Print Data Processing Apparatus Unnecessary Page Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing print data processing systems either waste paper by printing unnecessary details on extra pages or delete essential information, making it difficult for users to recognize missing content.

Innovation Solution

A print data processing apparatus and method that detects and deletes unnecessary pages containing only ruled line data without character information, adjusting the boundary boxes to exclude these pages from the print area, thereby preventing unnecessary printing on extra paper while ensuring necessary details are preserved.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If print data overrun the print area are printed on separate paper, then all print data are preserved, but extra paper is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreservation of print dataVSAvoidpaper waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and identifies pages containing only ruled line data without character data, separating them from necessary print pages. This allows the system to remove only the unnecessary ruled line pages from the print output, preserving character-containing pages while eliminating paper waste from empty pages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of substance

If a portion of print data which overruns the print area is deleted, then paper usage is reduced, but necessary details are also deleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereduction of paper usageVSAvoiddeletion of necessary details

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating between pages based on their content characteristics. Pages containing character data are identified as having high information value and are preserved, while pages containing only ruled line data are identified as low value and are removed. This selective approach ensures necessary details are kept while reducing paper usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of substance

If print data are processed to eliminate extra pages, then paper waste is reduced, but user awareness of deleted content decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereduction of paper wasteVSAvoiduser awareness of print content

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful action of deleting pages into a beneficial outcome by using intelligent detection. Instead of arbitrary deletion, the system detects pages with only ruled line data and removes them, while the presence of character data on other pages serves as a natural indicator to users that those pages contain important information worth printing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS8817289B2Print data processing apparatus and print data processing method

Publication Date: 2014.08.26 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A print data processing apparatus includes a memory which stores print data configured page by page. The print data processing apparatus further includes an unnecessary page detection portion configured to detect an unnecessary page from the print data stored in the memory. The unnecessary page includes ruled line data and does not include character data. Moreover, the print data processing apparatus further includes an unnecessary page deletion portion configured to delete, from the print data stored in the memory, the unnecessary page detected by the unnecessary page detection portion.