Image Forming Apparatus Mixed Data Color Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed printing in printing apparatuses is hindered by the need to switch between color and monochrome conversion tables when both types of data are mixed in rendered bit map data, leading to processing delays and potential suspension of print jobs.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a rasterization unit, a color conversion unit, and a pre-color conversion unit that performs color conversion using a single color conversion table for both color and monochrome data, even when mixed, allowing for continuous processing by performing pre-color conversion before the main color conversion processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color data and monochrome data are processed by switching between different color conversion tables, then color conversion accuracy is improved, but processing speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing pre-color conversion processing on the entire bit map data before the main color conversion processing. This preliminary processing prepares the data in advance, so that during high-speed printing, the system can directly use a single color conversion table without switching between multiple tables, thus maintaining both accuracy and speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by using a single color conversion table that can handle both color data and monochrome data. Instead of having separate conversion tables for different data types, the system uses one universal table that works for all cases, eliminating the need for switching operations and improving processing speed
2Measurement precision
If different color conversion tables are used for color and monochrome data, then conversion quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by implementing a universal color conversion table that handles both color and monochrome data. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized conversion tables and the complex switching logic required to select between them, while still maintaining conversion quality through the pre-color conversion preprocessing step
3Productivity
If pre-color conversion processing is performed before main color conversion, then processing continuity is improved, but additional processing steps are added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs pre-color conversion processing as a preliminary step before the main color conversion processing. This preliminary action prepares the bit map data in advance by applying initial color conversion, so that the subsequent main processing can proceed continuously without interruptions or switching operations, improving overall processing continuity
Data Source
AI summary
When color data and monochrome data are mixed in a piece of bit map data rasterized from the job data, an image forming apparatus allows a user to set whether to perform pre-color conversion processing on the monochrome data to enable performing color conversion processing on the monochrome data using a color conversion table for color, or whether to disable printing the job data including the bit map data in which color data and monochrome data are mixed.