Image generating apparatus having a memory for storing data and method of using same

A method for printing information received from an external device, comprising the steps of:

• receiving information including image data to be printed and control data to control an operation of said printing;
• transforming said image data into intermediate codes in a first processing means;
• storing said intermediate codes in a first memory means;
• transferring said intermediate codes from said first memory means to a second processing means;
• transforming said intermediate codes into dot images in the second processing means, which second processing means operates independently from said first processing means;
• storing said dot images in a second memory means;
• and
• printing said dot images according to said control data.

A printer which receives information including image data to be printed from an external device, transforms said received image data into dot images and prints out said dot images on a paper printing means comprising:

• means for receiving said information including image data to be printed and control data to control an operation of said printing means;
• first information processing means for analyzing contents of received information and transforming said image data and control data included therein into intermediate codes;
• first memory means for storing said intermediate codes transformed by said first information processing means;
• second information processing means for transforming said intermediate codes corresponding to said image data into dot images and analyzing said intermediate codes corresponding to said control data, wherein said second information processing means operates asynchronously with said first information processing means;
• second memory means for storing dot images transformed by said second information processing means;
• and
• a print control means for controlling said printing means according to the results of said analysis by said second information processing means and said dot images.

A printer which receives information including image data to be printed from an external device, transforms said received image data into dot images and prints out said dot images on a paper by an electro-photographic

• printing means of transfer type, comprising:
• means for receiving said information including image data to be printed;
• first information processing means for analyzing contents of received information and transforming said image data included therein into intermediate codes;
• first memory means for storing said intermediate codes transformed by said first information processing means;
• second information processing means for transforming said intermediate codes into dot images, wherein said second information processing means operates asynchronously with said first information processing means;
• second memory means for storing dot images transformed by said second processing means;
• a print control means for controlling said printing means according to said dot images stored in said second memory means;
• and
• counter means being incremented when said first information processing means has written image data of one page into said first memory means and being decremented when said second information processing means has read image data of one page from said first memory means, wherein said print control means controls the paper supply of said printing means according to a count value of said counter means.

A printer which receives information including image data to be printed from an external device, transforms said received image data into dot images and prints out said dot images on a paper by a printing means, comprising:

• means for receiving said information including said image data to be printed;
• first information processing means for transforming said received information into intermediate code data according to an analysis of said received information;
• memory means for storing said intermediate code data temporarily, said memory means outputting said intermediate code data in the order of receipt;
• second information processing means for transforming said intermediate code into dot images;
• first counter for updating a write address of each intermediate code in synchronization with a sequence for writing said intermediate codes into said memory means;
• second counter for updating a read address of each intermediate code in synchronization with a sequence for reading said intermediate codes from the memory means;
• and
• third counter for counting an amount of data stored in the memory means in units of a predetermined data length which is incremented in synchronization with a sequence for writing data of the predetermined data length and is decremented in synchronization with a sequence for reading data of said predetermined length.

An image generating apparatus which receives information containing image data input from an external apparatus, transforms said image data into dot images to be printed out and prints said dot images on paper by a printing means, comprising:

• means for receiving said information from the external apparatus;
• information processing means for transforming said received information into intermediate codes according to an analysis of said received information, each of said intermediate codes including an irregular number of units wherein the number of units contained in each of said intermediate codes is less than or equal to a predetermined number which is greater than one;
• memory means for storing said intermediate codes temporarily, said memory means outputting said intermediate codes in the order of receipt;
• memory control means for controlling the writing of said intermediate codes into the memory means and the reading of said intermediate codes therefrom when at least one of the intermediate codes is stored in said memory means, said memory control means including:
• first counter for updating a write address of each unit in synchronization with writing said unit into said memory means;
• second counter for updating a read address of each unit in synchronization with reading said unit from the memory means;
• third counter for counting an amount of units stored in the memory means in units of an intermediate code, which is incremented in synchronization with completion of writing data contained in each of said intermediate codes and is decremented in synchronization with completion of reading data contained in each of said intermediate codes;
• read control means for reading stored intermediate codes from the memory means;
• and
• data processing means for processing read intermediate codes to transform them into dot images and for transmitting dot images to said printing means.

