Abstract: A method and apparatus for Variable Data Printing that adds performance requirements to a raster image processor (RIP) memory optimization that employs memory bands within the page composition process. Documents containing both recurring elements as well as non-recurring elements are sorted into element lists depending on their frequency of recurrence and their layering position. The recurring elements are retained in rasterized form, while the non-recurring elements are rasterized as they are used in output memory. One pass assembly in raster image processing of the elements occurs when the recurring elements are blitted into memory and the variable elements are RIPped on the fly.

Abstract: A method for the compression of two-value framing mask data (4) is described, with which the assembly of background image data (2) and variable image data (3) to a physical page (1) is controlled, whereby the framing mask data (4) are partitioned into blocks (7), horizontal sequences of blocks (7) with the same content are coded as run lengths, and in horizontal sequences of blocks (7) with dissimilar content, only the lines of a block (7) that differ from the preceding block (7) are coded. The partitioning of the framing mask data (4) into the blocks (7) coincides with the block structure in the compressed background image data (2) and/or in the compressed variable image data (3).

Abstract: A method for the compression of two-value framing mask data (4) is described, with which the assembly of background image data (2) and variable image data (3) to a physical page (1) is controlled, whereby the framing mask data (4) are partitioned into blocks (7), horizontal sequences of blocks (7) with the same content are coded as run lengths, and in horizontal sequences of blocks (7) with dissimilar content, only the lines of a block (7) that differ from the preceding block (7) are coded. The partitioning of the framing mask data (4) into the blocks (7) coincides with the block structure in the compressed background image data (2) and/or in the compressed variable image data (3).