Abstract: A method, system and a computer program product for generating and printing documents 100, 110, 120 from a variable-data printing document template 130 comprising a layout of document portions 150, at least one of the document portions 150 comprising a flow that contains content which is variable in response to input data 140. There is provided a way of expressing and treating a flow across copy-holes (document portions comprising variable content) in different pages, thus enabling the creation of complex document designs for variable-data publishing material used in Digital Publishing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for processing a file having a plurality of pages for printing by: for each page in the file, determining whether to perform a trapping function on that page; and distributing the pages in the file among a plurality of parallel raster image processors based on the determination for each page of whether to perform the trapping function.

Abstract: Devices and methods for tracking the status of a print job using electronic devices on a print service provider (PSP) production floor are provided. One such method includes reading a radio frequency identification (RFID) code from an RFID badge assigned to, attached to, and traveling with a print job through production using an electronic device and sending an indication of the RFID code a PSP controller. In response, workflow instructions may be received from the PSP controller. The electronic device may display a representation of the workflow instructions and a user-selectable representation of job status information. When the representation of the job status information is selected, the electronic device may send an indication of the job status information to the print service provider controller.

Abstract: Devices and methods for using an electronic device for a print job ticket. Such an electronic device may include a network interface, a display, and an input device. The network interface may receive an assignment of the electronic device to a print job from a print service provider controller, receive workflow instructions associated with the print job from the print service provider controller, and send job status information associated with the print job to the print service provider controller. The display may display a representation of the workflow instructions and a user-selectable representation of the job status information. The input device may register a user selection of the representation of the job status information.

Abstract: In one example, the system discloses a profiler which calculates a “time-to-print” a first print job and a “time-to-process” a second print job. A scheduler schedules the second print job, for printing after the first print job, if the “time-to-process” the second print job is?the “time-to-print” the first print job. In one example, an article discloses instructions to predict a “time-to-print” a first print job, a “time-to-process” a second print job, and then schedule the second print job, for printing, if the “time-to-process” the second print job is?the “time-to-print” the first print job. In one example, the method discloses receipt of a set of print jobs having a first printing schedule, and then re-scheduling the print jobs so as to ensure that a next print job from the set is ready for printing right after a prior print job from the set has finished printing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for composing a machine readable document template having a portion for inclusion of data content. The method and apparatus comprise generating a formatting rule applicable to data content for inclusion in the data content portion and storing the rule separately from the data content portion.

Abstract: Processing print jobs on a computer which comprises generating a first print ready job file by a first print module based on an input print job file and generating a second print ready job file by a second print module based on the input print job file. The first print ready job file is compared to the second print ready job file, and if there is at least one difference between the first print ready job file and the second print ready job file, the input print job file is forwarded to a PSP (printer service provider) that is configured with the first print module or the second print ready job file is forwarded to a PSP that is configured with the second print module.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for identifying a record template within a file having reused objects. The method discloses: identifying, in the input file, a reused object and a set of pages upon which the reused object is located; computing a page distance between at least two adjacent instances of the reused object; generating an object recurrence pattern for the reused object; and reconstructing a record template, based on the object recurrence pattern, thereby identifying the records in the input file. The system discloses a processor, a profiler module, a pattern identification module, and a template reconstruction module for effecting the method.

Abstract: A printing method and system include identifying a reusable object in a print job. If the reusable object has been previously RiPped and cached, then the RiPped object is loaded for printing. If the reusable object has not been RiPped and cached, then the object is RiPped, cached and loaded for printing.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an article of manufacture and an associated method for providing layout flexibility. The article of manufacture includes a computer readable storage medium with a computer readable program code capable of accepting an optimal layout and a first modified layout, each within a visual frame of a graphic art program. Each of the optimal layout and the first modified layout include a plurality of visual elements and a variable data element. The computer readable program code is further capable of determining dimensional and layout parameters associated with each of the optimal layout and the first modified layout. Further, the computer readable program code is capable of interpolating variations between the optimal layout and the first modified layout for modifications of the variable data element ranging from the optimal layout to the first modified layout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for composing a machine readable document template having a portion for inclusion of data content. The method and apparatus comprise generating a formatting rule applicable to data content for inclusion in the data content portion and storing the rule separately from the data content portion.

