Lexmark International, Inc.

Ning Ren

Martin Geoffrey Rivers

Raymond Edward Clark

Robert Laurence Cook

Michael Donald Bender

Jessica Lynne Heavrin

Robert Lawrence Cook

Shaun Timothy Love

David Keith Lane

Methods for processing print jobs in rendering devices include representing multiple to-be-printed objects with fewer such objects before processing of the objects occurs. In this manner, processing and memory requirements are optimized. Examples include utilizing a single raster operation function of one object for an entirety of objects; using fewer raster operation functions than originally required for the entirety of objects; creating a no processing (NOP) situation; and effectively creating a mask. Other aspects include modifying raster operation functions of one or more objects to have fewer variables than originally specified by the print job. Printers having stored or accessible computer executable instructions for performing the steps are also disclosed as are host devices that may direct or control the printer to perform the same.

Optimizing to-be printed objects during print job processing

A system, method and article are associated with receiving raster operation objects. If a first exclusive OR raster operation object, a copy raster operation object and a second exclusive OR raster operation object are received, shape data associated with either the first or second exclusive OR raster operation object is selected. Additionally, color data associated with either the first or second exclusive OR raster operation object is selected and mask data associated with the copy raster operation object is selected to render a transparent image.

Method and system for rendering a transparent object in an image

Methods for processing print jobs include flagging, or not, to-be-printed objects having PDL-specified math or logic functions requiring hard processing operations, such as two or more inputs. The math or logic functions preferably reside in ink attributes of display list objects corresponding to the to-be-printed objects. To-be-printed pages of the print job become divided into bands. Bands with to-be-printed objects therein have band display lists constructed in the event the to-be-printed objects become flagged. On a band-by-band basis, if bands have band display lists flagged with hard processing operations, contone bands become constructed. The contone bands result from color information blending between overlapping pixels of to-be-printed objects or an object and a contone page. A contone page includes color information of the to-be-printed page in a first color space. To-be-printed objects are rendered in a second color space in device specific page(s) of memory.

Processing print jobs

Methods for processing print jobs in rendering devices include modifying a raster operation function to have fewer variables than originally specified by the print job. Processing may also include executing the modified function and determining how many variables the function originally includes and whether such is one or more. Preferably, the modifying of the function includes determining whether a variable of the function has a black or white identity, such as a black or white ink or a black or white image, stencil or character. It may also include determining whether a destination variable remains unaltered in a to-be-painted area. Printers having stored computer executable instructions for performing the steps are also disclosed as are host devices that may direct or control the printer to perform the same.

Optimizing raster operation functions during print job processing

Methods for processing print jobs in rendering devices include constructing display list objects for to-be-printed objects and determining if two or more sequential objects are combinable. If so, a masked indexed image replaces the objects and has dimensions matching the overall bounding box size of the combinable objects. Indexed image values of the masked indexed image correspond to look up table entries, in turn, corresponding to color values of pixels of the combined object. In this manner, memory space is made available. Determining combinability of objects occurs by examining whether the objects are opaque, have regions as stencils, have similar color intensities, have the same halftone screens, share comparably sized or proximate bounding boxes or for other reasons. Head and tail pointers delineate sequential objects on the display list. The masked indexed image can be uni- or multi-dimensional. Computer readable media and graphics engines in printers are preferred implementation structures.

Optimization techniques during processing of print jobs

Optimizing to-be-printed objects during print job processing

A method includes receiving a plurality of objects included within a print job. A first object of the plurality of objects and a second object of the plurality of objects are processed to define a first overlapping region between the first and second objects. The first object is modified to remove the first overlapping region, thus generating a modified first object.

Rendering optimization method and system

The present invention is directed a method of color trapping. In one embodiment, the color trapping is performed during the rasterization process. The color trapping comprises identifying page objects into a variety of different categories. Color trapping for each of the page objects is then performed based on specific procedures for the category. In one embodiment, the categories include identifying the page objects as rectangles, characters, and non-rectangular shapes. In one embodiment, specific page objects may be identified as being of a type that color trapping is not to be performed.

Color trapping for an image forming apparatus

A method of enlarging a visual image including an M by N matrix of pixels, with each of the pixels having at least one color component, and each of the color components having one of a plurality of color values, includes the step of selecting a two pixel by two pixel submatrix within the M by N matrix. An enlarged image area, including an X by Y matrix of pixels corresponding to the two pixel by two pixel submatrix of the M by N matrix, is defined. The X by Y matrix includes four comer pixels and a plurality of intervening pixels, with each of X and Y being greater than two. Each of the pixels in the X by Y matrix has X and Y coordinates. The color value of the at least one color component of each of the pixels in the two pixel by two pixel submatrix of the M by N matrix is assigned to a corresponding one of the four comer pixels in the corresponding X by Y matrix. The X and Y coordinates of a selected intervening pixel of the corresponding X by Y matrix are identified. A first random number is added to the X coordinate of the selected intervening pixel to obtain a randomized X coordinate. A second random number is added to the Y coordinate of the selected intervening pixel to obtain a randomized Y coordinate. A closest one of the four comer pixels which is closest to a point associated with each of the randomized X coordinate and the randomized Y coordinate is determined. The color value of the at least one color component of the closest one of the four comer pixels is duplicated in the selected intervening pixel.

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Lexington, KY, United States of America

Ning Ren