Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a system and method provides a determination of when a file/document format native to a device such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP) device should be handled natively by the MFP (default behavior) or preprocessed by an external service.

Abstract: A firmware controller is configured to enhance or modify the processing capabilities of an imaging device by creating custom firmware for a particular imaging job. The firmware controller does so by dynamically linking firmware processing stages resident on the imaging device with additional firmware processing stages stored at a host device to form a sequence of firmware processing stages. The firmware controller then controls execution of the custom firmware by passing the output of each stage to the input of the next stage in the sequence. The firmware processing stages resident at the imaging device and the additional firmware processing stages stored at the host share a commonly defined interface for inputting data and/or control signals to and outputting data and/or control signals from each stage, which allows the firmware stages to be combined in a variety of different sequences.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide for empty object/file detection by classifying an object/file based on a set of classification types, and parsing a portion of the object/file to determine whether the object/file is empty.

Abstract: Adaptive automatic printing methods and systems allow a user to modify print settings for an automatic print job after sending the job, after which the job is output under the modified print settings without any requirement to resend the job. Accordingly, if a user discovers after sending an automatic print job that an improper or suboptimal print setting has been used, the user can correct the problem without having to resend the job and, in some embodiments, without having to return to the client node.

Abstract: Recognizing a language format of an input data stream including reading a next data sample of the input data stream in a current state, selecting a next state in response to the next data sample, transitioning to the next state and repeatedly reading the next data sample and selecting the next state until the next state is an end state, and identifying the language format in response to the current state when the next state is an end state.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a system and method provides a determination of when a file/document format native to a device such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP) device should be handled natively by the MFP (default behavior) or preprocessed by an external service.

Abstract: Printing devices are selected from a printing pool at least partially based on what non-resident resources need to be downloaded to the printing devices for printing the print job. The printing device selection can also include other types of printer selection criteria.

Abstract: A more holistic approach to batch job processing simplifies batch job creation, improves user understanding of batch job status and prevents unwanted batch job printing outcomes. In the approach, before printing any print element (e.g. file, document) in a batch job that includes supported print elements and unsupported print elements, a support status indication is outputted for each of the print elements and the user is required to input a group print instruction before the approach proceeds to print the supported print elements. The approach in some embodiments also allows the user to input a group cancel instruction instructing to cancel the batch job without printing any of the print elements and allows the user to input a change instruction requesting modification of one or more unsupported print elements in an attempt to convert them into supported print elements.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating the amount of color ink that will be used to print a print job element classify individual color drawing objects of the print job element in a pre-raster image process (pre-RIP) format into drawing object classes and apply predetermined rules associated with the drawing object classes to obtain color ink usage estimates for the individual color drawing objects. Combination of color ink usage estimates for the individual color drawing objects yields a prompt and meaningful estimate of color ink usage for the print job element. The estimate of color ink usage for the print job element can be put to advantageous use in a pay-for-print service.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and controlling energy usage in an office environment is described. Energy usage information and sensor data are received from a status and control unit for an appliance. An appropriate energy profile for the appliance is determined. The energy profile is customizable by an end user based on preferences and schedules. The energy profile corresponds to appliances within an energy group. A control message is sent to the status and control unit to implement the determined energy profile.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing network-connected devices in peak power periods. The method establishes a network of connected devices, identifying a first device in the network as an off-peak device, and a second device as a peak device. If a peak power warning signal is detected, the off-peak device is disabled, but not the peak device. Any job destined for the off-peak device from a source device is relayed to the peak device and processed by the peak device. If the job destined for the off-peak device is a job format associated with the off-peak device, relaying the job to the peak device may further include the operation of converting the job to a job format associated with the peak device. In one aspect, a destination change message is sent to the source device, indicating the location of the peak device processing the job.

