Patent attributes
An apparatus for generating a data processing pathway in a hardware-ready format is provided which includes a computer-based client and an output device. The client has processing circuitry, memory, a raster formatter, and a software-based data compression apparatus configured to render a rasterized, bitmapped image into image data in a hardware-ready format. The output device communicates with the client and has hardware-ready program code and a hardware-assisted print device. The hardware-assisted print device includes a printer controller, with the printer controller including processing circuitry, memory, and a data decompressor. The hardware-ready program code is operative via the printer controller to receive the hardware-ready image data from the client and render output containing the image to the hardware-assisted print device. A method is also provided.
