Abstract: A method for configuring data communication paths between a central controller and a plurality of devices is provided. The method ensures a first appliance is active. For each of the devices, a first communication capability is determined between the first appliance and the device. Signals indicative of the first communication capabilities are transmitted to the central controller. Respective communication paths are mapped between the central controller and the devices via the first appliance as a function of the first communication capabilities. The method ensures an automatic appliance failover is obtained.

Abstract: A system for processing a print job stores the print job on a first device. A pointer is provided to a printing device, which notifies the printing device that the print job is waiting to be processed. The pointer also identifies the name and location of the print job stored on the first device. When the printing device is ready to process the print job, the printing device retrieves the print job from the first device using the pointer. Additionally, the printing device may retrieve a particular font prior to processing the print job.

Abstract: A printer driver uses filters that are operating system-independent and printer-independent. Print requests and corresponding print data are received by the printer driver and converted into an internal representation that is both operating system-independent and printer-independent. The data to be printed is then passed through a print pipeline where one or more of a plurality of print filters are applied to the data. As a final stage in the print pipeline, the data is converted to a printer-dependent representation. In one embodiment, one or more of the plurality of filters used in the print pipeline are stored in a dynamic link library (DLL).

Abstract: A print job requiring unavailable resources is held until the deficiency is remedied. The resource requirements of the print job are evaluated. The resource requirements are compared to known available resources. Either standard resources are assumed or available resources for the printer are discovered. Responsive to a resource deficiency exposed by the comparison, the print job is communicated to a printer with a command to hold the print job. Also responsive to the resource deficiency exposed by the comparison, instructions for remedying the resource deficiency are created and the instructions are provided to a remedy provider. The instructions are provided to the remedy provider either by printing the instructions or by displaying the instructions on the printer. The remedy provider remedies the resource deficiency and the printer processes the print job.

Abstract: A printer driver uses filters that are operating system-independent and printer-independent. Print requests and corresponding print data are received by the printer driver and converted into an internal representation that is both operating system-independent and printer-independent. The data to be printed is then passed through a print pipeline where one or more of a plurality of print filters are applied to the data. As a final stage in the print pipeline, the data is converted to a printer-dependent representation. In one embodiment, one or more of the plurality of filters used in the print pipeline are stored in a dynamic link library (DLL).

Abstract: A printer driver uses filters that are operating system-independent and printer-independent. Print requests and corresponding print data are received by the printer driver and converted into an internal representation that is both operating system-independent and printer-independent. The data to be printed is then passed through a print pipeline where one or more of a plurality of print filters are applied to the data. As a final stage in the print pipeline, the data is converted to a printer-dependent representation. In one embodiment, one or more of the plurality of filters used in the print pipeline are stored in a dynamic link library (DLL).

Abstract: A system for facilitating selection, installation, and configuration of device drivers in a managed environment. The system includes a first mechanism for automatically accessing information about a device for which a driver is to be installed on a computer connected thereto and providing a signal in response thereto. The information includes device type and operational capabilities. A second mechanism selects a driver for the device and installs and automatically configures the driver on the computer based on the signal. In a specific embodiment, the first mechanism includes a database that maintains the information, which is organized according to an asset identification number. The information includes first and second portions. The first portion of information is obtained and entered in the database upon installation of the device. The second portion of the information includes operating system and language information pertaining to the computer.

Abstract: A method for configuring data communication paths between a central controller and a plurality of devices is provided. The method ensures a first appliance is active. For each of the devices, a first communication capability is determined between the first appliance and the device. Signals indicative of the first communication capabilities are transmitted to the central controller. Respective communication paths are mapped between the central controller and the devices via the first appliance as a function of the first communication capabilities. The method ensures an automatic appliance failover is obtained.

Abstract: A file is delivered from a client to a server for printing. A path and a name of the file are received. A file type of the file is discovered. The file type of the file is discovered either by analyzing the contents of the file or comparing the extension of the file to a list of print ready extensions. Contents of the file are analyzed to discover elements irresolvable by a printer. The elements of the file irresolvable by the printer are resolved. A write of the file to the server is initiated if the file is print ready. A user interface for providing a user with printing options is opened.

Abstract: Memory fragmentation in a page printer is avoided by assessing the current extent of memory fragmentation and memory utilization before allocating memory for describing a portion of a next page to be printed. In one embodiment, the assessment includes a weighted average of a normalized standard deviation of current free memory block sizes (indicating fragmentation) and the current percent utilization of memory. A page printer in one embodiment has insufficient memory for bit for bit images of entire pages to be printed. However, a high page printing rate is nonetheless maintained by avoiding interruptions in interface communications and data processing that result when there is insufficient memory to support an allocation request for a contiguous block size. Memory allocation for a new page to be printed is deferred until an assessment of memory fragmentation and utilization is favorably compared to a limit.