Image data addressing for bit rotation block within digital image processors

Abstract

An image data addressing system for a digital image printer operates on a plurality of image data having a horizontal format. Ink jet type digital printers require the alignment of the image data in a horizontal fashion to accommodate the vertical, mechanical arrangement of the ink jet nozzles. A program adapted to the specific components, circuitry and other characteristics of the digital image printer performs data addressing on the image data for preparation for ink jet firing by the ink jet nozzles. A common, integrated memory is used to perform the image data processing of the plurality of image data. The digital image printer adaptable program governs the storing of the image data so that it is adaptable to the specific components, circuitry and other characteristics of the digital image printer. An unused, consecutive portion of the integrated memory is provided at certain times during the image data processing. In certain embodiments of the invention, the image data addressing system is contained within a multi-functional peripheral. The multi-functional peripheral device is a peripheral device containing several internal devices that operate either independently or cooperatively to perform image data processing. Alternatively, the image data addressing system is found in a stand alone device that performs primarily one single function, namely, image data addressing. Highly computationally intensive functions use the unused, consecutive portion of the integrated memory. One particular function that is highly computationally intensive is motor control within an ink jet digital image printer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A printer that prints digital image data, the printer having a printer component selected from a plurality of types of printer components, the printer comprising: 
 a memory that stores the digital image data;    a processing circuit that uses one of an available plurality of data addressing schemes that corresponds to the printer component selected from the plurality of types of printer components to address the digital image data stored within the memory; and    the plurality of data addressing schemes corresponding to each of the plurality of types of printer components.    
     
     
         2 . The printer of  claim 1 , wherein the printer component comprises a plurality of print nozzles; and 
 wherein a type of printer component of the plurality of types of printer components is defined by a number of print nozzles.    
     
     
         3 . The printer of  claim 1 , wherein the digital image data stored in the memory comprises bit rotated digital image data.  
     
     
         4 . The printer of  claim 3 , wherein the processing circuit performs bit rotation of the bit rotated digital image data.  
     
     
         5 . The printer of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an interface circuit that interfaces with a computing device; and    the bit rotation is performed by the processing circuit on image data received via the interface circuitry.    
     
     
         6 . The printer of  claim 1 , wherein the printer component comprises a plurality of print nozzles; 
 wherein a type of printer component of the plurality of types of printer components is defined by a number of print nozzles; and    wherein the performance of bit rotation is based on the number of print nozzles.    
     
     
         7 . The printer of  claim 1 , wherein the printer component comprises a motor; and 
 the memory has a consecutive portion used to perform motor control for the motor.    
     
     
         8 . The printer of  claim 1 , wherein the printer is contained within a peripheral device.  
     
     
         9 . The printer of  claim 1 , wherein the printer is contained within a stand alone device.  
     
     
         10 . A printer that prints digital image data, the printer having a printer component selected from a plurality of types of printer components, the printer comprising: 
 a memory that stores the digital image data;    a processing circuit that can be programmed to use an addressing scheme that supports the printer component selected from the plurality of types of printer components to address the digital image data stored within the memory; and    the plurality of data addressing schemes corresponding to each of the plurality of types of printer components.    
     
     
         11 . The printer of  claim 10 , wherein the printer component comprises a plurality of print nozzles; and 
 wherein a type of printer component of the plurality of types of printer components is defined by a number of print nozzles.    
     
     
         12 . The printer of  claim 10 , wherein the digital image data stored in the memory comprises bit rotated digital image data.  
     
     
         13 . The printer of  claim 12 , wherein the processing circuit performs bit rotation of the bit rotated digital image data.  
     
     
         14 . The printer of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 an interface circuit that interfaces with a computing device; and the bit rotation is performed by the processing circuit on image data received via the interface circuitry.    
     
     
         15 . The printer of  claim 10 , wherein the printer is contained within a peripheral device.  
     
     
         16 . The printer of  claim 10 , wherein the printer is contained within a stand alone device.  
     
     
         17 . A printer that prints digital image data, the printer having a printer component selected from a plurality of types of printer components, the printer comprising: 
 a memory that stores the digital image data;    a processing circuit that can be programmed to use a storage scheme that supports the printer component selected from the plurality of types of printer components to address the digital image data stored within the memory; and    the plurality of data addressing schemes corresponding to each of the plurality of types of printer components.    
     
     
         18 . The printer of  claim 17 , wherein the printer component comprises a plurality of print nozzles; and 
 wherein a type of printer component of the plurality of types of printer components is defined by a number of print nozzles.    
     
     
         19 . The printer of  claim 17 , wherein the printer is contained within a peripheral device.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the printer is contained within a stand alone device.  
     
     
         21 . Printer control circuitry used with any of a plurality of types of print head mechanisms, the control circuitry comprising: 
 a processing circuit that communicatively couples with a selected one of the plurality of types of print head mechanisms;    a memory, coupled to the processing circuit, that stores image processing instructions that correspond to each of the plurality of types of print head mechanisms; and    the processing circuit operates pursuant to those of the image processing instructions that correspond to the selected type of the plurality of types of print head mechanisms.    
     
     
         22 . The printer control circuitry of  claim 21  wherein the processing circuit identifies the selected one of the plurality of types of print head mechanisms.  
     
     
         23 . The printer control circuitry of  claim 22  wherein the processing circuit selects those of the image processing instructions based on the identification of the selected one of the plurality of types of print head mechanisms.  
     
     
         24 . Printer control circuitry used with any of a plurality of types of printer components, the control circuitry comprising: 
 a processing circuit that communicatively couples with a selected one of the plurality of types of printer components;    the processing circuit being capable of operating to support each of the plurality of types of printer components; and    the processing circuit operates to support the selected one of the plurality of types of printer components.    
     
     
         25 . The printer control circuitry of  claim 24  wherein the plurality of types of printer components comprise print head mechanisms.  
     
     
         26 . The printer control circuitry of  claim 24  wherein the plurality of types of printer components comprise motors.  
     
     
         27 . The printer control circuitry of  claim 24  wherein the processing circuit identifies the selected one of the plurality of types of printer components.