Abstract: A solid state imager with pixels arranged in columns and rows has the pixels are configured into groups of at least a first pixel and a second pixel, each said group sharing a pixel output transistor having a sense electrode and an output electrode and a reset transistor having a gate coupled to receive a reset signal and an output coupled to the sense electrode of the associated shared pixel output transistor. Each of the pixels has a photosensitive element whose output electrode is coupled to the sense electrode of the shared pixel output transistor and a gate electrode coupled to receive respective first and second pixel gating signals. This configuration reduces the number of FETs to two transistors for each pair of pixels, and also can achieve true correlated double sampling correction of FPN.

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 arbitrating apparatus, having a filtering circuit operatively coupled with a bus grant circuit, is provided. In one example of operation, a plurality of bus request signals are transmitted simultaneously to the filtering circuit. The filtering circuit permits one of the bus request signals to pass to the bus grant circuit where the passed bus request signal is matched with a bus grant signal, which bus grant signal is used to obtain access to a video bus for one of a plurality of bus masters.

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 processing a job, with compound segments, in a printing system is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) generating a dialog, having a set of attributes designating a manner in which compound segments of the job are to be processed by the printing system, and (b) programming the dialog so that values are provided for selected ones of the set of attributes. The method further includes the steps of (c) capturing the attribute values, programmed in step (b), to obtain a job ticket for a first one of the compound segments and (d) repeating steps (a) -(c) for one or more other compound segments to create a composite job ticket. The compound segments are then processed, in accordance with the composite job ticket, so that one or more copies of the job are delivered to one or more output/storage destinations.

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.