Layered Color Map Wrappers for Fast Printer Runtime Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print systems face challenges in efficiently storing and converting color maps due to limited memory space in replaceable print components, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies in color conversion processes.
Innovation Solution
A novel layered wrapper-and-packet structure is introduced to store and locate DCT-type color maps on cartridge memories, allowing for quick construction of color maps at runtime by the printer controller, utilizing a combination of first and second level wrappers and packets, along with a recipe to facilitate efficient data compression and decompression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If color maps are stored on EEPROM memories in replaceable print components, then color conversion can be performed, but memory space is insufficient and cost per unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The color map data is segmented into multiple compressed components including channel maps, lookup tables, and difference tables. These segments are distributed across different memory locations and can be selectively loaded based on the specific color conversion requirements, allowing efficient use of limited EEPROM space while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where difference tables are stored within or alongside channel maps and lookup tables. The difference tables refine the color conversion data by applying corrections to the base lookup table values, enabling compact storage of complex color conversion information within the constrained memory capacity of replaceable print components.
2Quantity of substance
If color maps are compressed to fit limited memory space, then storage capacity increases, but color conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The color map data is pre-compressed and pre-organized into optimized structures including channel maps and difference tables during manufacturing. This preliminary processing reduces the data size for storage while maintaining the ability to perform efficient color conversion at runtime through rapid decompression and application of the pre-calculated conversion parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes through the use of difference tables that store correction values rather than complete color map data. By storing only the differences from a base lookup table, the system reduces storage requirements while maintaining color conversion accuracy. The base table and difference tables are combined during runtime to achieve the full color conversion function.
3Measurement precision
If complete color maps are stored in replaceable components, then color conversion accuracy is maintained, but memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential correction information needed for accurate color conversion by separating the color map data into a base lookup table and difference tables. The difference tables contain only the necessary correction values to adjust the base table for specific color channels and conditions, extracting only the critical precision information while discarding redundant data.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing complete color maps for all possible color conversions, the system stores partial color map data in the form of channel maps and difference tables. These partial structures are then combined and applied selectively based on the specific printing task requirements, providing sufficient accuracy for the intended application without the memory overhead of complete color maps.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory structure stores a plurality of color maps, the entity, when decompressed by a printer controller, comprising a plurality of first level wrappers, each first level wrapper including at least one characteristic to identify a corresponding color map, and a recipe to define and locate packets for constructing the color map, the recipe having at least one locator for each second level wrapper; and a plurality of second level wrappers of different types, each second level wrapper wrapping a corresponding packet.