Abstract: A multi-job image buffering system that processes image data. The multi-job image buffering system has at least one memory device that receives an image data. A job information device associates a job information with a portion of the image data and an image identification device associates image information with the portion of the image data. The at least one memory device is capable of receiving the image data from an image source at a first data transfer rate, and transferring the image data to an image sink at a second data transfer rate.

Abstract: A method for writing software into a programmable memory and a method for initiating program control are provided. A host computer loads new firmware from an external source. The computer then checks two firmware spaces to determine which firmware space is erased or which firmware space is valid. The computer then stores the new firmware in the firmware space that is erased or not valid. To initiate program control, the host computer determines whether either of firmware spaces are erased and then executes programs from the firmware space that is not erased. If both firmware spaces contain firmware, then the host computer may determine the validity of the firmware using a checksum. The host computer will then execute programs from the firmware space containing valid firmware.

Abstract: A printing system for making prints from a stream of image data written in a printer page description language is provided. The stream of image data includes a compressed bitmap having break entries dividing the bitmap into a plurality of image data segments. The printing system includes an arrangement for separating the compressed bitmap from the stream of image data and a boundary code catcher, which communicates with the separating arrangement, for creating a table to list the break entries of the bitmap. A memory section is employed to store the bitmap with its corresponding break entry table, and a plurality of imaging channels, which communicate with the memory section, are employed to decompress selected segments of the bitmap in parallel.