A method for generating an image of information containing image data received from an external apparatus, transforming said image data into dot images to be printed out and printing said dot images on paper, comprising the steps of:

• receiving said information from the external apparatus;
• transforming said received information into intermediates data according to an analysis of said received information;
• storing said intermediate data temporarily in a memory means, which outputs said intermediate data in the order of receipt;
• controlling the writing of said intermediate data into the memory means and the reading of said intermediate data therefrom when at least one unit of data is stored in said memory means, comprising the steps of:
• updating a write address of each intermediate data in synchronization with writing said intermediate data into said memory means;
• updating a read address of each intermediate data in synchronization with reading said intermediate data from the memory means;
• counting an amount of data stored in the memory means in a counter in units of a predetermined data length, wherein said predetermined data length is greater than a length of one of the intermediate data, incrementing said counter in synchronization with writing data of an arbitrary length which is less than or equal to said predetermined length and decrementing said counter in synchronization with reading data of an arbitrary length which is less than or equal to said predetermined length;
• reading stored intermediate data from the memory means;
• processing read intermediate data to transform them into dot images and transmitting said dot images to a printing means;
• and
• printing said dot images.

An image generating apparatus which receives information containing image data input from an external apparatus, transforms said image data into dot images to be printed out and prints said dot images on paper by a printing means, comprising:

• means for receiving said information from the external apparatus;
• information processing means for transforming said received information into intermediate codes according to an analysis of said received information, wherein each of said intermediate codes includes a varying number of units of intermediate data wherein the number of data units contained in each of said intermediate codes is less than or equal to a predetermined number which is greater than one;
• memory means for storing said intermediate codes temporarily, said memory means outputting said intermediate codes in the order of receipt;
• memory control means for controlling the writing of said intermediate codes into the memory means and the reading of said intermediate codes therefrom, said memory control means including:
• first counter for updating a write address of each unit of intermediate data in synchronization with writing said intermediate data into said memory means;
• second counter for updating a read address of each unit of intermediate data in synchronization with reading said intermediate data from the memory means;
• third counter for counting an amount of data stored in the memory means in groups of a predetermined number of units of data, which is incremented in synchronization with a completion of writing data contained in each of said intermediate codes and is decremented in synchronization with a completion of reading data contained in each of said intermediate codes;
• read control means for reading stored intermediate codes from the memory means;
• and
• data processing means for processing read intermediate codes to transform them into dot images and for transmitting dot images to said printing means;
• wherein said memory control means outputs a signal for prohibiting a write operation of said information processing means when it is detected by the third counter that the amount of stored data is a predetermined value different from zero and outputs a signal for prohibiting a read operation of said read control means when it is detected by the third counter that the memory means is empty;
• said information processing means outputs a signal to the first counter when intermediate data contained in one of the intermediate codes have been completely outputted to said memory means;
• said first counter updates the present write address to the next one for the next unit of the predetermined number of data in response to said signal;
• and
• said third counter is incremented in synchronization with said signal.

An image generating apparatus which receives information containing image data input from an external apparatus, transforms said image data into dot images to be printed out and prints said dot images on paper by a printing means, comprising:

• means for receiving said information from the external apparatus;
• information processing means for transforming said received information into intermediate codes according to an analysis of said received information, wherein each of said intermediate codes includes a varying number of units of intermediate data wherein the number of data units contained in each of said intermediate codes is less than or equal to a predetermined number which is greater than one;
• memory means for storing said intermediate codes temporarily, said memory means outputting said intermediate codes in the order of receipt;
• memory control means for controlling the writing of said intermediate codes into the memory means and the reading of said intermediate codes therefrom, said memory control means including:
• first counter for updating a write address of each unit of intermediate data in synchronization with writing said intermediate data into said memory means;
• second counter for updating a read address of each unit of intermediate data in synchronization with reading said intermediate data from the memory means;
• third counter for counting an amount of data stored in the memory means in groups of the predetermined number of units of data, which is incremented in synchronization with a completion of writing data contained in each of said intermediate codes and is decremented in synchronization with a completion of reading data contained in each of said intermediate codes;
• read control means for reading stored intermediate codes from the memory means;
• and
• data processing means for processing read intermediate codes to transform them into dot images and for transmitting dot images to said printing means;
• wherein said memory control means outputs a signal for prohibiting a write operation of said information processing means when it is detected by the third counter that the amount of stored data is a predetermined value different from zero and outputs a signal for prohibiting a read operation of said read control means when it is detected by the third counter that the memory means is empty,
• said read control means outputs a signal to the second counter when intermediate data contained in one of the intermediate codes have been completely read out of said memory means,
• said second counter updates the present read address to a beginning of the next unit of the predetermined number of data in response to said signal, and
• said third counter is decremented in synchronization with said signal.

