Image Processing System Segmented RIP for Print Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid workflow systems, the inability to independently change processing results, such as mark processing, at digital printers from offset printers leads to inconsistencies in print output due to shared raster image processor engines, limiting flexibility and quality control.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system with a process execution control apparatus that generates designated-information-excluded image information by excluding execution results of specific process items, allowing for independent execution and modification of process contents at the image generation-output control apparatus, enabling consistent output across different printers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the same RIP engine is shared between offset printer and digital printer to ensure consistent font and color tone, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because processing results cannot be independently modified at digital printers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the RIP processing into two distinct parts: a common RIP engine for generating base raster data, and separate mark processing functions that can be independently applied. This allows the core rendering to remain consistent while enabling independent modification of specific processing elements like marks at the digital printer level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the mark processing function from the integrated RIP engine, allowing it to be handled separately. By taking out this specific processing element, the system enables independent control and modification of mark-related processing at the digital printer without affecting the core RIP engine that ensures font and color consistency.
2Manufacturing precision
If RIP processing is centralized at the HWF server to maintain processing uniformity, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because digital printers cannot independently change processing contents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processing architecture into centralized RIP engine execution at the HWF server and decentralized mark processing at the digital printer. This segmentation maintains processing uniformity for core functions while enabling independent control for specific processing elements, resolving the contradiction between centralized control and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the HWF server generates base raster data with placeholder or minimal mark processing, and the digital printer applies additional or modified mark processing locally. This intermediary approach allows both centralized uniformity and decentralized independence to coexist.
3Manufacturing precision
If all RIP processing is performed at the HWF server before transferring data to digital printer, then manufacturing precision is improved through centralized control, but productivity deteriorates due to inability to perform distributed processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the RIP processing workload into heavy computational tasks performed at the HWF server and lighter mark processing tasks performed at the digital printer. This segmentation enables distributed processing that improves productivity while maintaining centralized quality control for the critical rendering operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by having the HWF server perform only the essential RIP processing needed for consistent rendering, while leaving optional or additional mark processing to be performed partially at the digital printer. This partial distribution of processing tasks improves overall system productivity without sacrificing centralized quality control.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing system for sequentially executing processes includes a process execution control apparatus to control an execution of the processes, and an image generation-output control apparatus to control an execution of image generation-output operation. The process execution control apparatus includes a control-side drawing information generator to generate drawing information to be referred when an image forming apparatus performs the image generation-output operation. The image generation-output control apparatus includes an output-side drawing information generator corresponding to the control-side drawing information generator. The control-side drawing information generator excludes an execution result of a designated process item from execution results of a plurality of process items, to be executed for generating the drawing information, to generate designated-information-excluded image information. When process contents of the designated process item is set at the image generation-output control apparatus, the output-side drawing information generator executes the plurality of process items based on the designated-information-excluded image information.