Data processor for processing original image information into bit map data, having means for permitting the bit map data to be always stored in varying-capacity memory

Claim 1

An image data processor for processing image information representative of images, into bit map data to be used by an output device to output said images with a predetermined output resolution, and storing the bit map data into a bit map memory of memory means, for subsequent use by said output device, said memory means being used to also store data other than said bit map data, and said bit map memory consisting of an empty area of said memory means which varies with a volume of said data other than said bit map data, so that a memory capacity of said bit map memory varies from time to time, said processor comprising: calculating means for calculating said memory capacity of said bit map memory; comparator means responsive to said calculating means, for determining whether a memory capacity required for storing first bit map data for outputting said images with a nominal output resolution is larger than said memory capacity of said bit map memory which is calculated by said calculating means; modifying means responsive to said comparator means, for modifying said first bit map data into second bit map data if said memory capacity required for storing said first bit map data is larger than the calculated memory capacity of said bit map memory, said second bit map data being prepared to output said images with a reduced output resolution lower than said nominal output resolution, such that a memory capacity required for storing said second bit map data does not exceed the memory capacity of said bit map memory.