Line-by-Line Decoding Error Detection for Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image processing for printers, variable-length code compression leads to issues with decoding errors, particularly in ink jet printers, where errors result in incorrect code decoding due to syntax errors, causing unnecessary load on the printing mechanism and potential print quality deterioration.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that includes a decoding unit to decode variable-length code data line-to-line, an error detecting unit to compare the decoding amount with a predetermined range, and a control unit to stop the printing process when an error is detected, preventing incorrect decoding and maintaining print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If variable-length code compression is used to reduce memory capacity and cost, then data compression ratio is improved, but decoding reliability deteriorates due to error propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous code stream into discrete line units, each independently decodable. By processing one line at a time and using line end codes as delimiters, the system prevents error propagation from affecting subsequent lines, thus maintaining decoding reliability while using variable-length compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through line end codes that signal the completion of each line's code data. This allows the decoding unit to verify successful decoding of each line before proceeding to the next, providing error detection and preventing cascading failures in the variable-length decoded stream.
2Productivity
If codes are arranged sequentially in increasing order of code length for effective coding, then coding efficiency is improved, but error detection difficulty increases due to long code lengths for absent codes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary arrangement of codes in increasing order of length during the coding phase, which optimizes compression efficiency. The systematic structure created allows the decoding unit to efficiently process codes while the line end code provides a clear stopping point, preventing the system from attempting to decode beyond valid data boundaries.
3Manufacturing precision
If incorrect codes are decoded due to syntax errors, then print quality deteriorates and mechanical load increases, but error detection is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the decoding process into line-by-line units with clear delimiters (line end codes), the system limits the scope of potential error propagation. If a syntax error occurs, it is confined to the current line and does not affect subsequent lines, enabling faster error containment and reducing the time lost to error recovery.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes: a decoding unit; a printing unit; an error detecting unit; and a control unit. The decoding unit decodes code data, which is obtained by encoding image data with a variable-length code on a line-to-line basis, into the image data. The printing unit performs a printing process on the basis of the image data which is decoded from the code data by the decoding unit. The error detecting unit compares a decoding amount indicating the amount of code data decoded in a predetermined range by the decoding unit with a predetermined decoding amount and outputs an error signal when the decoding amount is different from the predetermined decoding amount. The control unit controls the printing unit to stop the printing process when the error signal is output from the error detecting unit.