RIP Cache for Variable Data Printing Bottlenecks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In variable data printing, the time-consuming process of raster image processing (RIP) for large volumes of page description language (PDL) data is prolonged due to repeated processing of identical objects across multiple pages, necessitating a method to reduce processing time and optimize resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a converter, reuse portion storage unit, and reuse information output unit that caches and reuses the conversion results of frequently repeated objects, storing information about reused portions to expedite the RIP processing by directly utilizing cached data for subsequent occurrences of the same objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If RIP processing is performed for every occurrence of objects in large volume PDL data, then processing completeness is maintained, but processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary RIP processing on objects that are likely to be repeated, stores the processed results in a cache memory, and reuses them for subsequent occurrences. This preliminary action eliminates the need to reprocess identical objects, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining complete processing of all PDL data objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of RIP-processed object data and stores them in cache memory for reuse. Instead of regenerating identical processed objects, the system retrieves stored copies, which dramatically reduces processing time for repeated objects while ensuring processing completeness through systematic caching of all unique objects.
2Speed
If RIP-processed data is cached for reuse, then processing speed increases, but memory storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential RIP-processed object data that is suitable for caching, separating it from other processing elements. By taking out only the reusable processed objects and storing them in cache memory, the system achieves high processing speed for repeated objects while minimizing memory storage requirements through selective caching of only cacheable elements.
3Productivity
If conversion results are stored and reused, then processing efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal caching mechanism that can store and retrieve RIP-processed objects of various types. This multi-functional cache system handles different object formats and processing scenarios through a unified interface, improving processing efficiency across diverse operations while managing system complexity through standardized universal procedures rather than multiple specialized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes a converter, a reuse portion storage unit, and a reuse information output unit. The converter converts page description language (PDL) data into printable data. The converter stores a conversion result of converting an object appearing in the PDL data multiple times into printable data in a storage device and reuses the conversion result for the object which appears after the conversion result has been stored, instead of converting the object into printable data. The reuse portion storage unit stores information indicating a portion of a page image described by the PDL data for which the conversion result has been reused. The reuse information output unit outputs reuse information indicating a portion of the page image for which the conversion result has been reused, by using the information stored in the reuse portion storage unit.