Abstract: A multiplexing bus controller with input conditioning is provided in which the need for a dedicated microprocessor for handling input filtering, input change detection and serial-to-parallel/parallel-to-serial I/O data conversion is eliminated. The controller is realized in a gate array and provides input data oversampling and output refreshing to eliminate random noise coupled to the data lines. In addition, the oversampled data is filtered to debounce the signal received from the input devices. The input data is converted from serial-to-parallel and checked to detect any change from the previous input data stream. Upon detection of an input change, the host microprocessor is interrupted. When the host microprocessor sends data to the bus controller, the bus controller then converts the data to a serial stream for communication to the appropriate output device. Additionally, the bus controller is provided with an internal turnaround circuit to loop back outputs to the inputs for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A printing system, for merging a scanned image with a merge image to produce a composite image, is provided. The printing system includes a memory for storing the merge image, in the form of a first set of image data, and a decompression device for decompressing the first set of image data. The printing system further includes a scanner, for reading a hard-copy page to generate a second set of image data, and a annotate/merge device, the annotate/merge device electronically merging the decompressed first set of image data with the second set of image data to produce the composite image.

Abstract: A method of managing memory allocation in a printing system including the steps of creating a plurality of blocks and designating each block with an identifier. In response to a request from a client, a first set of identifiers, corresponding with a first set of blocks, is placed into a database by a resource manager. The client then accesses the database and, by reference to the first set of identifiers, begins filling up the first set of blocks with image data. As each block is filled, the client transmits an interrupt signal to a controller. After a predesignated one of the first set of blocks has been filled, the controller causes the resource manager to place a second set of identifiers in the database so that the client can access the second set of identifiers as soon as it has completed filling the first set of blocks.

Abstract: A printing system for processing one or more images of a job is provided. The printing system includes a video bus communicating with both a first transfer module and an image processing section. In operation, a first segment of the job is processed in the image processing section while a second segment of the job is buffered in the first transfer module. Subsequently, the first segment of the job is transferred away from the image processing section, with a second transfer module, coincidentally with the the second segment being transferred to the image processing section.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing an input image, represented by an input bit stream including a plurality of first bit sets, is provided. The apparatus includes a device for processing the input bit stream in such a manner that each of the first bit sets is represented by a second bit set with each of the second bit sets having less bits than each of the first bit sets and a selected number of bits in the input bit stream, corresponding to image-related information, being discarded as a result of the encoding. The apparatus is provided with an electronic volatile memory for storing a resulting encoded bit stream and a bit stream analyzer for analyzing the stored encoded bit stream to generate positional signals. The apparatus is further provided with a reconstruction circuit for reconstructing the stored encoded bit stream, by reference to the positional signals.

Abstract: A low-cost, high-speed system for converting high-grayscale-resolution image data to a grayscale resolution optimized for a particular output device, such as an LED bar or ink-jet printhead. A static random-access memory accepts at its address port a full image datum. The most significant digits of the datum relate to a look-up table selected for optimum performance in a given situation. The least significant digits of the datum represent the actual image datum. When the full image datum is applied to the address port, the address location identical to the full image datum outputs an output value which has been pre-loaded into the memory.

Abstract: A method of managing memory allocation in a printing system including the steps of creating a plurality of blocks and designating each block with an identifier. In response to a request from a client, a first set of identifiers, corresponding with a first set of blocks, is placed into a database by a resource manager. The client then accesses the database and, by reference to the first set of identifiers, begins filling up the first set of blocks with image data. As each block is filled, the client transmits an interrupt signal to a controller. After a predesignated one of the first set of blocks has been filled, the controller causes the resource manager to place a second set of identifiers in the database so that the client can access the second set of identifiers as soon as it has completed filling the first set of blocks.