Method and apparatus for preventing print overruns by controlling print engine speed
First Claim
1. A method of printing a page in a printer, the page having been divided into a plurality of page strips, the method comprising:
- (a) determining a total rasterization execution time (RET) for each page strip; and
,(b) modifying a printing speed for each page strip relative to the RET of each page strip for printing the page.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The printing speed of a page printer is modified relative to rasterization execution time (RET) for display commands that define images to be printed on each page strip of a page. The printer includes a variable frequency clock for producing a plurality of clock frequencies for modifying the printing speed. A processor compares the RET for each page strip with a threshold value. When a complex page strip is found whose RET exceeds the threshold, the variable frequency clock is appropriately controlled to generate a lower frequency clock signal to the print engine. The lower frequency signal causes the print engine to operate at a modified (slower) rate for a sufficient amount of time on any previously queued page strip(s) to provide an extended time frame for allowing the complex page strip to be rasterized. Printing speed is slowed, but rasterization time (clock speed) for the complex page strip is not slowed. Accordingly, display commands in the complex page strip are rasterized within the extended amount of time provided by the reduced print speed, thereby preventing a print overrun.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of printing a page in a printer, the page having been divided into a plurality of page strips, the method comprising:
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(a) determining a total rasterization execution time (RET) for each page strip; and
,(b) modifying a printing speed for each page strip relative to the RET of each page strip for printing the page. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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12. A page printer comprising:
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(a) means for determining a total rasterization execution time (RET) for each of a plurality of page strips of a page to be printed; and
,(b) means for modifying a printing speed for each of the plurality of page strips relative to the RET of each page strip for printing the page. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification