Data Products Corporation

Seishin Murahashi

A printer 10 stores print image data in memory 56 as the print image data is used by a print engine 12 to print an image in accordance with the print image data. In one embodiment, separate data buses (17, 46) and separate processors (40, 50) are used to transfer the print image data to the print engine and the memory so that the transfer operations can occur independently and in parallel. In another aspect, the print image data is compressed before it is stored in the memory. In yet another aspect, an overrun condition is detected when the transfer of data to the memory falls behind the transfer of data to the print engine. During the overrun condition, transfer of data to the memory is suspended until after the page has been printed.

Image storage and retrieval for a printer

A printer control system for controlling the transfer of image data to a printer marking engine, composed of: a main processing unit for controlling the operation of the system; an interface for receiving print data from an external device; a main bus connected between the main processing unit and the interface; a first data storage device for storing, in a first form, data representing an image to be printed; a second data storage device for storing data representing an image to be printed in a second form suitable for transmission to the marking engine; a data block moving device for controlling the transfer of data from the first data storage device to the second data storage device while the data is converted from the first form to the second form; a second bus structurally separate from the main bus and interconnecting the first data storage device, the second data storage device and the data block moving device; and a signal transmitting device connected between the main bus and the second bus for permitting the transfer of data therebetween.

Growing community of inventors

Newbury Park, CA, United States of America

Seishin Murahashi