Compressed image expansion system

Claim 1

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color including means for reading said codes from said first means in parallel format words which have boundaries which may or may not coincide with code boundaries and means for breaking said words at code boundaries and assembling complete codes including means for recognizing complete codes and for signalling the locations of each code's boundaries; and third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number including a raster frame memory and means for breaking said strings of pixel data into words and for writing these words into said raster frame memory.

Claim 2

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color including means for reading said codes from said first means in parallel format words which have boundaries which may or may not coincide with code boundaries and means for breaking said words at code boundaries and assembling complete codes including means for recognizing complete codes and for signalling the locations of each code's boundaries; and third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number including a raster frame memory and means for breaking said strings of pixel data into words and for writing these words into said raster frame memory.

Claim 3

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; fourth means for storing the expanded image; and fifth means for converting said strings of pixel data into data words and for writing said data into said means for storing.

Claim 4

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; fourth means for storing the expanded image; and fifth means for converting said strings of pixel data into data words and for writing said data into said means for storing.

Claim 6

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; fourth means for storing the expanded image; fifth means for converting said strings of pixel data into data words and for writing said data into said means for storing; and control means to cause each of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth means to operate in parallel to perform their individual functions in a pipelined fashion.

Claim 7

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; fourth means for storing the expanded image; fifth means for converting said strings of pixel data into data words and for writing said data into said means for storing; and control means to cause each of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth means to operate in parallel to perform their individual functions in a pipelined fashion.

Claim 9

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; fourth means for storing the expanded image; fifth means for converting said strings of pixel data into data words and for writing said data into said means for storing; control means to cause each of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth means to operate in parallel to perform their individual functions in a pipelined fashion; and protocol means for controlling data transfer between selected ones of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth means to prevent data loss by the writing of data from one said means to another said means before said other means has finished processing the old data stored therein and is ready to receive said new data.

Claim 10

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; fourth means for storing the expanded image; fifth means for converting said strings of pixel data into data words and for writing said data into said means for storing; control means to cause each of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth means to operate in parallel to perform their individual functions in a pipelined fashion; and protocol means for controlling data transfer between selected ones of said first, second, third, fourth and fifth means to prevent data loss by the writing of data from one said means to another said means before said other means has finished processing the old data stored therein and is ready to receive said new data.

Claim 11

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; and third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; wherein said first means further comprises: means to contend for read cycles for a memory in which said codes are stored and for reading and storing data words comprised of said codes; and means for converting said data words into said codes and for presenting them as addresses to said second means.

Claim 12

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; and third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; wherein said first means further comprises: means to contend for read cycles for a memory in which said codes are stored and for reading and storing data words comprised of said codes; and means for converting said data words into said codes and for presenting them as addresses to said second means.

Claim 13

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; and third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; wherein said first means further comprises: means to contend for read cycles for a memory in which said codes are stored and for reading and storing data words comprised of said codes; and means for converting said data words into said codes and for presenting them as addresses to said second means; and wherein said second means comprises: means for receiving the address corresponding to each code and for providing data corresponding to each address from which the run lengths of pixels represented by said codes may be determined; and means for calculating each said run length from the data provided by said means for receiving.

Claim 14

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; and third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; wherein said first means further comprises: means to contend for read cycles for a memory in which said codes are stored and for reading and storing data words comprised of said codes; and means for converting said data words into said codes and for presenting them as addresses to said second means; and wherein said second means comprises: means for receiving the address corresponding to each code and for providing data corresponding to each address from which the run lengths of pixels represented by said codes may be determined; and means for calculating each said run length from the data provided by said means for receiving.

Claim 15

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; and third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; wherein said first means further comprises: means to contend for read cycles for a memory in which said codes are stored and for reading and storing data words comprised of said codes; and means for converting said data words into said codes and for presenting them as addresses to said second means; and wherein said second means comprises: means for receiving the address corresponding to each code and for providing data corresponding to each address from which the run lengths of pixels represented by said codes may be determined; and means for calculating each said run length from the data provided by said means for receiving; wherein said means for receiving is a non-volatile memory which stores data at each address corresponding to a valid code the data necessary to derive the run length corresponding to said code.

