Printing Control Device Dynamic RIP Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing control systems face inefficiencies in aggregate printing, where images of multiple pages are merged into one, as they often lead to prolonged processing times and uneven workload distribution among Raster Image Processors (RIPs), especially when the number of physical pages does not match the number of RIPs.
Innovation Solution
A printing control device with a distributing unit that dynamically distributes image data to RIPs in either a first or second method based on the number of physical pages, allowing for efficient image processing and output control, thereby optimizing the workload and reducing processing time by combining print data from multiple pages into physical pages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If image data is distributed to multiple RIPs for aggregate printing, then processing capacity is increased, but workload distribution becomes uneven and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic distribution method selection based on real-time detection of physical page count. The system switches between first distribution method (one-to-one mapping) and second distribution method (many-to-one mapping) depending on whether physical pages exceed RIP count, optimizing workload balance and processing time for different printing scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the distribution parameter (mapping strategy) based on the physical page count parameter. When physical pages > RIP count, it uses one-to-one mapping; when physical pages ≤ RIP count, it uses many-to-one mapping. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by selecting the optimal distribution strategy for each scenario
2Productivity
If image data is distributed page by page to multiple RIPs, then processing parallelism is increased, but workload becomes uneven when physical pages don't match RIP count
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the distribution strategy based on the relationship between physical page count and RIP count. It detects which distribution method creates more balanced workload and selects that method, ensuring ease of operation through automatic optimization without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to detect physical page count and automatically select the appropriate distribution method. This feedback loop ensures that workload distribution remains balanced and operations remain easy regardless of the specific printing configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A printing control device includes units that: distribute received image data page by page, perform image processing for converting the image data distributed by page into print data, and control output in accordance with a plurality of image output sections, and control the output processing of each of the plurality of the image output sections based on the print data generated by the image processing, when aggregate printing where images of a plurality of pages are merged into one image is executed. The image data is distributed so that the image data is subjected to the image processing by a single image processing unit. The plurality of the output control units generate print data in a plurality of pages by combining the plurality of page print data transferred from the image processing units, and transmit the generated print data to the image output sections corresponding to the output control units.