Image Forming Apparatus Anticipation Cache Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In resource-deficient image forming apparatuses, generating image data for preview displays is hindered by the need to process anticipation caches, leading to increased waiting times for users, especially when dealing with time-consuming file types like PDFs.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus determines if image data is cached and skips or interrupts generation for anticipation caches of files that require longer processing times, allowing for immediate preview display of cached data and concurrent processing of subsequent image data requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If image data is generated in order starting with targets for which there was an image data generation request, then processing order is maintained, but preview display waiting time increases when anticipation cache processing is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating anticipation cache image data in advance for files that are likely to be requested. This allows the preview display to be shown immediately when a user requests it, without waiting for the image data generation to complete. The control unit determines whether to display the preview based on whether the image data generation is complete, and if not, displays the anticipation cache to reduce waiting time.
2Productivity
If image data generation processes are executed in parallel, then processing efficiency improves, but resource-deficient apparatuses cannot handle multitasking control
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the image data generation process into two distinct parts: the main image data generation process and the anticipation cache generation process. These segmented processes can be executed independently and in parallel, allowing the resource-deficient apparatus to handle multiple operations simultaneously without requiring complex multitasking control. The control unit manages these segmented processes by determining whether to display preview based on completion status.
3Ease of operation
If anticipation cache is generated for all file types, then future preview performance improves, but processing time for resource-intensive files like PDF increases user waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by differentiating the anticipation cache generation approach based on file type characteristics. For resource-intensive file types like PDF, the system generates anticipation cache with lower processing requirements or selectively generates it only when beneficial. The control unit determines whether to display preview based on whether image data generation is complete, allowing flexible handling of different file types with appropriate processing strategies.
Data Source
AI summary
The image forming apparatus comprises a determination unit configured to determine whether or not corresponding image data is cached in accordance with an instruction for generation of image data for the file stored in the memory, and an image processing unit configured to generate image data for the file in a case that the determination unit determines that the corresponding image data is not cached. The image forming apparatus controls to skip generation of image data by the image processing unit in a case that the instruction for generation of image data for the file is an instruction for an anticipation cache of image data for the file, and a file type of the file is a second type requiring, for generation of image data, a longer amount of time than a first type.