Preview Image Generation for Image-Repeat Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image-repeat printing, differences between the preview image and the image-repeat image due to calculation errors can result in broken preview images or white spaces, especially when the number of repeats increases, leading to a loss of original quality.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that includes an output image forming unit, a preview image generating unit, and a display unit, which generates and displays a preview image by arranging reduced images based on predetermined repeat conditions, ensuring they are adjacent without overlapping, and adjusts the size to match the preview image area, thereby improving faithfulness to the image-repeat image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thumbnail images are generated by reducing the original document image at a predetermined reduction ratio, then the preview image can be displayed on the display, but calculation errors occur causing differences between the preview image and the image-repeat image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thumbnail images as simplified copies of the original document image for preview display purposes. By generating thumbnails at a predetermined reduction ratio, the system creates lightweight representations that can be efficiently displayed while maintaining the essential visual information needed for preview functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reduction ratio parameter dynamically based on the number of repeats. When the number of repeats is large, a larger reduction ratio is applied to thumbnails to ensure they fit properly without overlapping, while when the number of repeats is small, a smaller reduction ratio maintains higher image quality. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between preview display capability and image arrangement precision.
2Productivity
If the number of repeats is increased, then more images are printed on one sheet, but calculation errors increase causing broken preview images or white spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the reduction ratio based on the number of repeats. The system continuously adapts the thumbnail generation parameters according to the current repeat configuration, ensuring that thumbnails are appropriately sized for any number of repeats while preventing overlapping and maintaining image integrity in the preview display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the system calculates the appropriate reduction ratio based on the number of repeats and displays the preview image accordingly. The preview display provides visual feedback to the user about how the final image-repeat output will appear, allowing users to verify image arrangement precision before printing.
3Area of stationary object
If thumbnail images are arranged adjacent to each other without overlapping, then the preview image fits the display area, but calculation errors cause parts of the preview image to be broken or white spaces to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the reduction ratio parameter to optimize both preview image area utilization and image completeness. By calculating the appropriate reduction ratio based on display area constraints and the number of repeats, the system ensures thumbnails are sized to fill the display area while maintaining complete, unbroken images without white spaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an output image forming unit that forms an output image from an image-repeat image which is obtained by arranging a plurality of input images on one recording medium based on predetermined repeat conditions, a preview image generating unit that generates reduced images of the input images, sets arrangement positions of the reduced images based on the repeat conditions, and arranges the reduced images in the arrangement positions in accordance with the repeat conditions, thereby generating a preview image, and a display unit that displays the preview image generated by the preview image generating unit.