Character Frequency Font Caching for Memory-Limited Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for managing font cache storage regions in data processing systems do not effectively utilize character use frequency to optimize storage, leading to potential memory shortages and reduced usage rates, especially when handling documents with large numbers of characters.
Innovation Solution
A data processing system that calculates character use frequency and generates priority information to determine font cache storage based on character priority, storing frequently used fonts with higher priority and deleting lower-priority fonts when memory is full to maintain efficient use of font cache storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If font cache storage region is expanded to store more character bitmaps, then the capacity for storing font caches is increased, but the memory usage increases and may lead to memory shortages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of font cache management from static allocation to dynamic allocation based on character use frequency. The controller calculates use frequency of each character and dynamically adjusts which character bitmaps are stored in the font cache storage region, thereby optimizing memory usage while maintaining sufficient storage capacity for frequently used characters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a mechanism where character bitmaps that are not frequently used are deleted from the font cache storage region to free up memory space. When such characters are needed again, their bitmaps are regenerated or retrieved, thus recovering memory resources for more critical uses while maintaining the ability to access all characters when needed.
2Productivity
If all character bitmaps are stored in font cache storage region, then the usage rate of font cache is maximized, but the memory consumption increases and may cause memory shortages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of different characters based on their use frequency. Frequently used characters are prioritized for storage in the font cache storage region with higher priority, while less frequently used characters are stored with lower priority or not stored at all. This creates a non-uniform distribution of storage resources that optimizes both usage rate and memory consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the parameter of character use frequency to dynamically determine which character bitmaps are stored in the font cache. By calculating and comparing use frequencies, the system adapts the font cache content to match actual usage patterns, thereby maximizing the usage rate of stored fonts while minimizing memory consumption by excluding rarely used characters.
3Ease of operation
If character bitmaps are stored without priority differentiation, then the storage management is simple, but the efficiency of font cache utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by calculating the use frequency of each character based on actual printing operations and using this information to dynamically adjust the font cache storage strategy. The controller continuously monitors character usage patterns and adjusts which character bitmaps are retained in the font cache storage region, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes utilization efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making.
Data Source
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AI summary
An information processing apparatus (3) calculates use frequency of the character of a same font name and a same font size, with respect to a plurality of characters in a text document, generates print data, including priority information indicating priority of each character in order of the use frequency, and the text document, and transmits the print data to an image forming apparatus (2). The image forming apparatus (2) determines a character to be drawn, upon receipt of the print data, generates a font cache of the character to be drawn and stores the font cache in a region in the font cache storage region (211) corresponding to the priority of the character to be drawn, when the font cache storage region (211) has a vacant capacity, and deletes the font cache of a character lowest in priority, from the font cache storage region (211), when the font cache storage region (211) is without vacant capacity.