Duplex Scanner Thumbnail Selection for Resource Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional duplex scanners with sheet feeders require users to manually manage document placement and sorting, leading to inefficiencies in paper, toner, time, and energy usage, especially when scanning or copying mixed stacks of single-sided documents.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with a processor module, sheet feeder, image capturing assembly, display module, and operation interface that captures both sides of a document sheet in either single-sided or double-sided modes, allowing users to view and select images before processing, thereby avoiding unnecessary resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the scanner scans both sides of a document sheet in double-sided scanning mode, then the scanning speed and productivity are improved, but the user cannot view and select which images to process, leading to waste of paper, toner, time and energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning of both sides of the document sheet to generate thumbnail images, then displays these thumbnails on the screen before actual processing. This allows users to review and select which images need processing, avoiding waste of paper, toner, time and energy on unnecessary images while maintaining fast scanning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying thumbnail images of scanned pages on the screen, allowing users to see what has been scanned and make informed decisions about which images to process. This feedback mechanism enables users to avoid processing unwanted images, thereby reducing resource waste.
2Reliability
If the user manually rearranges and removes unwanted document sheets before scanning, then the quality of scanned images is improved, but the time and labor required are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates thumbnail copies of all scanned images and displays them on the screen. Users can review these thumbnail copies and select which full-resolution images to process, eliminating the need to manually sort physical documents before scanning. This reduces preparation time while maintaining the ability to ensure image quality through review.
3Productivity
If the scanner processes all scanned images without user selection, then the productivity is improved, but the waste of paper and toner increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning to generate thumbnails, then allows user selection before final processing. This preliminary action enables fast scanning of all documents while giving users control over what gets printed or copied, thereby reducing paper and toner waste without significantly impacting overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system empowers users to self-select which images to process by displaying thumbnails and allowing selection. Users can quickly review and choose only the necessary images for processing, reducing waste of paper and toner while maintaining high productivity through the efficient thumbnail review interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus includes a housing, a processor module, a sheet feeder, an image capturing assembly, a display module and an operation interface. The image capturing assembly captures both of first and second images of a document sheet, past a scan region and transported by the sheet feeder, and produces first and second image data representative of the first and second images in either a single-sided or double-sided scanning mode. The display module displays representation images of the first and second images. The operation interface receives user input and outputs a selection signal comprising information of selecting at least one of the first and second images. The processor module processes at least one of the first and second image data into output image data according to the selection signal.