Printing method and apparatus having multiple raster image processors
AssigneeElectronics for Imaging, Inc.
InventorsMargaret Motamed, Alon Segal, Chew Yan Kong, Ravindranath Gunturu, Ghilad Dziesietnik
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Abstract
A multiple raster image processor (RIP) system is described that enables faster system performance over multiple processors, and includes a zero RIP feature consisting of a language interpreter sub-RIP that interprets a print instruction file but does not process the graphics rendering steps or the post-language processing operators. A skip RIP interprets selected pages in a way that skips all or most of the processing for that page. Pages to be skipped are scheduled for a different processor, thereby saving processing time and enabling the provision of a multiple processor RIP.
Claims8
A raster image processor system comprising:
- a rules based scheduler for assigning pages of an input print instruction file for raster image processing on either of a page or face basis or a machine basis, wherein the scheduler assigns the pages to a plurality of raster image processors, wherein one of the processors has skipping techniques that interpret selected pages in a way to skip all or most of the raster image processing for that page.
A raster image processor system comprising:
- a rules based scheduler for assigning pages of an input print instruction file for raster image processing on either of a page or face basis or a machine basis, wherein the scheduler assigns the pages to a plurality of raster image processors, and wherein one of the processors interprets the input print instruction file without processing graphics rendering steps or post-language processing operators.
A raster image processor system comprising:
- a rules based scheduler for assigning pages of an input print instruction file for raster image processing on either of a page or face basis or a machine basis, wherein the scheduler assigns the pages to a plurality of raster image processors;
- and
- archiving and editing means for tagged archiving of jobs or parts of jobs in a post raster image processed format.
A raster image processor system comprising:
- a job server connected to a network for receiving print jobs from various entities connected to the network, the job server providing pages to each of a plurality of raster image processors and receiving requests for pages from the processors, the server comprising a system controller for receiving all print instruction files containing information to be printed by the system, and a scheduler for assigning pages to the processors based on availability status provided by the processors, wherein the scheduler receives requests for pages from the processors;
- and
- wherein the processors forward their assigned pages to a combiner when the processors have completed raster image processing, and wherein the combiner combines the pages into a final, ordered raster job.
A raster image processor system comprising:
- a job server connected to a network for receiving print jobs from various entities connected to the network, the job server providing pages to each of a plurality of raster image processors and receiving requests for pages from the processors, the server comprising a system controller for receiving all print instruction files containing information to be printed by the system, and a scheduler for assigning pages to the processors based on availability status provided by the processors, wherein the scheduler receives requests for pages from the processors;
- and
- wherein the processors are connected to a video print machine via a high speed interconnect bus, and wherein the video print machine provides output to a print engine.
A method comprising:
- providing a plurality of raster image processors;
- receiving all print instruction files containing information to be printed by the processors at a system controller;
- assigning pages to specific ones of the processors based on availability status provided by the processors and receiving requests for pages from the processors;
- and
- combining the pages into a final, ordered raster job.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.