Eastman-kodak Company

Russell L Godshalk

Thomas J Wetzel

Gary W Shope

David R Hansen

Lawrence B Telle

Frank L Muster

Raymond E Maslinski

Charles M Tufano

Richard L Bray

Lawrence M Wood

An apparatus and method for processing image data operates in a high capacity or a high quality mode. In the former a single bit per pixel is created and processed along one of two identical processing paths. The processing paths involve compression, buffering and expansion for output to a writer interface. The processing path selected for pixels in each image frame is in accordance with the most available buffering memory. In the latter mode two bits per pixel, a more significant bit (MSB) and a less significant bit (LSB) are created and processed simultaneously along the two processing paths. The processing path for each is selected in accordance with the LSB being processed by the processing path with the most available memory. As compression of the LSBs is not as efficient as that of the MSBs, the number of document pages stored in the compression buffers is maximized.

Marking engine for grey level printing having a high productivity image

An apparatus and method for processing image data operates in a high capacity mode or a high quality mode. In the former a single bit per pixel is created and processed along one of two identical processing paths. The processing paths involve compression, buffering and expansion for output to a writer interface. The processing path selected for pixels in each image frame is in accordance with the most available buffering memory. In the latter mode two bits per pixel, a more significant bit (MSB) and a less significant bit (LSB) are created and processed simultaneously along the two processing paths. The processing path for each is selected in accordance with the LSBs being processed by the processing path with the most available memory. As compression of the LSBs is not as efficient as that of the MSBs, the number of document pages stored in the compression buffers is maximized.

Method and apparatus for maximizing data storage in a processor of image

Reproduction apparatus is disclosed having at least one image signal generator, a multiple page buffer memory for storing the image signals, and a writer for forming images from the page buffer memory. Upon the occurrence of a malfunction in the writer, operation of the image signal generator is continued only until the first to occur of (a) all of the original pages have been stored in the multiple page buffer memory or (b) the multiple page buffer memory is filled. Upon the occurrence of a malfunction in the signal generator, operation of the writer is continued until the next page to be written has not been stored in the buffer memory.

Reproduction apparatus operation during malfunction recovery

An electronic printer receives multi-page documents as character code signals which are applied to a raster image processor for rasterization. The rasterized signals are electronically stored so that a plurality of electronically collated, multi-page sets can be printed without re-rasterization.

Electronic collation

A printer/copier which stores job image data in memory before reproduction has a 'refresh period' after which data stored therein will degrade if the device is not refreshed. Upon completion of a 'security' job, DRAM refresh and normal read or write operations are disabled for a time period sufficient to allow the data resident in the DRAM to degrade.

Security printer/copier

A continuous forms feeder in which the restacking of the continuous forms is facilitated. Panels of the continuous forms are sequentially fed at a predetermined linear speed from a stack in a supply station through a work station, such as a print or exposure station of a reproduction apparatus, to a storage station. During the movement of the first several panels through the work station, the linear speed is reduced relative to the predetermined linear speed to provide more time for effecting proper restacking of the continuous forms in the storage station.

Growing community of inventors

Hilton, NY, United States of America

Russell L Godshalk