Video Memory Control for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The combination of electronic sorting and high-speed printing in image forming apparatuses leads to inefficient utilization of video memory due to fragmentation caused by differences in the order of loading and deleting image data, resulting in decreased performance.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a printing control unit and engine controller that includes a first page information queue, buffer memory, image processing section, page control section, and video memory control section, which manages the loading and deletion of image data based on specific queues and counters to optimize memory usage and prevent fragmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electronic sorting function and high-speed printing are combined with double-sided printing, then printing speed and functionality are improved, but video memory utilization efficiency deteriorates due to fragmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-managing the order of image data loading and deletion through queue structures before actual printing operations occur. The first page information queue stores print requests in loading order, while the second page information queue tracks deletion order, allowing the system to proactively prevent fragmentation rather than react to it after occurrence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through counters that track the number of printed pages and automatically adjust the deletion order based on this feedback. The video memory control section receives feedback from the printing process and dynamically modifies which image data to delete next, ensuring continuous optimization of memory utilization without manual intervention.
2Speed
If image data is loaded and deleted in different orders during double-sided printing, then high-speed printing is achieved, but free spaces become scattered causing fragmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory management process into distinct components: the first page information queue for loading operations, the second page information queue for deletion operations, and counters for tracking. This segmentation allows independent optimization of loading and deletion sequences while maintaining overall system coordination, preventing fragmentation despite different operational orders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary structures (page information queues and counters) that mediate between the loading and deletion processes. These intermediaries translate and coordinate the different orders of operations, allowing high-speed printing to proceed while maintaining memory structure stability through controlled data removal sequences.
3Loss of time
If image data remains in video memory for reuse, then processing time is reduced, but memory fragmentation increases when combined with electronic sorting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the deletion order adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts which image data to delete based on counter values and queue states, allowing flexible reuse of memory data when beneficial while preventing fragmentation when necessary. This dynamic approach optimizes both processing time and memory utilization in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus converts image data into a video signal, updates a value of a counter without loading the image data onto a video memory, if a print request is a single-sided print request and the image data corresponding to a page information included in the print request is stored on the video memory, and loads the image data corresponding to the page information in the print request onto the video memory, if the print request is a double-sided print request, or if the print request is the single-sided print request and the image data corresponding to the page information included in the print request is not stored on the video memory.