality is improved, but data transmission size increases for monochrome destinations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddata transmission size

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different reading modes (color or monochrome) to different destinations based on their specific capabilities. By determining destination types in advance and selecting appropriate reading modes locally for each destination group, the system optimizes image quality for color destinations while minimizing data transmission size for monochrome destinations, avoiding unnecessary data overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7764392B2Image transmission apparatus

Publication Date: 2010.07.27 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC

AI summary

An image transmission apparatus, which is capable of transmitting image data via a network and via a public line, including an image data input section capable of inputting the image data in a color mode and in a monochrome mode; a destination designation section for receiving a destination designation of broadcast transmission; a determination section for determining whether a destination, which is incapable of receiving the image data transmitted via the network, is included in destinations having been received by the destination designation section; and a transmission control section which allows the image data input section to input the image data relating to the broadcast transmission in a monochrome mode, and transmits the image data to each destination of the broadcast transmission, when the determining section determines that the destination incapable of receiving the image data transmitted via the network is included.