Memory Management Unit for Image Processing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image processing apparatuses with multiple functions face throughput issues due to unpredictable changes in execution priority among functions, leading to inefficient memory management and slowed operations when swapping occurs, as existing techniques fail to dynamically adapt to varying user environments and function usage patterns.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a memory management unit that dynamically secures high-speed memory regions for frequently executed processes by analyzing job histories and restricting swapping out for high-frequency processes, ensuring optimal memory allocation based on usage patterns and user-specific preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If swap priority of a process is set higher to improve throughput, then throughput of partially swapped out process improves, but operation speed of currently executed process slows down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating memory management strategies based on process characteristics. Instead of uniform swap priority assignment, the system identifies high-frequency processes and assigns them higher swap priorities specifically, while maintaining normal priorities for other processes. This localized differentiation allows throughput improvement for critical processes without adversely affecting overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making swap priority assignment adaptive and changeable based on process execution frequency. The system continuously monitors process behavior and dynamically adjusts swap priorities accordingly. High-frequency processes receive elevated swap priorities to maintain performance, while the system can reconfigure priorities as usage patterns change, resolving the static priority contradiction.
2Productivity
If memory region is restricted to prevent swapping for a specific function, then throughput for that function improves, but throughput for other functions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by restricting swap operations selectively only for high-frequency processes rather than imposing uniform restrictions across all processes or functions. This targeted approach maintains throughput for frequently used functions while preserving adaptability for less frequent functions, as they can still utilize memory resources without artificial restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by allowing the memory management unit to automatically identify high-frequency processes based on execution history and apply appropriate swap restrictions without manual configuration. The system serves itself by monitoring process behavior and autonomously adjusting memory management strategies, eliminating the need for users to manually configure function-specific memory restrictions.
3Productivity
If real memory capacity is increased to avoid swapping, then swapping occurrence decreases, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the swap priority parameter rather than increasing physical memory capacity. Instead of adding more RAM to prevent swapping, the system changes the priority parameters of processes to optimize swap behavior. This allows the system to maintain high throughput for critical processes while using the same physical memory resources, thereby avoiding the cost increase associated with expanding memory capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus has a plurality of functions and is capable of executing a job relating to any of the plurality of functions. The image processing apparatus includes a memory management unit to secure a storage region in a first storage device for program execution, a save unit to save information from the storage region in the first storage device to a second storage device, a history recording unit to record a history relating to execution of the job each time the image processing apparatus executes the job, and a save restriction unit to restrict saving of information from the storage region in the first storage device to the second storage device in order to execute a job relating to a function which is specified based on a job history recorded by the history recording unit from among the plurality of functions.