Dynamic Printing Speed Control via Buffer Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed industrial printing, rapidly changing print images with significant digital data require complex calculations, leading to demands on high-performance workstations and potential data shortages that can stop the printing process, necessitating large buffers or conservative speed settings due to estimation errors.
Innovation Solution
A method to dynamically adapt printing speed by calculating and combining static and variable components of multiple print jobs in parallel, using buffer memories and a merging unit to manage data transmission and processing speed, allowing for real-time adjustments to prevent data shortages and optimize printing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If printing speed is increased in high-speed industrial printing, then productivity is improved, but data shortages occur due to complex calculations of rapidly changing print images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores print data in buffer memory before the actual printing process. By performing calculations in advance and maintaining a data buffer, the system ensures that print data is ready and available when needed, preventing data shortages even at high printing speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces buffer memory as an intermediary between the calculation process and the printing process. This buffer acts as a mediator that decouples the timing between data generation and data consumption, allowing the printing system to maintain high speed while ensuring continuous data supply.
2Reliability
If large buffer memory is provided to prevent data shortages, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the printing speed based on the current buffer status and calculation load. By making the printing speed variable rather than constant, the system can maintain reliability with a smaller buffer, as the speed adapts to match the data generation rate in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the printing speed is continuously adjusted based on buffer status and calculation progress. This feedback control allows the system to maintain optimal buffer utilization, preventing both data shortages and excessive buffer requirements.
3Productivity
If computational estimation is used to adjust printing speed, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to estimation errors with complex image data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces estimation-based speed adjustment with a deterministic approach based on actual buffer status and measured calculation times. Instead of relying on theoretical estimates that may be inaccurate for complex images, the system uses real feedback from the buffer and actual performance measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically measures its own calculation times and uses this self-generated data to adjust printing speed. By relying on actual measured performance rather than external estimates, the system achieves both high productivity and precise speed control adapted to the specific complexity of each print job.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The method involves calculating first printing data (11a, 11b) in parallel from a first static component (A) while calculating the second printing data (11c, 11d) from a second static component (B). First printing images are printed with a printing unit (1) using the first printing data. The second printing data from variable components is combined with the first printing data from a second static component to form the second printing data. The second printing data is forwarded to the printing unit. Second printing images are printed with the printing unit using second printing data.