Parallel RIP Error Correction via Serial Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print controllers face performance bottlenecks and errors when processing multi-page print jobs due to serial interpretation requirements and reliance on external application-generated page boundaries, leading to incomplete printing and delays.
Innovation Solution
A print controller system that uses both parallel and serial Raster Image Processors (RIPs) to process print data, where the serial RIP interprets and tracks page numbers for multi-page segments, allowing for error correction and proper application of page-level instructions, thereby maintaining processing speed and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If serial pre-processing and interpretation is used to segment print jobs, then segmentation accuracy is improved, but processing speed deteriorates due to serial bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the print job processing into two independent parts: (1) fast parallel segmentation using comment detection to divide the print job into segments, and (2) error correction phase where multi-page segments are identified and re-processed. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high-speed processing while maintaining accuracy by only applying slow serial processing when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary segmentation using fast comment detection before rasterization, creating initial segments that are then validated during the error correction phase. This preliminary action allows the majority of segments to be processed quickly without requiring full serial interpretation, while still providing an opportunity to correct errors before final rendering.
2Productivity
If comment-based segmentation is used to increase processing speed, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to segmentation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where parallel RIPs report errors about multi-page segments back to the controller, which then triggers corrective action by re-rasterizing those specific segments using serial interpretation. This feedback loop ensures that speed is maintained for correctly segmented pages while reliability is restored for pages with segmentation errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The error correction mechanism acts as an intermediary between the fast but potentially inaccurate comment-based segmentation and the slow but accurate serial interpretation. When segmentation errors are detected, the intermediary triggers selective re-processing of only the affected segments, combining the speed of parallel processing with the reliability of serial processing.
3Productivity
If parallel RIPs are used to increase processing speed, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the error correction functionality from the main parallel processing flow, creating a separate error handling path. This allows the parallel RIPs to operate independently and efficiently on their assigned segments, while a dedicated error correction mechanism handles only the segments that require attention, reducing the coordination overhead for the majority of processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for error correction in a parallel RIP environment. The system comprises parallel RIPs and a serial RIP. The system receives a print job comprising logical pages, separates the print job into segments of logical pages, and distributes the segments to the parallel RIPs for interpretation and rasterization. The system further determines that a parallel RIP has encountered an error indicating that a segment includes multiple logical pages, and instructs the serial RIP to rasterize the segment responsive to detecting the error.