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: A method for receiving a task via an Instant Messaging (IM) service is described. The device is connected to the IM service. A task initiation instant message is received. A response to the task initiation instant message is sent. The response includes instructions on how to send a task to the device using the IM service. The instructions are independent of an IM provider that provides the IM service. A command is received to execute the task at the device.

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: Methods and systems for facilitating remote access and customization of internally generated printing node status reports. In some embodiments, the methods and systems advantageously facilitate remote access and customization of internally generated printing node status reports by adapting preexisting features that generate local hard copies of printing node status reports in response to locally initiated commands. Such adaptation enables a printing node to receive, process and respond to remotely initiated requests for printing node status reports in a manner that permits remote customization of the style of printing node status reports.

Abstract: Output processing includes inputting an electronic file of a document to an outputting device capable of output processing operations. A database of external translators is maintained by the device for conversion of file formats from non-native file formats. If the format of the file is a native format, it is output processed by the outputting device. If the format is a non-native format, an external registered translator is selected and the file sent to the selected external registered translator for format conversion to a native format. The format-converted file is received at the output processing device, and output processed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for print job fingerprinting. The method comprises: accepting an electronically formatted document; generating a print job; in a spooling/despooling subsystem, accepting fingerprint information; and, adding a fingerprint image to the print job. That is, a fingerprinted print job is generated. In some aspects, the fingerprint is encrypted. The method further comprises: sending the fingerprinted print job, from the spooling/despooling subsystem, to a printer; and, generating a hardcopy of the document, with the fingerprint image. If the fingerprinted print job is rendered, for example copied, scanned, or converted into a different print job format, the rendered print job still includes the fingerprint image.

Abstract: A method for managing image data and metadata is described. Image data is provided. Metadata associated with the image data is provided. A determination is made about the capabilities of a network and a destination. The image data and the metadata are encapsulated in an exchange format if the determined capabilities support encapsulation. The encapsulated image data and the metadata are transmitted to the destination over the network.

Abstract: A method for efficiently handling image data may involve creating an imaging job that includes image data corresponding to an outputting operation that is to be performed by an imaging device. The method may also involve determining whether the image data includes one or more reduced size images in addition to one or more full size images. The method may also involve determining whether the one or more reduced size images are satisfactory for the outputting operation. If the image data includes the one or more reduced size images in addition to the one or more full size images, and if the one or more reduced size images are satisfactory for the outputting operation, the method may involve despooling the one or more reduced size images to the imaging device without despooling the one or more full size images to the imaging device.

Abstract: A method for driverless imaging of documents may include a direct imaging application on a client sending an imaging request message to another device, which may be a direct imaging server or a target imaging device. In response to receiving the imaging request message, the device may create an imaging job skeleton that includes contents of a complete imaging job other than document data. The device may send a despooling request to the direct imaging application. The despooling request may indicate where the document data corresponding to the imaging job should be despooled. In response to receiving the despooling request, the direct imaging application may despool the document data in accordance with the despooling request.

Abstract: A device includes a memory to store user interface information, a memory to store user interface information, and at least one processor configured to receive an imaging job, determine culture information associated with the imaging job, and present the user interface information according to culture information.

Abstract: A method for unified imaging job accounting may involve determining one or more imaging operations that are performed as part of processing the imaging job. The method may also involve determining standard rates that are defined for the one or more imaging operations. The standard rates may be applied across multiple imaging jobs that are processed by the imaging device. The method may also involve determining charges to be applied for the imaging job based on the one or more imaging operations that are performed as part of processing the imaging job and also based on the standard rates that are defined for the one or more imaging operations. The method may also involve applying the charges that are determined for the imaging job.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for accessing and modifying device firmware.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an effective method for color proofing by outputting multiple reduced or full-size versions of some selected sample of a color rendering job using different color attribute settings for each of the multiple versions. The color attribute settings may be user selected, automatically selected, or a combination of the two. A new rendering job is then generated, with each image in the new job representing one set of settings for the sample. The new rendering job may be rendered as an N-up job, where each scaled 1/Nth image shows one of the different sets of color attribute settings for the sample. Each image may include an identifier, so the user can select one image and then enter or select the identified settings in the driver. Once desired color rendering has been achieved, the entire color-adjusted rendering job may be output to the rendering device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing computer based printing, scanning and faxing. A computer device is used in a system configuration to describe a fax operation as a sequence of commands from a fax description language (FDL) forming a program unit, wherein the program unit may be constructed, transmitted and executed in a single operational step. The computer device is also used to configure, send and/or retrieve facsimile messages for fax jobs, wherein the fax job requests are sent through an existing print subsystem. Accordingly, a user may send a fax configuration or fax job send or retrieve request as a print job.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accurately recognizing a language format of an input imaging data stream when no explicit language switch is present. A sniffer process is initiated when an imaging device receives an input imaging data stream. The sniffer process analyzes an initial sample of the input stream to determine the language format by enumerating through a set of language recognizers that are implemented as callback functions. The enumeration uses a dynamic heuristic approach to selecting the order in which to try the language recognizers. Each language recognizer has a sample size associated with it. For each language recognizer enumerated, the sniffer process pre-reads the associated sample size and invokes the associated callback function with the byte sample. The enumeration continues until a language recognizer acknowledges recognition of the language format or the set of language recognizers is exhausted.

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: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for building a composite print job. According to a method, at least first and second files are received in respective printer independent file formats. The first and second files are printed to a logical printing device in a printer dependent file format appropriate for a physical printing device. The first and second files are thereafter combined as a composite print job, to prepare the first and second files for printing to the physical printing device.

Abstract: A pseudo print job system and method are provided for managing scan jobs. The method comprises: scanning a document at the scanning device; spooling the scan job in storage; sending a pseudo print job request to the scanning device, from a connected client; despooling the scan job from storage in response to the pseudo print job request; and, sending the scan job to a connected destination. The spooling of the scan job in storage may include storing the scan job in a scanning device internal memory, a network-connected server memory, or a connected client memory. The scan jobs are sent to a destination specified in the pseudo print job request. Sending a pseudo print job request for the scan job includes the use of either a network scan-enabled print driver or an independent network scan application. Either way, the pseudo print job request is sent via the client's print subsystem.

Abstract: A method for printing using removable storage is described. An imaging job is initiated, wherein the imaging job comprises a fixed portion and a variable portion. The fixed portion is provided to an imaging device. The variable portion is provided to the imaging device. One of the fixed portion or the variable portion is communicated from a removable storage device to the imaging device. The fixed portion and the variable portion are merged into a combined document. The combined document is output.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for controlling an imaging device where the controlling application may be obtained by the imaging device from a storage system and provided to a hosted computing environment.