Image Control Circuit for Printer Page Memory Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing the image interval between pages, especially when using continuous sheets, as the processing time for parameter setting between images is insufficient, leading to bottlenecks and inability to sufficiently minimize the margin area.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a page memory, a buffer for temporary data storage, and an image control circuit that controls data transfer and processing, allowing faster data transfer to the buffer and slower data readout for image formation, enabling parameter setting for subsequent pages during the transfer of previous pages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the image interval is reduced to minimize margin area on continuous sheets, then the useful printing area is increased, but the processing time for parameter setting between images becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The image control circuit performs parameter setting for a subsequent page in advance during the data transfer period of the current page. Specifically, after image data for one page is transferred to the buffer, the circuit executes parameter setting for the next page before its data transfer begins, ensuring that parameter setting is completed beforehand and does not interfere with the reduced image interval
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous operation by overlapping the parameter setting process with the data transfer process. While image data for the current page is being transferred to the buffer, the control circuit simultaneously performs parameter setting for the subsequent page, eliminating idle time and ensuring continuous productive operation without requiring additional time intervals
2Productivity
If the image interval is set to about 1 mm to reduce margin area, then the sheet utilization is improved, but the parameter setting processing becomes a bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
Parameter setting for the subsequent page is executed in advance during the data transfer period of the current page. The image control circuit completes all necessary parameter configurations before the next page's data transfer begins, eliminating the processing bottleneck that would otherwise occur during the limited 1 mm image interval
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically schedules parameter setting operations to occur during periods when the data transfer is ongoing. The control circuit adapts its processing timeline to overlap parameter setting with data transfer activities, optimizing the use of available time resources and preventing processing bottlenecks
3Productivity
If data transfer speed is increased to match printer speed, then the throughput is improved, but the processing time for parameter setting between pages is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves continuous operation by overlapping parameter setting with data transfer operations. While image data is being transferred at high speed to the buffer, the control circuit simultaneously performs parameter setting for the next page, ensuring that both high throughput and sufficient processing time are maintained through parallel execution of these functions
Solution Approach 2:
Parameter setting for subsequent pages is performed in advance during the data transfer period of current pages. This preliminary action ensures that all parameter configurations are ready before the next page processing begins, allowing high-speed data transfer without compromising the quality or completeness of parameter setting
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention performs image processing on image data in units of pages stored in a page memory on the basis of parameter setting, transferring the image data to a buffer at a first speed, transmitting the image data, which is read out from the buffer at a second speed, to an image forming unit, and executing parameter setting for image processing performed when image data for a subsequent page is transferred after the image data for a single page has been transferred but before image data for the subsequent page is started to be transferred, wherein the first speed is faster than a second speed.