Abstract: An adaptive print driver receives printing instructions relating to a document and outputs print data pages to an imager. The adaptive print driver includes a printing instruction parser for parsing printing instructions, a format controller for assigning a data format to the parsed print instructions and transferring the parsed print instructions according to the data format to a plurality of format generators. The plurality of format generators generates print data which is passed to a coalescer that coalesces the received print data into at least one print data page. The adaptive print driver uses a data format determination analysis process to balance rasterization on the adaptive print driver to achieve an optimal load balance between rasterization to take place on the adaptive print driver and rasterization to take place on the imager.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for securely accessing imaging job resources in a printing device. The method initially downloads a restricted software resource to a printing device. That is, the resource is restricted to use by a user group. As differentiated from factory installed software, or field upgrades, the restricted software resource is stored in a user-accessible memory, such as non-volatile storage (e.g., RAM). Subsequently, an imaging job is accepted for processing. The imaging job is verified to be associated with the user group. Subsequent to verification, access is permitted to the restricted software resource, and the imagining job is processed using the restricted software resource.

Abstract: A method and system for managing power in an enterprise environment based on individual office worker schedules. In one aspect, the system includes a power manager, a plurality of client devices operatively coupled with the power manager and a plurality of managed elements operatively coupled with the power manager, wherein the power manager receives from the client devices individual worker schedule information and generates based at least in part on the individual worker schedule information a list of scheduled events having associated managed elements and power profiles, and wherein in response to a start time of a scheduled event the power manager adjusts a power state of one or more managed elements associated with the scheduled event in accordance with a power profile associated with the scheduled event.

Abstract: An effective and efficient means for composition printing of multi-page image data is disclosed. Multiple image files may be received and read into memory to be processed and printed as a single job. Pages may be reordered and/or a subset of pages may be selected for printing by changing the link order between image file directories (IFDs) in the image headers before sending the image data to a printing device. Once processed to select and reorder pages for printing, the image data is streamed directly to the output, with each offset entry in the IFD being modified on-the-fly to correspond to its relocated position. When an image is skipped, the data associated with the image is not written out to the printing device. When the end of one file is reached, the next file is merged into the existing output stream relative to the end of the previous file.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention comprise systems and methods for detecting and managing peripheral devices that perform outside a given performance envelope. In some aspects, one or more threshold values may be determined prior to or during implementation by heuristic or other methods. These threshold values may then be used to determine device performance. In some aspects, threshold values may relate to performance parameters comprising device failures, consumption levels, output quality and other parameters. In some aspects, multiple threshold values may be used to determine device performance. In an exemplary aspect, a sheet usage threshold, a tone usage threshold and a power usage threshold may be used to determine if a device is an outlying device. In some aspects, performance below an excellence threshold value may indicate that a device has excellent performance.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for providing electronic documents to online meeting participants. The method schedules a first online meeting between network-connected computer devices. A meeting server establishes a repository for the first online meeting. The meeting server receives an electronically formatted document sent to a first communication address assigned to the first online meeting repository, and stores the document in the first online meeting repository. A first computer device is able to log into the meeting server and access the document from the first online meeting repository at a time prior to, during, or after the first online meeting. Likewise, the meeting server is able to store a document received prior to, during, or after the meeting.

Abstract: Recognizing a language format of an input data stream including reading a next data sample of the input data stream in a current state, selecting a next state in response to the next data sample, transitioning to the next state and repeatedly reading the next data sample and selecting the next state until the next state is an end state, and identifying the language format in response to the current state when the next state is an end state.

Abstract: Methods of, and devices for, image processing of input data, directed to an imaging device, where a method comprises: (a) generating a spool shell based on received job setting information for received input data; (b) determining if the received input data is native to the imaging device; and (c) if the received input data is not native to the imaging device, then (i) converting the received input data into a native converted data, and (ii) generating a spool job by encapsulating the converted data within the generated spool shell.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for imaging job authorization. The method comprises: an authorization server receiving a request from a first node print subsystem to communicate an imaging job; in response to analyzing imaging job information, sending an access inquiry to a second node; the authorization server receiving an authorization, including a one-time use public encryption key, from the second node; sending a confirmation, including the public key, to the first node print subsystem; the first node encrypting the imaging job using the public key; sending the encrypted imaging job to the second node from the first node; and, the second node decrypting the imaging job using a private key corresponding to the public key. The analyzed imaging job information used for access control may include user ID, job content, first node ID, first node communication address, imaging job access control, time/date, imaging job size, or imaging job options.