Image Data Transmission Unit Error Check Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming systems face challenges in transmitting monochrome image data at high speeds while maintaining low overhead and preventing image quality deterioration, especially when error check codes are used for retransmissions, due to signal degradation and increased processing load.

Innovation Solution

The system employs an image-data transmission unit that adds error check codes to image data and transmits them through a color machine's transmission path, allowing for efficient retransmissions by calculating and comparing error check codes in both a first unit (e.g., image write line) and a second unit (e.g., pixel or packet) using different lanes, and switching between monochrome and color machine systems based on speed, enabling real-time transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If error check codes are added to image data for reliable transmission, then transmission reliability is improved, but transmission overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides error check code calculation into two units: a first unit (e.g., image write line) and a second unit (e.g., pixel or packet). By segmenting the error checking process, the system can perform quick error detection on small units without adding excessive overhead to the entire transmission, thus maintaining reliability while controlling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial error checking by calculating error check codes on a per-pixel or per-packet basis rather than for the entire image data stream. This partial action approach provides sufficient error detection capability for reliable retransmission while avoiding the excessive overhead that would result from checking entire lines or pages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If error check codes are calculated and compared for every transmission unit, then transmission reliability is improved, but processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the error detection process into two hierarchical levels: a first unit (image write line) for comprehensive error checking and a second unit (pixel or packet) for rapid error identification. This segmentation allows the system to perform detailed error analysis only where necessary, reducing overall processing load while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary error check code calculation on the second unit (smaller granularity) before final verification on the first unit. This preliminary action enables early detection of errors in small segments, allowing the system to quickly identify problematic areas without processing the entire data stream at full detail, thus reducing processing load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If retransmission is performed on image write line basis when errors occur, then transmission reliability is improved, but transmission speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror correction capabilityVSAvoidtransmission speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the retransmission unit from the error detection unit. Error detection is performed on small second units (pixels or packets), but retransmission is optimized by determining the minimal necessary portion to resend. This segmentation allows rapid error identification without requiring retransmission of entire image write lines, thus maintaining reliability while improving transmission speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial retransmission by identifying and retransmitting only the specific second units (packets or pixel groups) that contain errors rather than retransmitting entire image write lines. This partial retransmission approach maintains error correction capability while significantly reducing the amount of data that needs to be retransmitted, thereby improving overall transmission speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Adaptability or versatility

If monochrome image data is transmitted through color machine lanes, then device versatility is improved, but signal degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidsignal degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments monochrome image data into multiple parallel transmission channels (lanes) originally designed for color data. By dividing the monochrome data stream across multiple lanes, the system maintains compatibility with color machine infrastructure while reducing the data load on each individual lane, thereby minimizing signal degradation and enabling high-speed transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10009506B2Image forming system, image-data transmission unit, and image-data transmission method
Publication Date: 2018.06.26 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

An image forming system includes: an image-data transmission unit that transmits image data; and an image-data receiving unit that receives the image data, the image-data transmission unit being connected to the image-data receiving unit through a transmission path having lanes used for a color machine, at the time of image data transmission, the image-data transmission unit adding an error check code to image data, and transmitting the image data to the image-data receiving unit, in a first unit of the image data, the image-data receiving unit calculating an error check code in the first unit, comparing the calculated error check code with the error check code transmitted, and when the calculated error check code disagrees with the error check code transmitted, transmitting an error to the image-data transmission unit, and when the image-data transmission unit receives the error, the image-data transmission unit retransmitting image data corresponding to the error.