Multi-core Rasterizing Control for Print Data Overrun Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing apparatuses face issues with print data transmission timing due to long rasterizing times, leading to image overruns and increased costs, as they either restructure intermediate data or use parallel processing, which can decrease image forming speed or increase memory requirements.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a control unit utilizing multiple arithmetic processing units to manage rasterizing in bands, dynamically allocating resources to ensure timely data generation and transmission by determining the necessary processing units for each band, allowing for parallel processing when needed to prevent overruns and optimize output timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If rasterizing is carried out sequentially in band unit by a single CPU, then memory capacity is reduced, but image forming speed decreases when processing time is too long causing overrun
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the rasterizing process into multiple bands and assigns different bands to different CPUs for parallel processing. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing of multiple bands across different CPUs, reducing total processing time and preventing overrun while maintaining the band-unit memory efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple CPUs to work together on the rasterizing process, with each CPU handling specific bands. This merging of computational resources increases overall processing capacity and throughput, enabling timely completion of rasterizing without requiring excessive memory capacity
2Productivity
If parallel rasterizing is carried out in multiple bands using multiple CPUs, then processing speed is enhanced, but memory capacity increases due to storing bitmap data generated too early
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of rasterizing time for each band before actual rasterizing. Based on this preliminary assessment, it selectively applies parallel processing only to bands that require it, avoiding unnecessary parallel processing and associated memory overhead for bands that can be processed sequentially
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the rasterizing strategy by determining processing time requirements for each band individually. It flexibly assigns bands to appropriate CPUs based on their specific processing needs, optimizing the balance between processing speed and memory usage rather than applying a fixed parallel processing approach to all bands
3Reliability
If intermediate data is restructured to prevent overrun, then image forming speed is maintained, but process complexity increases and image forming speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of processing architecture from sequential single-CPU to parallel multi-CPU rasterizing. By modifying this fundamental parameter, it achieves overrun prevention through increased processing capacity rather than through complex data restructuring, thereby maintaining process simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus which generates print data based on control data for page print inputted from an external device and which forms an image based on the print data. The image forming apparatus includes a control unit having a plurality of arithmetic processing units, and an image forming unit for forming an image based on the print data which is outputted by the control unit. The control unit generates the print data by carrying out a rasterizing process of one page in band unit constituted by a predetermined number of lines based on the control data for page print and sequentially outputs the generated print data at output timings defined in a constant output interval, wherein the rasterizing process is controlled based on whether or not generation of print data is to be completed within the output interval for all of bands in the one page.