Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for managing font resources using system independent references. A resource library may store a table, referred to herein as the “resource access table” that contains an entry for each base font resource. Each entry may include the following information on a base font resource: a native name, a file name, a unique identification, attributes, and possibly a link list used to identify any font resources that are linked to the base font resource. Since changes to the resource file such as updating a version of a font resource, changing the attributes of the font resource or changing the font resource's linked fonts, simply require an update to the resource access table, the data stream and the application program generating that data stream does not have to be changed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for generating and associating meta-data with a final form presentation datastream document where the meta-data is structured in accordance with the datastream component architectures. Meta-data objects (“MDOs”) are architected as components of a presentation document and thus are well defined to allow applications to reliably access and process the meta-data contained therein. The MDOs may be associated with other components of the document and are architected to be extensible and flexible while still adhering to an architectural structure. The MDOs may be descriptive (no affect in document presentation) or operational (affects document presentation if processed). Standard types of MDOs may include XML standard information, JDF standard information, PWG standard information, and digital signature information. A variety of standard categories further define typical meta-data forms and applications thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating commands and data to a printer and pre- and post-processors through a link using different protocols. In the exemplary embodiment, UP3I finishing instructions for a print file are specified in a MO:DCA Form Definition and processed by a print server on a host computer. Print commands are generated by the host computer and transmitted to a printer using the Intelligent Printer Data Stream (IPDS) Architecture. The processor within the printer receives and processes the UP3I pre- and post-processor commands received via the IPDS communications link and generates commands on a separate communications channel according to the Universal Printer Pre- and Post-Processing Interface (UP3I) for transmission to the pre- and post-processors. Status reported by the pre- and post-processors according to the UP3I™ specification are received by the printer and transmitted to the host computer.

Abstract: A method and system for nesting finishing operations specifies finishing operations for a printfile according to a first architecture, establishes a first communications link from a data source to a print server and carries printer control data for the finishing operations according to the first architecture, matches the printer control data with a predetermined set of rules which define an order in which the finishing operations are performed, establishes a second communications link from the print server to at least one print controller, communicates the finishing operations and the predetermined set of rules to the at least one print controller according to a second architecture, establishes a third communications link from the at least one print controller to at least one post-processing device, communicates the finishing operations to the at least one post-processing device, and performs the finishing operations according to the predetermined set of rules.

Abstract: Personal identifying information is obtained from a person receiving information content via an output device and sent back to the source of the information e.g. the sender. The personal information such as that in VCARD format is entered by the person receiving the document from a smart card or similar device. The system offers confirmation to users of computer communication systems as to the identity of the recipient of information they have transmitted over the system.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a printer for printing an encoded data stream. The stream includes a section of complex text data. The code is preferably Unicode, and the complex text data is preferably Unicode complex text. The printer includes a font, a text parser, and a layout engine. The font includes a plurality of glyphs. The text parser parses the data stream to determine the section of complex text data in the data stream. The layout engine is coupled to the text parser and with the font. The layout engine receives the section of complex text data from the text parser and determines at least one of the plurality of glyphs and glyph positions corresponding to the section of complex text data.

Abstract: A method and system for routing requests for authorization may comprise automatically determining approvals required for authorization of a request (72). A valid agent to provide one of the approvals required for authorization of the request (72) may be automatically determined. The requests (72) may be automatically routed to the valid agent for approval. After approval, it may be automatically determined if the approvals required for authorization of the requests (72) have been obtained.

Abstract: A method and system for nesting finishing operations specifies finishing operations for a printfile according to a first architecture, establishes a first communications link from a data source to a print server and carries printer control data for the finishing operations according to the first architecture, matches the printer control data with a predetermined set of rules which define an order in which the finishing operations are performed, establishes a second communications link from the print server to at least one print controller, communicates the finishing operations and the predetermined set of rules to the at least one print controller according to a second architecture, establishes a third communications link from the at least one print controller to at least one post-processing device, communicates the finishing operations to the at least one post-processing device, and performs the finishing operations according to the predetermined set of rules.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating commands and data to a printer and pre- and post-processors through a link using different protocols. In the exemplary embodiment, UP3I finishing instructions for a print file are specified in a MO:DCA Form Definition and processed by a print server on a host computer. Print commands are generated by the host computer and transmitted to a printer using the Intelligent Printer Data Stream (IPDS) Architecture. The processor within the printer receives and processes the UP3I pre- and post-processor commands received via the IPDS communications link and generates commands on a separate communications channel according to the Universal Printer Pre- and Post-Processing Interface (UP3I) for transmission to the pre- and post-processors. Status reported by the pre- and post-processors according to the UP3I™ specification are received by the printer and transmitted to the host computer.

