Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Stephen V Dennis

Gabe L Newell

William B McCormick

Robert C Flagg

Reed L Townsend

Xiao Tu

Bryan Douglas Scott

Todd A Torset

Steven J Fluegel

Brett C Gerlach

George H Douglas

Steve Shaiman

Paul A Schuster

This document describes tools having or interacting with a touch-sensitive device with one or more contact detectors that detect a tactile input from a user making contact with the contact detectors and an input/output module that persistently identifies contact data representing the detected tactile input. This identification is unique, thereby differentiating one or more tactile inputs from other current tactile inputs represented in the contact data. Using this unique identification, the input/output module can initiate an application to provide a function, such as data entry or a mapped function, associated with the detected tactile input. These data or mapped functions may, in many instances, provide a greater depth or breadth of functions by which users may interact with applications and computer systems.

Multi-touch input platform

A system and method for printer banding by which stored printer data files are processed a single time to create a set of bandable primitives corresponding to the entire page to be printed. If an object is larger than a preselected band size, the bandable primitives associated with that object are cut into banded sets of primitives corresponding to the preselected band size. The banded sets of primitives are sequentially converted to a bit-map data file for each of the bands. The bit-map data files are stored within a buffer until printed. The printer prints the entire page in the proper drawing order and allows a faster return to application than previously possible. A scrolling buffer may be used to increase efficiency of data processing by the printer.

System and method of printer banding

A system and method for printer banding by which stored printer data files are processed a single time to create a set of bandable primitives corresponding to the entire page to be printed. If an object is larger than a preselected band size, the bandable primitives associated with that object are cut into banded sets of primitives corresponding to the preselected band size. The banded sets of primitives are sequentially convened to a bit-map data file for each of the bands. The bit-map data files are stored within a buffer until printed. The printer prints the entire page in the proper drawing order and allows a faster return to application than previously possible. A scrolling buffer may be used to increase efficiency of data processing by the printer.

A resource oriented host computer-printer system in which the host computer and printer share information and data processing duties. A system and method for analyzing the execution times for draw primitives allows the host computer to determine whether the printer will be able to render draw primitives in real-time. A resource assembler calculates the cost of executing each draw primitive within a band to determine if the printer can render the draw primitive in real-time. If the band is too complex for the printer to render in real-time, the printer may pre-render the band or the host computer will render the band and transmit the bit-map of that band to the printer. The host computer makes a series of decisions as to the best form for transferring data from the host computer to the printer. If the printer cannot store the bit-map data file, the bit-map data file is compressed. If the printer cannot store the compressed bit-map data file, the host computer will reduce resolution in two stages, if necessary, until the printer can store the reduced resolution bit-map data file. The second stage of resolution reduction is guaranteed to fit within the printer. The host computer displays a message advising the user that the resolution has been reduced.

System and method for automatic resolution reduction

A resource oriented host computer-printer system in which the host computer and printer share information and data processing duties. A system and method for analyzing the execution times for draw primitives allows the host computer to determine whether the printer will be able to render draw primitives in real-time. If the printer cannot render the draw primitives in real-time, the host computer may send the draw primitives to be pre-rendered by the printer. The rendering is accomplished in less than thirty seconds. The host computer can determine the execution times for the draw primitives and dynamically alter the timeout period accordingly. If the printer exceeds the determined execution time, the host computer generate a timeout error message. No false timeout error messages are generated by the host computer because the timeout period is related to the actual processing time required by the printer. If the printer is coupled to a network, the timeout period may be set to the maximum thirty second period because the host computer may not have continuous communication with the printer. The host computer will still not generate false timeout errors because the maximum timeout period is still related to the actual processing time required by the printer. The inventive system and method are applicable to any peripheral in which a timeout period is used.

System and method for dynamic printer timeout

A host computer and printer and method of operation in which the data file describing a document is examined by a resource assembler which determines which resources are required from the host computer to print the document. The resource assembler translates the document into a set of render primitives for each band or page of the document and creates a dependency list interrelating the required resources with each band or page. The resource assembler places the required resources and set of primitives into a host resource store and communicates the dependencies to other portions of the system. A resource loader uses the list to determine the most efficient manner for loading and releasing resources from a printer resource store. A resource scheduler controls the actual timing of resource and primitives transfer and determines when all required resources for a band or page are present within the printer resource store. The resource scheduler generates an execute signal which causes a resource executor to convert the primitives to a bit-map data file. The resource assembler may convert the primitives to a bit-map data file if the resource executor cannot convert the primitives in real-time while the print engine is printing the band or page. The resource assembler also converts the primitives if it is more efficient than the resource executor for converting a particular band or page. If bidirectional communication is available between the printer and host computer, the printer manages its own memory and determines the most efficient printing sequence. Enhanced error recovery is also possible with bidirectional communication.

Resource-oriented printer system and method of operation

A host computer and printer and method of operation wherein the printer is able to switch between two modes of operation. When the printer is powered up, it initializes its internal data registers and printer memory, followed by a check to see if additional firmware, in the form of a cartridge or the like, is added to the printer. If additional firmware is present, the printer turns operational command over to the additional firmware. The present invention, residing in the additional firmware, stores a complete image of the printer state, internal registers, and memory in a location that cannot be accessed by either mode of operation. The present invention compresses the data so that the complete image of the printer state, internal registers, and memory occupies approximately eight KBytes of memory. The storage location may be part of the printer memory itself, or any other suitable location. The additional firmware then returns operational control to the original firmware within the printer thus allowing the printer to operate in the first mode of operation. The host computer may cause the printer to switch to the second mode of operation by simply overwriting the internal data registers and printer memory, except for the portion of printer memory that is used to store the compressed image of the initial printer state. The printer may be switched back to the first mode of operation by expanding the compressed image to restore the printer to its initial state. From the perspective of the printer, it has just completed initialization. Thus, the printer may be easily and quickly switched modes of operation.

System and method for mode switching

A resource oriented host computer-printer system is disclosed in which the host computer and printer share information and data processing duties. A system and method for analyzing the execution times for draw primitives allows the host computer to determine whether the printer will be able to render draw primitives in real-time. The inventive system sends a series of test instructions to the printer at the time the printers is installed on the host computer. A timer is used to time a predetermined period of time during which the draw primitives are sent to the printer for execution. Based on the number of draw primitives executed and the type of draw primitives executed, the system constructs a printer model. A log file is used to store the acquired cost metric data. In one embodiment of the invention, a clumping procedure is used to classify cost metric data. A series of cost tables stores the classified cost metric data. A map table provides a map to the cost table to speed up the process of cost metric data retrieval. At run time, a resource assembler calculates the cost of executing each draw primitive within a band to determine if the printer can render the draw primitive in real-time. If the band is too complex for the printer to render in real-time, the host computer will render the band and transmit the bit-map of that band to the printer. If too many bands on one page are complex, the host computer may render the entire page and transmit the bit-map for all bands on the page.

Growing community of inventors

Bothell, WA, United States of America

Stephen V Dennis