Abstract:
Rapid loading of chromatically interleaved RGB data into SSE registers as chromatically segregated RGB data for print processing is achieved through a loading algorithm that relies on a reduced number of memory references. An exemplary method comprises the steps of loading into SSE registers a first instance of data of a first and a second color from interleaved RGB data two bytes at a time, creating in SSE registers a second instance of the data of the first and second colors, removing from SSE registers one instance of the data of the second color, packing into one SSE register one instance of the data of the first color, removing from SSE registers one instance of the data of the first color and packing into one SSE register one instance of the data of the second color.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for image compositing in an apparatus a device in which available memory is at a premium are disclosed. The apparatus includes a first memory that receives a video input signal, in multiple portions. The first memory has a storage capacity less than the entire video image. Data within the first memory is encoded to form encoded video image portions. The entire image is thus encoded, video image portion by video image portion. A second image is combined with image portions in the first memory prior encoding such video image portions. The apparatus may, for example, be an electronic component or components forming a video or image processing pipeline, used in a portable device.
Abstract:
An image processing apparatus for converting image data between a raster format and a block format including an image data processor for providing the image data including a luminance component and at least one chrominance component in the raster format, at least two FIFO memories for storing corresponding image data components, a multiplexer for multiplexing the image data components from the at least two FIFO memories, a line buffer memory for storing outputs of the multiplexer linearly, and an image compressor for receiving the image data components in block format in sequence from the unified line buffer memory and compressing the received image data components. The image processing apparatus may also include an address generator for generating a common read/write address for the line buffer memory; and an image compressor for receiving image data of a v*h block unit from the line memory and compressing the received image data, where when the image data of v lines are read out from the line memory in a block scan order referring to the common read/write address, next image data of v lines are written into the single line memory with reference to the same common read/write address.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including an input circuit for selectively inputting a binary image signal and a multivalued image signal from an external device, a holding circuit for holding the serially input image signal for a predetermined period, outputting the image signal in units of a plurality of pixels, holding the image signal for a period corresponding to the number of the unit pixels and an information amount per pixel, and changing the number of the unit pixels in accordance with whether the input image signal is a multivalued signal or a binary signal for one pixel, a memory for storing the image signal from the holding circuit in units of the plurality of pixels, a readout circuit for reading out the image signal from the memory in units of the plurality of pixels, and an image forming circuit for forming an image on the basis of the image signal read out by the readout circuit. This apparatus can increase the image formation speed by performing optimum processing for the input signal.
Abstract:
An improved printer is provided which includes a separate hardware compression module and hardware decompression module contained within the ASIC of the print engine. A "Request Counter" register is decremented each time memory is requested to store a block of bitmap image data. When the Request Counter decreases to a predetermined value, the current size of the remaining "free memory" space is evaluated. If this free memory is less than another predetermined value (a "low water mark"), then blocks of data that have already been stored in the printer's memory are sent to the compression module to be compressed before the printer literally runs out of free memory, and the printer can continue storing and processing more incoming print job data. By thus preserving some of the free memory, the printer can continue to process or rasterize more print data while the compression hardware simultaneously operates independently to compress one or more blocks of data. Since the compressor hardware operate independently of the printer's microprocessor, the printer can continue to process further data during the actual compression operations, thereby preventing the printer's microprocessor from becoming idle, which otherwise would become a very inefficient utilization of the printer's processing power. The present invention is especially useful in processing color data, especially in printers containing relatively small quantities of RAM, since color data typically requires four (4) planes of bitmap image data per page to be printed.
Abstract:
A technique for making multiple copies that includes the steps of scanning a scan region that contains the image to be copied to produce an array of scan region pixel data that contains pixel data for the entire scan region; printing an image based on the array of scan region pixel data; processing the scan region pixel data to determine a subregion of the scan region that contains printable, non-background information; scanning the subregion of the scan region and providing to a print buffer print data only for the subregion of the scan region that contains printable, non-background information; and printing an image based on the subregion print data.
Abstract:
An image processing device comprises an encoder for encoding inputted image data in the form of fixed length compression. The encoded data encoded in the form of the fixed length compression by the encoder is stored in a hard disk through an encoded data buffer which is a toggle buffer. Accordingly, the image data can be stored in the hard disk at a constant speed, and a capacity of the encoded data buffer can be minimized since the data amount after data compression is decided. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a semiconductor memory corresponding to storage of one screen, so that a low cost image processing device is obtained.
Abstract:
Streaming magnetic tape system used as an electronic recirculating feeder for copiers and printers. Scanned and digitized original pages are stored on tape by high speed thin film parallel heads. The tape is reversed and the heads are shifted after one-half of the pages are stored on the tape. Storage of the second half of the pages results in the tape being back at the place of beginning, thus eliminating time-consuming rewinds. In one embodiment, the pages are counted before recording to ascertain the middle tape reversal location.
Abstract:
A system for self-aligning a raster input scanner in the slow scan direction where, at start of scan, a target having a variable density image is scanned first until a preset target image line is obtained and the position of the scan carriage registered; then from the registered position, the platen is scanned through a predetermined number of scan lines; following this, the carriage is reversed and returned the same number of scan lines where the target is again scanned and the target image line obtained compared with the previous target image line to determined if a valid scan cycle has taken place.
Abstract:
The surface of an original is scanned in the direction of lines with a laser beam to obtain read-out data from the reflected light beam from the original, and the read-out data for a line are first stored in a line buffer memory. Then, during the scanning for the next line by the laser beam the data which have been stored in the line buffer memory are read out and used to modulate a laser beam, with the laser beam thus modulated being led to a light-sensitive drum for making duplication of information of the read-out data.