Abstract: A conversion program selectively decomposes viewable files, such as PDF files, and generates a print-structured, bi-directional stream composed of print data objects, resource objects and command objects. The conversion program uses a mapping table to determine which resources have already been sent to the printer so that redundant resources are not re-sent to the printer. The resources and page data for each page are assembled in order and sent to the printer so that the resources necessary to render a page precede the page data. In this manner the printer always has the resources necessary to print each page. The print data, resource and command objects are sent from a print server which controls the print system to a printer by means of a containerized data stream which is bi-directional. A reply object is used to provide information concerning processing of the data from the print server to the printer.

Abstract: An intelligent printing system is extended to handle print objects such as EPS and PDF print objects without requiring the objects to be reformatted by selectively decomposing the EPS and PDF print objects and placing resource information contained in the objects in a resource database along with the print data. The resource information is not duplicated; only the first appearance of a resource is stored, later duplicates are discarded. Appropriate references are placed in the page description data stream so that the resource information can be retrieved and downloaded to the printer when the data is being processed at the print server. The downloading of a particular resource occurs only once. When the print data is sent to the printer, the downloaded resource information is recombined with the data and the combination is sent to a conventional EPS or PDF rasterizing program which converts the objects to printable data.

Abstract: A printing system wherein a first print driver utilizes an Intelligent Printer Data Stream (IPDS) to send a first job at a first font resolution to a printer and a second job at a second font resolution or a second job utilizing a non-IPDS data stream to the printer. A second print driver also utilizing the IPDS data stream is connected to the same printer for sending a third job. By sending a "Manage IPDS Dialog (MID)" IPDS command to the printer upon conclusion of the first job, the printer is enabled to switch immediately to the second job. The printer is enabled to switch between the first and second print drivers by use of the MID command at the conclusion of a print job.

Abstract: A method and system for presenting a document at a presentation device utilizing a presentation data stream having a continuous ordered stream of uniquely identified data objects and associated elements which specify format and presentation parameters for each of those data objects. The data stream contains a plurality of documents, including a resource document and a presentation document, which each comprise a collection of the uniquely identified data objects and associated elements. A save object command structure is defined within a resource document within the presentation data stream. Within the save object command structure, a particular data object is identified. In response to receipt of the save object command structure at the presentation device, the particular data object is stored within storage media. Thereafter, an include saved object command structure is defined within a diverse presentation document within a presentation data stream.

Abstract: A printing system wherein pre-printing commands, print data, and post-printing commands are nested in a data stream, the commands bounding a group of print data pages in the data stream, the group of pages containing one or more page data blocks, and the commands defining one or more operations to be performed relative to the group of pages. Groups of pages are handled in accordance with the commands in the data stream, and the commands are buffered while a print processor processes the group of pages to form printed sheets therefrom.

Abstract: A metering mechanism comprises a housing (7) with a material inlet (12) and a rotary metering member (27) that is rotatably mounted between side walls (8,9) of the housing with its periphery exposed to a chamber (48) within the housing so as to meter material from the chamber as it rotates, characterized in that a removable insert (74) is provided that is a close fit in said chamber and has a passage (75) through it that communicates at one end with said inlet (12) and at the other end with the periphery of the rotary metering member (27) so that the effective volume of said chamber (48) is reduced to the volume of said passage (75). Thus, if the metering mechanism incorporates the known shutter-type tramlining device in which a shutter (24) serves to close the inlet (12) to the housing, the quantity of speed retained in the chamber within the housing is reduced and therefore the length of a bout that will be sown after closing the shutter will be correspondingly reduced.

Abstract: A camera for photographing the image on CRT monitors is disclosed that locates a magazine containing a roll of film below a vertical aperture plate and a cassette above the aperture plate to receive the exposed film so that the film exposed through the opening in the aperture plate will not sag and distort the image received from the lens due to gravity. Magnets hold a pressure plate against the aperture plate to keep the film flat and properly positioned against the aperture plate. Apparatus is provided to cut the film between the aperture plate and the cassette to allow the cassette to be removed from time to time to develop the exposed film contained therein.

Abstract: A socket for mounting an electrical device such as an ordinary incandescent light bulb and enabling the electrical device to be switched to either its "off" condition or its "on" condition in response to touching the socket housing or any part of the structure electrically connected to the socket housing. All electrical components required to effect this switching of the power to the electrical device are mounted within the socket housing. The socket is usable with alternating current electrical power, and switching of the power to the electrical device occurs only when the voltage is passing through its zero point, thus avoiding current surges and lengthening the life of the light bulb or other controlled electrical device.