EP0094493A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Print buffering scheme for a key to print operation
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1983-03-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-03-25
Abstract
Abstract method for optimizing the printer operation in a word processing system when the data rate varies from character to character. A circular buffering scheme accepts blocks of data from an application task of a word processor as it is keyed in keyboard (12). Data is stored in the circular buffer pool (104), and a background print task asynchronously removes data from the pool and reblocks it before sending the data to the printer in a buffer (106). Data from one or more application blocks (110) is reblocked in FIFO order until the optimum number of commands is reached or all application data is processed. All parameters are table- driven, so that the method of optimizing the printer operation is expandable as new types of printers are added to the word processing system.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Robert Mckelley, Jr.
- 👤 Leslie Allison Minshall
- 👤 Peter John Pirich, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/12; G06F3/1201; G06F3/1202; G06F3/1211; G06F3/1212; G06F3/1217; G06F3/1223; G06F3/1237; G06F3/1267; G06F3/1278; G06F3/1284
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
Method for optimizing printer response time in a typing environment in a word processing system including a keyboard, processor, display means, memory and printer in which the keyboard commands directly control the printer, characterized in that it comprises the steps of : storing the optimal number of logical commands for the printer in a printer access method data area; buffering data received from the keyboard in a buffer pool, including creating a buffer header for each block of data as said data is received from the keyboard; transferring said buffer header and associated keyboard entered data to said buffer pool; reblocking the data in said buffer pool for the optimal number of logical commands for said printer; transferring said reblocked data to a printer access method buffer; determining that said printer access method buffer contains the optimal number of logical commands; determining the end of processing of data from the keyboard; and transferring said reblocked data from said printer access method buffer to the printer when said printer access method buffer contains the optimal number of logical commands or when all data from the keyboard is processed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
Method for optimizing printer response time in a typing environment in a word processing system including a keyboard, processor, display means, memory and printer in which the keyboard commands directly control the printer, characterized in that it comprises the steps of : storing the optimal number of logical commands for the printer in a printer access method data area; buffering data received from the keyboard in a buffer pool, including creating a buffer header for each block of data as said data is received from the keyboard; transferring said buffer header and associated keyboard entered data to said buffer pool; reblocking the data in said buffer pool for the optimal number of logical commands for said printer; transferring said reblocked data to a printer access method buffer; determining that said printer access method buffer contains the optimal number of logical commands; determining the end of processing of data from the keyboard; and transferring said reblocked data from said printer access method buffer to the printer when said printer access method buffer contains the optimal number of logical commands or when all data from the keyboard is processed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
Method for optimizing printer response time according to claim 1 characterized in that it further comprises the steps of : storing in memory the optimal number of logical commands for the printers available for use in the word processing system; determining the type of printer attached to a word processing system; and determining the optimal number of logical commands for the type of printer attached to the word processing system from the optimal number of logical commands for such a printer stored in said storage means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method for optimizing printer response time according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said reblocking data step reblocks data received in said buffer pool in first in first out order.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method for optimizing printer response time according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said transferring step transfers said reblocked data to an output buffer of the printer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
Method for optimizing printer response time according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that it further comprises the steps of : determining when each of said buffered data blocks is transferred to said buffer pool; and generating a signal to transfer said reblocked data to said printer access method buffer when said buffered data block is transferred to said buffer pool.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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