Printer Engine Graphics Debugging via Interrupt Logging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Debugging imaging issues in printing devices is time-consuming and challenging due to limitations in current debugging tools, especially in embedded systems where manual stepping through graphics orders can alter timing and synchronization, making it difficult to reproduce issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow a printer engine to obtain a graphics orderlist with imaging issues, enter a debug mode, select a debug region, execute graphic orders, determine access to the debug region, and issue an interrupt, storing relevant information in a log file for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual stepping through graphics orders is used for debugging, then detailed inspection of each graphic order is possible, but timing and synchronization operations are altered, affecting reproducibility of imaging issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by setting up interrupt handlers and logging mechanisms before the imaging issue occurs. The graphic execution unit is configured to automatically log buffer contents and graphic order information when imaging issues are detected, eliminating the need for manual stepping while preserving timing and synchronization operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If current debugging tools (Visual Studio, GDB) are used on embedded systems, then general debugging functionality is available, but memory limitations and multithreaded limitations prevent accurate debugging diagnostics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary logging mechanism that captures graphic execution information directly from the graphic execution unit before it is processed by limited debugging tools. The log file serves as an intermediary storage that preserves detailed buffer contents and graphic order information, allowing accurate analysis without being constrained by the memory limitations of traditional debugging tools.
3Measurement precision
If all graphic orders in a page are analyzed to find imaging issues, then complete coverage is achieved, but the process becomes time intensive and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and logs only the relevant information (buffer contents and graphic order details) at the specific moment when an imaging issue is detected. This extraction approach eliminates the need to manually analyze all graphic orders in a page, as the logging mechanism automatically captures the problematic graphic order information when the issue occurs, significantly reducing debugging time while maintaining complete coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods relate generally to graphics and image processing by a printing device. In such a method, a graphics orderlist is obtained by a printer engine. The graphics orderlist has at least one imaging issue for printing an associated image. A debug mode is entered for debugging the graphics orderlist. A selection for a debug region is received. A graphic order of the graphics orderlist is executed by a graphic execution unit of the printer engine in the debug mode. The graphic execution unit determines whether the debug region is accessed by the execution of the graphic order. Responsive to the debug region being accessed for the execution of the graphic order, an interrupt is issued. Information of the graphic order and buffer contents associated with the debug region is stored in a log file.