Abstract: Pre-rendering conversion of graphical data can be provided within an image processing path. Om an example implementation, an image processing path includes an application, a graphics subsystem presenting a set of graphics primitives, and a device driver, which is associated with an imaging device. Computing system infrastructure is capable of detecting an incompatibility between the graphics subsystem and the device driver. When an incompatibility is detected, at least one conversion module is engaged to convert one or more graphics primitives in a first graphics subsystem-type format into one or more graphics primitives in a second driver-type format. The device driver can then render the one or more graphics primitives in the converted second driver-type format. A conversion module can be associated with, for example, the graphics subsystem or the device driver. Utilizing at least one conversion module can enable multiply graphics subsystem to interact with a single device driver.

Abstract: Supporting a filter pipeline for a spooling module includes a spooling module loading a print processor, and the print processor loading a filter pipeline having a plurality of filters. Each of the plurality of filters performs one or more processing functions on the print job prior to the print job being forwarded to a target entity.

Abstract: Notification mechanisms for use in connection with print systems are described. In one embodiment, a notification mechanism extends from a printing application to the spooler, from the spooler to a hosting process, and back to the spooler. The notification mechanism can allow interested applications, such as print user interfaces, to register to receive updates on the progress of a print job. The notification mechanism provides a very rich and robust mechanism through which notifications can be generated and received.

Abstract: A flexible printing subsystem is enabled with a printer filter pipeline. A configurable and arbitrary number of printer filters forming a printer filter pipeline are applied to files that are to be printed. In a described implementation, the printer filter pipeline may implement enhancement features and conversion functions as determined by the individual printer filters forming the printer filter pipeline. The printer filter pipeline is established in accordance with a printer filter configuration file. The printer filter configuration file stipulates a printer filter order and includes a printer filter entry associated with each printer filter to be part of the printer filter pipeline. Each printer filter entry identifies the associated printer filter by name and enumerates the interfaces thereof. Printer filters may be adjacently linked in a printer filter pipeline when their mating interfaces match.

Abstract: An implementation of a print job processing sub-system includes a first bundle configured for rendering print jobs for a first print device and a second bundle configured for rendering print jobs for a second print device. The sub-system also includes a regionally-aware component configured to direct print jobs to the first or second bundles.

Abstract: An implementation of print job processing includes a system which comprises a spooler configured to receive a print job and one or more bundles of filters for rendering the print job into a format recognizable by a print device. The system can further include a sub-system configured to act as a communication intermediary such that the spooler does not need to directly communicate with the one or more bundles. For instance, the sub-system may include a routing component configured to facilitate routing individual print jobs from the spooler to an appropriate individual bundle without the spooler needing to directly communicate with the bundle.

Abstract: A printing interface provides facilities for handling print server properties, print queues, print commands, printing-related operations, and the like. These facilities allow developers to access and utilize various printing-related information and functions.

Abstract: Spooling strategies are described for producing job information that conforms to a hierarchical structure, and then storing the job information in a spool storage. The job information is then retrieved from the spool storage and consumed. The structured job information includes a multi-level hierarchy of nodes, including a job level that represents the entire job, a document level that represents a document to be processed within the job; a rendition level that represents a rendition of the document to be processed; and a page level that represents a page associated with the rendition. The hierarchical structure can also include resource nodes and metadata nodes associated with any level of the hierarchy, respectively representing resources and metadata. The hierarchy can optionally be composed using one or more selection and sequence parts.

Abstract: Spooling strategies are described for producing job information that conforms to a hierarchical structure, and then storing the job information in a spool storage. The job information is then retrieved from the spool storage and consumed. The structured job information includes a multi-level hierarchy of nodes, including a job level that represents the entire job, a document level that represents a document to be processed within the job; a rendition level that represents a rendition of the document to be processed; and a page level that represents a page associated with the rendition. The hierarchical structure can also include resource nodes and metadata nodes associated with any level of the hierarchy, respectively representing resources and metadata. The hierarchy can optionally be composed using one or more selection and sequence parts.

Abstract: The described systems and methods are directed at enabling two filters to pass data between them in an efficient manner. In one aspect, an interface is provided to a filter for writing data associated with a file. The interface enables the filter to write data to a virtual file container simulated by the interface. The interface also enables another filter to read the data from the simulated file container. In this manner, an actual file container stored in a disk drive may not have to be created to pass data between filters.

Abstract: The described systems and methods are directed at converting a file with complex elements so that a legacy utilization device, such as a legacy printer, can properly process the file. The described systems may include a converter module with a modular filter pipeline. The converter module may identify elements with complex features in a file. Simpler features that approximate the complex features are determined. The identified elements in the file may be replaced with elements having the simpler features.

Abstract: A hierarchical spooling data structure includes a plurality of nodes. In accordance with certain aspects, the plurality of nodes include at least four nodes: a first node representing a fixed page of the job; a second node representing a fixed document of the job, the second node including a reference to the first node; a third node containing data representing a fixed sequence of documents of the job, the third node including a reference to the second node; and a fourth node containing data representing a root of the job, the fourth node including a reference to the third node.

Abstract: In a described implementation, a production device, such as a computer, produces a shared resources container that includes shareable resources. Each resource of the shared resources container includes a part name and corresponding data. The production device downloads the shared resources container to a utilization device. The production device also formulates a job container, such as a print job. The production device analyzes resource usage of the job container during processing thereof. If a resource relevant to the job container is included in the shared resources container, the resource is excluded from the job container in lieu of a resource reference that is insert therefor. The production device also downloads the job container to the utilization device. At the utilization device, the job container is processed using the resource reference. Specifically, the resource reference is used to retrieve the associated resource from the shared resources container.

Abstract: An exemplary scalable print spooler efficiently prints data on a printer and is most effective in use with a dedicated print server. One use of the invention is with a print server that services a large number of client computers having applications programs having a need to print data. These could include, but are not limited to, word processing applications programs. A server computer has software that implements a server print spooler for coordinating the printing of data sent to the print server by the client computers. A number of printers are coupled to the server computer for printing under direction of the server print spooler. Client calls to the print spooler are accomplished by asynchronous procedures that communicate by means of an remote procedure call channel. A thread pool at the print server services these calls without unreasonable context switching between client requests.