Abstract: Methods are described for calibrating a virtual printer including a plurality of color marking engines. The methods include printing a test pattern on one of the marking engines, the test pattern including a plurality of test patches, each test patch including corresponding expected colorimetric values, reading the test pattern with a colorimeter to determine measured colorimetric values associated with each of the test patches, and creating a lookup table that maps the measured colorimetric values to the expected colorimetric values.

Abstract: A molded plastic lamp component includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a first portion formed from a first material having a first heat distortion temperature, and a second portion formed from a second material having a second heat distortion temperature. The first heat distortion temperature is higher than the second heat distortion temperature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for routing page data of a print job to printers in a multi-engine printing system based on print job parameters associated with the page data. One or more virtual printers are configured, each with a plurality of individual print engines, each having associated printing characteristics. Page data of the print job are rasterized and stored as bit-mapped images in print buffers associated with the multi-engine printing system. The bit-mapped images are distributed to select ones of the print engines based on matching the print job parameters of each bit-mapped image with the printing characteristics of the print engines to be selected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing page data of a print job to the printers in a multi-print engine based on print job parameters associated with the page data of the print job is disclosed. One or more virtual printers are configured, each with a plurality of individual print engines, each having associated printing characteristics. Page data of the print job, downloaded form a print file and having the print job parameters associated therewith, is rasterized and stored as bit-mapped images in print buffers associated with the multi-engined printing system. The bit-mapped images are distributed to select ones of the print engines based upon matching the print job parameters of each bit-mapped images with the printing characteristics of the print engine to be selected.

Abstract: The toner in the toner cartridge is determined by taking each of the rasterized images output by the RIP and evaluating the pixel levels over the surface thereof. The average value is determined as a percentage of the maximum toner that can be applied to the page. This is then subtracted from a toner value and a remaining toner level determined. Further, all pages of the rasterized document can be evaluated to predetermine the toner level after printing. If this falls below a predetermined minimum, printing is inhibited for that document.

Abstract: The toner in the toner cartridge is determined by taking each of the rasterized images output by the RIP and evaluating the pixel levels over the surface thereof. The average value is determined as a percentage of the maximum toner that can be applied to the page. This is then subtracted from a toner value and a remaining toner level determined. Further, all pages of the rasterized document can be evaluated to predetermine the toner level after printing. If this falls below a predetermined minimum, printing is inhibited for that document.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for modifying the rendered output of a marking engine for a print job in progress. A marking engine commences printing print data for a print job. A parameter of a printed page of the print job is measured while the marking engine prints the print job. The measured parameter is compared to a reference, and the print data are modified before the print job completes, such that all subsequent portions of the print job are rendered with modified print data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for color balancing page data, from a variety of input sources having non-consistent device color profiles, among a plurality of individually accessible print engines arranged in a system for color printing multiple copies of multiple page documents. Input page data is converted to a common color space, rasterized and routed to a selected print engine. Page data routed to each marking engine is color balanced to the selected marking engine where at least a portion of the color balancing occurs following the rasterizing of the page data.

Abstract: A molded plastic lamp component includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a first portion formed from a first material having a first heat distortion temperature, and a second portion formed from a second material having a second heat distortion temperature. The first heat distortion temperature is higher than the second heat distortion temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for color balancing page data, from a variety of input sources having non-consistent device color profiles, among a plurality of individually accessible print engines arranged in a system for color printing multiple copies of multiple page documents. Input page data is converted to a common color space, rasterized and routed to a selected print engine. Page data routed to each marking engine is color balanced to the selected marking engine where at least a portion of the color balancing occurs following the rasterizing of the page data.

Abstract: A method for modifying the rendered output of a marking engine for a print job in progress is disclosed, comprising the steps of comparing a sample rendered input image having included therewith a print target scale corresponding to a specified image parameter having a range of possible renderings set forth in a table, with a rendering included in the table and modifying, to match a desired rendering, numerical correction data in one or more look-up tables of a print adapter, which print adapter is coupled to a source of input image data for the print job in progress and having an output coupled to the marking engine. The modified input image data is transmitted to the marking engine for rendering the remainder of the print job.

