IP Library Granted Patent US 7,859,716
Granted Patent B2
US 7,859,716 · App. 10/983,826 · Granted Dec 28, 2010

Optimizing to-be-printed objects during print job processing

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,859,716
App. No.
10/983,826
Granted
Dec 28, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods for processing print jobs in rendering devices include representing multiple to-be-printed objects with fewer such objects before processing of the objects occurs. In this manner, processing and memory requirements are optimized. Examples include utilizing a single raster operation function of one object for an entirety of objects; using fewer raster operation functions than originally required for the entirety of objects; creating a no processing (NOP) situation; and effectively creating a mask. Other aspects include modifying raster operation functions of one or more objects to have fewer variables than originally specified by the print job. Printers having stored or accessible computer executable instructions for performing the steps are also disclosed as are host devices that may direct or control the printer to perform the same.

Claims (18)

1. A method for processing a print job, comprising

receiving a print job, the print job specifying raster operation functions for applying pixel coloring for a plurality of to-be-printed objects; and

creating a rasterized page image corresponding to the print job, comprising representing a plurality of the to-be-printed objects with fewer said objects.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the creating comprises modifying the plurality of raster operation functions corresponding to said plurality of to-be-printed objects into fewer said functions.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the creating comprises creating a no processing situation between one or more of said plurality of to-be-printed objects.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the creating comprises creating a mask for one or more of said plurality of to-be-printed objects.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the creating comprises examining consecutive objects of said plurality of to-be-printed objects, said consecutive objects existing on a display list, the display list comprising a plurality of data structures found in locations linked in memory that together describe the to-be-printed objects.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rasterized image comprises a bitmap.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the representing comprises utilizing one of the raster operation functions for one of the to-be-printed objects as representative for more than the one of the to-be-printed objects.

8. A non transitory computer readable media storing a computer executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 1 .

9. A printer having a graphics engine with locally or remotely accessible computer executable instructions for performing the step recited in claim 1 .

10. A method for processing a print job, comprising:

receiving a print job, the print job specifying raster operation functions for applying pixel coloring for a plurality of to-be-printed objects; and

creating a rasterized page image corresponding to the print job, comprising reducing a plurality of the raster operation functions corresponding to the plurality of to-be-printed objects to fewer said raster operation functions.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the reducing comprises modifying any of the raster operation functions to have fewer variables than originally specified by said print job.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the creating comprises examining consecutive objects of said plurality of to-be-printed objects, said consecutive objects existing on a display list and having similar attributes.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the rasterized image comprises a bitmap corresponding to the print job.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the reducing comprises utilizing one of the raster operation functions for a first of the to-be-printed objects as representative for more than the first of the to-be-printed objects.

Assignments (8)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2026
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 074202/0192 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2026
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 074202/0293 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 073007/0118 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 073007/0346 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2024
From: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 066345/0026 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT U.S. PATENT NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 046989 FRAME: 0396. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Oct 24, 2018
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047760/0795 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 30, 2018
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 046989/0396 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 24, 2005
From: CLARK, RAYMOND E.; COOK, ROBERT L.; REN, NING; RIVERS, MARTIN G.
To: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 016194/0003 →