Distributed Image Processing Control for High-Load Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems face challenges in efficiently distributing image processing tasks among multiple apparatuses, leading to bottlenecks in high-load printing operations, particularly in commercial printing where large data amounts are involved.

Innovation Solution

An image processing system that includes a control unit to determine and control the distribution of image processing tasks among multiple units based on the number of assignments, reducing the need for continuous management by specifying the processing units in advance through control information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If distributed processing is implemented with multiple image processing apparatuses, then processing capacity and productivity are improved, but the complexity of managing and assigning tasks to appropriate apparatuses increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidmanagement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each image processing apparatus autonomously determines its own availability status and communicates it to the control apparatus. The apparatuses self-manage their task assignments by receiving work distribution information and independently deciding whether to accept new tasks based on their current load and capabilities, eliminating the need for complex centralized assignment management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-establishes communication channels and availability status registration mechanisms before actual processing begins. Each apparatus pre-registers its capabilities and availability status, so when work needs to be distributed, the control apparatus can immediately query and assign tasks without complex real-time negotiation or management overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the control apparatus continuously manages and reassigns image processing tasks, then task distribution flexibility is improved, but the processing load on the control apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask distribution flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol apparatus load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous management, the system uses periodic status updates where apparatuses report their availability status at intervals. The control apparatus queries availability status periodically and distributes work in batches based on these updates, reducing the frequency of control operations while maintaining flexible task distribution capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where image processing apparatuses report their availability status back to the control apparatus. This feedback loop allows the control apparatus to make informed task distribution decisions based on current system state without needing to continuously monitor and manage all apparatuses, reducing control load while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If image processing apparatuses are assigned in advance without continuous management, then control apparatus load is reduced, but the ability to dynamically adjust to changing conditions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol apparatus loadVSAvoiddynamic adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts task distribution based on real-time availability status feedback from image processing apparatuses. The control apparatus queries current availability status before each work distribution decision and can reassign tasks based on changing conditions, maintaining dynamic adaptability while using periodic rather than continuous management to reduce control load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12493436B2Image processing system, control apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An image processing system includes a control unit configured to control distributed processing in which a plurality of image processing units distributively perform a plurality of pieces of image processing for performing printing by a printing apparatus, in which the control unit acquires the number of assignments, which is a unit number of pieces of image processing assigned to each of the image processing units, from a plurality of apparatuses including the image processing units, determines, based on the number of assignments, a combination of a plurality of the image processing units in charge of the distributed processing, and controls the determined image processing units to execute the distributed processing.