EP0330343A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printing apparatus and method
Assignee: Digital Equipment Corp
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Filing: 1989-02-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for printing multiple pages written in page description format on a single sheet. The invention prints the multiple pages onto the single sheet by dynamically fitting the pages into the usable surface area of the sheet. To achieve the best fit, the invention determines a maximum scale factor for the multiple pages printed onto the sheet. This maximum scale factor is approximated by calculating a sheet layout which occupies the greatest percentage of the usable surface area of the sheet. Additionally, the invention provides for printing multiple pages on successive sheets allowing the user to specify margins on opposite edges of the face of the sheet are alternated.
Inventors
- 👤 David Gabbe
- 👤 Ned Batchelder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06T; G06T11/00; G06T11/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
A method for printing a predetermined number of pages on a single sheet, each of said pages being represented by a page description specifying the configuration of a page to be printed, said method comprising the steps of: computing the area on said sheet available for printing; selecting a test number of pages equal to said predetermined number of pages; determining a plurality of grid configurations, each of said configurations defining a given number of grid areas for printing pages therein, said given number of grid areas having a value equal to said test number of pages; calculating scale factors to establish the size of a page to be printed from one of said page descriptions as the size of one of said grid areas in each of said plurality of grid configurations; determining the grid configuration having the largest scale factor; calculating, using the grid configuration having the largest scale factor, the percent surface area of the sheet covered by a number of grid areas equal to said test number of pages; comparing said percent surface area to a predetermined percentage; incrementing said test number of pages and repeating said steps of determining a plurality of grid configurations, calculating scale factors, determining the grid configuration having the largest scale factor, calculating percent surface area, and comparing the percent surface area covered to said predetermined percentage, said incrementing and repeating step being conditioned on said percent surface area having a value less than said predetermined percentage; and printing, in response to said percent surface area having a value equal to or greater than said predetermined percentage, said predetermined number of pages on said sheet using said largest scale factor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
279 words
A method for printing a predetermined number of pages on a single sheet, each of said pages being represented by a page description specifying the configuration of a page to be printed, said method comprising the steps of: computing the area on said sheet available for printing; selecting a test number of pages equal to said predetermined number of pages; determining a plurality of grid configurations, each of said configurations defining a given number of grid areas for printing pages therein, said given number of grid areas having a value equal to said test number of pages; calculating scale factors to establish the size of a page to be printed from one of said page descriptions as the size of one of said grid areas in each of said plurality of grid configurations; determining the grid configuration having the largest scale factor; calculating, using the grid configuration having the largest scale factor, the percent surface area of the sheet covered by a number of grid areas equal to said test number of pages; comparing said percent surface area to a predetermined percentage; incrementing said test number of pages and repeating said steps of determining a plurality of grid configurations, calculating scale factors, determining the grid configuration having the largest scale factor, calculating percent surface area, and comparing the percent surface area covered to said predetermined percentage, said incrementing and repeating step being conditioned on said percent surface area having a value less than said predetermined percentage; and printing, in response to said percent surface area having a value equal to or greater than said predetermined percentage, said predetermined number of pages on said sheet using said largest scale factor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
107 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said printing step further comprises the substeps of: utilizing a transformation matrix in the printer to transform the coordinate system of said page descriptions to a printer dependent coordinate system; and installing a new transformation matrix in said printer, for every page to be printed on said sheet, said matricies having components corresponding to respective pages, said components causing the substeps of: rotating corresponding pages to fit into a grid area when printed; scaling corresponding pages by said largest scale factor; and translating corresponding pages to grid areas corresponding to the position of each of said pages on said sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said step of printing further includes the substep of alternating margin positions from one edge of a sheet to an opposite edge of the surface of said sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of calculating the available surface area includes the substep of subtracting the area of margins from the total surface area available on the sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of determining a plurality of grid configurations includes the substeps of factoring said test number into pairs of factors and using the positive whole number factors as designations of the number of grid areas on adjacent sides of a grid configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of determining a plurality of grid configurations includes the substep of establishing each grid configuration with said grid areas having equal areas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of printing said predetermined number of pages includes the substep of printing a number of pages less than said predetermined number.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
204 words
An apparatus for printing a plurality of pages on a single sheet comprising: means for generating pages in a page description format; means for transmitting a print request; means responsive to said print request for printing said pages on a sheet; means for scheduling said transmitted print request; means for storing said pages in response to said generting means; means for determining a plurality of grid configurations, each of said plurality of grid configurations defining a plurality of grid areas for printing pages therein, for calculating scale factors to establish the size of a page to be printed from one of said page descriptions to fit in one of said grid areas in each of said plurality of grid configurations, and for determining one of said plurality of grid configurations having a percent coverage of said sheet surface area greater than a predetermined percentage; means for generating instructions for printing out the plurality of pages in corresponding grid areas of said grid configurations having a percent coverage of said sheet surface area greater than a predetermined percentage; and said printing means including means for interpreting said instructions and for printing said plurality of pages on the single sheet in response to said interpreting means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
204 words
An apparatus for printing a plurality of pages on a single sheet comprising: means for generating pages in a page description format; means for transmitting a print request; means responsive to said print request for printing said pages on a sheet; means for scheduling said transmitted print request; means for storing said pages in response to said generting means; means for determining a plurality of grid configurations, each of said plurality of grid configurations defining a plurality of grid areas for printing pages therein, for calculating scale factors to establish the size of a page to be printed from one of said page descriptions to fit in one of said grid areas in each of said plurality of grid configurations, and for determining one of said plurality of grid configurations having a percent coverage of said sheet surface area greater than a predetermined percentage; means for generating instructions for printing out the plurality of pages in corresponding grid areas of said grid configurations having a percent coverage of said sheet surface area greater than a predetermined percentage; and said printing means including means for interpreting said instructions and for printing said plurality of pages on the single sheet in response to said interpreting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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