Print job data processing for multi-head printers

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for performing processing, such as striping, staggering, and stitching, on print data prior to printing by a multi-head printer. Subsets of the print data may be stored in multiple stages of buffers and processed in parallel to increase processing efficiency. Print data representing digital photographs may be processed sufficiently rapidly to enable continuous printing of digital photographs at high speeds. Parameters of the system, such as print buffer size and interrupt frequency, may be varied in response to design requirements such as overall system cost.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method for printing print data, the method comprising steps of:
 (A) performing a first image processing step on a first portion of the print data to produce first processed print data;   (B) storing the first processed print data in a first buffer,   (C) transmitting the first processed print data to a second buffer;   (D) performing a second image processing step on a second portion of the print data to produce second processed print data;   (E) storing the second processed print data in a third buffer;   (F) transmitting the second processed print data to a fourth buffer; and   (G) transmitting the second processed print data from the second buffer to a print engine while at least one of steps (D), (E), and (F) is being performed.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first image processing step comprises a step of striping the first portion of the print data. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first image processing step comprises a step of staggering the first portion of the print data. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first image processing step comprises a step of stitching the first portion of the print data. 
     
     
         15 . A device for printing print data, the device comprising:
 first image processing means for performing a first image processing step on a first portion of the print data to produce first processed print data;   first storage means for storing the first processed print data in a first buffer;   first transmission means for transmitting the first processed print data to a second buffer;   second image processing means for performing a second image processing step on a second portion of the print data to produce second processed print data;   second storage means for storing the second processed print data in a third buffer;   second transmission means for transmitting the second processed print data to a fourth buffer; and   third transmission means for transmitting the second processed print data from the second buffer to a print engine while at least one of the second image processing means, the second storage means, and the second transmission means is active.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the first image processing means comprises means for striping the first portion of the print data. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the first image processing means comprises means for staggering the first portion of the print data. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the first image processing means comprises means for stitching the first portion of the print data.