Image Generation Control Apparatus for Consistent Hybrid Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hybrid workflow systems face challenges in ensuring consistent output results between offset and digital printers due to differences in raster image processor engines, leading to variations in font, color tone, and layout, and existing solutions either prolong processing time or fail to address overall printing properties.
Innovation Solution
An image generation-output control apparatus and method that employs a server to control multiple processes, generating compatible image drawing information for both offset and digital printers, ensuring consistent output by using circuitry with compatible capabilities to instruct image forming operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different RIP engines are used for offset and digital printers, then each printer can operate independently with its own processing capabilities, but the output results differ in font, color tone, and layout
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the server-side image drawing information generation capabilities within the image generation-output control apparatus. By replicating the same image processing logic and algorithms used by the server, the apparatus can generate identical image data locally, ensuring consistent output across different printer types while maintaining independent processing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures homogeneity in the image processing pipeline by using the same image drawing information generation method on both the server side and the control apparatus side. This uniform approach to image data generation eliminates variations in font rendering, color tone, and layout that would otherwise occur with different RIP engines
2Manufacturing precision
If raster data comparison is performed to determine the suitable RIP engine, then output consistency can be achieved, but processing time becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary generation of image drawing information on the server side before actual printing operations. By pre-processing and standardizing the image data at the server level, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming raster data comparisons later, as the consistent image drawing information is already established beforehand
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the image drawing information generation function from the individual printer RIP engines and centralizes it in the server. This separation allows the server to generate standardized image data once, which is then distributed to multiple printers, eliminating redundant processing and comparison operations at each printer
3Manufacturing precision
If font data is embedded in print data, then font consistency between different apparatuses can be achieved, but the solution does not address overall printing properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal image drawing information generation system that handles all aspects of image processing, not just font embedding. The server-side apparatus generates comprehensive image data that encompasses font rendering, color management, layout processing, and other printing properties, providing a multi-functional solution that addresses overall printing consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple image processing functions (font rendering, color conversion, layout processing) into a single unified image drawing information generation process on the server. This consolidation ensures that all printing properties are handled consistently through one standardized pipeline, rather than treating font embedding as a separate isolated function
Data Source
AI summary
An image generation-output control apparatus for controlling an image generation and output operation based on an instruction received from a server in an image processing system. The server includes a first memory to store first image processing data applicable to an image processing for outputting a target image, first circuitry to generate first image drawing information based on output target image information and the first image processing data when performing an image forming operation. The image generation-output control apparatus includes second circuitry, having one or more capabilities compatible with one or more capabilities of the first circuitry of the server. The second circuitry generates second image drawing information based on the output target image information and the first image processing data acquired from the server, and instructs an image forming apparatus to perform an image forming operation based on the generated second image drawing information.