Abstract: A method of printing a document is disclosed: A format template file is generated by defining locations and sizes on a page of at least two copy holes into which a content element is to be inserted. A group object is created which incorporates the two copy holes by generating a hierarchical data structure which specifies an identifier for the group object and identifies each copy hole of which the group object is comprised. The group object is replicated on a page of the format template file. A merged file is created by merging the format template file, a style template file specifying a font for a text content element. Each content element is identified in respect of a copy hole. The merged file is rendered to create a bitmap. A print engine is operated in accordance with the bitmap to print a document.

Abstract: A method, system and a computer program product for generating, rendering and printing documents 100,110,120 from a variable-data printing document template 130 which defines a document defining a layout of nested document portions 150 comprising content which is variable in response to input data 140. There is provided a way of expressing and treating nested flows, thus enabling the creation of complex document designs for Variable Data Publishing material used in Digital Publishing.

Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating the re-use of documents. The content, appearance and layout of the document are stored separately such that each can be manipulated or altered independently of the others.

Abstract: A method, system and a computer program product for generating a variable-data printing document template 500 comprising a layout of document portions, at least one of the document portions comprising a variable portion having a shape which is variable. The document template defines multiple document versions 610,620,630, each document version being selectable in response to input selection data 640. There is provided a way of producing of variable-data publishing (VDP) documents for Digital Publishing (DP) that rely upon complex document designs containing copy-holes (document portions comprising variable content) which may be expressed according to a set of options, one of which being non-existence of the copy-hole.

Abstract: A method, system and a computer program product for generating and printing documents 100, 110, 120 from a variable-data printing document template 130 comprising a layout of document portions 150, at least one of the document portions 150 comprising a flow that contains content which is variable in response to input data 140. There is provided a way of expressing and treating a flow across copy-holes (document portions comprising variable content) in different pages, thus enabling the creation of complex document designs for variable-data publishing material used in Digital Publishing.

Abstract: A method, system and a computer program product for generating a variable-data printing document template, from a variant/template comprising a layout of document portions, at least one of the document portions comprising a variable portion containing content which is variable, and a base template comprising a layout of document portions, at least one of the document portions comprising the variant. The document template defines multiple document versions, with each document version being selectable in response to input selection data. There is provided a way of production of variable-data publishing (VDP) documents for Digital Publishing (DP) that rely upon complex document designs containing dynamic themes at multiple levels of hierarchy. Such hierarchical use of themes makes it easier to obtain sophisticated document templates from more simple templates that can be managed at design time.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements are provided for generating, rendering and/or printing documents from a variable-data printing document template which defines multiple document versions, each document version may be selectable in response to input selection data. There is provided a way of producing of variable-data publishing (VDP) documents for Digital Publishing (DP) that rely upon complex document designs containing copy-holes which may be expressed according to a set of options, one of which being non-existence of the copy-hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a variable-data document for publishing includes defining a plurality of data content areas within the document in which respective specified data objects are to be inserted, each data content area having a defined size; for each data content area defining one or more style parameters to be applied to the specified data object and defining one or more style modification parameters; associating a plurality of data content areas with one another; and if, after applying the or each style parameter to the specified data objects for each of a data content area associated with one another, one or more data objects exceed the size of the respective data object areas, then modifying the or each style parameter of each associated data content area in accordance with the respective style modification parameters.

Abstract: A method of generating a document comprises: receiving a document template and a set of base content items for inclusion in said document; rendering an initial set of said base content items; determining an extent of any void spaces in said document after rendering of said base content items; and depending upon an extent of said void spaces, inserting a further additional content item into said document.