Image Data Command Queue Segmentation in Storage Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage devices in image forming apparatuses experience fluctuations in image data reading/writing speed due to conflicts between simultaneous reading and writing operations, leading to inconsistent job execution speeds, such as print speed variations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a nonvolatile semiconductor storage with separate queues for image data and non-image data commands, where the processor prioritizes image data commands using the NVM Express standard, ensuring consistent image data reading/writing speeds even during conflicts by using distinct transmission paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If commands are stored in a single OS queue and processed one by one, then the storage device can handle all reading and writing requests, but image data reading/writing speed fluctuates due to conflicts with other data operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single OS queue into multiple queues: a first queue for image data commands and a second queue for other data commands. This segmentation allows image data operations to be processed separately from other data operations, preventing conflicts and maintaining consistent image data reading/writing speed while still handling all types of requests through the unified storage device.
2Productivity
If multiple functions operate in parallel, then the image forming apparatus can perform various tasks simultaneously, but reading and writing operations to the storage device conflict with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the command processing into separate queues based on data type: the first queue handles image data commands from functions like scanning and printing, while the second queue handles other data commands. This segmentation ensures that parallel function execution does not cause conflicts in storage operations, as each queue processes its specific data type independently, maintaining operation consistency across all parallel functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces queue structures as intermediaries between the parallel functions and the storage device. These queues act as mediators that organize and prioritize commands before they reach the storage device, ensuring that image data operations are processed consistently without interference from other data operations, thus maintaining reliability during parallel function execution.
3Device complexity
If image data and other data share the same queue, then the system structure remains simple, but job execution speed becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the command processing into separate queues: a first queue for image data commands and a second queue for other data commands. This segmentation increases structural complexity slightly but ensures consistent job execution speed by preventing conflicts between image data operations and other data operations, making the trade-off worthwhile for maintaining productivity consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a nonvolatile semiconductor storage configured to store image data and a processor configured to generate a command to be executed by the semiconductor storage. The information processing apparatus further includes a volatile memory configured to store the command generated by the processor in one queue of a plurality of queues that includes at least a first queue and a second queue. The semiconductor storage confirms the presence of a command stored in the first queue before confirming the presence of a command stored in the second queue. A command to be stored in the first queue is a first type of command related to image data.