Abstract: A method is provided for determining the approximate time required to perform Raster Image Processing (RIP) of page description language file, such as PostScrip.TM. files, which is useful information before the actual RIP is scheduled to be executed. The provided method takes elements of image data and determines the estimated time for processing that image data (via RIP) into a format that can be used by an imagesetter. A timing data profile is created based upon information determined by actual RIPing certain page description language test data files. This timing data profile can be used to estimate the actual time required to perform RIPing of an actual page description language file. The actual page description language file (that is to be printed) is then compared to the timing data profile in different steps: for scanned images, comparisons are made with all non-scaled, non-rotated, scaled, and rotated elements of the actual page description language file.

Abstract: The invention comprises an interface for switching control of a memory management unit (MMU) between a central processing unit (CPU) having a register stack for storing data, and one or more coprocessors (COP) each having register stacks for storing data. The COP is operative when actuated to perform selected functions, not normally performed by the CPU, utilizing information in memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering two images from different sensors including receiving a first and second image, detecting hot spots in the first and second images, respectively, pairing each of the hot spots in the first image with all the hot spots in the second image that are within a predetermined mapping distance to produce a mapping between the hot spots of the first and second images, refining the mapping produced by selecting one of the hot spots of the second image for each of the hot spots of the first image utilizing a least mean squares method, producing a registered image from the refined mapping, and outputting the registered image.