Band-Based Decompression for Multi-Color Image Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face reduced print processing efficiency and increased costs when the number of simultaneous compression/decompression processes exceeds the available hardware resources, leading to inefficient use of resources and product specification restrictions.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a spool memory for storing compressed data for each color, a first decompression unit that sequentially decompresses data in units of bands, and an image forming unit that performs processing based on decompressed data, allowing for efficient decompression of multiple colors by switching between decompression targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of compression/decompression hardware resources is increased to handle more simultaneous processes, then the throughput and processing efficiency are improved, but the product cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image data is divided into multiple bands in the main scanning direction, and decompression is performed sequentially for each band. This segmentation allows the single JBIG core channel to process multiple color components by switching between bands, effectively multiplying the processing capacity without adding hardware resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The decompression process dynamically switches between different color component data (C, M, Y, K) within each band using a frame buffer. This dynamic switching enables one hardware channel to handle multiple decompression tasks sequentially, improving resource utilization and maintaining high throughput without increasing hardware complexity.
2Speed
If multiple JBIG core channels are allocated to each color component to ensure simultaneous decompression, then the decompression speed is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the image into bands and using a frame buffer to store intermediate decompressed data, the system allows sequential processing of multiple color components through a single JBIG core channel. This maintains decompression speed by preventing bottlenecks while avoiding the need for multiple parallel channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame buffer pre-stores compressed data for subsequent color components while the current band is being decompressed. This preliminary preparation allows the JBIG core channel to immediately switch to the next color component without waiting for I/O operations, maintaining high decompression speed with minimal hardware.
3Reliability
If compression/decompression hardware resources are used exclusively by one process, then the reliability of each process is improved, but the overall print processing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically allocates the JBIG core channel between different color components (C, M, Y, K) within a single process by switching between bands and using the frame buffer. This dynamic time-division multiplexing ensures the process remains stable and reliable while efficiently handling all color components, thereby maintaining high overall print processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Image data stored in a spool memory and respectively corresponding to a plurality of colors is read and sequentially decompressed, and image forming processing is performed based on the decompressed image data. In the decompression, the image data respectively corresponding to the plurality of colors is sequentially decompressed, switching between decompression target data in units of bands.