Raster Image Processor for Multi-Unit Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems face challenges in generating raster image representations for pages that span multiple printing units, requiring complex page splitting and operator skill, and are not adaptable to different printing systems with varying print widths.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple print units and raster image processors that determine and rasterize distinct portions of a page description language representation, allowing each print unit to print non-overlapping portions of a page using separate raster image representations, enabling efficient printing across wider substrates without the need for complex page splitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single printing unit is used to print the full width of a substrate, then printing quality is maintained, but the cost and complexity of the printing unit increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The printing system is divided into multiple printing units, each responsible for printing a specific swath or portion of the substrate. This segmentation allows each unit to be simpler and less expensive while collectively achieving the full printing width through coordinated operation of multiple units.
2Length of moving object
If multiple printing units are arranged to print different swaths of a raster image representation, then the print width capability increases, but the complexity of generating and managing multiple raster image representations increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single RIP is designed to perform multiple functions: it can generate complete raster image representations for entire pages and also generate partial raster image representations for specific swaths. This multi-functionality allows the same RIP to serve both single-unit and multi-unit printing configurations, reducing overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a RIP operates on page boundaries, then the printing process is simplified for single printing units, but pages must be split into sub-pages when using multiple printing units, requiring operator skill and additional composition features
Solution Approach 1:
The RIP is designed with dynamic functionality that allows it to adapt its operation mode based on the printing system configuration. It can dynamically switch between generating complete page raster representations and generating partial swath representations, enabling the same RIP to work effectively with both single and multiple printing units without requiring manual page splitting.
4Productivity
If pages are split into sub-pages for multiple printing units, then each printing unit can process its portion independently, but the resulting sub-pages are bound to a particular printing system configuration and require re-splitting for different systems
Solution Approach 1:
The RIP maintains the ability to generate both complete page representations and partial swath representations. This universal capability ensures that raster image data can be produced in a format suitable for any printing unit configuration, eliminating the need to re-split pages when changing printing systems and ensuring broad compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for printing a page designated by a page description language representation has a first print unit for printing a color on a first portion of the substrate and a second print unit for printing the color on a second portion of the substrate. A first RIP determines and rasterizes the first portion of the page description language representation to generate a first raster image representation that is used by the first print unit to print a first portion of the page on the first portion of the substrate. A second RIP determines and rasterizes the second portion of the page description language representation to generate a second raster image representation that is used by the second print unit to print a second portion of the page on the second portion of the substrate.