Abstract: A print job processing method and apparatus for use in an electronic reprographic system are described. Original documents of a job to be printed are scanned to provide signals for storage. The signals are transferred to a printer for print generation. An optimum time to commence printer operation is automatically determined in accordance with at least one of the number of original documents, the thickness of original documents, scanner speed, printer speed, and number of print jobs in the system. The optimum time is determined such that the maximum overlap is achieved between scanner operation and printer operation.

Abstract: Methods for scheduling sheets in an imaging system having an endless duplex paper path loop are disclosed. Preferably, the duplex loop includes a single sheet inverter without a buffer tray so as to eliminate the problems associated therewith. The basic method involves consecutively inserting copy sheets to be imaged into the duplex loop without placing any skipped pitches therebetween regardless of set or job boundaries. Duplex side ones from subsequent sets or jobs are used to fill any gaps which exist in the duplex side one sheet stream of earlier sets or jobs. Additional refinements include using simplex sheets to fill potential skipped pitches in a duplex side one sheet stream by converting simplex sheets located immediately subsequent to the duplex sheets into duplex sheets having a blank back side and scheduling the side one imaging of the now-converted duplex sheets into the potential skipped pitches.