Banded compositor for variable data

Abstract

A method and apparatus for Variable Data Printing that adds performance requirements to a raster image processor (RIP) memory optimization that employs memory bands within the page composition process. Documents containing both recurring elements as well as non-recurring elements are sorted into element lists depending on their frequency of recurrence and their layering position. The recurring elements are retained in rasterized form, while the non-recurring elements are rasterized as they are used in output memory. One pass assembly in raster image processing of the elements occurs when the recurring elements are blitted into memory and the variable elements are RIPped on the fly.

1 . A method for one pass assembly in raster image processing of elements using memory comprising the steps of: 
 forming a plurality of lists from elements within a job file including at least a first list for recurring elements and storing the first list in rasterized form, and at least a second list for variable elements and storing the second list in non-rasterized form;    identifying placement within at least one memory area of recurring and variable elements;    initializing the least one memory area with stored elements from the first list; and    raster image processing (RIPping) the memory area with elements from the second list.