Watermark Generation for Multi-Page Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in printing watermarks on multiple pages, making them difficult to distinguish, and require users to manually set watermarks for each print job, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when printing multiple documents or using shared printers.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that collects multiple pages onto one sheet and overlaps a specific mark, such as a watermark, with the print data, allowing for mirror-inversion and placement on the backside of the print medium, and using document information to automatically generate watermarks, ensuring easy identification without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple pages are reduced to one sheet for printing with watermark, then printing efficiency is improved, but the watermark becomes difficult to distinguish
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the watermark application process by applying different scaling factors to different elements: the print data is reduced to fit multiple pages on one sheet, while the watermark is scaled independently to maintain its original size and distinguishability. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of high printing efficiency and clear watermark visibility.
2Measurement precision
If watermark is printed on front face for face-down printing, then document identification is improved, but user convenience deteriorates as pages must be turned over
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional watermark placement approach for face-down printing. Instead of printing the watermark on the front face, the system detects face-down printing mode and automatically places the watermark on the back face of the printed sheet. This inversion allows users to identify documents without turning pages over, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining document identification capability.
3Measurement precision
If users set their own watermark for each print job, then document identification accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the system automatically generates and applies appropriate watermarks without requiring user intervention. The system extracts document information (title, author, date) and automatically creates watermarks tailored to each document and printing scenario. This eliminates the time-consuming manual watermark setting process while maintaining accurate document identification through context-aware watermark generation.
4Productivity
If watermark is printed in fine characters due to reduction, then printing efficiency is improved, but readability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality differentiation by treating the watermark as a special element requiring different processing than the main print data. While the print data is uniformly reduced to fit multiple pages, the watermark maintains its original size and quality characteristics in its specific location on the printed sheet. This localized quality preservation ensures watermark readability is not compromised by the overall reduction process.
Data Source
AI summary
In the image forming apparatus, a plurality of pages of data are reduced and created as collected data, and specific information corresponding to a sheet of print medium is created. The collected data and the specific information are edited in a data editing section and transmitted to a printing section. Even when a plurality of the pages of data is printed in a sheet after reduced, the specific information is printed on non-reduced condition, thus making it possible to print the specific information which is easily distinguished.