Abstract:
A more holistic approach to batch job processing simplifies batch job creation, improves user understanding of batch job status and prevents unwanted batch job printing outcomes. In the approach, before printing any print element (e.g. file, document) in a batch job that includes supported print elements and unsupported print elements, a support status indication is outputted for each of the print elements and the user is required to input a group print instruction before the approach proceeds to print the supported print elements. The approach in some embodiments also allows the user to input a group cancel instruction instructing to cancel the batch job without printing any of the print elements and allows the user to input a change instruction requesting modification of one or more unsupported print elements in an attempt to convert them into supported print elements.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for estimating the amount of color ink that will be used to print a print job element classify individual color drawing objects of the print job element in a pre-raster image process (pre-RIP) format into drawing object classes and apply predetermined rules associated with the drawing object classes to obtain color ink usage estimates for the individual color drawing objects. Combination of color ink usage estimates for the individual color drawing objects yields a prompt and meaningful estimate of color ink usage for the print job element. The estimate of color ink usage for the print job element can be put to advantageous use in a pay-for-print service.
Abstract:
An effective and efficient means for composition printing of multi-page image data is disclosed. Multiple image files may be received and read into memory to be processed and printed as a single job. Pages may be reordered and/or a subset of pages may be selected for printing by changing the link order between image file directories (IFDs) in the image headers before sending the image data to a printing device. Once processed to select and reorder pages for printing, the image data is streamed directly to the output, with each offset entry in the IFD being modified on-the-fly to correspond to its relocated position. When an image is skipped, the data associated with the image is not written out to the printing device. When the end of one file is reached, the next file is merged into the existing output stream relative to the end of the previous file.
Abstract:
A method for minimizing re-imaging procedures for an imaging device is disclosed. A first set of imaging instructions for a hard copy of a document is received at an imaging device. The hard copy of the document is scanned in accordance with the first set of imaging instructions to create image data. The image data is retained in memory at an identified location until a purging event occurs. A second set of imaging instructions is received at the imaging device. It is then determined whether the hard copy of the document has been removed from the processing path of the imaging device since the scanning occurred using at least one sensor. If the hard copy of the document has not been removed, imaging output is produced in accordance with the second set of instructions using the image data without rescanning a hard copy of the document.
Abstract:
A more holistic approach to batch job processing simplifies batch job creation, improves user understanding of batch job status and prevents unwanted batch job printing outcomes. In the approach, before printing any print element (e.g. file, document) in a batch job that includes supported print elements and unsupported print elements, a support status indication is outputted for each of the print elements and the user is required to input a group print instruction before the approach proceeds to print the supported print elements. The approach in some embodiments also allows the user to input a group cancel instruction instructing to cancel the batch job without printing any of the print elements and allows the user to input a change instruction requesting modification of one or more unsupported print elements in an attempt to convert them into supported print elements.
Abstract:
A system and method are provided for managing network-connected devices in peak power periods. The method establishes a network of connected devices, identifying a first device in the network as an off-peak device, and a second device as a peak device. If a peak power warning signal is detected, the off-peak device is disabled, but not the peak device. Any job destined for the off-peak device from a source device is relayed to the peak device and processed by the peak device. If the job destined for the off-peak device is a job format associated with the off-peak device, relaying the job to the peak device may further include the operation of converting the job to a job format associated with the peak device. In one aspect, a destination change message is sent to the source device, indicating the location of the peak device processing the job.
Abstract:
Methods and systems are provided that use a controlling application for a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that is external to the MFP and need not be preinstalled on the network or pre-registered with the MFP. The controlling application may be on a mobile device that is communicatively coupled with the MFP or a system or network of the MFP via a wireless connection. The controlling application may be downloaded from the mobile device or a data source to a service hosting service communicatively coupled to the network. The controlling application is then operative from the user interface of the mobile device. This permits a user to control the MFP from the mobile device and receive by-products of actions taken by the MFP at the mobile device.
Abstract:
Adaptive automatic printing methods and systems allow a user to modify print settings for an automatic print job after sending the job, after which the job is output under the modified print settings without any requirement to resend the job. Accordingly, if a user discovers after sending an automatic print job that an improper or suboptimal print setting has been used, the user can correct the problem without having to resend the job and, in some embodiments, without having to return to the client node.