An image generating apparatus which receives information containing image data input from an external apparatus, transforms said image data into dot images to be printed out and prints said dot images on paper by printing means, comprising:

• means for receiving said information from the external apparatus;
• information processing means for transforming said received information into intermediate codes according to an analysis of said received information, wherein each of said intermediate codes includes valid data which consists of an irregular number of words wherein the number of words of the valid data contained in each of said intermediate codes is greater than or equal to one and is less than or equal to a predetermined number which is greater than one;
• memory means for storing said intermediate codes temporarily, said memory means outputting said intermediate codes in the order of receipt;
• memory control means for controlling the writing of said intermediate codes into the memory means and the reading of said intermediate codes therefrom, said memory control means including:
• a first counter for updating a write address of each intermediate code in synchronization with writing said intermediate codes into said memory means in a unit of one word;
• a second counter for updating a read address of each intermediate code in synchronization with reading said intermediate codes from the memory means in a unit of one word;
• a third counter for counting an amount of data stored in the memory means in units of one packet, said packet including the predetermined number of words, wherein said third counter is incremented in synchronization with writing valid data contained in each of said intermediate codes and is decremented in synchronization with reading valid data contained in each of said intermediate codes;
• read control means for reading stored intermediate codes from the memory means;
• and
• data processing means for processing read intermediate codes to transform them into dot images and for transmitting dot images to said printing means.

An image generating apparatus which receives information containing image data input from an external apparatus, transforms said image data into dot images to be printed out and prints dot images on paper by printing means, comprising:

• means for receiving said information from the external apparatus;
• information processing means for transforming said received information into intermediate codes according to an analysis of said received information, wherein each of said intermediate codes includes valid data which consists of an irregular number of words wherein the number of words of the valid data contained in each of said intermediate codes is greater than or equal to one;
• memory means for storing said intermediate codes temporarily, said memory means outputting said intermediate codes in the order of receipt;
• memory control means for controlling the writing of said intermediate codes into the memory means and the reading of said intermediate codes therefrom, said memory control means including:
• a first counter for updating a write address of each intermediate code in synchronization with writing said intermediate codes into said memory means in a unit of one word;
• a second counter for updating a read address of each intermediate code in synchronization with reading said intermediate codes from the memory means in a unit of one word;
• a third counter for counting an amount of data stored in the memory means, wherein said third counter is incremented in synchronization with completion of writing valid data contained in each of said intermediate codes and is decremented in synchronization with completion of reading valid data contained in each of said intermediate codes;
• read control means for reading stored intermediate code from the memory means;
• and
• data processing means for processing read intermediate codes to transform them into dot images and for transmitting dot images to said printing means.

An image generating apparatus which receives information containing image data input from an external apparatus, transforms said image data into dot images to be printed out and prints said dot images on paper by a printing means, comprising:

• means for receiving said information from the external apparatus;
• information processing means for transforming said received information into intermediate codes according to an analysis of said received information, wherein each of said intermediate codes includes a varying number of units of intermediate data wherein the number of units of intermediate data contained in each of said intermediate codes is less than or equal to a predetermined number which is greater than one;
• memory means for storing said intermediate codes temporarily, said memory means outputting said intermediate code in the order of receipt;
• memory control means for controlling the writing of said intermediate codes into the memory means and the reading of said intermediate codes therefrom, said memory control means including:
• first counter for updating a write address of each unit of intermediate data in synchronization with writing said intermediate data into said memory means;
• second counter for updating a read address of each unit of intermediate data in synchronization with reading said intermediate data from the memory means;
• third counter for counting an amount of data stored in the memory means in groups of the predetermined number of units of data which is incremented in synchronization with a completion of writing data contained in each of said intermediate codes and is decremented in synchronization with a completion of reading data contained in each of said intermediate codes;
• read control means for reading stored intermediate codes from the memory means;
• and
• data processing means for processing read intermediate codes to transform them into dot images and for transmitting dot images to said printing means.

