Print Controller Imposition via Distributed Spooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing systems face inefficiencies in managing and processing print data, particularly in distributing pages of print data in a distributed manner and ensuring correct imposition order for printing, which can lead to delays and increased processing times.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that includes interpretation devices for generating intermediate data, spooling devices for storing this data, and a print controller that acquires and imposes page image data based on reference information and output order, allowing for efficient distribution and correct imposition of pages for printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pages of print data are distributed to interpretation devices in a predetermined order without regard to print output order, then processing efficiency is improved and processing time is reduced, but managing the distribution and ensuring correct imposition order becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary distribution of page data to interpretation devices in advance, without waiting for imposition requirements. Pages are distributed in a predetermined order (e.g., page 1, 2, 3, 4 sequentially) to interpretation devices, which process and store the data before it is actually needed for imposition, thereby improving processing efficiency while the management device later retrieves data in the correct imposition order
Solution Approach 2:
A management device acts as an intermediary between interpretation devices and the printing device. The management device receives reference information from interpretation devices indicating which pages have been processed and stored where, then acquires interpretation result data in the correct imposition order from the appropriate interpretation devices, managing the complexity of distributed data coordination
2Speed
If interpretation devices process and store interpretation result data independently, then system parallelism and processing speed are improved, but coordinating data acquisition in the correct imposition order becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the printing workflow into independent interpretation devices, each processing specific pages independently. Each interpretation device receives print data, generates interpretation result data, and stores it locally, enabling parallel processing across multiple devices without interfering with each other, thereby improving processing speed
Solution Approach 2:
Interpretation devices provide feedback to the management device by transmitting reference information that indicates which pages have been processed and the location where interpretation result data is stored. The management device uses this feedback to coordinate data acquisition in the correct imposition order, making coordination easier despite system parallelism
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system includes an allotment device, spooling devices, interpretation devices, and a print controller. The allotment device allots pages of print data to the interpretation devices in a distributed manner in a predetermined order without regard to a print output order corresponding to an imposition designation. The interpretation devices interpret the allotted pages to generate interpretation result data, and each cause a spooling device corresponding to that interpretation device to store the generated interpretation result data. The print controller acquires reference information indicating which spooling device stores the interpretation result data corresponding to each page and output order information indicating the print output order, acquires the interpretation result data for each page from the spooling device storing the interpretation result data for that page in the print output order, and imposes page image data based on the acquired interpretation result data in accordance with the imposition designation.