Multifunction Apparatus Clock Controller for Parallel Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multifunction apparatuses face challenges in executing parallel scan and print jobs without lowering the reading speed of the scanner unit, as high-speed data transfer through the image bus often exceeds its capacity, leading to data transfer failures and increased user waiting times.
Innovation Solution
A clock controller adjusts the image transfer clock frequency based on whether the scan job is executed independently or in parallel with other image processes, setting it to a lower frequency during parallel operations to manage data transfer and prevent bus overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the reading speed of the scanner unit is lowered to control data transfer amount through the image bus, then the data transfer amount is reduced and parallel execution becomes possible, but the user waiting time for scan job completion becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the image transfer clock to control data transfer timing. By adjusting the clock frequency, the system regulates when data is transferred through the image bus without changing the scanner's reading speed, thus maintaining high scanning performance while preventing bus overload during parallel operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the image transfer clock frequency based on operational conditions. When parallel image processes are detected, the clock frequency is lowered to reduce data transfer timing conflicts; when operating independently, the full frequency is maintained for optimal performance
2Reliability
If the frequency of the image transfer clock is lowered during parallel operations, then data transfer timing is controlled and bus overload is prevented, but data transfer speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The image transfer clock frequency is dynamically adjusted based on whether parallel operations are detected. The system switches between high frequency (when operating alone) and low frequency (when parallel operations occur), optimizing both speed and reliability according to operational context
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic data transfer synchronized to the image transfer clock. By controlling the clock frequency, the system creates regular transfer intervals that prevent bus overload while maintaining orderly data flow, ensuring reliable transmission without continuous high-speed conflicts
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunction apparatus that is capable of executing a scan job and another image process in parallel without lowering a reading speed of a scanner unit. A reading unit reads a document according to an execution instruction for a predetermined image process. An image processing unit applies the predetermined image process to image data obtained by the reading unit. A clock controller controls an image transfer clock for transferring the image data to the image processing unit from the reading unit. The clock controller sets a frequency of the image transfer clock to a predetermined frequency in a case where the predetermined image process is executed independently. And the clock controller sets the frequency of the image transfer clock to a frequency lower than the predetermined frequency in a case where the predetermined image process is executed in parallel with another image process that differs from the predetermined image process.