Printing Apparatus Controller Segmentation for Limited RAM
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers with limited RAM capacity struggle to convert large compressed image data into print data, especially when high-resolution images are involved, due to insufficient memory capacity to process the entire decompressed data for one page.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and module that receive compressed image data, identify and store partial compressed data, decompress, and convert each partial data set into print data, allowing for incremental processing and output, enabling printing without requiring the entire page's data to fit in the printer's RAM.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the printer receives and processes compressed image data for high-resolution images, then the image quality is improved, but the RAM capacity requirement increases beyond what the printer can provide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the compressed image data into multiple partial compressed data sets corresponding to separate images obtained by dividing one page image. Each partial compressed data set is processed independently through decompression and print data creation, allowing the system to handle high-resolution images with limited RAM by processing smaller chunks sequentially rather than loading the entire image at once.
2Reliability
If the printer converts entire decompressed image data to print data, then complete image rendering is achieved, but the processing time increases when RAM capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing into multiple independent stages where each partial compressed data set is decompressed and converted to print data separately. This allows parallel processing potential and ensures that each segment is reliably completed before moving to the next, maintaining image completeness while optimizing processing time through modular operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification of multiple partial compressed data sets within the compressed image data before actual decompression begins. This preliminary organization allows the system to prepare processing schedules and allocate resources efficiently, reducing overall processing time while ensuring complete image rendering through systematic sequential processing of identified segments.
Data Source
AI summary
In a printing apparatus, a controller is configured to: receive compressed image data; store the compressed image data into a memory; individually identify partial compressed data in the stored compressed image data, the partial compressed data corresponding to separate images; store the partial compressed data into the memory or store information identifying each of the partial compressed data, into the memory; a first creating processing for decompressing one of the partial compressed data and creating print data based on partial decompressed data obtained by decompressing the one partial compressed data; and a first output processing for outputting the created print data. The controller repeats the first creating processing and the first output processing a number of times corresponding to the number of the partial compressed data. The printing apparatus performs printing based on the print data output in the first output processing.