Abstract: A high speed, serial interface employs a simplified protocol which minimizes overhead enabling uncompressed image data to be sent serially over a long distance in real-time devices, such as a color printer. Because the error rate experienced in high speed serial and fiber optic links is very small and finite, the protocol removes the requirement to retransmit real time data. The protocol for initiator device-target device communications includes an idle message frame for indicating a device is ready for communication; a control word frame for sending a data request from the target device; a control word frame for indicating a transfer mode from the initiator device; and a data frame, wherein in response to a data request from the target device, the initiator device transmits a control word frame followed by the requested data.

Abstract: A high speed, serial interface employs a simplified protocol which minimizes overhead enabling uncompressed image data to be sent serially over a long distance in real-time devices, such as a color printer. Because the error rate experienced in high speed serial and fiber optic links is very small and finite, the protocol removes the requirement to retransmit real time data. The protocol for initiator device-target device communications includes an idle message frame for indicating a device is ready for communication; a control word frame for sending a data request from the target device; a control word frame for indicating a transfer mode from the initiator device; and a data frame, wherein in response to a data request from the target device, the initiator device transmits a control word frame followed by the requested data.

Abstract: A high speed image data interface between a print server containing a page description language decomposer and an interface card, and a printer containing a rendering card and a print engine, where the interface card is physically located in the printer case and is plugged into the backplane of the printer. The interface is synchronous and carries clock, page request, line request and reset signals from the renderer, and line valid, error and data signals from the interface card. Other communications between the printer and server are carried by a telephone line or local area network. The advantage of this arrangement is that the printer manufacturer can design the printer without having to design the interface card to match the server manufacturer's requirements.