Vector generator scan converter

Patent · Fri Feb 05 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6264948

Moore, J. M.; Leighton, J. F.

High printing speeds for graphics data are achieved with a laser printer by transmitting compressed graphics data from a main processor over an I/O channel to a vector generator scan converter which reconstructs a full graphics image for input to the laser printer through a raster data input port. The vector generator scan converter includes a microprocessor with associated microcode memory containing a microcode instruction set, a working memory for storing compressed data, vector generator hardware for drawing a full graphic image from vector parameters calculated by the microprocessor, image buffer memory for storing the reconstructed graphics image and an output scanner for reading the graphics image data and inputting the data to the printer. The vector generator scan converter eliminates the bottleneck created by the I/O channel for transmitting graphics data from the main processor to the laser printer, and increases printer speed up to thirty fold. 7 figs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): PATENTS-US-A7152900
• Application Number: ON: DE89010811
• OSTI ID: 6264948
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990210* -- Supercomputers-- (1987-1989)
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
COMPUTER GRAPHICS
COMPUTER OUTPUT DEVICES
COMPUTERS
CRAY COMPUTERS
DESIGN
INVENTIONS
LASERS