Parallel Image Processing in Printing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face delays in image processing due to large data blocks, leading to waiting times and drying unevenness on printed media, with previous solutions either prolonging printing time or increasing the number of printing head passes.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a data analysis unit, image process unit, and separate program and data memory buses, allowing parallel execution of color conversion and halftone processing, and using buffer units to manage image data transfer efficiently, thereby reducing processing time without narrowing the sub-scanning direction size of printed regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the sub-scanning direction size of each region is narrowed to reduce waiting time, then drying unevenness is suppressed, but the number of printing head passes increases and total printing time lengthens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs color conversion processing in advance on image data before halftone processing. By completing the color conversion beforehand and storing the converted data, the system eliminates the sequential dependency between color conversion and halftone processing, enabling parallel execution and reducing total processing time without requiring smaller print regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the image processing into separate independent modules: color conversion processing and halftone processing. These segmented processing stages can be executed in parallel on different data blocks, allowing the system to process multiple regions simultaneously without increasing the number of printing head passes.
2Productivity
If image data is processed in large blocks, then processing efficiency is improved, but transmission time increases causing waiting states and drying unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments image data into multiple manageable blocks that can be transmitted and processed in parallel. Each block undergoes color conversion and halftone processing independently, allowing the system to maintain high processing efficiency while reducing individual transmission times and eliminating waiting states between large data transfers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous processing by overlapping data transmission with processing operations. While one block is being transmitted, another block is being processed, ensuring that the printing head never waits idle and maintaining continuous productive action throughout the printing process.
3Manufacturing precision
If color conversion and halftone processing are performed sequentially, then processing accuracy is maintained, but total processing time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs color conversion processing as a preliminary step before halftone processing on the same data block. By completing color conversion in advance and storing the results, the system maintains the required processing sequence and accuracy while enabling parallel execution of color conversion on one block while halftone processing occurs on another block, significantly reducing total processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus and method for image processing input data comprises a data analysis section that analyzes the input data and outputs a printing command and a first set of image data; a data memory section that stores the printing command from the data analysis section via a program memory bus and stores the first set of image data from the data analysis section via a data memory bus; a color conversion process section that performs color conversion processing on the first set of image data on the basis of the printing command; and a halftone process section that performs halftone processing on a second set of image data resulting from the color conversion processing on the first set of image data, on the basis of the printing command.