Claim 16

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; and third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; wherein said first means further comprises: means to contend for read cycles for a memory in which said codes are stored and for reading and storing data words comprised of said codes; and means for converting said data words into said codes and for presenting them as addresses to said second means; and wherein said second means comprises: means for receiving the address corresponding to each code and for providing data corresponding to each address from which the run lengths of pixels represented by said codes may be determined; and means for calculating each said run length from the data provided by said means for receiving; wherein said means for receiving is a non-volatile memory which stores data at each address corresponding to a valid code the data necessary to derive the run length corresponding to said code.

Claim 17

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; and third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; wherein said first means further comprises: means to contend for read cycles for a memory in which said codes are stored and for reading and storing data words comprised of said codes; and means for converting said data words into said codes and for presenting them as addresses to said second means; and wherein said second means comprises: means for receiving the address corresponding to each code and for providing data corresponding to each address from which the run lengths of pixels represented by said codes may be determined; and means for calculating each said run length from the data provided by said means for receiving; wherein said means for receiving is a non-volatile memory which stores at each address corresponding to a valid code the data necessary to derive the run length corresponding to said code; and wherein said third means comprises: first buffer means for receiving each said run length and temporarily storing same and for receiving a color signal indicating for each said run length the color of pixels in the portion of the original uncompressed image to which each run length corresponds; shifting means for receiving each said run length at a predetermined time and for shifting a number of bits representing the color of pixel represented by said run length into a shift register and for counting the number of bits shifted into said shift register and for preventing further shifting in of bits when the count equals said run length; means for monitoring said count and for causing a new run length to be loaded into said input buffer means when said count equals the previous run length; a document data storage buffer; format conversion means for counting the bits as they are shifted serially into said shifting means and, when the count equals a predetermined word size, for causing the bits shifted in to be loaded in parallel format into said document data storage buffer.

Claim 18

An apparatus for expanding a compression image stored as codes which define the original image pixel content comprising: first means for retrieving said codes; second means for decoding said codes into run length numbers which represent number of consecutive pixels of the same color; and third means for converting said run lengths into strings of pixel data corresponding to the strings of pixel data in the original image which were encoded into said codes which gave rise to said run length number; wherein said first means further comprises: means to contend for read cycles for a memory in which said codes are stored and for reading and storing data words comprised of said codes; and means for converting said data words into said codes and for presenting them as addresses to said second means; and wherein said second means comprises: means for receiving the address corresponding to each code and for providing data corresponding to each address from which the run lengths of pixels represented by said codes may be determined; and means for calculating each said run length from the data provided by said means for receiving; wherein said means for receiving is a non-volatile memory which stores at each address corresponding to a valid code the data necessary to derive the run length corresponding to said code; and wherein said third means comprises: first buffer means for receiving each said run length and temporarily storing same and for receiving a color signal indicating for each said run length the color of pixels in the portion of the original uncompressed image to which each run length corresponds; shifting means for receiving each said run length at a predetermined time and for shifting a number of bits representing the color of pixel represented by said run length into a shift register and for counting the number of bits shifted into said shift register and for preventing further shifting in of bits when the count equals said run length; means for monitoring said count and for causing a new run length to be loaded into said input buffer means when said count equals the previous run length; a document data storage buffer; format conversion means for counting the bits as they are shifted serially into said shifting means and, when the count equals a predetermined word size, for causing the bits shifted in to be loaded in parallel format into said document data storage buffer.

Claim 19

An apparatus as defined in claimed 10 further comprising a raster frame memory for storing the data corresponding to the original image and an output data bus coupled to the data input of said raster frame memory and further comprising means for contending for write cycles to said raster frame memory, and further comprising output storage means for loading the data stored in said document data storage buffer each time a request for a write cycle is made and for loading the data so stored on said output bus every time a write cycle is granted, and further comprising means for supplying addressed to said raster frame memory corresponding to the storage locations in which said data loaded on said output bus is to be stored.

Claim 20

A method of expanding a compressed image stored as codes into another image corresponding to the original, uncompressed image comprising the steps of: reading the codes in word format; recognizing code boundaries within said words and signalling the locations of said code boundaries and breaking said words into said codes and converting the codes into run lengths corresponding to the length of strings of pixels of the same color in the portions of said original image corresponding to each code; converting the run lengths into strings of data representing the proper color and size of strings of pixels at corresponding portions of said original image and assembling words out of said strings and writing said words to a display or memory; controlling all the above steps to be done in parallel by different stages of a machine and coordinating data transfer between the stages of the machine.

