Abstract: A method for automatically creating spine image areas for book covers that were originally created for books without spines includes adding image areas between the front and back cover images to make a single image with the spine being a user-specified solid color or bitmap image. Alternatively, depending on user selection and cover design, the existing image is stretched anamorphically to accommodate a correctly sized spine. The user can optionally specify text to be added.

Abstract: Methods and systems for maintaining color consistency in print-on-demand applications are disclosed. Initially, a plurality of default color settings applicable to a plurality of print-on-demand operations can be established. Thereafter, color consistency can be selectively imposed across a plurality of print-on-demand operations based on the plurality of default color settings applicable to the plurality of print-on-demand operations. Finally, a print-on-demand media product can be rendered in response to selectively imposing color consistency across the plurality of print-on-demand operations. An end-to-end print-on-demand workflow is therefore disclosed herein that describes how to create and print color books while maintaining color consistent at each step of in the work follow.

Abstract: A workflow and system for print-on-demand book reproduction novelly creates and stores solution-independent master book files so that the master book files are efficiently reproducible by heterogeneous book reproduction workflows and reproduction equipment. The solution-independent master book files are formatted according to an accepted software standard in order to avoid inoperability or poor efficiency with respect to reproduction workflows and reproduction equipment. The workflow and system convert the solution-independent master book files to solution-dependent master book files for compatibility with the reproduction means. The inventive workflow and system are applicable to all manner of book reproduction, including bound hard copies and electronic books.

Abstract: A method for use with a printing system of a type in which one or more clients communicate with a plurality of printers by way of a network and print server is provided. The print server includes a communications layer with a plurality of connectivity modules, and each of the connectivity modules communicates with at least one of the plurality of printers. The method includes the steps of generating a document processing function call in the print server, in response to a request from one of the one or more clients, and selecting one of the plurality of connectivity modules. In turn, the document processing function call is transmitted to the selected one of the plurality of connectivity modules; and, in response to analyzing the document processing function call with the communications interface, a set of information is obtained with the selected connectivity module.

Abstract: A printing system in which one or more clients communicate with a plurality of printers by way of a print server, whose architecture is characterized by a plurality of layers, is provided. In practice, one of the plurality of layers receives a request from one of the one or more clients and the request designates an operation to be performed with respect to one of the plurality of printers. The printing system includes an application layer, communicating with the one of the plurality of layers, for developing a command expression based on the request received by the one or the plurality of layers, and a communications interface including a first connectivity module and a second connectivity module, with the first connectivity module communicating with a first one of the plurality of printers and the second connectivity module communicating with a second one of the plurality of printers.

Abstract: A method of storing and retrieving a customized interface control from a user display. The user display includes an array of pathway buttons and is interconnected to plural devices on a network. The method includes displaying and activating a job programming button to display programming options including save and save as options, engaging the save option to store the customized interface control in a general saved interface control category or store the customized interface control under a user defined reference. Included are techniques for expanding the features of selected machines on the network and creating selected multi-function operations not previously available.

Abstract: A method of storing and retrieving a customized interface control from a user display. The user display includes an array of pathway buttons and is interconnected to plural devices on a network. The method includes displaying and activating a job programming button to display programming options including save and save as options, engaging the save option to store the customized interface control in a general saved interface control category or store the customized interface control under a user defined reference. Included are techniques for expanding the features of selected machines on the network and creating selected multi-function operations not previously available.

Abstract: A method for a sender to automatically distribute information to a receiver on a network using devices (such as printers and facsimile machines) and communication channels (such as electronic mail) defined in a receiver profile. The receiver profile establishes the properties and mode for receipt of information for receivers on the network and the profile is published in a network repository for all network users or is accessible by selected groups or individuals on the network. Receivers have additional control over network senders by defining an information filter which further controls sender channel access (to a receiver) by defining some channels as having priority of access such as direct or delayed access, as well as selectively permitting senders to override the receiver profile. Consequently, receiver profiles provide a variable receiver definable link to senders using multiple forms of media as well as multiple hardware platforms and network configurations.

Abstract: A user interface to automatically distribute information to a receiver on a network using devices (such as printers and facsimile machines) and communication channels (such as electronic mail) defined in a receiver profile. The receiver profile establishes the properties and mode for receipt of information for receivers on the network and the profile is published in a network repository for all network users or is accessible by selected groups or individuals on the network. Receivers have additional control over network senders by defining an information filter which further controls sender channel access (to a receiver) by defining some channels as having priority of access such as direct or delayed access, as well as selectively permitting senders to override the receiver profile. Consequently, receiver profiles provide a variable receiver definable link to senders using multiple forms of media as well as multiple hardware platforms and network configurations.

Abstract: A method for a sender to automatically distribute information to a receiver on a network using devices (such as printers and facsimile machines) and communication channels (such as electronic mail) defined in a receiver profile. The receiver profile establishes the properties and mode for receipt of information for receivers on the network and the profile is published in a network repository for all network users or is accessible by selected groups or individuals on the network. Receivers have additional control over network senders by defining an information filter which further controls sender channel access (to a receiver) by defining some channels as having priority of access such as direct or delayed access, as well as selectively permitting senders to override the receiver profile. Consequently, receiver profiles provide a variable receiver definable link to senders using multiple forms of media as well as multiple hardware platforms and network configurations.