Raster-Tile Conversion Using Span Information

Solution Overview

Problem

High print resolution requirements in multi-function peripherals lead to increased memory data transmission bandwidth needs, which is costly and limits the ability to execute other processes, especially at resolutions above 600 dpi, due to the large data amounts required for raster-tile conversion.

Innovation Solution

The process is optimized by converting data into the tile sequence using run-length information or span information instead of raster images, reducing the amount of data temporarily stored and processed, allowing for high-output-resolution raster-tile conversion with reduced memory data transmission bandwidth and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If raster images are converted into tile sequence using conventional methods, then printing speed is improved through parallel processing, but memory data transmission bandwidth requirement increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidmemory data transmission bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential structural information (span information) from complete raster images during the raster-tile conversion process. Instead of transferring full pixel data, only span information containing positional and dimensional data is transmitted through memory, significantly reducing bandwidth requirements while enabling parallel tile processing for high-speed printing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If print resolution is increased to above 600 dpi, then manufacturing precision is improved, but memory data transmission bandwidth requirement becomes prohibitively large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint resolutionVSAvoidmemory data transmission bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential structural information (span information) from complete raster images during the raster-tile conversion process. Instead of transferring full pixel data, only span information containing positional and dimensional data is transmitted through memory, significantly reducing bandwidth requirements while enabling parallel tile processing for high-speed printing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If complete raster images are temporarily stored for conversion, then conversion accuracy is maintained, but memory usage and processing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion accuracyVSAvoidtemporary storage data amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential structural information (span information) from complete raster images during the raster-tile conversion process. Instead of transferring full pixel data, only span information containing positional and dimensional data is transmitted through memory, significantly reducing bandwidth requirements while enabling parallel tile processing for high-speed printing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified representation (span information) that copies only the essential structural characteristics of raster images without duplicating complete pixel data. This span information serves as a sufficient substitute for tile sequence generation, reducing memory requirements while maintaining conversion accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8294912B2Image processing apparatus and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2012.10.23 CANON KK

AI summary

Conventionally, pixel data are converted into the tile sequence. According to this invention, span information or run-length information during conversion into pixel data from vector data such as a display list converted from a page description language is converted into the tile sequence before rendering into pixel data. This can greatly reduce the amount of data temporarily stored for conversion into the tile sequence.