Variable Printing Control Apparatus for Rasterization Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional variable printing technologies face reduced processing efficiency due to the increased number of pages that need to be rasterized, especially when data has a small common portion and a large number of variable parts, leading to unintentional creation of data that lowers processing efficiency and requires extensive labor and time for superimposition of raster images.
Innovation Solution
A variable printing control apparatus that analyzes the data and selects between two processing methods: one for rasterizing and superimposing parts in the conventional method, and another for superimposing parts in the PDL format, reducing the number of pages to be rasterized by converting page data into PDL data and rasterizing only the superimposed PDL data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional variable printing is used with multiple parts arranged on separate pages, then each part can be processed independently, but the number of pages to be rasterized increases enormously, drastically reducing processing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple parts that are arranged on separate pages into a single integrated page layout. By combining the plurality of parts into one page, the system reduces the number of separate rasterization operations from N pages to just 1 page, thereby dramatically improving processing efficiency while still handling multiple variable parts effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the processing into two distinct methods: a first processing method for conventional rasterization of multiple separate pages, and a second processing method for merging parts into a single page. The system automatically selects between these segmented approaches based on the specific data characteristics, allowing optimal processing for different scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If data with small common portion and large number of variable parts is created, then variable printing can be applied, but processing efficiency is seriously reduced due to enormous number of pages to rasterize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic processing methods that adapt to the specific characteristics of the input data. The system automatically determines whether to apply the first processing method (conventional rasterization) or the second processing method (merged page rasterization) based on the number of parts and their arrangement, thereby optimizing processing time for different data scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameter from rasterizing N separate pages to rasterizing 1 merged page. By altering the fundamental parameter of page count from multiple to single, the system dramatically reduces processing time for data with many variable parts while maintaining variable printing functionality
3Productivity
If reusable parts are rasterized and cached for each page, then image generation time is saved, but the number of pages to be rasterized increases when many parts are used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple parts that would otherwise require separate rasterization and caching operations into a single integrated page. This consolidation reduces the number of caching operations from N pages to 1 page, simplifying the system while maintaining the efficiency benefits of reusable part caching
Data Source
AI summary
A variable printing control apparatus for creating an image data to be printed, using variable printing data containing a plurality of page data in which one of a plurality of parts is arranged in one page, the variable printing control apparatus being configured to implement: a first processing method for rasterizing the plurality of page data, extracting the plurality of parts from each of pieces of raster data, and superimposing the plurality of parts of raster data to create the image data; and a second processing method for converting the plurality of page data into PDL data, extracting the plurality of parts from each of pieces of PDL data, superimposing the plurality of parts of PDL data, and rasterizing the superimposed PDL data to create the image data.