Abstract: A system renders print jobs via a marking engine. A raster image processor receives the job from the input module and renders it to one or more raster images. One or more contone image processors receive the one or more raster images to perform cross-channel image processing to render the raster images into a form compatible with the marking engine, wherein the output is partially sub-partitioned by color separation. An image refactoring and distribution network completes the sub-partitioning by separation of the rendered contone raster images by color separation and distributes each color sub-partition to a marker channel module specific to each color sub-partition. A marking engine receives the color sub-partitioned image data, marks the image onto a substrate and outputs a hardcopy of the image.

Abstract: A system renders print jobs via a marking engine. A raster image processor receives the job from the input module and renders it to one or more raster images. One or more contone image processors receive the one or more raster images to perform cross-channel image processing to render the raster images into a form compatible with the marking engine, wherein the output is partially sub-partitioned by color separation. An image refactoring and distribution network completes the sub-partitioning by separation of the rendered contone raster images by color separation and distributes each color sub-partition to a marker channel module specific to each color sub-partition. A marking engine receives the color sub-partitioned image data, marks the image onto a substrate and outputs a hardcopy of the image.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for digitally controlling the output of multiple laser diodes in a system that forms a plurality of scan lines in a Raster Output Scanning (ROS) system. Output of the laser diodes is digitally controlled by a multi-channel integrated circuit to eliminate propagation delay and linearity differences commonly found between single-channel modulation control devices.

Abstract: A printing system is provided for printing an image on a substrate. The image is represented by a set of words with each word including M bits and being modulated so as to produce a single bit stream. The printing system includes a multi-phase clock generator, responsive to a clock signal with a first clock rate, for producing N phase signals and a data serializer, communicating with the multi-phase clock generator, for receiving the N phase signals and the word set. In operation, the data serializer processes each word of the word set, with the N phase signals, to produce the single bit stream, the single bit stream being outputted at a second clock rate with the second clock rate being greater than the first clock rate. The data serializer communicates with a print engine, the print engine receiving the single bit stream for imaging the image on the substrate.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an improved printing machine for concurrently processing first and second sets of image data is provided. The printing machine preferably comprises a video processor, capable of processing the first set of image data, a system memory, adapted to store the second set of image data, and a bus for transmitting image data, addresses and control data thereacross. Both of the video processor and the system memory are coupled with the bus. Additionally, an apparatus for transferring the second set of image data between the input/output device and the system memory substantially concurrent with the first set of image data being processed in the video processor is provided. The transferring apparatus preferably transfers the second set of image data in response to receiving a signal from the input/output device.

Abstract: An improved printing machine for concurrently processing first and second sets of image data is provided. The printing machine preferably comprises a video processor, capable of processing the first set of image data, a system memory, adapted to store the second set of image data, and a bus for transmitting image data, addresses and control data thereacross. Both of the video processor and the system memory are coupled with the bus. Additionally, an apparatus for transferring the second set of image data between the input/output device and the system memory substantially concurrent with the first set of image data being processed in the video processor is provided. The transferring apparatus preferably transfers the second set of image data in response to receiving a signal from the input/output device.

Abstract: A video processor, for transferring a set of image data from an input device to an output device, is provided. The video processor is intended for use in a printing apparatus having a controller for controlling operation of the input and output devices as well as the video processor, while the video processor has an image bus across which the set of image data can be transmitted. The video processor comprises an integrated adaptive compressor for buffering a preselected number of the bytes, the integrated adaptive compressor communicating with the input device. A memory communicates with the integrated adaptive compressor, the memory being capable of selectively storing the preselected number of bytes. The memory also includes predesignated addresses at which the bytes can be stored, and the controller communicates with the memory. The video processor further comprises a direct memory access arrangement, the direct memory access arrangement communicating with the integrated adaptive compressor and the memory.

Abstract: An improved printing machine, of the type in which image data, addresses and control data can be substantially concurrently transferred across multiple multipurpose buses, is provided. The printing machine comprises a first multipurpose bus adapted to substantially concurrently transfer a first set of the image data, addresses and control data and a second multipurpose bus adapted to substantially concurrently transfer a second set of the image data, addresses and control data. A module for processing the first and second sets of data communicates with the first and second multipurpose buses while a first discrete input/output module communicates with the first bus. Both the first processing module and the first discrete input/output module are adapted to transfer the first set of data between one another. A second discrete input/output module communicates with the second multipurpose bus and a third discrete input/output module communicates with the second multipurpose bus.

Abstract: A video processor, having an image data bus across which image data can be transmitted, is provided. The video processor includes a memory section for storing image data transmitted thereto, the memory section being coupled with the image bus. The video processor further includes first and second buffering devices respectively coupled with the image bus. The first buffering device is capable of buffering image data transmitted from the input device to the storing means, while the second buffering device is capable of buffering image data transmitted from the memory section to the output device. Each of the first and second buffering devices is adapted to generate a request signal when seeking access to the image bus.