Sub-banding of display list and video buffer for page rendering in a digital signal processor
First Claim
1. A method of converting page description data specifying a print document into pixel data for an individual page employing a data processing system including a central processing unit, a first memory having a first data size and a first data transfer rate and a second memory having a second data size smaller than the first data size and a second data transfer rate faster than the first data transfer rate, the method comprising the steps of:
- extracting a display list from the page description data;
allocating space within the first memory to serve as a page buffer;
dividing the page buffer within the first memory into a plurality of sub-bands, each sub-band having a data size smaller than the second data size;
for each sub-band within the page buffer for each element of the display list rendering pixels within the current sub-band into a corresponding memory location within the second memory, following the rendering step, transferring pixel data from the second memory to corresponding memory locations within the current sub-band of the page buffer;
following the rendering and transferring steps for all sub-bands, printing a page by transfer of data from the page buffer to a print engine.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A print method converts page description data specifying a print document into pixel data. The print system includes a central processing unit, a first memory and a second memory that is smaller but faster than the first memory. The method extracts a display list from the page description data (503), allocates space within the first memory to serve as a page buffer and divides the page buffer within the first memory into a plurality of sub-bands. Each sub-band is smaller than the second memory. For each sub-band the method renders pixels of a current sub-band into the second memory (506). When the sub-band is completely rendered, the method transfers pixel data from the second memory to the current sub-band of the page buffer (509). When all sub-bands are rendered, the page is printed by transfer of data from the page buffer to a print engine (512). The central processing unit and the second memory are preferably disposed on the same integrated circuit.
12 Citations
6 Claims
-
1. A method of converting page description data specifying a print document into pixel data for an individual page employing a data processing system including a central processing unit, a first memory having a first data size and a first data transfer rate and a second memory having a second data size smaller than the first data size and a second data transfer rate faster than the first data transfer rate, the method comprising the steps of:
-
extracting a display list from the page description data;
allocating space within the first memory to serve as a page buffer;
dividing the page buffer within the first memory into a plurality of sub-bands, each sub-band having a data size smaller than the second data size;
for each sub-band within the page buffer for each element of the display list rendering pixels within the current sub-band into a corresponding memory location within the second memory, following the rendering step, transferring pixel data from the second memory to corresponding memory locations within the current sub-band of the page buffer;
following the rendering and transferring steps for all sub-bands, printing a page by transfer of data from the page buffer to a print engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
Specification