US5999710A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Merge plane generation for a data processing pipeline
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1997-06-17
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Granted: 1999-12-07
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Expires: 2017-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A print data processing pipeline for use in a color electrophotographic printer optimizes print quality and minimizes memory usage by separately processing lossy and lossless print data. Lossy print data may include print data for images and lossless print data may include print data for text, line art, and graphics. Partitioning print data into lossy and lossless elements allows application of the print data compression operations optimized for each type of print data. High compression ratios can be achieved on lossy print data by applying visually lossless compression operations designed for the lossy print data. In addition, high compression ratios can be achieved on the lossless print data by applying lossless compression operations designed for the lossless print data. A merge unit combines the lossy and lossless print data streams after decompression to reconstruct the original image using merge data. The merge data is generated in an image processing operation which accounts for the different transparency modes of the page description language print data so that the correct foreground and background placement of objects is maintained. Placement of the color space conversion operation and the halftone operation relative to the merge operation, further optimizes the print quality while minimizing memory usage. The print data processing pipeline includes a direct memory access controller which has the capability to allow print data to be selectively directed to the lossy or lossless compressor/decompressor, the color space converter, or the merge unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Marcus A. Smith
- 👤 Christopher T. Creel
- 👤 Jason Main
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/12; G06K15/18; G06K15/1848; G06K15/1852; G06K15/1855; G06K15/1856; G06K15/1861; G06K15/1865; G06K15/1894; G06K15/1897; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0002; G06K2215/0005; G06K2215/0014; G06K2215/0062; G06K2215/0065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
321 words
In a print data processing pipeline for separately processing print data, including print data expressed in a page description language having transparency modes and with said print data used to generate a stream of print data elements including lossless print data elements and lossy print data elements, each of said lossless print data elements and said lossy print data elements having a first transparency mode and, alternatively, a second transparency mode, a method for generating merge data elements corresponding to said print data elements and used to merge said lossless print data elements and said lossy print data elements after said separate processing, said method comprising the steps of: determining if a transparency mode of a one of said print data elements corresponds to said first transparency mode; determining if said one of said print data elements corresponds to a white print data element if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode; determining if said one of said print data elements corresponds to said lossy print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode and corresponds to said white print data element; setting a one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossless print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes a transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode, corresponds to said white print data element, and corresponds to said lossy print data elements; and setting said one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossy print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes a transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode, corresponds to said white print data element, and corresponds to said lossless print data elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
321 words
In a print data processing pipeline for separately processing print data, including print data expressed in a page description language having transparency modes and with said print data used to generate a stream of print data elements including lossless print data elements and lossy print data elements, each of said lossless print data elements and said lossy print data elements having a first transparency mode and, alternatively, a second transparency mode, a method for generating merge data elements corresponding to said print data elements and used to merge said lossless print data elements and said lossy print data elements after said separate processing, said method comprising the steps of: determining if a transparency mode of a one of said print data elements corresponds to said first transparency mode; determining if said one of said print data elements corresponds to a white print data element if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode; determining if said one of said print data elements corresponds to said lossy print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode and corresponds to said white print data element; setting a one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossless print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes a transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode, corresponds to said white print data element, and corresponds to said lossy print data elements; and setting said one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossy print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes a transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode, corresponds to said white print data element, and corresponds to said lossless print data elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: determining if said one of said print data elements corresponds lossy print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said first transparency mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising the step of: setting said one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossy print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said first transparency mode and corresponds to said lossy print data elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising the step of: setting said one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossless print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said first transparency mode and corresponds to said lossless print data elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: determining if said one of said print data elements corresponds to said lossy print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode and corresponds to a non-white print data element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of: setting said one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossy print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode, corresponds to said non-white print data element, and corresponds to said lossy print data elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of: setting said one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossless print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode, corresponds to said non-white print data element, and corresponds to said lossless print data elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
188 words