Abstract: The toner in the toner cartridge is determined by taking each of the rasterized images output by the RIP and evaluating the pixel levels over the surface thereof. The average value is determined as a percentage of the maximum toner that can be applied to the page. This is then subtracted from a toner value and a remaining toner level determined. Further, all pages of the rasterized document can be evaluated to predetermine the toner level after printing. If this falls below a predetermined minimum, printing is inhibited for that document.

Abstract: The toner in the toner cartridge is determined by taking each of the rasterized images output by the RIP and evaluating the pixel levels over the surface thereof. The average value is determined as a percentage of the maximum toner that can be applied to the page. This is then subtracted from a toner value and a remaining toner level determined. Further, all pages of the rasterized document can be evaluated to predetermine the toner level after printing. If this falls below a predetermined minimum, printing is inhibited for that document.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of toner required to render a print job using a print engine at a printing location without prior information about the toner level thereof, comprising the steps of accumulating in a first register the toner values of all the pixels in a rasterized image prior to sending the print job to the printing location; decrementing the toner level register for the print engine at the printing location if the accumulated value is less than or equal to the toner level of the print engine; and sending the print job to the print engine at the printing location for rendering.

Abstract: A multiple print engine is provided wherein a plurality of print engines are configured as a single virtual print engine. A software RIP engine is provided for receiving a print job, ripping that print job to provide a rasterized image, which rasterized image is parsed into a plurality of pages. Each of the pages has associated therewith information as to the printing characteristics for that page. Each of the print engines also has associated therewith printing parameters. A job distributor is provided for selectively distributing the rasterized pages to engines based upon their associated print characteristics.

Abstract: The toner in the toner cartridge is determined by taking each of the rasterized images output by the RIP and evaluating the pixel levels over the surface thereof. The average value is determined as a percentage of the maximum toner that can be applied to the page. This is then subtracted from a toner value and a remaining toner level determined. Further, all pages of the rasterized document can be evaluated to predetermine the toner level after printing. If this falls below a predetermined minimum, printing is inhibited for that document.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calibrating the half-tone operation of a color marking engine for creating images formed in bi-level or quad-level dot density formats. In the first step, a test pattern is run to provide an output image of a plurality of gray patches formed of first, second and third color toners. The gray patches of the output image include first, second and third sets of patches reproduced respectively at dot density levels of 25%, 50% and 75% of a maximum dot density. The relative color toner levels in the gray patches within each set of patches varies a predetermined increment in value above or below the toner levels in a median valued gray patch. The remaining steps of the method include visually selecting an output image of a selected color marking engine having a minimum color shift; determining a correction factor defined for each color at the maximum dot density; and storing the correction factor as an offset from maximum density for images created at the bi-level and quad-level formats.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing page data of a print job to the printers in a multi-print engine based on print job parameters associated with the page data of the print job is disclosed. One or more virtual printers are configured, each with a plurality of individual print engines, each having associated printing characteristics. Page data of the print job, downloaded form a print file and having the print job parameters associated therewith, is rasterized and stored as bit-mapped images in print buffers associated with the multi-engined printing system. The bit-mapped images are distributed to select ones of the print engines based upon matching the print job parameters of each bit-mapped images with the printing characteristics of the print engine to be selected.

Abstract: A multiple print engine configuration allows a plurality of workstations (10) to create individual print jobs and then transfer them to a distributing processor (14). The distributing processor (14) is operable to spool the jobs in a print spooler (20) and then perform a software RIP on the print jobs. The RIP process divides the jobs into multiple individual jobs which are stored in the page buffer (24). An image task manager (26) in conjunction with an engine manager (28) are then operable to selectively distribute the pages to multiple print engines (16). They are distributed in such a manner that they are placed in the output bins (40) in the order that the pages were received in the print jobs.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calibrating the half-tone operation of a color marking engine for creating images formed in bi-level or quad-level dot density formats. In the first step, a test pattern is run to provide an output image of a plurality of gray patches formed of first, second and third color toners. The gray patches of the output image include first, second and third sets of patches reproduced respectively at dot density levels of 25%, 50% and 75% of a maximum dot density. The relative color toner levels in the gray patches within each set of patches varies a predetermined increment in value above or below the toner levels in a median valued gray patch. The remaining steps of the method include visually selecting an output image of a selected color marking engine having a minimum color shift; determining a correction factor defined for each color at the maximum dot density; and storing the correction factor as an offset from maximum density for images created at the bi-level and quad-level formats.