Abstract:
In a web-based imaging environment, a user accesses a destination service representing a production device, which retrieves user's imaging data and configures available processing job options. The user selects production options, after which the destination service estimates the time required to process user's job. The user is provided an option of reserving a deferred start time for the processing job. If the user opts to reserve, then a deferred start time is selected, avoiding periods when the production device is unavailable, for example when previously reserved, and user's job is stored until the deferred start time. Advantageously, resources for the job are estimated, reserved, and monitored, displaying until deferred start time. Other jobs cannot consume these resources, which are reported with a warning message as if already consumed, whenever a reserved resource is depleted to a quantity insufficient for the deferred processing.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a Web-based imaging system that provides print job time estimates. Such systems of this type, generally, tell the user, prior to printing, how long it will take the target printer to print the print job, as expected.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus facilitate printing N collated copies of a document on a printer, where N is an integer greater than one. The method detetermines whether the printer has sufficient capacity to print N collated copies of the document. If the printer has insufficient capacity to store one copy of the document, then the method performs the following step N times: sending a single copy of the document to the printer. The capacity may be memory to store one copy of the document in print ready form. The apparatus comprises a memory, a spooler connected to the memory, a status agent and a control logic connected to the spooler and the status agent. The memory is configured to store the document. The spooler is configured to send an outgoing print job to the printer. The status agent is configured to receive from the printer information regarding whether the printer has sufficient capacity to collate the document. The control logic controls the spooler on the basis of this information.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus select a peripheral for use with a computer. The method comprises the following steps: identifying a network switch to which the computer is connected; determining all peripherals connected to the network switch; and choosing one of the determined peripherals according to a predetermined criteria. According to the predetermined criteria, if the number of predetermined peripherals is one, then the predetermined peripheral is chosen; if the number of predetermined peripherals is more than a predetermined number, then none of the predetermined peripherals is chosen; if the number of predetermined peripherals is less than a predetermined number, then one of the predetermined peripherals is chosen. Optionally, the method also reads a connection table in the network switch. The apparatus comprises a network switch identification module, a peripheral determination agent and a peripheral selection logic. The peripheral determination agent is connected to the network switch identification module. The peripheral selection logic is connected to the peripheral determination agent. Optionally, the apparatus also comprises a switch connection table reader, connected to the peripheral determination agent and/or a secondary criteria agent, connected to the peripheral selection logic. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a main control module, connected to the a network switch identification module, the peripheral determination agent, and the peripheral selection logic. In other embodiments, the apparatus is a host computer including a network interface, connected to the network switch identification module and the peripheral determination agent. In yet other embodiments, the apparatus is a computer network, including a network switch and a printer, connected to the network switch.
Abstract:
Specialized encoded media are detected when inserted into the multipurpose paper input tray of the printer. Each specialized media is displayed in a list of available media provided by the web-based imaging service. Graphics representing each of the specialized media are downloaded e.g., from a site on the Internet accessed through information encoded on the specialized media, and are displayed to provide a preview of the user's image data superimposed in register on an image of the specialized media. In a variation, the multipurpose tray includes an integral bar code scanner that automatically identifies the specialized media. Among other variations, the multipurpose tray uses the motion of insertion to scan the specialized media, and inks “visible” only through infrared scanning mechanisms are encoded on the media.
Abstract:
An original receipt is created for a document on a server. The receipt is copied from the server to a print job agent. The print job agent requests a page of the document from the server. The server provides the requested page to the print job agent then updates the original receipt to indicate the requested page has been provided to the print job agent. The print job agent communicates the requested page to an output device. The output device prints the page. When the output device has finished printing the page, the output device confirms to the print job agent that the page has been successfully printed. Once the print job agent receives confirmation from the output device that the page has been printed, the print job agent updates the copy of the receipt to indicate that the page has been printed.
Abstract:
In response to print job communications from an application submitting a print job, a driver arrangement provides a driver type response appropriate for any pass-through data contained in the print job. Driver receives the data making up the print job and creates an intermediate representation of the print job comprising translated nonpass-through data and untranslated data comprising buffers of pass-through data. A data handler is associated with the pass-through data, and is responsible for directing the printing of the pass-through data at the designated printer.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a printer for receiving a print job from a document processing device The print job including a preamble section, print data describing a single copy of a document and a trailer section. The trailer section including a command indicating the number of copies that are to be printed. The printer is adapted to receive the print job and operates to print the copies indicated by the command.
Abstract:
A printing system that includes a personal computer and a printer having multiple output trays. The printer operates both as a server and a printer. The printer serves a program to the personal computer upon request. The program enables the personal computer to print a document using the printer. The program also enables the personal computer to display an image of the printer while the printer is printing the document. The image indicates the printer output tray receiving the document. The image further indicates the present capacity of the output tray to receive additional media.