Multi-entry rasterization pipeline for mixed print formats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern Multi-Function Peripherals are not designed to handle a wide mix of imaging formats effectively, leading to inefficient performance and re-implementation of identical processing steps in different pipelines, with TIFF pipeline lacking support for job control settings.
Innovation Solution
A multi-entry rasterization pipeline architecture that allows processing to occur at any stage, bypassing completed rasterization stages and supporting various formats like RAW raster, PDL, and mix PDL/Raster, enabling efficient conversion and job/page setting utilization across both host and device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a printing device supports multiple imaging formats (PDL, Raster, RAW Raster, Image data), then the adaptability and versatility improve, but the device complexity increases due to multiple processing pipelines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal processing pipeline that can handle multiple imaging formats (PDL, Raster, RAW Raster, Image data) through a single integrated architecture. The pipeline includes a format detection module that identifies the input format and routes it to appropriate processing stages, allowing one pipeline to perform multiple functions rather than requiring separate dedicated pipelines for each format
Solution Approach 2:
The processing pipeline is divided into distinct modular stages: format detection, job control extraction, PDL interpretation (if needed), rasterization, and marking engine processing. Each stage is independent and can be selectively activated based on the input format, reducing the complexity of having multiple complete pipelines while maintaining support for diverse formats
2Device complexity
If all rasterization processing is performed on the host computer, then the device complexity is reduced, but the processing speed and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The host computer performs preliminary processing by detecting the format, extracting job control data, and preparing the data stream before transmission. This preliminary action on the host allows the device to focus on high-speed rasterization and marking engine operations, optimizing the division of labor to improve overall processing speed without requiring excessive device complexity
3Reliability
If the printing device performs complete PDL interpretation and rasterization, then the processing completeness improves, but the processing time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs only the necessary portion of processing based on the input format. For formats that are already rasterized or partially processed, the PDL interpretation and certain rasterization stages are skipped entirely. The pipeline dynamically adjusts the level of processing required, performing complete processing only when absolutely necessary, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining completeness
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system operates multiple different printing pipeline stages that together convert raster formatted print data or image formatted print data into a printer swath. The raster formatted print data or image formatted print data is received at the different printing pipeline stages according to the print data's level of rasterization. This allows the rasterization stages that have already been performed on the print data to be skipped. In another aspect of the printing system, the controller identifies job or page settings in the raster or image print data and uses the identified job setting in the different pipeline stages to rasterize the print data.