Tandem Image Forming System RIP Processing Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In tandem image forming systems, overlapping RIP processing and image formation timings lead to decreased image formation capability due to data transfer speed limitations, and increasing storage capacity is costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

Assigning one image forming apparatus to execute RIP processing and produce image data, while another apparatus synchronizes the supply of this data with image formation timings across multiple units, thereby separating the RIP processing and data transfer operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If one image forming apparatus executes both RIP processing and image formation simultaneously, then image formation capability is maintained, but data transfer speed limitations cause processes to be late and image formation capability to decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage formation capabilityVSAvoidprocess timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the tandem image forming system into two specialized units: one dedicated to RIP processing and another dedicated to image formation. This segmentation allows each unit to focus on its specific function, eliminating the timing conflicts that occur when a single unit attempts to perform both RIP processing and image formation simultaneously. The dedicated RIP processing unit generates image data without being interrupted by image formation operations, ensuring reliable process timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a storage section as an intermediary between the RIP processing unit and the image formation unit. This storage section acts as a buffer that decouples the two operations, allowing the RIP processing unit to write image data at its own pace while the image formation unit reads data at its required timing. This intermediary storage mechanism resolves the timing mismatch without requiring real-time data transfer, thereby maintaining reliable process timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If storage section capacity is increased to handle overlapping processing, then data transfer capability is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer capabilityVSAvoidstorage section capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the system functions so that RIP processing and image formation occur in separate dedicated units. This segmentation eliminates the need for large storage capacity to handle overlapping operations, as the dedicated architecture naturally prevents timing conflicts. The storage section only needs to buffer data at standard transfer speeds, avoiding the need for expensive high-capacity storage solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If each image forming apparatus executes RIP processing independently, then processing capability is distributed, but image uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRIP processing capabilityVSAvoidimage uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the RIP processing function into a single dedicated unit within the tandem system, rather than having each image forming apparatus execute RIP independently. This consolidation ensures that all image data is processed by the same RIP engine, guaranteeing uniform processing parameters and consistent image quality across all output units. The dedicated RIP unit serves as a centralized control point that maintains image uniformity while still enabling distributed image formation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8749829B2Image forming system which forms an image by raster image processor processing for print data, and control method for the same

Publication Date: 2014.06.10 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC

AI summary

An image forming system configured to execute RIP processing for print data not subjected to the RIP processing so as to produce image data, and to form an image based on the image data, includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses which are coupled in tandem, and each of which is assigned to form an image on one of regions of an recording sheet, wherein the plurality of image forming apparatuses include first and second image forming apparatuses, the first image forming apparatus is configured to execute the RIP processing for the print data so as to produce the image data, and the second image forming apparatus is configured to supply the image data produced by the RIP processing in the first image forming apparatus to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses in synchronization with a timing of image formation in each of plurality of image forming apparatuses.