A print data processing pipeline for processing print data, comprising: a processor for generating print data elements including lossless raster print data elements and lossy raster print data elements from said print data, said print data includes print data expressed in a page description language having transparency modes, said processor includes a means for generating merge data elements corresponding to said print data elements responsive to said transparency modes of said print data elements; a lossless compressor/decompressor configured to receive said lossless raster print data elements to generate compressed lossless raster print data elements and configured to receive said compressed lossless raster print data elements to generate decompressed lossless raster print data elements; a lossy compressor/decompressor configured to receive said lossy raster print data elements to generate compressed lossy raster print data elements and configured to receive said compressed lossy raster print data elements to generate decompressed lossy raster print data elements; and a merge unit configured to receive said decompressed lossless raster print data elements and said decompressed lossy raster print data elements to generate merged lossless and lossy raster print data using said merge data elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
188 words
A print data processing pipeline for processing print data, comprising: a processor for generating print data elements including lossless raster print data elements and lossy raster print data elements from said print data, said print data includes print data expressed in a page description language having transparency modes, said processor includes a means for generating merge data elements corresponding to said print data elements responsive to said transparency modes of said print data elements; a lossless compressor/decompressor configured to receive said lossless raster print data elements to generate compressed lossless raster print data elements and configured to receive said compressed lossless raster print data elements to generate decompressed lossless raster print data elements; a lossy compressor/decompressor configured to receive said lossy raster print data elements to generate compressed lossy raster print data elements and configured to receive said compressed lossy raster print data elements to generate decompressed lossy raster print data elements; and a merge unit configured to receive said decompressed lossless raster print data elements and said decompressed lossy raster print data elements to generate merged lossless and lossy raster print data using said merge data elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The print data processing pipeline as recited in claim 8, wherein: said transparency modes of said print data elements include a first transparency mode and a second transparency mode; and said means for generating includes a set of instructions for controlling said processor to generate said merge data elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
242 words
The print data processing pipeline as recited in claim 9, wherein: said set of instructions for controlling said processor includes capability to perform the steps of determining if one of said print data elements includes a transparency mode corresponding to said first transparency mode; determining if said one of said print data elements corresponds to a white print data element if said one of said print data elements includes a transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode; determining if said one of said print data elements corresponds to said lossy raster print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes a transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode and corresponds to said white print data element; setting a one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossless raster print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes a transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode, corresponds to said white print data element, and corresponds to said lossy raster print data elements; and setting said one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossy raster print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes a transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode, corresponds to said white print data element, and corresponds to said lossless raster print data elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The print data processing pipeline as recited in claim 10, wherein: said set of instructions for controlling said processor includes the capability to perform the step of determining if said one of said print data elements corresponds to said lossy raster print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said first transparency mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
The print data processing pipeline as recited in claim 11, wherein: said set of instructions for controlling said processor includes the capability to perform the step of setting said one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossy raster print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said first transparency mode and corresponds to said lossy raster print data elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
The print data processing pipeline as recited in claim 11, wherein: said set of instructions for controlling said processor includes the capability to perform the step of setting said one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossless raster print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said first transparency mode and corresponds to said lossless raster print data elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
The print data processing pipeline as recited in claim 10, wherein: said set of instructions for controlling said processor includes the capability to perform the step of determining if said one of said print data elements corresponds to said lossy raster print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode and corresponds to a non-white print data element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
87 words
The print data processing pipeline as recited in claim 14, wherein said set of instructions for controlling said processor includes the capability to perform the step of setting said one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossy raster print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode, corresponds to said non-white print data element, and corresponds to said lossy raster print data elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
227 words
The print data processing pipeline as recited in claim 14, wherein: said set of instructions for controlling said processor includes the capability to perform the step of setting said one of said merge data elements corresponding to said one of said print data elements to select from said lossy raster print data elements if said one of said print data elements includes said transparency mode corresponding to said second transparency mode, corresponds to said non-white print data element, and corresponds to said lossy raster print data elements; and determining if said one of said print data elements corresponds to said white print data element includes performing a first AND operation between said one of said print data elements and a first mask value to generate a first value, performing a second AND operation between said one of said print data elements and a second mask value to generate a second value, adding a third mask value to said first value to generate a third value, performing a third AND operation between said third value and said second value to generate a fourth value, shifting bits of a binary expression of said fourth value rightward seven places to generate a fifth value, subtracting said fifth value from said fourth value to generate a sixth value, and performing an OR operation between said fourth value and said sixth value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
