Image Forming Apparatus Test PDL Data Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face high computation and communication loads when processing and updating test images due to large raster data sizes, which complicates the adjustment of print parameters.
Innovation Solution
An image forming control method and system that transmit test PDL data expressing a test image and print conditions via a communication device, with the image processing apparatus converting this data into job data including raster information, reducing the load on the image forming apparatus by processing and updating smaller registration data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image forming apparatus processes and updates test images directly with large raster data, then the test image processing capability is maintained, but the computation and communication loads become excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the test image data into two parts: registration data (small, defining image characteristics and print parameters) and raster data (large, actual image pixels). The image forming apparatus only processes and updates the small registration data, while the large raster data is generated on-demand from the registration data. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining full test image processing capability through registration data while minimizing computation and communication loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a compact copy (registration data) that contains only the essential parameters and characteristics needed to reproduce the full test image. Instead of transmitting and processing the complete raster data, the system transmits this small registration data copy, which can be used to regenerate the full test image at the apparatus. This copying approach maintains processing capability while dramatically reducing the data size that needs to be communicated and stored.
2Loss of information
If the image forming apparatus handles large raster data for test images, then complete image information is available, but the complexity of data management and updates increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential parameters and characteristics from the complete test image data, separating them into registration data that defines the image's properties (color patches, gradients, print parameters) without including the full raster pixel information. This extraction maintains all necessary image information for adjustment purposes while removing the redundant large-scale data, thereby reducing data management complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the image forming apparatus processes full raster data for test images, then accurate print parameter adjustment is enabled, but the communication data size becomes prohibitively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation from full raster pixel values to a compact set of defining parameters in the registration data (image type, color mode, gradient settings, print parameters). These parameters completely define the test image characteristics needed for accurate print adjustment. By changing from storing actual pixel values to storing generative parameters, the system maintains measurement precision for print parameter adjustment while reducing communication data size from megabytes to kilobytes.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor transmits, when a test print event occurs, test PDL data which is data expressing a test image and information on a print condition by a page description language to an image processing apparatus via a communication device. The processor receives job data including raster data expressing the test image and the information on the print condition from the image processing apparatus via the communication device in correspondence with the transmitting of the test PDL data. The processor causes a printing device to execute processing of forming the test image that is based on the raster data on a sheet according to the print condition in correspondence with the receiving of the job data.