Printing Apparatus Rasterization Buffer for Dynamic Setting Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses require significant additional processing and time to reflect changes in printing settings during ongoing printing, necessitating rerasterization and reprinting from initial data, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method that includes a first acquisition section for acquiring printing data, a first storage controller for storing data, a first conversion section for converting data into image data based on retrieval order, and a first printing setting controller for updating data with changed settings during printing, allowing for efficient reflection of setting changes without restarting the printing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If printing settings are changed during ongoing printing, then the changed settings need to be reflected on the printing result, but this requires rerasterization and reprinting from initial data which increases additional processing amount and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the printing data into multiple lines and processes them in segments. When printing settings change, only the affected line segments need to be reprocessed rather than the entire printing job. The printing apparatus maintains a buffer of printing data and selectively rerasterizes only the necessary portions, thereby reducing the additional processing time while still reflecting the changed settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary rasterization of printing data and stores the rasterized image data in a buffer before actual printing begins. When printing settings change during ongoing printing, the system can quickly generate new rasterized data for the affected portions using the pre-loaded printing data, avoiding the need to restart from initial printing data and significantly reducing the additional processing time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If printing settings are changed during ongoing printing, then the changed settings need to be reflected on the printing result, but this requires receiving printing data again from host computer which increases communication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary rasterization of printing data and stores the rasterized image data in a buffer before actual printing begins. When printing settings change during ongoing printing, the system can quickly generate new rasterized data for the affected portions using the pre-loaded printing data, avoiding the need to restart from initial printing data and significantly reducing the additional processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate buffer that stores both printing data and rasterized image data. This buffer acts as a mediator between the host computer and the printing engine, allowing the system to retain printing data locally and perform rapid reprocessing when settings change, thereby eliminating the need for repeated communication with the host computer and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a conversion section that retrieves a printing data stored into a storage section on a first-in first-out basis, and converts, for each set of n lines, n being a predetermined number larger than or equal to 1, the retrieved printing data into image data in accordance with a printing setting in order in which the printing data is retrieved; a deletion controller that, at timing when printing of the image data is started, deletes, from the storage section, converted printing data corresponding to the image data; and a printing setting controller that, when the printing setting is changed during the printing of the image data, causes the conversion section to convert converted printing data stored in the storage section, in accordance with the changed printing setting.