Claim 21

A method of expanding a compressed image stored as codes into another image corresponding to the original, uncompressed image comprising the steps of: reading the codes in word format; recognizing code boundaries within said words and signalling the locations of said code boundaries and breaking said words into said codes and converting the codes into run lengths corresponding to the length of strings of pixels of the same color in the portions of said original image corresponding to each code; converting the run lengths into strings of data representing the proper color and size of strings of pixels at corresponding portions of said original image and assembling words out of said strings and writing said words to a display or memory; controlling all the above steps to be done in parallel by different stages of a machine and coordinating data transfer between the stages of the machine.

Claim 22

A method of expanding a compressed image stored as codes into another image corresponding to the original, uncompressed image comprising the steps of: reading the codes in word format; recognizing code boundaries within said words and signalling the locations of said ode boundaries and breaking said words into said codes and converting the codes into run lengths corresponding to the length of strings of pixels of the same color in the portions of said original image corresponding to each code; converting the run lengths into strings of data representing the proper color and size of strings of pixels at corresponding portions of said original image and assembling words out of said strings and writing said words to a display or memory; controlling all the above steps to be done in parallel by different stages of a machine and coordinating data transfer between the stages of the machine; and further comprising the step of converting the strings of data representing pixels in the final, uncompressed image into words suitable for storage in a raster frame memory.

Claim 23

A method of expanding a compressed image stored as codes into another image corresponding to the original, uncompressed image comprising the steps of: reading the codes in word format; recognizing code boundaries within said words and signalling the locations of said ode boundaries and breaking said words into said codes and converting the codes into run lengths corresponding to the length of strings of pixels of the same color in the portions of said original image corresponding to each code; converting the run lengths into strings of data representing the proper color and size of strings of pixels at corresponding portions of said original image and assembling words out of said strings and writing said words to a display or memory; controlling all the above steps to be done in parallel by different stages of a machine and coordinating data transfer between the stages of the machine; and further comprising the step of converting the strings of data representing pixels in the final, uncompressed image into words suitable for storage in a raster frame memory.

Claim 26

A method of expanding a compressed image stored as codes into another image corresponding to the original, uncompressed image comprising the steps of: reading the codes in word format; recognizing code boundaries within said words and signalling the locations of said ode boundaries and breaking said words into said codes and converting the codes into run lengths corresponding to the length of strings of pixels of the same color in the portions of said original image corresponding to each code; converting the run lengths into strings of data representing the proper color and size of strings of pixels at corresponding portions of said original image and assembling words out of said strings and writing said words to a display or memory; controlling all the above steps to be done in parallel by different stages of a machine and coordinating data transfer between the stages of the machine; further comprising the step of converting the strings of data representing pixels in the final, uncompressed image into words suitable for storage in a raster frame memory; further comprising the step of outputting the run length directly from the look up table for every valid Huffman one-dimensional code; and further comprising the step of outputting the displacement data for all valid two-dimensional Huffman codes and calculating the run length by adding the displacement data to a reference number equal to the number of bits from a color change on the current raster line to the next succeeding color change on a reference raster line which just preceded said current raster line.

Claim 27

A method of expanding a compressed image stored as codes into another image corresponding to the original, uncompressed image comprising the steps of: reading the codes in word format; recognizing code boundaries within said words and signalling the locations of said ode boundaries and breaking said words into said codes and converting the codes into run lengths corresponding to the length of strings of pixels of the same color in the portions of said original image corresponding to each code; converting the run lengths into strings of data representing the proper color and size of strings of pixels at corresponding portions of said original image and assembling words out of said strings and writing said words to a display or memory; controlling all the above steps to be done in parallel by different stages of a machine and coordinating data transfer between the stages of the machine; further comprising the step of converting the strings of data representing pixels in the final, uncompressed image into words suitable for storage in a raster frame memory; further comprising the step of outputting the run length directly from the look up table for every valid Huffman one-dimensional code; and further comprising the step of outputting the displacement data for all valid two-dimensional Huffman codes and calculating the run length by adding the displacement data to a reference number equal to the number of bits from a color change on the current raster line to the next succeeding color change on a reference raster line which just preceded said current raster line.