Dotted Line Rasterization Error Correction via Path Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

PDF specifications are prone to positional shift errors during rasterization of dotted line patterns, leading to printing difficulties due to inconsistent RIP processing algorithms and software versions, which result in unintended dotted line configurations.

Innovation Solution

A page description data processing apparatus and method that includes an object confirming unit, a dotted line configuration estimator, and a path construction operator replacer to identify and correct dotted line patterns by replacing path construction operators with multiple operators based on estimated line element configurations, preventing line element generation near the end point of a path during rasterization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single path construction operator is used to define a dotted line pattern, then the path construction is simple, but positional shift errors occur during rasterization due to inconsistent RIP processing algorithms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath construction operatorVSAvoiddotted line pattern accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a single path construction operator into multiple path construction operators, where each operator defines a specific line element of the dotted line pattern. This segmentation ensures that each line element is precisely controlled and prevents positional shift errors during rasterization, as each segment is independently defined with exact start and end points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary calculation of the dotted line pattern configurations before rasterization, determining the exact positions and dimensions of all line elements in advance. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-definе multiple path construction operators with accurate parameters, eliminating positional shifts that would otherwise occur during the rasterization process due to algorithm inconsistencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If dotted line patterns are rasterized directly without preprocessing, then the processing speed is fast, but printing difficulties occur due to unintended dotted line configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverasterization speedVSAvoidprinting quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary processing of the dotted line pattern by calculating and determining the configurations of all line elements before rasterization. This includes computing exact positions, lengths, and intervals of each line element, and preparing multiple path construction operators in advance. This preliminary action ensures that the rasterization process can proceed quickly without reprocessing, while still achieving reliable and consistent printing results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate processing step that acts as a mediator between the original dotted line pattern definition and the final rasterization. This intermediate step involves calculating the dotted line pattern configurations and generating multiple path construction operators, which serve as an intermediary representation that is both faithful to the original design and optimized for reliable rasterization across different RIP systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If RIP processing algorithms vary across software versions, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision of dotted line patterns deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRIP processing compatibilityVSAvoiddotted line configuration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the dotted line pattern into multiple independently defined path construction operators, each representing a specific line element with precisely calculated parameters. This segmentation makes the pattern representation independent of RIP processing algorithms, as each segment is self-contained with explicit geometric definitions that any RIP system can interpret consistently, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision across different software versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation of the dotted line pattern from a single continuous path definition to multiple discrete path construction operators with explicitly defined parameters for each line element. This parameter transformation ensures that the essential geometric information is preserved in a format that is universally interpretable by different RIP systems, maintaining manufacturing precision while improving adaptability across software versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8467077B2Page description data processing apparatus, page description data processing method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2013.06.18 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

With respect to an object for stroking a path existing in page description data, the configurations of a plurality of line elements formed along the path are estimated based on a path construction operator and a dotted line pattern determining operator. The path construction operator is replaced with a plurality of path construction operators depending on the configurations of the line elements.