Printing System Software Architecture for Parallel Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing systems face inefficiencies in coordinating the deployment of multiple print elements to print images, particularly in color printing and image placement on various workpieces, leading to suboptimal print quality and increased complexity in real-time adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that preprocesses image data based on the format and configuration of print elements, generating image queues that correspond to specific print element associations, allowing for parallel processing and efficient distribution of image data across print modules, thereby enabling simultaneous printing of multiple images on different workpieces with reduced non-printed areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If real-time adjustments are made to coordinate print element deployment, then printing flexibility is improved, but system complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs image processing and print element coordination in advance during the image acquisition phase. The processor identifies print elements, determines their deployment timing, and prepares control signals before the actual printing occurs. This preliminary coordination eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustments while maintaining printing flexibility.
2Productivity
If multiple images are printed simultaneously on different workpieces, then productivity is improved, but coordination complexity between print elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the printing task into separate operations for different workpieces. Each workpiece is processed independently with its own image data and print element assignment. The processor manages multiple queues of image data corresponding to different workpieces, allowing simultaneous printing without complex inter-image coordination. This segmentation maintains high productivity while reducing coordination complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If image data is processed and distributed to multiple print element associations, then print quality is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs image processing operations during the image acquisition phase before printing begins. The processor identifies print elements, determines their deployment timing, and prepares control signals in advance. This preliminary processing allows high-quality printing with minimal processing time during the actual printing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor continuously manages multiple queues of image data and maintains continuous communication with print element associations. Image processing operations overlap with printing operations, ensuring that useful computational actions continue without interruption. This continuous processing reduces total processing time while maintaining high print quality.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques, systems, and computer program products that facilitate image printing. A technique may include receiving an image to be printed, using a first software component to selectively pre-process the image depending on a format of the image, and using a second software component to generate image queues from the pre-processed image. In that technique, each image queue includes at least one portion of image data associated with an association of print elements that corresponds to a configuration of print elements at a printing device. The technique may be implemented in a scalable system, by having multiple first software components and multiple second software components, where each of the first and/or second components can reside on a separate computer system.