Halftone Parameter Pre-Processing for GDI Printer First Page Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Color graphical device interface (GDI) printers face increased first-page printing time and reduced image quality due to the need for halftone characteristic parameter processing, which varies across different printers, leading to inefficient processing when the computer is not connected to the printer.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus saves halftone parameters from the image forming apparatus and performs halftone processing on intermediate data before connecting to the printer, then updates the parameters after connection to ensure accurate and efficient printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the computer waits for connection to the GDI printer before processing document content, then image quality and color accuracy are improved, but printing time of the first page is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprinting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The computer performs halftone processing on document content in advance using saved halftone characteristic parameters before the actual printing occurs. This preliminary processing allows the system to maintain image quality requirements while eliminating the waiting time that would otherwise occur during the first page printing after connection is established.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the computer uses fixed halftone characteristic parameters for all printers, then processing is simplified, but image quality and color accuracy are reduced due to different printer physical characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidcolor accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically acquires and saves halftone characteristic parameters from the connected GDI printer and uses these parameters for subsequent document processing. This self-service mechanism allows the computer to adapt to different printer characteristics without manual intervention, maintaining color accuracy while avoiding complex manual configuration processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4113272B1Image forming control method, device, apparatus, system, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 ZHUHAI PANTUM ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4113272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4113272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4113272B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image forming control method is applied to an image forming apparatus. The method includes, after the image forming apparatus is connected to an image processing apparatus, sending information related to a halftone parameter of the image forming apparatus to the image processing apparatus for storage, obtaining halftone-processed intermediate data that is to be printed sent by the image processing apparatus, and outputting the halftone-processed intermediate data that is to be printed to an image generator to perform an image forming operation.