Scanning Software Extension for Mixed-Size Document Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard scanning drivers do not support mixed document size functions, requiring users to reposition documents of different sizes during scanning, limiting the functionality of scanning devices.
Innovation Solution
An application program that extends general-purpose scanning software to enable mixed document size settings, allowing simultaneous scanning of documents of varying sizes without repositioning, by adding the mixed document size function to the scanning function information and displaying advanced settings for this option.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard scanning driver is used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vendor-specific extension module as an intermediary between the standard scanning driver and the scanning device. This extension module acts as a mediator that adds mixed document size functionality without replacing the standard driver, thereby maintaining ease of operation while enhancing adaptability to vendor-specific features.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning system is designed to support both standard scanning functions and vendor-specific extended functions through a unified interface. The extension module enables the standard scanning driver to access additional capabilities like mixed document size scanning, making the system multi-functional while preserving compatibility with general-purpose software.
2Device complexity
If standard scanning driver is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning software is segmented into a standard scanning driver portion and a vendor-specific extension module. This segmentation allows the core standard driver to remain simple and compatible with multiple devices, while the extension module handles vendor-specific functionalities like mixed document size scanning, thus maintaining low device complexity while improving adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mixed document size function is added, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The extension module serves as an intermediary that transparently handles the complexity of mixed document size functionality. Users interact with the familiar standard scanning interface, while the extension module processes the advanced mixed document size features in the background, thus improving adaptability without degrading ease of operation.
4Productivity
If mixed document size function is added, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The functionality is segmented into standard and extended portions, allowing the mixed document size feature to be added as a separate extension module. This modular approach enables productivity improvement through enhanced scanning capabilities while keeping the core device complexity manageable through clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension module performs preliminary setup and configuration for mixed document size scanning, automatically detecting and adapting to different document sizes in the feed. This preliminary action enables high productivity by eliminating the need for manual repositioning, while the complexity is contained within the extension module rather than the core scanning system.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores an application program which causes an information processing apparatus to perform a control method, the application program supporting scanning software which is able to be used with a plurality of image processing apparatuses supplied from a plurality of manufacturers. The control method includes displaying a display screen that accepts a mixed document size setting for scanning when a feeder is specified as a document scan source, and outputting a scan instruction to an image reading device that executes scanning based on the setting accepted on the display screen.