PDF Data Rearrangement for Sequential Printing and Memory Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses, such as multifunction peripherals, face challenges in efficiently processing and printing PDF files due to their random-access nature, where page data is not always in order, leading to delayed printing and unnecessary memory usage from unsupported objects.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that rearranges PDF file data in page order, using discrimination information to separate rendering objects from non-rendering objects, allowing for sequential printing and efficient memory usage by inserting page delimiters and determining object necessity based on the image forming apparatus's capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If PDF files are processed in random-access manner, then the complete document can be received and structured information can be referenced, but printing is delayed until the entire file is received and pages cannot be printed in order
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PDF file processing into two distinct formats: sequential-access format with page-delimiter characters that enable immediate printing in page order, and random-access format that maintains the original PDF structure for complete document reception. This segmentation allows users to choose the appropriate format based on their specific needs, resolving the contradiction between maintaining page order and avoiding printing delays.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all drawing objects in the PDF file are stored in memory, then complete rendering capability is maintained, but memory usage increases due to storing unsupported objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes drawing objects from the PDF file that are not supported by the image forming apparatus before transmission. By filtering out unsupported objects (such as certain font types, image formats, or complex graphical elements), the system reduces memory usage on the image forming apparatus while maintaining compatibility and rendering capability for supported objects only.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the object storage and processing adaptive to the specific capabilities of the target image forming apparatus. Instead of uniformly storing all objects, the system selectively processes and stores only those objects that match the apparatus's supported formats and capabilities, optimizing memory usage according to local requirements.
3Productivity
If sequential-access format with page delimiters is used, then immediate printing in page order is enabled, but the file structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conversion system that acts as an intermediary between the original PDF file and the image forming apparatus. This converter translates the standard PDF random-access format into a sequential-access format with page-delimiter characters, enabling immediate printing in page order. The intermediary handles the structural transformation, shielding the user from the complexity while achieving improved printing speed.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus for communicating with an image forming apparatus includes processing circuitry that creates a second document file from a first document file including data of a plurality of pages, the second document file being created such that respective data of the plurality of pages are arranged in page order in the second document file, and a communication interface that transmits the created second document file to the image forming apparatus. The data arrangement of the second document file includes: first discrimination information for discriminating boundaries between the respective data of the plurality of pages; and second discrimination information for discriminating a drawing object supported by the image forming apparatus from a drawing object not supported by the image forming apparatus among drawing objects included in the first document file.