Patent ID: 6243172
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: G06F,G06K,G06T,H04N

Abstract:
A method for generating a plurality of bitmaps comprising the steps of:(a) generating a template page description language specification, the template specification including template data and associated graphic attributes defining how the template data is to appear on a printed page, the template specification including at least one variable data identifier;(b) generating a plurality of sub-template page description language specifications, each sub-template specification including sub-template data and associated graphic attributes defining how the sub-template data is to appear on a portion of a printed page;(c) interpreting the template specification so as to generate a plurality of template rendering commands, and during the interpreting step, identifying the variable data identifier;(d) saving the plurality of template rendering commands into a memory;(e) associating the variable data identifier with the plurality sub-template specifications;(f) accessing a first sub-template specification from the plurality of sub-template specifications;(g) processing the first sub-template specification so as to generate a plurality of first sub-template rendering commands;(h) accessing a copy of the plurality of template rendering commands from said memory;(i) merging the copy of the plurality of template rendering commands with the plurality of first sub-template rendering commands so as to provide a first merged plurality of rendering commands;(j) generating a first merged bitmap from the first merged plurality of rendering commands;(k) accessing a next sub-template specification from the plurality of sub-template specifications;(l) processing the next sub-template specification so as to generate a plurality of first sub-template rendering commands;(m) accessing a copy of the plurality of template rendering commands from memory;(n) merging the copy of the plurality of template rendering commands with the plurality of next sub-template rendering commands so as to provide a next merged plurality of rendering commands; and(o) generating a next merged bitmap from the next merged plurality of rendering commands.