Virtual Sheet Generation for Print Placement Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems face challenges in accurately controlling the placement, rotation, and scaling of rasterized images on physical media, particularly in continuous forms printers where the physical media may differ from the job media.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism is introduced that generates a virtual sheet through rasterization of print job data, allowing for precise control over image placement, rotation, and scaling by separating print job specifications from physical media characteristics, using a control unit with a rasterizer and print engine to print the virtual sheet onto the physical medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rasterization is performed directly to physical media, then printing speed is improved, but placement precision and media compatibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The printing process is segmented into two distinct phases: first generating a virtual sheet representation that separates the print job data from physical media constraints, then mapping this virtual sheet to the actual physical media. This segmentation allows independent optimization of placement precision in the virtual domain and printing speed in the physical execution phase.
Solution Approach 2:
A virtual sheet is introduced as an intermediary between the print job data and the physical media. This virtual sheet serves as a mediator that enables precise placement calculations to be performed in the virtual domain, while the actual printing to physical media can proceed efficiently without being constrained by the complexity of direct placement calculations.
2Manufacturing precision
If job media specifications are strictly enforced, then image placement accuracy is improved, but adaptability to different physical media deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the virtual sheet mapping to match different physical media characteristics. Rather than enforcing fixed job media specifications, the virtual sheet can be transformed and repositioned to accommodate various physical media sizes and types, enabling both precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters such as scaling factors, rotation angles, and position coordinates when mapping the virtual sheet to different physical media. These parameter transformations allow the same virtual sheet to be accurately placed on diverse physical media while maintaining image placement accuracy.
3Device complexity
If direct printing without virtual sheet is used, then device complexity is reduced, but control over placement and scaling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The complex placement control logic is extracted from the physical printing process and implemented in the virtual sheet generation stage. This extraction allows sophisticated placement, rotation, and scaling operations to be performed in the virtual domain, while the actual printing process remains relatively simple and efficient.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism is described to facilitate virtual page generation according to one embodiment. A method of embodiments, as described herein, includes performing a virtual rasterization of print job data to generate a virtual sheet, fitting the virtual sheet to a job sheet, and printing the job sheet to a physical medium.