Patent ID: 6069709
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: B41J,G06K,H04N

Abstract:
A method for bi-directionally rendering an image comprising:(a) segmenting a horizontal swath of the image into a line of columns such that each column is made up of a vertical array of pixels;(b) detecting each column for vertical breaks therein;(c) defining transition regions for each column having no vertical breaks;(d) making a pass along the swath in a horizontal direction and during the pass;rendering in the swath: (i) pixels which are above each of the detected vertical breaks, (ii) pixels which are above each of the defined transition regions, (iii) a first portion of pixels located in each of the defined transition regions, and (iv) saved pixels from a previously made pass; and,saving for a subsequent pass: (i) pixels which are below each of the detected vertical breaks, (ii) pixels which are below each of the defined transition regions, and (iii) a second portion of pixels located in each of the defined transition regions;(e) advancing to a next horizontal swath;(f) reversing the horizontal direction;(g) repeating steps (a) through (f) until rendering of the image is complete.