Halftoning run length encoded datastreams
AssigneeRicoh Company, Ltd.
InventorNenad Rijavec
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Abstract
Methods and systems herein provide for halftoning of Run length (RL) encoded datastreams. In one embodiment, a print controller identifies a packet within a RL encoded datastream. The packing includes a header and a block of continuous tone data. The print controller identifies an array of conversion values for converting RL encoded data to halftone data, and indexes the array using one or more bytes of the block of bitmap data. The print controller then outputs halftone data from the conversion array based on the index to convert the RL encoded continuous tone data of the packet to halftone data for a print engine.
Claims20
A print controller comprising:
- an array operable to store pre-calculated halftone output values in storage entries, wherein the storage entries are addressable by Run length (RL) encoded data values that correspond with the pre-calculated halftone output values;
- an identification system operable to identify a first packet within a Run length (RL) encoded datastream, wherein the first packet comprises a first header and a first data block defined by the first header, and wherein the first data block comprises continuous tone data;
- and
- a control system operable to locate a storage entry in the array using one or more bytes of the first data block, and to retrieve a pre-calculated halftone output value at the storage entry to directly convert the RL encoded continuous tone data of the first packet to halftone data for a print engine.
A method operable on a print controller, the method comprising:
- storing, in an array, pre-calculated halftone output values in storage entries, wherein the storage entries are addressable by Run length (RL) encoded data values that correspond with the pre-calculated halftone output values;
- identifying, with the print controller, a first packet within a Run length (RL) encoded datastream, wherein the first packet comprises a first header and a first data block defined by the first header, and wherein the first data block comprises continuous tone data;
- locating a storage entry in the array using one or more bytes of the first data block;
- retrieving, with the print controller, a pre-calculated halftone output value at the storage entry to directly convert the RL encoded continuous tone data of the first packet to halftone data for a print engine.
A tangible computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor of a print controller, are operable for performing a method, the method comprising:
- storing, in an array, pre-calculated halftone output values in storage entries, wherein the storage entries are addressable by Run length (RL) encoded data values that correspond with the pre-calculated halftone output values;
- identifying a first packet within a Run length (RL) encoded datastream, wherein the first packet comprises a first header and a first data block defined by the first header, and wherein the first data block comprises continuous tone data;
- locating a storage entry in the array using one or more bytes of the first data block;
- retrieving, with the print controller, a pre-calculated halftone output value at the storage entry to directly convert the RL encoded continuous tone data of the first packet to halftone data for a print engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.