Print Job Separation for Storage Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The large size of print jobs due to the inclusion of image data leads to significant storage requirements on recording media, resulting in decreased usability when printers need to modify printing conditions, as they must copy and store entire jobs with changed settings.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that separates print jobs into job setting information and image information, allowing for independent storage and transmission of only the necessary data for setting changes, using a counting system to manage and delete shared image data efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire print job data is copied to change printing conditions, then the setting change can be executed, but the storage medium usability decreases due to large volume consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the print job into two distinct components: job setting information and image information. This segmentation allows the system to store and manage these components separately, enabling setting changes without copying the entire job data. The job setting information can be modified and regenerated independently, while the image information remains unchanged and shared across multiple jobs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the job setting information from the complete print job data, separating it from the image information. This extraction enables the system to work with only the necessary setting data when making modifications, rather than handling the entire large-volume job package. The setting change section operates exclusively on the extracted setting information.
2Ease of operation
If the entire print job is copied for setting changes, then the new setting can be stored, but the recording medium usability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal structure where image information can be shared across multiple print jobs. The counting number mechanism allows the same image data to be referenced by multiple setting configurations, making the storage system more efficient. When settings are changed, the system universally reuses existing image information rather than creating duplicates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through counting numbers that track how many jobs reference each piece of image information. This feedback allows the system to intelligently manage storage resources by deleting image data only when its reference count reaches zero, preventing premature deletion while enabling efficient space reclamation.
3Quantity of substance
If image information is shared among multiple jobs, then storage efficiency improves, but proper deletion management becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by assigning counting numbers to image information before it is shared among multiple jobs. This pre-established counting mechanism ensures that the system can accurately track and manage image data lifecycle from the beginning, preventing deletion errors and ensuring that shared images are retained until all referencing jobs are completed or deleted.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device, an image forming device, and a method for processing image for: separating a first print job into a first piece of job setting information and a first piece of image information; having the first piece of job setting information and the second piece of image information associated with each other to store in a memory; generating a second piece of job setting information of a second print job as a new piece of job setting information according to a setting change with respect to the first print job stored in the memory and associating the second piece of job setting information as generated with the piece of first image information to store in the memory; and transmitting a piece of job setting information of a print job to be executed and a piece of image information associated with the piece of job setting information.