System and method for encoded raster document generation

1. An encoded raster document forming system comprising:

storage means adapted for storing an electronic document as executable primary raster code instructions, which raster code instructions include instructions representative of dot placement in an rendering of the electronic document by an associated document output engine;

means adapted for receiving overlay data corresponding to the electronic document;

conversion means adapted for converting received overlay data to executable secondary raster code instructions;

means adapted for outputting the primary raster code instructions and the secondary raster code instructions for generation of a bitmapped image output from a combination thereof;

decoding means adapted for decoding the primary raster code instructions and the secondary raster code instructions into bitmapped document image;

means adapted for receiving an electronic page description language document encoded in a page description language;

conversion means adapted for generating the primary raster code instructions in accordance with the received electronic page description language document; and

means adapted for communicating the generated primary raster code instructions to the storage means.

2. The encoded raster document forming system of claim 1 further comprising:

means adapted for communicating the bitmapped document image to an associated document output engine for generation of a tangible document therefrom.

3. The encoded raster document forming system of claim 1 further comprising means adapted for appending the secondary raster code instructions to the primary raster code instructions so as to form a single raster code document.

4. The encoded raster document forming system of claim 3 wherein the secondary raster code instructions overwrite at least a portion of the electronic document.

5. The encoded raster document forming system of claim 1 wherein the page description language is comprised of a portable document format encoding.

6. A method for encoded raster document generation comprising the steps of:

storing, in an associated storage, an electronic document as executable primary raster code instructions, which raster code instructions include instructions representative of dot placement in a rendering of the electronic document by an associated document output engine;

receiving overlay data corresponding to the electronic document;

converting received overlay data to executable secondary raster code instructions;

outputting the primary raster code instructions and the secondary raster code instructions for generation of a bitmapped image output from a combination thereof;

decoding the primary raster code instructions and the secondary raster code instructions into bitmapped document image;

receiving an electronic page description language document encoded in a page description language;

generating the primary raster code instructions in accordance with the received electronic page description language document; and

communicating the generated primary raster code instructions to the associated storage.

7. The method for encoded raster document generation of claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

communicating the bitmapped document image to an associated document output engine for generation of a tangible document therefrom.

8. The method for encoded raster document generation of claim 6 further comprising the step of appending the secondary raster code instructions to the primary raster code instructions so as to form a single raster code document.

9. The method for encoded raster document generation of claim 8 wherein the secondary raster code instructions overwrite at least a portion of the electronic document.

10. The method for encoded raster document generation of claim 6 wherein the page description language is comprised of a portable document format encoding.

11. A computer-implemented method for encoded raster document forming system comprising the steps of:

storing, in an associated storage, an electronic document as executable primary raster code instructions, which raster code includes instructions representative of dot placement in a rendering of the electronic document by an associated document output engine;

receiving overlay data corresponding to the electronic document;

converting, in a processor working in conjunction with the associated data storage, received overlay data to executable secondary raster code instructions;

outputting the primary raster code instructions and the secondary raster code instructions for generation of a bitmapped image output from a combination thereof;

decoding, via the processor, the primary raster code instructions and the secondary raster code instructions into bitmapped document image;

receiving an electronic page description language document encoded in a page description language;

generating the primary raster code instructions in accordance with the received electronic page description language document; and

communicating generated primary raster code instructions to the associated storage.

12. The computer-implemented method for encoded raster document generation of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

communicating the bitmapped document image to an associated document output engine for generation of a tangible document therefrom.

13. The computer-implemented method for encoded raster document generation of claim 11 further comprising the step of appending the secondary raster code instructions to the primary raster code instructions so as to form a single raster code document.

14. The computer-implemented method for encoded raster document generation of claim 13 wherein the secondary raster code instructions overwrite at least a portion of the electronic document.

15. The computer-implemented method for encoded raster document generation of claim 11 wherein the page description language is comprised of a portable document format encoding.