Abstract: In one embodiment, a method evaluates data associated with a print job to ascertain whether the data is associated with a gradient. At least a portion of the data is replaced with a gradient operator if the portion is determined to be associated with the gradient.

Abstract: A system and methods introduce loss directly on display list commands. Various methods are described for introducing loss directly on display list color commands and on display list vector commands. Advantages of the disclosed system and methods include significant savings in printer memory with only subtle loss being introduced to printed images.

Abstract: An applicator apparatus is provided which applies a protective cover to a product such as a stack of flat sheets of building material. A platform supports the product in a predetermined orientation. Adjacent the platform is a frame which supports a cover manipulator. The cover manipulator is mounted on a transport on the frame and operates to grasp a protective cover from a cover magazine. The transport mechanism is operable to move the cover manipulator from a position adjacent the cover magazine to a second position adjacent the platform. The applicator then presses the cover against the product in a predetermined orientation and a fastening mechanism secures the cover to the product. Typically, the cover is a flat sheet of cardboard or similar protective material. The material has scored or relieved portions which permit its top and ends to be folded over the end of the product to which it is applied.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to performing text transformations on a printing device. Transformation functions are implemented by program modules written in an interpretative language and executed on the printing device. Advantages of the disclosed system and methods for performing text transformations on a printing device include a reduction in costs associated with producing such devices and an improved capability for extending and upgrading the transformations available on such devices.

Abstract: Print data is rendered by separating page strips into scan lines and distributing the scan lines among a plurality of processors for parallel rendering.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing access to stored print jobs on imaging devices. An example of an imaging device, configured for connection to a network, comprises a processor that is configured to receive print jobs via the network. The imaging device further comprises a thumbnail image generator that creates a thumbnail image of each page of a print job received by the processor. The thumbnail images are accessible to workstations connected to the network. The imaging device also comprises a print job memory that stores the print jobs received by the processor. In one example, the processor comprises a web server for providing access to print jobs stored on the imaging device. The web server receives a request from a workstation connected to a network, accesses thumbnail images stored in a thumbnail image memory, and downloads web pages comprising thumbnail images corresponding to the pages of the print jobs to a browser in the workstation.

Abstract: A method of partially pre-rasterizing image data in a printing device includes evaluating image data for an image strip, estimating a minimum amount of the image data to be pre-rasterized in order to avoid a print overrun, and pre-rasterizing said minimum amount of image data.

Abstract: Provided are various systems, methods, and programs embodied in a computer readable medium for estimating a guarantee time. In one embodiment, a method is provided that comprises the steps of estimating at least one strip guarantee component time, determining a bounding of the guarantee time from the at least one strip guarantee component time, and calculating an estimate of the guarantee time.

Abstract: A method for forming a display list for a print job includes storing display list data in memory according to a first data storage method; and switching from the first data storage method to a second data storage method based on one or more predetermined trigger conditions such that a resulting display list is formed using two or more data storage methods.

Abstract: A print medium preferably includes an identification device on or in the print medium. The identification device provides encoded printing parameters for optimizing or controlling printing by a printer on the print medium.

Abstract: Systems for accessing information corresponding to print jobs are provided. An exemplary system includes a print preview system that operates in conjunction with a printing device. Specifically, the printing device includes a display device and stores information corresponding to a print job in memory. The print preview system is operative to receive information corresponding to a request to preview at least a portion of the print job. The print preview system also is operative to access the information corresponding to the print job, and display a thumbnail graphical representation corresponding to the portion of the print job requested via the display device. Methods, computer-readable media and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: A printer includes a local non-volatile memory for storing at least one print job; and a control system, including at least one processor and an encryption algorithm. When a print job is sent to the printer and designated for printing at a later time, the print job is assigned a key identification number (KEY) and then encrypted by the processor based on the encryption algorithm and the KEY. The encrypted print job is then stored in the local non-volatile memory as a secured print job, while the KEY associated with the encrypted print job is erased from the printer.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for processing printer instructions are provided. One method includes resolving a processing status of a target printer and evaluating a printer instruction format.

Abstract: A printer contains a list of objects to be printed under control of a controller. Different resolutions for the objects are included in the list of objects to be printed. In one embodiment, each item has an associated resolution indicating a minimum resolution for printing the item, unless the item before it has the same resolution. In such a case, the previous resolution is used to render ensuing objects for printing until an object requires a different resolution. A rendering module renders the object for printing as a function of the listed resolutions and resolutions supported by the printer. If the desired resolution is lower than that supported by the printer, the lowest resolution of the printer is used to render the object.

Abstract: A printing system is described. The printing system may include a printer connected to a storage system over a network system. The printer includes a non-volatile memory and can locally retain jobs in the memory. The printer can also select a locally retained job for archival and can then archive the selected job on the storage system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for applying 8-bit alpha blending to a bitonal source image and a bitonal destination image to produce a bitonal blended image. The bitonal blended image has a high quality, but memory resources are preserved because the process is accomplished without expanding the 1-bit images to 8-bit space before generating the blended image.

Abstract: A multi-staged image processing pipeline in a page printer includes a splitter stage for splitting a scan line of print data into sections for improved formatting efficiency and speed in the pipeline. In a preferred embodiment, the splitter stage forces a section of the scan line data to be processed by all relevant image processing stages with reduced cache thrashing. Each section of scan line data is set to be of a size that is optimal for (i.e., not greater than) the cache memory available. Advantageously, the splitter provides dynamically configurable splitter sizing and enables each stage to work on the data that is currently in the cache.