Image Processing Apparatus Band-Based Halftone Pattern Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing systems face challenges in increasing processing speed due to the need to read halftone patterns for every band during the drawing process, which results in inefficiencies and prolonged processing times.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that analyzes drawing commands to determine whether an image belongs to a specific drawing band, only reading and using the halftone pattern when the image is within the band, thereby avoiding unnecessary pattern reads and enhancing processing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the drawing device reads out the halftone pattern each time the halftone pattern set command is read out, then the drawing process can be executed, but the processing speed increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the halftone pattern reading operation from the normal drawing command execution flow. By identifying that halftone patterns are read unnecessarily for every band, the invention removes this redundant operation, keeping only the essential reading operations that contribute to actual drawing progress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary analysis of drawing commands to determine which bands actually contain images requiring halftone patterns. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-identify necessary pattern reads before executing the drawing process, avoiding unnecessary reads during actual drawing operations.
2Productivity
If the drawing device processes all drawing commands including those for bands without images, then complete drawing is achieved, but processing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by processing only the necessary portion of drawing commands - specifically, it skips halftone pattern reading for bands that do not contain images. This selective approach performs exactly what is needed (reading patterns only for bands with images) without the excessive action of reading patterns for all bands regardless of content.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by autonomously analyzing drawing commands to identify which bands contain images and which do not. This self-analysis capability enables the drawing device to automatically optimize its own operation by skipping unnecessary halftone pattern reads without external intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus draws an image in units of band. The image processing apparatus includes: a first storage unit that stores therein a halftone pattern; an analyzer that analyzes drawing commands, the drawing commands including a first command specifying a drawing band that is the band on which drawing is performed, a second command giving an instruction to read the halftone pattern, and a third command giving an instruction to execute drawing; and a drawing processor that, only when an image, drawing of which is instructed by the second command, is determined as belonging to the drawing band, reads the halftone pattern specified by the first command from the first storage unit to draw that image using the halftone pattern read.