Method for generating digital imaging data, and raster image processor

Abstract

A method for generating digital imaging data for an imaging unit, in which digital imaging data are defined from a signature of input image data, in that a section of the signature corresponding to the imaging format of the imaging unit is processed ( 24 ) into a raster image by a raster image processor, the section being defined on the basis of geometric parameters of an image area of the input image data. A raster image processor for implementing the method includes a raster-image-processor program having at least one section, in which geometric parameters for defining the section to be processed, are assigned ( 16 ) to input variables for the rasterization.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for generating digital imaging data for an imaging unit, the digital imaging data are defined from a signature of input image data, the method comprising the steps of: 
 defining a section of the signature corresponding to an imaging format of the imaging unit as a function of geometric parameters of an image area of the input image data; and    processing the section of the signature into a raster image by a raster image processor.    
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the geometric parameters are stored in the raster image processor.  
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising displaying the input image data as a gray scale image on a monitor using a mask for optically distinguishing between imageable and non-imageable regions in accordance with the imaging format of the imaging unit.  
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising inputting the geometric parameters via an interface.  
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising storing in a table a plurality of records of geometric patterns for a plurality of different imaging units, and retrieving, as a function of an identification of the imaging unit, a first record of the plurality of records, the first record corresponding to the identified imaging unit.  
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 3  wherein the signature of the input image data is displayed at a reduced resolution.  
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 3  further comprising modifying the geometric parameters of the section to be processed by shifting the mask used for optically distinguishing between imageable and non-imageable regions in accordance with the imaging format.  
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the geometric parameters include at least one reference point and linear dimensions of the image in at least two linearly independent directions of the imaging area.  
     
     
         9 . A raster image processor comprising a raster-image-processor program for implementing the method as recited in  claim 1 , the raster-image-processor program having at least one step including assigning the geometric parameters to input variables for the rasterization.  
     
     
         10 . A storage medium comprising a raster-image-processor program stored on the storage medium for implementing the method as recited  claim 1 , the raster-image-processor program having at least one step including assigning the geometric parameters to input variables for the rasterization.  
     
     
         11 . An imaging device for printing forms comprising a control unit having a raster image processor as recited in  claim 9 .  
     
     
         12 . A printing-form imagesetter comprising the imaging device as recited in  claim 11 .  
     
     
         13 . A direct on-press imaging print unit comprising the imaging device as recited in  claim 11 .  
     
     
         14 . A printing press comprising a direct on-press imaging print unit as recited in  claim 13.