Abstract: There is disclosed an on-line print network comprising a print merchant computer, and a plurality of print service providers. Within each print service provider, orders are satisfied efficiently by optimizing throughput of print jobs within the print service provider, whilst at the same time, minimizing media wastage and achieving high printer device utilization, under control of a print manager computer interfacing with the print merchant computer on the one hand, and with the plurality of printer devices on the other hand.

Abstract: Methods, machines, and computer-readable media storing machine-readable instructions for segmenting pixels in an image are described. In one aspect, a region of background pixels is identified in the image. At least some of the background pixels in the region are located on a boundary spatially delimiting the region. One or more orientation-dependent adaptive thresholds are determined for one or more respective candidate growth directions from a given background pixel located on the region boundary. Color distances between the given background pixel and candidate pixels in a neighborhood of the given background pixel are determined. The region is grown based on application of the one or more orientation-dependent adaptive thresholds to the determined color distances.

Abstract: A system and method of operation is configured to produce a PPML template from a PDF document. In one implementation, the system opens the PDF document and converts PDF elements within the PDF document into variable objects. A macro is generated, which contains rules governing use and reuse of the variable objects. The PPML template generated as final result is configured to include a definition of the variable objects, the macro and a version of the original PDF document, wherein at least portions of the PDF document are configured as a background element within the PPML document.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling faster downloading and printing of data received from an external content source. In one embodiment, the method is segmenting the data file available on a content source external to the user computing device into a plurality of portions; independently downloading to said computing device each of said plurality of portions; and assembling each downloaded portion into a second data file on said computing device, to mach such first data file.

Abstract: A secure print system comprises a sending computer entity and a plurality of receiving entities, each capable of decrypting and printing a specified number of copies of a document. The sending computer entity and the plurality of receiving devices are each pre-registered with each other by means of unique device identification number, which is embedded in inaccessible hardware, firmware or software components at the point of manufacture, linking the sending computer entity and the plurality of receiving devices. The receiving devices, after decrypting a received message, print a specified number of copies only, before deleting the electronic data from which the document copies have been printed.

Abstract: A system and service for delivery of files to a plurality of users over a communications network comprises one or more server computers operable for receiving a plurality of electronic documents or files and storing those document/files; a plurality of receiving devices capable of receiving the documents/files; and a plurality of printer devices for printing the documents/files. Each receiving device registers itself with a server computer, and for each individual user, a printer device is specified for printing documents/files intended for that user. The server computer distributes the documents for a particular user to the corresponding receiving device specified by that user for receiving those documents/files, and the documents/files are printed on the specified printer device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for selecting an image size and printing a received image in the selected image size. A computer file including an image is received. A range of sizes for printing the received image is calculated based on a plurality of quality standards in order to maintain a predetermined degree of quality for a printed image. The quality standards may be related to resolution, aspect ratio, number of pixels and orientation. Also, a user may provide a custom print size for printing the received image. If the custom print size is in the calculated range of sizes, the image may printed in the custom size. Alternatively, the image is printed in a size in the range.

Abstract: An ink usage estimate is based on assets of a print run. Examples of the assets include, without limitation, backgrounds, images, logos, graphics, and text. The estimates may be made from full size renditions of the assets or from thumbnails of the assets or both.

Abstract: A method according to an embodiment is used to render materials at a rendering station. In an embodiment, a job production subsystem may receive campaign data, which defines a promotional campaign, and generate multiple job documents, based on the campaign data. At least some of the multiple job documents identify one or more variable data elements. Multiple files, which include information from the multiple job documents, are delivered to multiple rendering stations. A rendering station receives a file, and renders it by causing a display device to display the one or more variable data elements. In an embodiment, the rendering station may be a point-of-purchase (PoP) rendering station.

Abstract: Methods, machines, and computer-readable media storing machine-readable instructions for segmenting pixels in an image are described. In one aspect, a region of background pixels is identified in the image. At least some of the background pixels in the region are located on a boundary spatially delimiting the region. One or more orientation-dependent adaptive thresholds are determined for one or more respective candidate growth directions from a given background pixel located on the region boundary. Color distances between the given background pixel and candidate pixels in a neighborhood of the given background pixel are determined. The region is grown based on application of the one or more orientation-dependent adaptive thresholds to the determined color distances.

Abstract: A system and method of operation is configured to generate a PDF document from a PPML document. In one implementation, the PPML document is parsed and a PDF document tree is generated. During parsing, when a PPML tag refers to external objects, like fonts or images, they are un-marshaled and embedded within the PDF document tree. In a further implementation, objects within the PPML document are resolved according to a PPML SOURCE_TYPE class. The resolved objects are then translated from the PPML document to the PDF document according to the PPML SOURCE_TYPE class.

