Abstract: A system and method are provided which have the ability to print whole documents at a time, rather than page by page. The data for an entire multi-page document is fed directly to an output device, and then a print engine. The data stream includes a record layout including data field codes which tell the data system and/or raster image processor where to print strings of variable information in a document so that the strings only need be provided once even if printed in multiple places within the document. Data flows in the data stream to the print engine as the raster image processor functions in real time. The system has the capability to manipulate and transfer data at 10 Mbytes per second, which translate into a transfer rate of approximately 92,000 characters per second at up to 1,000 feet per minute print speeds, for up to six controllers.

Abstract: A raster image processing system and method that can keep up with the fastest high resolution printers now available can process images "on the fly"--that is, generate images from compact input representations so rapidly that printing can occur substantially in the same real time as raster image processing of input data. This system is capable of automatically "screening" data relating to the images so that the various gray scales or color levels are correct for a contone printing process. Different print engine control modules can be replaceably plugged into and out of the system to allow it to be used with different types of print engines/intelligent imaging systems--including high speed, high resolution color printing engines. A high speed data cache and associated array disk drive provide high speed throughput of data into the system. The disk array may, for example, store a library of high resolution graphics that can be accessed "on the fly" as needed in response to the input data stream.

Abstract: A raster image processing system and method that can keep up with the fastest high resolution printers now available can process images "on the fly"--that is, generate images from compact input representations so rapidly that printing can occur substantially in the same real time as raster image processing of input data. This system is capable of automatically "screening" data relating to the images so that the various gray scales or color levels are correct for a contone printing process. Different print engine control modules can be replaceably plugged into and out of the system to allow it to be used with different types of print engines/intelligent imaging systems--including high speed, high resolution color printing engines. A high speed data cache and associated array disk drive provide high speed throughput of data into the system. The disk array may, for example, store a library of high resolution graphics that can be accessed "on the fly" as needed in response to the input data stream.