Print Control Apparatus Paper Size Detection and Scaling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing technologies fail to ensure appropriate image sizing when the paper size set by the user differs significantly from the actual paper size detected by the printing apparatus, leading to inappropriate image printing.

Innovation Solution

A print control apparatus and method that acquires the candidate size of the print medium using a sensor, determines if the print medium size is set as a print setting, and adjusts the image size accordingly, either matching the set size or the detected candidate size to ensure appropriate printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the print control apparatus automatically scales the print target image based on the paper width detected by the sensor, then the printing process is simplified and user operation is reduced, but the image size becomes inappropriate when the detected paper size greatly differs from the set paper size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser operation for selecting paper sizeVSAvoidimage size accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system compares the automatically detected paper size with the user-set paper size and uses this feedback to determine whether to proceed with automatic scaling. When the sizes match or are substantially equal, automatic scaling is performed; when they differ significantly, the system notifies the user and waits for confirmation, thus resolving the contradiction between automation and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The scaling behavior is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adapts its scaling operation based on the comparison result between detected and set paper sizes. When sizes match, automatic scaling is enabled; when they differ, the system dynamically switches to a confirmation mode, allowing the user to override the automatic behavior if needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the print control apparatus uses the detected paper size to scale the image, then printing on various paper sizes is facilitated, but inappropriate images are printed when the set paper size greatly differs from the detected size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting on various paper sizesVSAvoidprint appropriateness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback by comparing detected paper size with user-set paper size and notifies the user when they differ significantly. This feedback mechanism ensures reliability by preventing inappropriate printing while maintaining adaptability for genuine size variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The notification and confirmation process acts as an intermediary between automatic detection and image scaling. When the detected size greatly differs from the set size, this intermediary step allows the user to verify whether the size change is intentional, thus ensuring print appropriateness while preserving versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the system notifies the user when detected paper size greatly differs from set size, then print appropriateness is improved, but the printing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint appropriatenessVSAvoidprinting process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification is triggered only when the detected paper size greatly differs from the user-set size, not for all size variations. This partial action approach maintains reliability for critical cases while avoiding unnecessary complexity for routine size variations, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and process simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Manufacturing precision

If the print control apparatus requires user confirmation when paper sizes differ greatly, then image sizing accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases due to additional user interaction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage size accuracyVSAvoidprinting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

User confirmation is required only in partial cases where the detected paper size greatly differs from the set size. For routine size variations or matching sizes, the system proceeds with automatic scaling without additional interaction, thus maintaining productivity while ensuring accuracy when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic paper size detection and comparison without requiring user intervention for every printing task. User confirmation is only requested when necessary, allowing the system to serve itself for routine operations while maintaining accuracy for exceptional cases, thus balancing productivity and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9254693B2Print control apparatus, print control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2016.02.09 CANON KK

AI summary

If a print medium size is set as a print setting for print target data, a print control apparatus causes a printing unit to print an image with a size corresponding to the print medium size based on the print target data. If the print medium size is not set as the print setting, the print control apparatus causes the printing unit to print an image with a size corresponding to a candidate print medium size obtained by a sensor detecting the size of the print medium.