Image Forming Apparatus Resolution Conversion for Bandwidth Bottlenecks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses face increased processing data amounts and memory requirements when handling image data of different resolutions, leading to insufficient data transfer bandwidth and memory capacity issues, especially when combining regular color and background pattern images.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a controller unit that stores and reports image format information, and resolution conversion units that convert image data to a common resolution without the need for magnification and storage in the controller memory, allowing the plotter engine to operate with uniform resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If image data items of different resolutions are stored in the controller unit memory, then memory capacity is saved, but the processing data amount increases and data transfer bandwidth becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory capacityVSAvoiddata transfer bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the resolution conversion function into separate resolution conversion units for each image creating station, rather than processing all images uniformly in the controller. This segmentation allows each unit to convert its specific image data to the appropriate resolution independently, reducing the overall processing burden on the controller and improving data transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs resolution conversion in advance at the resolution conversion units before data is transferred to the controller memory. By converting image data to the required resolution beforehand, the controller receives data that is already in the appropriate format, eliminating the need to store and process multiple resolution versions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If image data items are magnified in the controller unit and written into controller memory, then resolution matching is achieved, but processing data amount increases and memory capacity is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresolution matchingVSAvoidmemory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the resolution conversion function from the controller unit and places it in dedicated resolution conversion units at each image creating station. This extraction allows resolution matching to be performed locally and independently, so that only the final converted data needs to be stored in the controller memory, significantly reducing memory capacity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The resolution conversion units act as intermediaries between the image creating stations and the controller unit. These intermediary units perform the resolution conversion task, transforming image data to the appropriate resolution before transmission to the controller, thereby preventing the controller from needing to handle and store multiple resolution versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If all image creating plates are operated by the same resolution through magnification, then uniform resolution is achieved, but processing performance declines due to insufficient data transfer bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform resolutionVSAvoidprocessing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different resolutions to different image creating stations based on their specific requirements. Each image creating station has its own resolution conversion unit that converts its image data to the appropriate resolution, allowing each station to operate optimally rather than forcing all stations to use a uniform high resolution, thereby improving overall processing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8743417B2Image forming apparatus configured to generates composite image having same resolution, from images having different resolutions, image forming method, and integrated circuit

Publication Date: 2014.06.03 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An image forming apparatus is for forming an image with the use of image data items having different resolutions that are input to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a controller unit configured to store the image data items having different resolutions, and report image format information of the image data items; resolution conversion units configured to convert the image data items having different resolutions acquired from the controller unit to have the same resolution, based on the image format information reported from the controller unit; and an image forming unit configured to form the image with the use of the image data items that have been converted by the resolution conversion units to have the same resolution.