Screen Data Transfer via System Bus Buffer

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity and size of operation screens in image forming apparatuses lead to increased CPU load and data transfer contention, affecting performance and screen display speed due to the need for larger screen data handling.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a control section that transfers screen data to a screen data storage section via the system bus before the apparatus becomes operational, allowing the display control section to display the operation screen by synthesizing data from divided parts, and transferring data for each layer to a computer terminal when requested, thereby reducing data transfer contention and maintaining performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operation display section is enlarged to display more items and complex content, then the operationality and user interface quality are improved, but the data transfer load on the system bus increases and screen display speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoperationalityVSAvoidscreen display speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by transferring screen data from the control section to the display section's storage section in advance, before the actual display is needed. This pre-transfer occurs during periods when the system bus is not heavily loaded, allowing the display section to have data ready for immediate display without causing contention during critical display moments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary storage section in the display section that acts as a buffer between the control section and the display device. This storage section temporarily holds screen data, allowing the display section to operate independently from the control section and reducing the frequency and intensity of data transfers over the system bus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a control section is provided to disperse processing from the CPU, then the CPU load is reduced, but the screen data size increases and data transfer contention on the system bus worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCPU processing efficiencyVSAvoiddata transfer contention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The storage section in the display section serves as an intermediary that localizes screen data storage, reducing the need for frequent data transfers between the control section and display section. This intermediary storage capability allows the dispersed control architecture to function without creating excessive data transfer contention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By transferring screen data in advance to the display section's storage section, the system prepares data during low-load periods. This preliminary action ensures that when display updates are needed, the data is already available locally, minimizing contention on the system bus during critical operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system bus is used for both image data transfer and screen data transfer, then resource utilization is improved, but the data transfer performance deteriorates due to contention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoiddata transfer performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transfers screen data in advance during periods when the system bus is available and not heavily loaded with image data transfers. This timing strategy allows the single system bus to handle both image and screen data without creating persistent contention, as screen data transfers occur during low-utilization windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The storage section in the display section acts as an intermediary buffer that decouples the timing of data transfer from data usage. This allows the system bus to be used efficiently for image data while screen data is transferred asynchronously when bandwidth is available, maintaining high overall resource utilization without sacrificing transfer performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8270009B2Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and screen display method, all capable of displaying an operation screen without damaging any intrinsic performance of the image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2012.09.18 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC

AI summary

Disclosed is an image forming apparatus comprising: a control section; and a display section connected to a system bus, wherein the display section comprises: a display device; a screen data storage section to temporarily store screen data of an operation screen; and a display control section to display the operation screen based on the screen data, and wherein the control section comprises: a storage section to store the screen data of the operation screen; and a controller to transfer the screen data of the operation screen pertaining to a function provided to the image forming apparatus to the screen data storage section through the system bus after a power source is turned on and before the function becomes operable; and to control the display control section to display the operation screen based on the screen data stored in the screen data storage section, after the function becomes operable.