Importance

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Abstract

A computer implemented method includes the steps of: a) generating a template PDL (page description language) specification, the template specification including template data and associated graphic attributes (i.e., graphic states) defining how the template data is to appear on a printed page, the template specification including at least one variable data identifier; b) generating a plurality of sub-template PDL specifications, each sub-template specification including sub-template data and associated graphic attributes defining how the sub-template data is to appear on a portion of a printed page; c) interpreting the template specification so as to generate a template bitmap or a plurality of template rendering commands (display list), and during the interpreting step, identifying the variable data identifier; d) saving the template bitmap or the plurality of template rendering commands into memory; e) associating the variable data identifier with the sub-template specifications; f) accessing a first sub-template specification from the plurality of sub-template specifications; g) processing the first sub-template specification so as to generate a sub-template bitmap or a plurality of first sub-template rendering commands; h) accessing a copy of the template bitmap or the plurality of template rendering commands from memory; i) merging the copy of the template bitmap or template rendering commands with the sub-template bitmap or sub-template rendering commands so as to provide a first merged bitmap or first merged plurality of rendering commands; j) generating a first merged bitmap from the first merged plurality rendering commands (if necessary); k) accessing a next sub-template specification from the plurality of sub-template specifications; l) processing the next sub-template specification so as to generate a next sub-template bitmap or plurality of next sub-template rendering commands, m) accessing a copy of the template bitmap or template rendering commands from memory; n) merging the copy of the template bitmap or template rendering commands with the next sub-template bitmap or sub-template rendering commands so as to provide a next merged bitmap or next plurality of rendering commands; and o) generating a next merge bitmap from the next merged plurality of rendering commands, if necessary. The steps k-o may be repeated, as necessary, to generate a plurality of merged bitmaps.

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First Claim