Stamp Image Combination Reducing RAM in Image Forming Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Typical image forming methods require a large memory capacity to store color-component-specific stamp images, which increases RAM usage, especially when dealing with larger font sizes and color images, due to the need for multiple stamp images corresponding to each color plane.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that generates 1-bpp raster data and converts it into 8-bpp monochrome stamp shape data, combining it with each color plane only where the corresponding color component density is non-zero, reducing the need for multiple color-component-specific stamp images and thus minimizing RAM usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If color-component-specific stamp images are generated for each plane of image data, then the stamp image can be combined with multi-color image data, but the memory capacity required to store these stamp images increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color information processing by separating the stamp shape data (stored once in monochrome) from the color component planes (processed individually). Instead of storing multiple color-specific stamp images, the system segments the task into: 1) storing a single monochrome stamp shape, and 2) dynamically applying color components during image formation for each plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the single monochrome stamp shape data universal by using it as a template that can be applied to all color component planes (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). The same stamp shape data serves multiple functions across different color channels, eliminating the need for separate color-specific stamp images while maintaining full color capability.
2Reliability
If multiple color-component-specific stamp images are stored, then complete color stamp combination is achieved, but the processing load and memory usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the color component information from the stamp image storage requirement. Instead of storing complete color stamp images, the system extracts only the essential stamp shape in monochrome format and separately handles color component application during the image formation process, reducing storage requirements while maintaining color fidelity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-storing only the monochrome stamp shape data in memory before image formation. The color component planes are then applied during the actual printing process, allowing the system to prepare minimal data in advance while maintaining the ability to produce full-color stamp combinations when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An image forming apparatus (10) adapted to combine a stamp image with an original image includes: a stamp shape data generation unit (18c) that is configured to generate stamp shape data (22) indicating a shape of a stamp image; a stamp combining unit (18a) that is configured to combine the stamp shape data (22) with image data (21) formed of a plane (21a, 21b, 21c) after adjusting the stamp shape data (22) to have a density of the same color component (22a, 22b, 22c) of the stamp image as a color component of the plane (21a, 21b, 21c); and an output execution unit (18b) that is configured to execute an output based on the image data (21) with which the stamp shape data (22) has been combined by the stamp combining unit (18a).