Abstract: A system and method of operation is configured to produce a PPML template from a PDF document. In one implementation, the system opens the PDF document and converts PDF elements within the PDF document into variable objects. A macro is generated, which contains rules governing use and reuse of the variable objects. The PPML template generated as final result is configured to include a definition of the variable objects, the macro and a version of the original PDF document, wherein at least portions of the PDF document are configured as a background element within the PPML document.

Abstract: A variable data print engine is configured for processing print data. In one implementation, a filter is configured to filter print data, and to thereby create grouped records. An analyzer is configured to analyze the grouped records to extract templates used by the grouped records. A template merging procedure is configured to merge the extracted templates to produce a merged template to which material may be added to create a print job.

Abstract: A system and service for delivery of files to a plurality of users over a communications network comprises one or more server computers operable for receiving a plurality of electronic documents or files and storing those document/files; a plurality of receiving devices capable of receiving the documents/files; and a plurality of printer devices for printing the documents/files. Each receiving device registers itself with a server computer, and for each individual user, a printer device is specified for printing documents/files intended for that user. The server computer distributes the documents for a particular user to the corresponding receiving device specified by that user for receiving those documents/files, and the documents/files are printed on the specified printer device.

Abstract: An on-line disc printing network comprises a portal computer, a print manager computer 301 and at least one print service provider computer 302. The portal computer 300 and print merchant computer 301 are connected by a relatively high bit rate capacity communications link 302. The print merchant computer and print service provider computer 303 are connected by a conventional low bit rate capacity communications link 304, e.g. a 25 kilobits per second modem. The print manager computer and print service provide r computer have respective first and second level cache data storage devices for storage of encrypted content data transferred from the portal to the print manager computer to the print service provider computer. Local storage of encrypted content data at the first and second level cache devices reduces the need for transmission of high volumes of content data over the communications links.

Abstract: A secure print system comprises a sending computer entity and a plurality of receiving entities, each capable of decrypting and printing a specified number of copies of a document. The sending computer entity and the plurality of receiving devices are each pre-registered with each other by means of unique device identification number, which is embedded in inaccessible hardware, firmware or software components at the point of manufacture, linking the sending computer entity and the plurality of receiving devices. The receiving devices, after decrypting a received message, print a specified number of copies only, before deleting the electronic data from which the document copies have been printed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of file transfer between computer entities in a networked (e.g. internet connected) community of computer entities, whereby a local data storage requirement on a computer entity may be less than a file size of a file to be transferred between computer entities. File transfer is effected by dividing the file into portions, which are transferred separately over the internet from computer to computer. Each computer entity may apply pre-processing to the file portion, prior to subsequent delivery to a destination computer entity. File transfer commences once a request from a destination computer entity is made for the file to intermediate computer entities, and a source computer entity where the file is stored. Processing of the file is made “on the fly” as it is transported between the source computer entity and the destination computer entity, with each intermediate computer entity within the chain applying data processing as appropriate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for selecting an image size and printing a received image in the selected image size. A computer file including an image is received. A range of sizes for printing the received image is calculated based on a plurality of quality standards in order to maintain a predetermined degree of quality for a printed image. The quality standards may be related to resolution, aspect ratio, number of pixels and orientation. Also, a user may provide a custom print size for printing the received image. If the custom print size is in the calculated range of sizes, the image may printed in the custom size. Alternatively, the image is printed in a size in the range.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for downloading information from a remote device during a scheduled period of time and when a data transfer rate is greater than a predetermined threshold. A plurality of clients are connected to a server through a network. The server schedules a period of time for each client to download information from the server. At a scheduled period of time for a client, the client measures a data transfer rate for a connection to the server prior to downloading information from the server. If the data transfer rate is not greater than the threshold, the download is not performed. The data transfer rate may be re-measured by the client during the scheduled period of time, and the download may be performed when the data transfer rate is greater than the threshold. Also, the download may be terminated if the data transfer rate falls below the threshold during the download.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying an image configured to be printed on a print medium in its selected size. According to one aspect, a terminal displays a plurality of images from which a user may select to view at least one of the images to be printed. The terminal is operable to enable the user to select specific characteristics of the image as well as the mounting background upon which the image is to be positioned. A display device is attached to the terminal to display the selected image along with their selected characteristics according to their selected attributes (e.g., sizes and colors). A printed version of the selected image may be printed according to the selected attributes of the selected image substantially immediately following the selection of the image and its attributes.