Real time cell specification processor

Abstract

Disclosed is a processor and method for the real time generation of linear arrays of pixel data. The generated pixel data is used to modulate a laser diode as it scans across a printing medium, thereby producing printed font and logo characters. In accordance with the present invention, the real time processor receives a series of cell specifications on a scan line-by-scan line basis, the cell specifications identifying the font type and placement information. The real-time processor uses this information to access from its font memory a linear array of pixel data corresponding to the identified font type. The accessed pixel data is used to modulate the laser diode as it scans the printing medium line-by-line. Thus, as the laser diode is modulated by the pixel's 'ones' and 'zeros', it is pulsed 'off' and 'on', thereby generating pixel dots on the print medium itself or on a photosensitive drum which subsequently prints an image on a page through an electrostatic process.