Band Buffer Line Switching for Transparency Memory Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face memory shortages when processing print data that includes transparency processing data, as the required memory size significantly increases due to the need to hold destination, source, and alpha channel data, exceeding the limited memory capacity available in devices like printers and MFPs.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that includes a language analysis unit to determine if print data includes transparency processing data, and a number-of-line switching unit that adjusts the number of lines for rasterizing processing, reducing memory usage by halving the number of lines when transparency data is present, thereby optimizing memory allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transparency processing is performed to handle PDF data with transparency functions, then the image processing capability is improved, but the memory size required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processing into two distinct stages: a language analysis stage that identifies transparency processing requirements, and a rasterizing stage that performs the actual image conversion. This segmentation allows the system to prepare and allocate memory resources efficiently before the intensive rasterizing operation begins, preventing memory shortages during processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The language analysis unit performs preliminary analysis of the print data to determine whether transparency processing is required before the rasterizing process begins. This preliminary action enables the system to allocate appropriate memory resources in advance, ensuring that sufficient memory is available when transparency processing needs to be performed, while avoiding unnecessary memory allocation when transparency processing is not needed.
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of lines in band buffer is increased to improve rasterizing precision, then the image quality is improved, but the memory size required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the number of lines in the band buffer a dynamic parameter that can be adjusted based on processing requirements. The system can change the number of lines depending on whether transparency processing is being performed and based on the specific characteristics of the print data, allowing optimization of memory usage while maintaining necessary image quality for different processing scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an image forming apparatus, including: a language analysis unit for analyzing print data and generating data having an intermediate format between the print data and bitmap data generated based on the print data; an image processing unit for rasterizing the generated data having the intermediate format for each band by using the predetermined number of lines and generating the bitmap data; a memory for holding the data for which rasterizing processing is being performed by the image processing unit; a printing unit for performing printing based on the generated bitmap data; and a number-of-line switching unit for switching the number of lines of the band in the rasterizing processing of the image processing unit according to whether the print data is data that can include transparency processing data or not.