271 words
A printer, comprising: a processor for generating print data elements including lossless raster print data elements and lossy raster print data elements from said print data, said print data includes print data expressed in a page description language having transparency modes, said processor includes a means for generating merge data elements corresponding to said print data elements responsive to said transparency modes of said print data elements; a direct memory access controller operatively coupled to said processor, said direct memory access controller configured to receive at least one of said lossless raster print data elements, said lossy raster print data elements, and said merge data elements from said processor and configured to send at least one of said lossless raster print data elements, said lossy raster print data elements, and said merge data elements; a lossless compressor/decompressor coupled to said direct memory access controller, said lossless compressor/decompressor configured to receive said lossless raster print data elements to generate compressed lossless raster print data elements and said lossless compressor/decompressor configured to receive said compressed lossless raster print data elements to generate decompressed lossless raster print data elements; a lossy compressor/decompressor coupled to said direct memory access controller, said lossy compressor/decompressor configured to receive said lossy raster print data elements to generate compressed lossy raster print data elements and configured to receive said compressed lossy raster print data elements to generate decompressed lossy raster print data elements; and a merge unit configured to receive said decompressed lossless raster print data elements and said decompressed lossy raster print data elements to generate merged lossless and lossy raster print data using said merge data elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
271 words
A printer, comprising: a processor for generating print data elements including lossless raster print data elements and lossy raster print data elements from said print data, said print data includes print data expressed in a page description language having transparency modes, said processor includes a means for generating merge data elements corresponding to said print data elements responsive to said transparency modes of said print data elements; a direct memory access controller operatively coupled to said processor, said direct memory access controller configured to receive at least one of said lossless raster print data elements, said lossy raster print data elements, and said merge data elements from said processor and configured to send at least one of said lossless raster print data elements, said lossy raster print data elements, and said merge data elements; a lossless compressor/decompressor coupled to said direct memory access controller, said lossless compressor/decompressor configured to receive said lossless raster print data elements to generate compressed lossless raster print data elements and said lossless compressor/decompressor configured to receive said compressed lossless raster print data elements to generate decompressed lossless raster print data elements; a lossy compressor/decompressor coupled to said direct memory access controller, said lossy compressor/decompressor configured to receive said lossy raster print data elements to generate compressed lossy raster print data elements and configured to receive said compressed lossy raster print data elements to generate decompressed lossy raster print data elements; and a merge unit configured to receive said decompressed lossless raster print data elements and said decompressed lossy raster print data elements to generate merged lossless and lossy raster print data using said merge data elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
153 words
The printer as recited in claim 17, wherein: said lossless compressor/decompressor includes a lossless compressed output coupled to said direct memory access controller and a lossless decompressed output, said lossless compressor/decompressor includes the capability to receive said merge data elements to generate compressed merge data elements and to receive said compressed merge data elements to generate decompressed merge data elements; said lossy compressor/decompressor includes a lossy compressed output coupled to said direct memory access controller and a lossy decompressed output; and said merge unit includes capability to receive said lossless raster print data elements, said lossy raster print data elements, and said merge data elements to generate said merged lossless and lossy raster print data and said merge unit includes capability to receive said decompressed lossless raster print data elements, said decompressed lossy raster print data elements, and said decompressed merge data elements to generate said merged lossless and lossy raster print data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
124 words
The printer as recited in claim 18, further comprising: a page strip manager coupled to said lossless decompressed output, said lossy decompressed output, and said direct memory access controller, said page strip manager having a first lossless output, a first lossy output, and a merge data output coupled to said merge unit; a color space converter coupled to said first lossless output and said first lossy output, said color space converter having a second lossless output and a second lossy output coupled to said merge unit; and a halftone unit coupled to said merge unit to receive said merged lossless and lossy raster print data and to perform a halftone operation on said merged lossless and lossy raster print data responsive to halftone data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
143 words
The printer as recited in claim 19, wherein: said color space converter includes capability to bypass said lossless raster print data elements, said decompressed lossless raster print data elements, said lossy raster print data elements, and said decompressed lossy raster print data elements through said color space converter; said color space converter includes a selector having a selector output coupled to said direct memory access controller for selecting from said lossless raster print data elements and said lossy raster print data elements or from said decompressed lossless raster print data elements and said decompressed lossy raster print data elements; and said page strip manager includes capability to format at least one of said lossless raster print data elements, said decompressed lossless raster print data elements, said lossy raster print data elements, and said decompressed lossy raster print data elements for subsequent processing operations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-06 | 2003-06-07 | 2003-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-06 | 2007-06-07 | 2007-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-06 | 2011-06-07 | 2011-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |