Abstract: A printing system includes an estimation system that stores the dot count value and a stored consumable use value for a recurring print job. The dot count value relates to the dot count of a rendered image for the print job for use in printing operations using estimate settings of the printing device. For a later instance of the print job, the estimation system retrieves the dot count value. It also obtains the current settings for the printing device and applies these settings to the dot count value to determine a current consumable use value. Based on the current consumable use value, the estimation system determines whether use of the current settings will result in an increase of ink or toner use.

Abstract: A printing system includes an estimation system that stores the dot count value and a stored consumable use value for a recurring print job. The dot count value relates to the dot count of a rendered image for the print job for use in printing operations using estimate settings of the printing device. For a later instance of the print job, the estimation system retrieves the dot count value. It also obtains the current settings for the printing device and applies these settings to the dot count value to determine a current consumable use value. Based on the current consumable use value, the estimation system determines whether use of the current settings will result in an increase of ink or toner use.

Abstract: Print jobs may be broken down according to consumable types, job cost categories, and print speed to determine job costing information. Using this information, an operator can see how resources are being used for printing print jobs. After a print job is completed, the total number of pages, an amount of ink, or an amount of toner is allocated to at least one job costing category. Job costing categories include good use of the consumable type or waste. Waste is further broken down into additional job costing categories. This information also is broken into print speeds based on different media types, media trays, or printing devices. This process provides a more holistic overview of the costs incurred to finish a print job.

Abstract: Systems and methods manage information relating to paper media to enhance the quality of printing by printers. Systems and methods efficiently maintain color management profiles for different papers and ensure that the most appropriate (e.g., optimal) color management profile is employed for color conversion on a specific paper. In particular, embodiments may employ dynamic management of data stored in paper catalogs of printing systems. As such, a paper catalog of a printer device can effectively associate a paper with a color management profile that provides the best possible color reproduction on that paper.

Abstract: A printing system provides consumable use estimation for print jobs using an estimation system and the digital front end (DFE) of a printing device. A hybrid consumable use estimation process is enabled that minimizes impact to the production printing at the printing device. The DFE of the printing device generates a consumable use estimate using an estimate job queue and raster image processor (RIP) separate from the normal job queues. The estimate job queue does not generate print data. Using the rendered data, the DFE generates the consumable use estimate and returns it to the estimation system. The printing device then prints the document for the print job and provides the actual consumable use to the estimation system for monitoring and tracking of consumable use. In some instances, the estimation system performs the consumable use estimation when a condition exists at the DFE at the printing device.

Abstract: Methods for identifying and generating a preview set of documents for use with variable data printing operations reduce the number of records that are previewed using filtering criteria. Records to be included in the preview set include text objects having text variables, image objects having image variables, and barcode objects having barcode variables. Records for the preview set also include those defined by rules and associated conditions based on data provided to generate the documents. A better representation of the variable data print job is provided.

Abstract: Print jobs may be broken down according to consumable types, job cost categories, and print speed to determine job costing information. Using this information, an operator can see how resources are being used for printing print jobs. After a print job is completed, the total number of pages, an amount of ink, or an amount of toner is allocated to at least one job costing category. Job costing categories include good use of the consumable type or waste. Waste is further broken down into additional job costing categories. This information also is broken into print speeds based on different media types, media trays, or printing devices. This process provides a more holistic overview of the costs incurred to finish a print job.

Abstract: A printing system includes an offline estimation device that provides estimates for ink or toner use for a print job at a target printing device. The offline estimation device retrieves digital front end (DFE) version information, configuration setting information, and color printing resources from the target printing device. Using the DFE version information, the offline estimation device selects a raster image processor (RIP) from a plurality of RIPs of software versions available within the printing system. The offline estimation device configures the RIP with configuration settings of the configuration setting information. The color printing resources also are pushed to the RIP. The offline estimation device provides the ink or toner use estimate using the configured RIP.

Abstract: Rules for variable data printing operations are defined using statements having text or image variables used in an object for a document template. Statements include conditions that evaluate content or data for the variables to determine whether the resulting content or data for the object is modified. Multiple statements are used within a rule, including those with complex expressions. The rules allow the generations of variety of documents that include different and fixed content.

Abstract: A virtual calibration system uses a reference printing device to add new printing devices and perform verification operations. The reference printing device is defined using color printing resources from an initial printing device. Policies define environmental specification information regarding the operating conditions for a printing device in the system. When a new printing device is added, the new printing device performs a match calibration using the color printing resources provided by the reference printing device. If the match calibration is acceptable, then the new printing device is added to the virtual calibration system. The reference printing device also instructs the printing devices to perform quality checks and to provide environmental information. Using the environmental information, the reference printing device determines if an issue is impacting color printing that is not related to the color printing capabilities of the printing device.

Abstract: A printing system includes an offline estimation device that provides estimates for ink or toner use for a print job at a target printing device. The offline estimation device retrieves digital front end (DFE) version information, configuration setting information, and color printing resources from the target printing device. Using the DFE version information, the offline estimation device selects a raster image processor (RIP) from a plurality of RIPs of software versions available within the printing system. The offline estimation device configures the RIP with configuration settings of the configuration setting information. The color printing resources also are pushed to the RIP. The offline estimation device provides the ink or toner use estimate using the configured RIP.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes receiving, at a hot folder that processes print job files according to default print instructions associated with the hot folder, a submitted file selected from (a) a submitted print job file or (b) a submitted print ticket, where the submitted print ticket includes at least one submitted print instruction. The method further includes starting a delay timer upon receiving the submitted file, waiting to process the submitted file until the delay timer has expired, and, upon expiration of the delay timer, processing the submitted file. Also described are a non-transitory computer-readable medium and a printing device.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer network of printing devices is configured to share printing device information, such as job queue status, configuration information, and resource information for automated load balancing, capability matching, failover, and print splitting operations. A digital front end (DFE) of a printing device establishes connections with the DFEs of other printing devices to manage output within the peer-to-peer network in an automated manner. When a print job is received at a DFE for a printing device, it is evaluated to determine how to best manage the output for the print job.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer network of printing devices is configured to share printing device information, such as job queue status, configuration information, and resource information for automated load balancing, capability matching, failover, and print splitting operations. A digital front end (DFE) of a printing device establishes connections with the DFEs of other printing devices to manage output within the peer-to-peer network in an automated manner. When a print job is received at a DFE for a printing device, it is evaluated to determine how to best manage the output for the print job.

Abstract: Systems and methods manage information relating to paper media to enhance the quality of printing by printers. Systems and methods efficiently maintain color management profiles for different papers and ensure that the most appropriate (e.g., optimal) color management profile is employed for color conversion on a specific paper. In particular, embodiments may employ dynamic management of data stored in paper catalogs of printing systems. As such, a paper catalog of a printer device can effectively associate a paper with a color management profile that provides the best possible color reproduction on that paper.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for estimating ink use by a printer is provided. The method involves receiving, by a computer, a request for a comingled print job comprising a plurality of print jobs to be carried out by the printer. The method also involves traversing, by the computer, pages of the comingled print job and identifying, for each page of the comingled print job, a print job of the plurality of print jobs to which the page belongs. The method also involves for each of the plurality of print jobs, calculating, by the computer, an estimated total amount of ink required for printing the print job. The method also involves communicating, by the computer, to a client terminal, the estimated total amounts of ink required for printing the plurality of print jobs.

Abstract: A printing system includes an offline estimation device that provides estimates for ink or toner use for a print job at a target printing device. The offline estimation device retrieves digital front end (DFE) version information, configuration setting information, and color printing resources from the target printing device. Using the DFE version information, the offline estimation device selects a raster image processor (RIP) from a plurality of RIPs of software versions available within the printing system. The offline estimation device configures the RIP with configuration settings of the configuration setting information. The color printing resources also are pushed to the RIP. The offline estimation device provides the ink or toner use estimate using the configured RIP.

Abstract: A printing system receives print jobs having pages that are separated by different levels of ink use to print the pages. The number of pages for different ink use levels are determined as well as the cost estimation to print the different pages. Ink use and cost estimates are provided on a granular level as opposed to overall ink use and costs for printing a print job. Modifications are made to one or more pages to lower ink use for those specific pages as opposed to the print job as a whole. The printing system displays the different ink use levels as well as the cost estimates.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer network of printing devices is configured to share information and color printing resources, such as TRCs, spot colors, and ICC profiles, as well as paper catalogs within the network without the need for a centralized server or cloud service. The digital front ends (DFEs) of the printing devices manage printing device information which is made available to all printing devices. When an update occurs at a printing device within the peer-to-peer network, its DFE sends a signal to the other printing devices to synchronize their information with the updated information. When a new printing device is added to the peer- to-peer network, its information and color printing resources are merged or replaced with the information within the network.

Abstract: A printing system receives print jobs having pages that are separated by different levels of ink use to print the pages. The number of pages for different ink use levels are determined as well as the cost estimation to print the different pages. Ink use and cost estimates are provided on a granular level as opposed to overall ink use and costs for printing a print job. Modifications are made to one or more pages to lower ink use for those specific pages as opposed to the print job as a whole. The printing system displays the different ink use levels as well as the cost estimates.