Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Detail of image placement or content
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-08
2004-07-20
Lamb, Twyler (Department: 2622)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Detail of image placement or content
C358S001200, C358S003140, C358S003280, C382S100000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06765688
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to methods for generating watermarks and overlays on printed and photocopied documents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most applications software nowadays comes with the capability for generating and printing watermarks on documents. A watermark is generally understood to mean an object, such as text or a graphics image, which lies in the background behind the primary page content. For example, a watermark can consist of the word, “CONFIDENTIAL” which is printed in light gray at a diagonal across the page of a document which the author considers to be confidential. The text of the document, being the primary page content, is then printed over the top of the watermark. Likewise, graphics images, such as the image of a flower, can be produced and printed in the background of each page of a document. In printing the document, the watermark and the primary page content are printed at the same time, and it is only the shading or page content placement which makes the watermark appear to be in the background.
In reality, the “background effect” is achieved by temporal ordering of the data in the computer memory which comprises the primary page content and the watermark. That is, when page content exists (such as text) which occupies the same pixel as the watermark, the page content overwrites the watermark in the computer memory. This can be achieved by first storing the watermark in the computer memory in a pixel-by-pixel matrix, and then subsequently storing the page content to the same matrix. When the page content occupies the same pixel in the matrix as the watermark, the watermark data for that pixel is overwritten with the page content for the same pixel.
One example of word processing application software which has the capability for placing a watermark on the pages of a document is WordPerfect® (at least release 8.0 and higher), available from Corel Corp. WordPerfect® also offers users a variety of options relating to the use of the watermark, such as using watermark graphics files beyond those provided with the program itself, and placement, shading and coloring options. Likewise, the word processing application software Word, from Microsoft Corp., offers similar watermark options.
Certain applications software also offers the capability for generating and printing overlays on documents. An overlay is generally understood to mean an object, such as text or a graphics image, which lies in the foreground in front of the primary page content. For example, someone printing a specimen check may want to print the word, “SPECIMEN” diagonally across the face of the check to insure that it is clear that the check is a specimen, and not a real check which can be cashed.
For current applications software having the capability to generate watermarks and overlays, the software generates each page to be printed as a complete page, including the watermark or the overlay. The software then communicates each compiled page to the printer where the page is stored in temporary memory until the page is printed. The applications software works in conjunction with a printer driver, which is software particular to the printer, and which typically resides in the same processing unit (such as a personal computer) as does the applications software. Printer drivers are typically proprietary software provided by the manufacturer of the printer, and are normally specific to the particular model of printer. The printer driver interacts with software which is resident within the printer itself, typically in the form of firmware (i.e., software programmed onto a microchip). The printer driver configures the data from the applications software into a format which can be used by the printer, and the printer software converts the formatted data into a form which can be processed by the printer to generate the printed image.
Since current applications software requires that each page bearing a watermark or an overlay be sent to the printer as a complete page, including the watermark or the overlay, the size of the print file sent to the printer can be quite large. If the watermark or overlay is a graphic image to be printed on each page, the watermark or overlay can easily constitute the biggest portion of the total file in terms of kilobytes. Consequently, the printer driver and the printer software must process a considerable quantity of data when printing such a file, which has the effect of slowing the printing process. Further, many printers are configured with limited memory, and so it may not be possible for the printer to store the entire file to be printed in its memory. In the latter instance, the computer generating the image to be printed can be effected, since the image must be retained in random access memory (RAM) of the computer while it is queued to be sent to the printer. This can slow up the computer while the document is being printed.
In addition to applications software itself providing the capability for generating watermarks, some printer drivers are also configured with this capability. In this instance, the user can access the printer driver's capabilities from the printer control panel (i.e., the software interface available to the user typically on the user's computer or “desktop”). Printer driver options can also frequently be accessed through the applications software's print command menu. When the printer driver provides the watermark, the process is similar to the application software providing the watermark. That is, each page of the document to be printed with the watermark is further provided with the watermark prior to being transmitted to the printer. Consequently, printer driver-provided watermarks suffer from the same drawbacks as applications software-provided watermarks, resulting in a large amount of data being communicated to the printer, with concomitant effects on the speed of the printing function.
FIG. 1
graphically depicts the limitations of the prior art in printing documents containing a watermark. As shown in
FIG. 1
, a processing unit
1
, as for example a personal computer, contains applications software for generating an initial document
10
and a secondary image
12
, such as a watermark, to be applied to the initial document. Typically, the watermark is applied to each page of the initial document, although this can usually be varied using the applications software. The applications software for generating the initial document
10
and the secondary image
12
can be the same program or different programs.
After the initial document
10
and the secondary image
12
are identified, the final document format
2
is compiled, typically in the applications program used to generate the initial document
10
, and as a result of the user electing to apply the watermark to the initial document. Once the user requests that the final document be printed, the final document format is then provided to the printer driver program
7
, which formats the final document in a format compatible with the particular printer. The printer compatible file is then sent to the printer for printing. A graphical image of the final document in a format compatible with the particular printer is shown in
FIG. 1
as item
3
, which, as shown, comprises a multi-page document. As shown in
FIG. 1
, the finally formatted document
3
comprises a first page
4
, a second page
5
, and so on to an “nth” page
6
, all to be printed with the secondary image. As indicated, each page of the file
3
sent to the printer
14
contains not only the page content from the initial document for that page, but the secondary image as well. Thus, the secondary image is transmitted to the printer “n” times (one time for each page to be printed with the secondary image). Because the printer must store each page of the final print file
3
; it is apparent that much redundant information in the way of the secondary image is being transmitted to the printer, consequently slowing the printing process.
Some photocopiers also provide watermark opti
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