×

Method and apparatus to enhance laser printer speed and functionality

  • US 5,195,176 A
  • Filed: 09/09/1991
  • Issued: 03/16/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. In a computer driven laser printer system including a general purpose computer, a laser printer, and a font cartridge, an improved font cartridge comprising:

  • input bus means for communicating a memory address signal or a command signal from the laser printer;

    output bus means for communicating either an unprocessed font data signal or a bitmap character data signal to the laser printer;

    address counter means coupled to said input bus means for receiving said memory address signal from said laser printer, and responsive to a count signal, and operative to generate an address signal for accessing a memory cell location in a processor;

    address-to-data converter means coupled to said input bus means for receiving said command signal from said laser printer, and responsive to said count signal, and operative to transfer said command signal to said processor;

    page register means coupled to said input bus means for receiving a page designator signal from said laser printer, and responsive to said count signal, and operative to communicate said page designator signal to said processor and to a memory device;

    data counter means coupled to said input bus means for receiving a command count signal communicated from said laser printer, and operative to communicate said count signal to said address counter means, said page register means, and said address-to-data converter means;

    font memory means coupled to said input bus means for receiving said memory address signal from said laser printer, and responsive to said page designator signal, and operative to transfer said unprocessed font data signal from an addressed memory location to said output bus means; and

    co-processor means for processing said bitmap character data signal, responsive to said page designator signal, said address signal, and said command signal, and operative to either transfer said bitmap character data signal from a memory location within said co-processor means to said output bus means or to write said command signal to a memory location within said co-processor means, whereby the improved font cartridge, on command from said laser print controller, converts the font data stored on-board the cartridge into said bitmap character data signal.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×