Printing Apparatus Dynamic Positioning for Overlap Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing technologies face challenges in adding both number information differing from copy set to copy set and user information indicating a current user to a printing target image without overlapping, which can render both types of information unrecognizable due to being added to the same position.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus with a judging unit to determine whether to add user information and a determination unit to select appropriate positions for number information, ensuring they are added to distinct areas to prevent overlap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If both number information and user information are added to the printing target image, then the completeness of information is improved, but the position selection complexity increases and overlap risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of informationVSAvoidposition selection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing area is divided into multiple distinct position regions (first position, second position, third position, fourth position) corresponding to different corners or areas of the printing target image. Number information and user information are assigned to different positions based on the judging unit's determination, thereby segmenting the information placement space to prevent overlap while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If both number information and user information are added to the printing target image, then the completeness of information is improved, but the risk of information overlap increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of informationVSAvoidinformation recognizability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The judging unit performs preliminary judgment before adding information to determine whether user information should be added and which position should be used for number information. This preliminary determination ensures that number information and user information are assigned to different positions in advance, preventing overlap and ensuring both types of information remain recognizable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the same area is selected for both number information and user information, then the simplicity of operation is improved, but the recognizability of information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of operationVSAvoidrecognizability of information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The position assignment for number information is made dynamic based on the judgment result. When user information is added, the judging unit determines a different position for number information compared to when user information is not added. This dynamic adjustment ensures that even though the operation process remains simple, the information recognizability is maintained by avoiding overlap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10911633B2Printing apparatus, method of controlling printing apparatus, and storage medium for setting information to be printed

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 CANON KK

AI summary

A printing apparatus capable of adding number information differing from copy set to copy set, to a printing target image includes a judging unit configured to judge whether to add user information indicating a current user to a printing target image, and a determination unit configured to determine a position to which the number information is to be added, based on a result of the judgment performed by the judging unit.