Print Control System Reducing Data Volume via Pattern Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The conversion process from page description languages like XPS to PCL often results in increased data amounts, leading to higher communication loads and times during data transmission, due to the expansion of background patterns or repetitive images.
Innovation Solution
A method that analyzes the data for repetitive pattern images, separates them, and generates partial data using a unit image repetitive rendering command, reducing the data amount by representing the pattern with a single image datum rather than multiple expanded images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the standard filter is used to convert XPS data to PCL data, then compatibility is ensured and development efficiency is improved, but the data amount increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conversion process into two distinct paths: one for background pattern images and another for general content. The determination unit identifies background pattern portions and separates them from the rest of the data, allowing each segment to be processed by the most appropriate method for its specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different conversion qualities to different parts of the input data. Background pattern images are converted with high fidelity using the background pattern image processing unit to preserve their repetitive structure, while general content is processed by the standard filter. This local differentiation optimizes the overall output quality while managing data size.
2Reliability
If the standard filter expands background patterns to multiple image data, then complete image representation is achieved, but communication load and communication time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of copying the actual image data multiple times for each repetition of the background pattern, the patent uses a single image datum combined with repetition commands. The output PDL data contains one instance of the background pattern image data with instructions to repeat it, rather than including the full image data for every occurrence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the representation parameters of background patterns from expanded form to compressed form. By using repetition commands and single image datums instead of multiple expanded image data, the data structure is transformed to reduce size while maintaining the ability to reconstruct the complete visual representation.
3Ease of operation
If background patterns are converted using general-purpose conversion programs, then conversion simplicity is maintained, but data amount increases due to expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a background pattern image processing unit as an intermediary component between the input XPS data and the output PCL data. This specialized unit acts as a mediator that handles background pattern conversion differently from general content, applying specific processing logic to preserve repetitive structures while reducing overall data size.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program causes a computer to execute: a) analyzing unconverted first page description language data to determine whether a repetitive pattern image portion is included in the first page description language data; b) separating the repetitive pattern image portion from the first page description language data when it is determined that the repetitive pattern image portion is included in the first page description language data; c) generating first partial data in a second page description language; d) generating second partial data in the second page description language based on a portion other than the repetitive pattern image portion of the first page description language data; and e) generating converted data that relates to the first page description language data and is second page description language data based on the first partial data and the second partial data.