Web Page Clip Image Auto-Update Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Saved clip images from web pages do not reflect updated objects, requiring users to manually re-specify ranges on updated web pages, leading to cumbersome operations as updates become more frequent.

Innovation Solution

An image forming control method and apparatus that automatically updates stored object information with the latest web page data, allowing for seamless printing or browsing of updated objects without manual intervention, using a computer-readable medium with an image forming control program that includes object information storage, update, and image forming control units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If clip images are saved from web pages, then users can browse or print saved clip images in the future, but the saved clip images do not reflect updated objects on the web pages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of saved clip imagesVSAvoidtime for manual re-specification

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing not only the clip image data but also metadata including the URL and timestamp of the source web page. This preliminary storage of source information enables automatic updating later without requiring user intervention to re-specify the clipping range, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining accurate clip images and avoiding time loss from manual re-specification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where it periodically checks the source web page (using stored URL and timestamp) to detect updates. When updates are detected, the system automatically updates the clip image data. This feedback loop ensures clip images remain accurate while eliminating manual re-specification time, resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If users manually re-specify ranges on updated web pages to get latest objects, then clip images are updated, but operations become cumbersome as update frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrency of clip image dataVSAvoiduser operations required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting web page updates and updating clip images without user intervention. The stored metadata (URL, timestamp) enables the system to autonomously retrieve updated content and refresh clip images, maintaining data currency while eliminating cumbersome manual operations entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic update mechanism uses feedback from the source web page (comparing current state with stored timestamp) to trigger updates only when necessary. This feedback-driven approach ensures clip images remain current while minimizing user operations to zero, resolving the contradiction between data currency and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If automatic update functions are implemented, then updating clip images becomes simple, but computational load and unnecessary processes increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of update processVSAvoidcomputational load

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by performing only necessary update checks - comparing timestamps and detecting changes only when update operations are triggered by user interaction. This selective updating approach maintains simplicity for the user while avoiding excessive computational load from continuous or unnecessary update processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary storage of metadata (URL, timestamp, clipping parameters) that enables efficient update determination. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly assess whether updates are needed without excessive computation, achieving simplicity in update operations while minimizing computational load through intelligent pre-processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8826161B2Image forming control method and image processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

Various embodiments for forming an image of selected objects from a web page are provided. An example of an image processing apparatus comprises a web page display unit which, based on web page data supplied from a web page data source, is configured to display web pages on a web page display range present on the screen of a display apparatus, an object information storage control unit configured to control the storing of object information including information necessary to print selected objects from the web pages based upon a user selection in a storage unit, an object information update control unit configured to control updating of object information describing the stored object with object information describing the latest object corresponding to the stored object, and an image forming control unit configured to control the formation of images of objects on an output medium based on the stored object information.