Virtually Stored Media Snapshots for Print Rasterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern printing systems face challenges in accurately rasterizing print jobs independently of the media loaded at the printer, as existing technologies rely on real-time identification of media properties, which can lead to errors when the media changes between rasterization and printing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of 'virtually stored media snapshots' allows print controllers to rasterize jobs based on pre-defined media properties, independent of the current media loaded, by associating specific media properties with printer trays and using these snapshots to generate accurate bitmap data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rasterizer uses real-time media identification to tailor bitmap data to the current media loaded in the printer, then the rasterization can adapt to media changes, but the rasterization becomes dependent on the media currently loaded which causes errors when media changes between rasterization and printing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing media properties at the time of job submission and storing them as a snapshot. This snapshot is then used for rasterization, ensuring that the rasterization is based on the media properties that were current at the time of job creation rather than at the time of printing. This resolves the contradiction by decoupling the rasterization process from real-time media changes, thereby maintaining reliability while still allowing media adaptability through the snapshot mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the media properties at the time of job submission and stores this copy as a snapshot. This copied media property information is then used for rasterization, allowing the system to maintain consistent reference to the media properties without being affected by subsequent media changes. This copying approach resolves the contradiction by providing a stable reference for accurate rasterization while still enabling the system to handle different media types through the snapshot mechanism.
2Manufacturing precision
If the rasterizer tailors bitmap data to the current media loaded in the printer, then the print quality can be optimized for the actual media, but the rasterization process becomes time-consuming and computationally intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-processing and storing media property information at the time of job submission. This preliminary capture and storage of media properties eliminates the need for real-time media identification and tailored bitmap generation during the printing process. The pre-stored snapshot data allows for faster rasterization while maintaining print quality optimization, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity.
3Productivity
If the system stores bitmap data on a rip spool to enable faster printing, then the printing speed increases, but the media property identification becomes inaccurate when media changes between rasterization and printing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing and storing media property information at the time of job submission before the rasterization and printing processes. This snapshot of media properties is then used throughout the entire process, ensuring accurate media property identification even when media changes occur between rasterization and printing. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision through the snapshot mechanism while enabling high printing speed through the rip spool storage approach.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems herein provide for the use of virtually stored media “snapshots” for rasterizing print jobs. In one embodiment, a print controller receives a print job. The print controller identifies a virtually stored media that specifies a media property utilized for rasterizing the print job, where the virtually stored media is associated with a media tray of a printer. The print controller identifies the media property specified by the virtually stored media, and rasterizes the print job based on the media property specified by the virtually stored media.