Imaging Device N-up Duplexed Printing Without Driver
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging systems require preprocessing of image data by a driver, limiting users without computer systems or necessary skills to create and print images, and necessitate loading and formatting images before printing multiple images on a single sheet.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device capable of creating images in N-up and/or duplexed formats without the need for preprocessing by a driver, using embedded processing to transform and store image data in a buffer for direct imaging, allowing image data to be provided via portable storage and processed without a computer system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If image data is preprocessed by a driver on a computer system, then images can be formatted for printing, but users without computer systems or necessary skills cannot create and print images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the image processing functionality from the computer system driver and relocates it to the imaging device itself. The imaging device now contains embedded processing capabilities to receive, format, and print images directly from portable storage devices without requiring a computer driver, thereby simplifying user operation while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device performs self-service by autonomously processing images received from portable storage devices. The device automatically formats multiple images for printing without requiring external computer intervention or user expertise in driver operations, enabling users to simply insert storage and initiate printing.
2Productivity
If multiple images are loaded and formatted on a computer system before printing, then multiple images can be printed on a single sheet, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires computer skills
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device performs preliminary formatting actions automatically upon receiving images from portable storage. Instead of requiring users to pre-load and format images on a computer, the device itself prepares the multiple images for printing on a single sheet, eliminating the time-consuming preliminary steps while maintaining the ability to print multiple images efficiently.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users must use a computer system to print images, then images can be processed and printed, but accessibility is limited to those with computer systems and skills
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device achieves universality by eliminating the requirement for a computer system interface. It can directly accept images from various portable storage devices and perform printing independently, making the imaging functionality accessible to a broader range of users regardless of their computer literacy or availability of computer systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Image data comprising multiple images is received at an imaging device. The image data does not need to be processed by a driver before it is received at the imaging device. A number of images to be included in an output group is determined. Image data for each of the images to be included in the output group is identified. The image data for images within the output group is transformed into an image-ready format to be imaged within an N-up grid. The transformed image data for each of the images within the output group is stored in a buffer at a memory location corresponding to a cell within the N-up grid to form at least one rendered page. One of the rendered pages having image data formatted in an N-up grid is transmitted to the marking engine for imaging.