An image generating apparatus which receives information containing image data input from an external apparatus, transforms said image data into dot images to be printed out and prints said dot images on paper by a printing means, comprising:

• means for receiving said information from the external apparatus;
• information processing means for transforming said received information into intermediate codes according to an analysis of said received information, wherein each of said intermediate codes includes a varying number of units of intermediate data wherein the number of units of intermediate data contained in each of said intermediate codes is less than or equal to a predetermined number which is greater than one;
• memory means for storing said intermediate codes temporarily, said memory means outputting said intermediate codes in the order of receipt;
• memory control means for controlling the writing of said intermediate codes into the memory means and the reading of said intermediate codes therefrom, said memory control means including:
• first counter for updating a write address of each unit of intermediate data in synchronization with writing said intermediate data into said memory means;
• second counter for updating a read address of each unit of intermediate data in synchronization with reading said intermediate data from the memory means;
• third counter for counting an amount of data stored in the memory means in units of an intermediate code which is incremented in synchronization with a completion of writing data contained in each of said intermediate codes and is decremented in synchronization with a completion of reading data contained in each of said intermediate codes;
• read control means for reading stored intermediate codes from the memory means;
• and
• data processing means for processing read intermediate codes to transform them into dot images and for transmitting dot images to said printing means;
• wherein said information processing means outputs a first signal when data contained in one of the intermediate codes have been completely outputted to said memory means,
• said read control means outputs a second signal when the predetermined number of units of intermediate data have been completely read out of said memory means, and said third counter is incremented in synchronization with said first signal and is decremented in synchronization with said second signal.

An image generating apparatus which receives information containing image data input from an external apparatus, transforms said image data into dot images to be printed out and prints said dot images on paper by a printing means, comprising:

• means for receiving said information from the external apparatus;
• information processing means for transforming said received information into intermediate codes according to an analysis of said received information, said intermediate codes having varying data lengths;
• memory means for storing said intermediate codes temporarily, said memory means outputting said intermediate codes in the order of receipt;
• memory control means for controlling the writing of said intermediate codes into the memory means and the reading of said intermediate codes therefrom, said memory control means including:
• counter for counting an amount of data stored in the memory means in units of an intermediate code;
• read control means for reading stored intermediate codes from the memory means;
• and
• data processing means for processing read intermediate codes to transform them into dot images and for transmitting dot images to said printing means;
• wherein said information processing means outputs a first signal when data contained in one of the intermediate codes have been completely outputted to said memory means;
• detecting means for detecting a length of data contained in an intermediate code read by said read control means,
• said read control means outputs a second signal when data of the length detected by said detecting means have been completely read out of said memory means, and
• said counter is incremented in synchronization with said first signal and is decremented in synchronization with said second signal.

A data storing device comprising:

• memory means for storing data;
• writing means for writing said data into said memory means in units of a word;
• a first counter for updating a write address of said data in synchronization with a sequence for writing said data into said memory means;
• reading means for reading said data from said memory means in units of a word when at least one unit of data is stored in said memory means;
• a second counter for updating a read address of said data in synchronization with a sequence for reading said data from said memory means;
• and
• a third counter for counting an amount of data stored in said memory means in units of a packet, said packet containing a predetermined plurality of words, which is incremented in synchronization with a sequence for writing said data in units of one packet and is decremented in synchronization with a sequence for reading said data in units of one packet.

A data storing device comprising:

• memory means for storing data;
• writing means for writing said data into said memory means in units of a predetermined data length;
• a first counter for updating a write address of said data in synchronization with a sequence for writing said data into said memory means in units of said predetermined data length;
• reading means for reading said data from said memory means in units of said predetermined data length when at least one unit of data is stored in said memory means;
• a second counter for updating a read address of said data in synchronization with a sequence for reading said data from said memory means;
• and
• a third counter for counting the amount of data stored in said memory means which is incremented in synchronization with a completion of writing a predetermined plurality of units of said predetermined data length and is decremented in synchronization with a completion of reading said predetermined plurality of units of said predetermined data length.

A data storing device comprising:

• memory means for storing data;
• writing means for writing said data into said memory means in units of a predetermined data length;
• a first counter for updating a write address of said data in synchronization with a sequence for writing said data into said memory means in units of said predetermined data length;
• reading means for reading said data from said memory means in units of said predetermined data length;
• a second counter for updating a read address of said data in synchronization with a sequence for reading said data from said memory means;
• a third counter for counting the amount of data stored in said memory means which is incremented in synchronization with a completion of writing a predetermined plurality of units of said predetermined data length and is decremented in synchronization with a completion of reading said predetermined plurality of units of said predetermined data length;
• means for inhibiting said writing means from writing data into said memory means when a value counted by said third counter is a predetermined value which is not zero;
• and
• means for inhibiting said reading means from reading data from said memory means when a value counted by said third counter is zero.