Hybrid Workflow Server Raster Image Processor Engine Homogeneity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid workflow systems for printing, which include both offset and digital printers, face challenges in ensuring consistent output results due to differences in raster image processor engines, leading to variations in font, color tone, and layout, and require time-consuming comparison processes to synchronize data between different RIP engines.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an image processing system where both the hybrid workflow server and the digital front end employ the same type of raster image processor engine with similar processing capabilities, allowing for combined RIP processing and minimizing differences in output results between offset and digital printers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different RIP engines are used for offset and digital printers, then each printer can operate independently with its own processing capabilities, but the output results show variations in font, color tone, and layout
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by making the RIP engine in the hybrid workflow server consistent with the RIP engine in the digital front end. Both use the same engine type (e.g., Adobe PDF printing engine) with matching processing capabilities, ensuring that raster data generated for offset printing and digital printing are produced by identical processing logic, thereby eliminating output variations in font, color tone, and layout
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes equipotentiality by configuring both RIP engines to operate at the same processing level and capability. The hybrid workflow server's RIP engine is set to have equivalent functionality to the digital front end's RIP engine, creating equal processing conditions that ensure consistent raster data generation across different printing paths
2Manufacturing precision
If raster data comparison process is implemented to synchronize output between different RIP engines, then output consistency can be improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring both RIP engines to be identical in type and capability before processing begins. This upfront setup eliminates the need for post-processing comparison and synchronization, as the engines will naturally produce consistent output from the start, thereby avoiding time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the time-consuming raster data comparison process from the workflow. By making the RIP engines consistent beforehand, the system eliminates the need for this additional verification step, directly reducing processing time while maintaining output consistency
Data Source
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AI summary
An image processing system includes a server (4) to control a plurality of processes performable in the image processing system, a first image forming apparatus (2) communicable with the server (4), and a second image forming apparatus (1) communicable with the server (4). The server (4) includes a first memory (40, 422) to store first image processing data being applicable to an image process to be performed on a target image to be output, and a first processor (10, 410, 413, 418, 420) to generate first image drawing information based on the first image processing data, to be referred by the first image forming apparatus (2) in performing an image forming operation based on output target image information. The second image forming apparatus (1) includes a second memory (40, 125) to store second image processing data being applicable to the image process to be performed on the target image to be output, a second processor (10, 113, 116, 120) to generate second image drawing information based on the second image processing data, to be referred by the second image forming apparatus (1) in performing an image forming operation based on the output target image information received from the server (4), and a print engine (150) to perform the image forming operation of the second image forming apparatus (1) based on the second image drawing information. RIP resource data stored in server or data referring to this RIP resource data is attached to print job.