Adaptive rasterizer buffer

• US 20040105124A1
• Filed: 12/03/2002
• Published: 06/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta LLC (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sprague, Jeffrey R., Wegner, Paul M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,064,073 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.16
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/122 with regard to computing resources, e.g. memory, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1247 by conversion to printer ready format
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/126 Job scheduling, e.g. queuing, determine appropriate device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1284 Local printer device

Abstract

System and methods for printing are provided. One such method includes determining a storage capacity available for use as a rasterizer buffer, and implementing a rasterizer buffer having a storage capacity that is responsive to the storage capacity determined to be available for use as a rasterizer buffer.

Claims

1. A method for printing, comprising:

determining a storage capacity available for use as a rasterizer buffer; and

implementing a rasterizer buffer having a storage capacity that is responsive to the storage capacity determined to be available for use as a rasterizer buffer.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

buffering bitmap data in the rasterizer buffer, wherein the bitmap data is configured to be printed on a page.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

providing the bitmap data to a spooler.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

providing the bitmap data to a printer driver.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

providing the bitmap data to a printer.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the bitmap data encodes a plurality of pixel lines.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage capacity of the rasterizer buffer is less than the storage capacity determined to be available for use as a rasterizer buffer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage capacity determined to be available for use as a rasterizer buffer is inversely correlated to an amount of random access memory (RAM) that is currently being used.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the bitmap data is generated based on at least one drawing operation that encodes content that is to be located at least in part within a portion of a printed page corresponding to the bitmap data.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the rasterizer buffer is implemented in random access memory (RAM).

11. A method for printing, comprising:

determining a storage capacity available for use as a rasterizer buffer; and

rasterizing a first portion of content to be printed, the size of the first portion being responsive to the storage capacity determined to be available for use as a rasterizer buffer.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

buffering the first portion in a rasterizer buffer.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing the first portion to a spooler.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

rasterizing a second portion of the content after the first portion of the content is provided to the spooler; and

buffering the second portion in the rasterizer buffer.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing the first portion to a printer driver.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

providing the first portion to a printer.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the first portion encodes a plurality of pixel lines.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein a storage capacity of the rasterizer buffer is less than the storage capacity determined to be available for use as a rasterizer buffer.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the storage capacity determined to be available for use as a rasterizer buffer is inversely correlated to an amount of random access memory (RAM) that is currently being used.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the first portion is generated based on at least one drawing operation that encodes content that is to be located at least in part within the first portion.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein the rasterizer buffer is implemented in random access memory (RAM).

22. A host comprising:

memory; and

a processor that is coupled to the memory and that is programmed to;

determine a storage capacity of the memory available for use as a rasterizer buffer; and

implement a rasterizer buffer in the memory, the rasterizer buffer having a storage capacity that is responsive to the storage capacity of the memory determined to be available for use as a rasterizer buffer.

23. The host of claim 22, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

buffer bitmap data in the rasterizer buffer, wherein the bitmap data is configured to be printed on a page.

24. The host of claim 23, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

provide the bitmap data to a printer that is coupled to the host.

25. The host of claim 23, wherein the bitmap data encodes a plurality of pixel lines.

26. The host of claim 22, wherein the storage capacity of the rasterizer buffer is less than the storage capacity of the memory determined to be available for use as a rasterizer buffer.

27. The host of claim 22, wherein the bitmap data is generated based on at least one drawing operation that encodes content that is to be located at least in part within a portion of a printed page corresponding to the bitmap data.

28. The host of claim 22, wherein the memory comprises random access memory (RAM).

29. A method for printing, comprising:

determining a storage capacity available for use as a rasterizer buffer;

implementing a rasterizer buffer having a storage capacity that is responsive to the storage capacity determined to be available for use as a rasterizer buffer;

buffering bitmap data in the rasterizer buffer, wherein the bitmap data is configured to be printed on a page;

providing the bitmap data to a spooler;

providing the bitmap data to a printer driver; and

providing the bitmap data to a printer;

wherein the bitmap data encodes a plurality of pixel lines;

wherein the storage capacity of the rasterizer buffer is less than the storage capacity determined to be available for use as a rasterizer buffer;

wherein the storage capacity determined to be available for use as a rasterizer buffer is inversely correlated to an amount of random access memory (RAM) that is currently being used;

wherein the bitmap data is generated based on at least one drawing operation that encodes content that is to be located at least in part within a portion of a printed page corresponding to the bitmap data;

wherein the rasterizer buffer is implemented in random access memory (RAM)