Abstract: The present invention efficiently directs the flow of print jobs and efficiently controls the spooling and printing of print jobs. The multiplexer system analyzes jobs received from client systems through print channels. The multiplexer determines the attributes of the incoming job and the attributes associated with the print channel. If the attributes of the print job and the attributes of the print channel dictate an output path (either MUST PRINT or MUST SPOOL), then the multiplexer examines the state of the selected path. If the designated output path (printer or spooler) is busy, then the multiplexer decision is to signal a Stop_Flow to the print channel. The print channel is signaled to Start_Flow at a later time, when the output path becomes available. If the attributes of the print job and the attributes of the print channel do not dictate an output pith, then the multiplexer examines a User Output Selection setting to control spooling and printing of print jobs.

Abstract: A Job Monitor for providing printer recognition and management of a print job entity is described. The Job Monitor includes a repository of attributes and status associated with each print job that passes through the system. Interfaces to the Job Monitor provide the ability for components to process a job according to the unique requirements of the processing component, and report job attributes and processing status of the job to the Job Monitor for common access by other components. Each component has access to common variables and can present job attributes or status to its respective external interface according to the unique requirements dictated by the external interface. Additionally, internal job processing components interface with the Job Monitor to access and report current processing status. The common status repository provided by the Job Monitor is used by the Job Monitor and other components to control the sequence of processing within the printer.

Abstract: A Job Monitor for providing printer recognition and management of a print job entity is described. The Job Monitor includes a repository of attributes and status associated with each print job that passes through the system. Interfaces to the Job Monitor provide the ability for components to process a job according to the unique requirements of the processing component, and report job attributes and processing status of the job to the Job Monitor for common access by other components. Each component has access to common variables and can present job attributes or status to its respective external interface according to the unique requirements dictated by the external interface. Additionally, internal job processing components interface with the Job Monitor to access and report current processing status. The common status repository provided by the Job Monitor is used by the Job Monitor and other components to control the sequence of processing within the printer.

Abstract: A system and method for concurrently spooling and despooling print jobs, which allows print data associated with a print job to be despooled from storage at the same time that additional print data associated with the print job is spooled onto storage. Print jobs are received and storing of the print job is initiated. The portion of the print data that has been stored is concurrently read from the storage device, and sent to the print engine, thereby allowing the print job to be printed as the print job is being stored onto the storage device.

Abstract: A Job Monitor for providing printer recognition and management of a print job entity is described. The Job Monitor includes a repository of attributes and status associated with each print job that passes through the system. Interfaces to the Job Monitor provide the ability for components to process a job according to the unique requirements of the processing component, and report job attributes and processing status of the job to the Job Monitor for common access by other components. Each component has access to common variables and can present job attributes or status to its respective external interface according to the unique requirements dictated by the external interface. Additionally, internal job processing components interface with the Job Monitor to access and report current processing status. The common status repository provided by the Job Monitor is used by the Job Monitor and other components to control the sequence of processing within the printer.

Abstract: The present invention efficiently directs the flow of print jobs and efficiently controls the spooling and printing of print jobs. The multiplexer system analyzes jobs received from client systems through print channels. The multiplexer determines the attributes of the incoming job and the attributes associated with the print channel. If the attributes of the print job and the attributes of the print channel dictate an output path (either MUST PRINT or MUST SPOOL), then the multiplexer examines the state of the selected path. If the designated output path (printer or spooler) is busy, then the multiplexer decision is to signal a Stop_Flow to the print channel. The print channel is signaled to Start_Flow at a later time, when the output path becomes available. If the attributes of the print job and the attributes of the print channel do not dictate an output path, then the multiplexer examines a User Output Selection setting to control spooling and printing of print jobs.

Abstract: A page generation system that efficiently generates a page segment by clearing memory immediately after data representing the page segment is read from memory. The system generates a page in memory by writing the data representing the image content of the page to a memory block. The memory block is initially clear (all logical 0's) to enable the system to efficiently generate the page segment by writing the positive content of the page segment without having to write the blank sections of the page segment. By clearing memory immediately after data is read from memory, the page generator does not need to zero clear a memory block prior to constructing a page segment therein.

Abstract: Density calibration for a printer is achieved using a standard grey scale vignette master and a stored gray scale vignette image that the printer operator can invoke from the operator panel of a printer. The vignette image provides a precalibrated scale that is used in conjunction with the •standard• image to determine the proper optical density. The density is then set by the printer control panel based upon the value obtained by visually matching the two grey scale vignettes.

Abstract: A Job Monitor for providing printer recognition and management of a print job entity is described. The Job Monitor includes a repository of attributes and status associated with each print job that passes through the system. Interfaces to the Job Monitor provide the ability for components to process a job according to the unique requirements of the processing component, and report job attributes and processing status of the job to the Job Monitor for common access by other components. Each component has access to common variables and can present job attributes or status to its respective external interface according to the unique requirements dictated by the external interface. Additionally, internal job processing components interface with the Job Monitor to access and report current processing status. The common status repository provided by the Job Monitor is used by the Job Monitor and other components to control the sequence of processing within the printer.

Abstract: Density calibration for a printer is achieved using a standard grey scale vignette master and a stored gray scale vignette image that the printer operator can invoke from the operator panel of a printer. The vignette image provides a precalibrated scale that is used in conjunction with the “standard ”image to determine the proper optical density. The density is then set by the printer control panel based upon the value obtained by visually matching the two grey scale vignettes.

Abstract: A data buffering/transformation system and method that compresses a received signal and stores the compressed received data signal in a data storage unit to conserve storage usage. The system decompresses the data signal prior to transmitting the signal. The received data signal may be an encoded data signal. In such a case, the system further decompresses the received data signal, decodes the signal, recompresses the signal, and stores the signal in the data storage unit. The system and method employs a combination compressor and first decompressor and a second decompressor so the system and method can simultaneously decompress a compressed received data signal and decompress a compressed decoded received data signal.

Abstract: Density calibration for a printer is achieved using a standard grey scale vignette master and a stored gray scale vignette image that the printer operator can invoke from the operator panel of a printer. The vignette image provides a pre-calibrated scale that is used in conjunction with the □standard□ image to determine the proper optical density. The density is then set by the printer control panel based upon the value obtained by visually matching the two grey scale vignettes.