Image Forming Apparatus Dual Processor Arbitration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The processing time is excessively long in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses due to the large number of light emitting elements, which requires significant time to access and adjust parameters, leading to inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a storage unit accessed by both a first and second processor, where the arbitration unit controls the second processor to access the storage unit during critical processing periods, allowing faster data transfer and reducing processing time by utilizing a higher-speed interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If parameters of each light emitting element are stored in a register for adjustment, then light emission uniformity is improved, but processing time increases due to large data volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single register into multiple registers (first register and second register) to segment the storage of parameter data. The first register stores parameters for a first plurality of light emitting elements, while the second register stores parameters for a second plurality of light emitting elements. This segmentation allows parallel access and processing of parameter data, reducing the overall processing time while maintaining the ability to adjust each element's light emission for uniformity.
2Device complexity
If a single processor accesses the register for parameter adjustment, then system complexity is reduced, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple processors (first processor and second processor) to simultaneously access different registers. The first processor accesses the first register while the second processor accesses the second register in parallel. This merging of processing resources increases the overall processing speed for parameter adjustment without significantly increasing system complexity, as each processor handles a specific subset of parameters independently.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a storage unit, a first processor, a second processor, and an arbitration unit. The storage unit stores control information related to at least one parameter of light emission of each of a plurality of light emitting elements that irradiate a photoconductor with light. The first processor accesses the storage unit. The second processor accesses the storage unit and accesses faster than the first processor. The arbitration unit controls the second processor to access the storage unit in a first period during which predetermined processing is performed. In a second period other than the first period, the arbitration unit controls the first processor to access the storage unit.