US5572631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Common font rasterizer available to multiple printer personalities
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1994-05-13
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Granted: 1996-11-05
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Expires: 2014-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A printer that allows a plurality of personalities access to a common rasterizer. The printer is constructed of an operating system, a scaleable font and a personality interface. The scaleable font is logically connected to the operating system as is the personality interface. Additionally, the personality interface is logically connected to the plurality of personalities and the common rasterizer. The personality interface allows the plurality of personalities to communicate with the operating system and the common rasterizer. When the operating system receives a print job, it activates one of the plurality of personalities to become an active personality. Next, the operating system sends the print job through the personality interface to the active personality and gives the active personality exclusive access to the common rasterizer.
Inventors
- 👤 Jitendra Kavathekar
- 👤 Chris R. Gunning
- 👤 Cheryl S. Freeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0002; G06K2215/0005; G06K2215/0014; G06K2215/002; G06K2215/004; G06K2215/0042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A printer comprising of: an operating system; a scaleable font logically connected to said operating system; a personality interface logically connected to said operating system; a common font rasterizer logically connected to said personality interface; and a plurality of personalities logically connected to said personality interface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
A printer comprising of: an operating system; a scaleable font logically connected to said operating system; a personality interface logically connected to said operating system; a common font rasterizer logically connected to said personality interface; and a plurality of personalities logically connected to said personality interface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said personality interface allows said plurality of personalities to communicate with said operating system and said common font rasterizer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operating system, upon receiving a print job, activates one of said plurality of personalities to become an active personality, said operating system then sends said print job through said personality interface to said active personality, said active personality having exclusive access to said common font rasterizer.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of supporting a plurality of personalities with a common font rasterizer in a printer, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a print job, said print job being destined for one of said plurality of personalities; activating said one of said plurality of personalities to become an active personality; said active personality issuing a request for font information, said request encoded in an active personality format; converting said request from said active personality format to a system format; retrieving said font information from said font bank; scaling said font information by said common font rasterizer to produce a bitmap character; and passing said bitmapped character to said active personality.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of supporting a plurality of personalities with a common font rasterizer in a printer, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a print job, said print job being destined for one of said plurality of personalities; activating said one of said plurality of personalities to become an active personality; said active personality issuing a request for font information, said request encoded in an active personality format; converting said request from said active personality format to a system format; retrieving said font information from said font bank; scaling said font information by said common font rasterizer to produce a bitmap character; and passing said bitmapped character to said active personality.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said step of scaling further comprising the steps of: sending said font information to said active personality; forwarding said font information to said common font rasterizer; and rasterizing said font information to produce said bitmap character.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said step of scaling further comprising the steps of: forwarding said font information to said common rasterizer; and rasterizing said font information to produce said bitmap character.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said common font rasterizer receiving said system format request, said common font rasterizer performing said step of retrieving and said step of scaling.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A printer having a single font rasterizer and a plurality of printer personalities, said printer comprising: an operating system; a scaleable font connected to said operating system; a personality interface means for allowing said plurality of personalities to communicate with said operating system, said personality interface means furthering allowing said plurality of personalities to communicate with said single font rasterizer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A printer having a single font rasterizer and a plurality of printer personalities, said printer comprising: an operating system; a scaleable font connected to said operating system; a personality interface means for allowing said plurality of personalities to communicate with said operating system, said personality interface means furthering allowing said plurality of personalities to communicate with said single font rasterizer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A printer as claimed in claim 8 wherein said personality interface means translates a personality request to a system requests and system responses to personality responses, when an active personality requests use of said single font rasterizer, said personality interface means connects said single font rasterizer to said active personality.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5113494A
Cited
US5379431A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-05 | 2000-05-06 | 2000-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-05 | 2004-05-06 | 2004-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-05 | 2008-05-06 | 2008-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |