Abstract: A method automatically performs regression testing of output of an altered variable information print job (program). In one embodiment, the method begins by supplying test data to a variable information (VI) print job to produce first sample data. Next, the method applies a numeric generation application to the sample data to produce numerical representations. Then, the VI print job is altered and the same test data is supplied to the altered VI print job to produce second sample data. Again, the numeric generation application is applied to the second sample data to produce more of the numerical representations. The numerical representations are then compared to identify altered data records caused by the altering of the VI print job.

Abstract: A VI production system and method for automatic review of variable imaging job output includes a VI interpreter includes raster image processing for producing electronic output document images based on a variable imaging job included in a VI job stream. A proofing process includes obtaining sample document images from the output document images, and for each obtained sample document image, performing a review procedure. The review procedure includes comparing the obtained sample document image to a corresponding expected document image selected from the expected database to determine differences between the obtained sample document image and the corresponding expected document image. Based on at least one difference being determined, the differences are resolved by displaying the obtained sample document image on the user interface, indicating in the displayed sample document image each of the differences, and performing a difference procedure based on an operator input.

Abstract: A rule based system can produce a formal product description when only partially specified processing instructions and page description language (PDL) files are available. The PDL files contain product content data and can contain product description data. The partially specified processing instructions can be obtained from PDL file metadata or from other sources such as a Job Definition Format (JDF) Graybox. A knowledge based reasoning module can use the product description data and partially specified processing instructions to produce a formal product description from which a process network can be automatically produced.

Abstract: Embodiments herein select performance indicators from raw data and measure the indicators over at least one time period to extract a time series of data for each of the indicators. The method determines a time order among the correlated indicators and determines a causal direction among the correlated indicators based on which of the correlated indicators occurs first in time so as to identify relative leading indicators among the correlated indicators. The processes of determining the time order and determining the causal direction can comprise applying Dynamic Time Warping and/or Granger Causality techniques to the time series of data.

Abstract: A production workflow integration system for a print shop includes multiple workstations, a printing device and a computer in communication with at least one of the workstations and the printing device. Each workstation includes a data collection module having at least one of an electronic data storage device reader. The printing device prepares a job ticket for each print job to be produced by the print shop. The computer stores print job instructions for the print job on an electronic data storage device attached to the job ticket and stores the identification information of the electronic data storage device in a field of a print job record in a database stored in the computer.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately communicating color production printer color requirements include color selector software to display an interactive original document on a monitor. Tools enable navigating the displayed original document, tagging at least one critical color of the displayed document, and selection of a color tolerance in connection with each tagged critical color of the displayed document. Target builder software creates a master critical colors chart displaying only tagged critical colors for the original document, a master color aim chart, and a master color tolerance chart of critical colors and associated color tolerances identified in the displayed document. At least the critical colors chart and original document are printed. A printed master color aim chart and master color tolerance chart and customer printed charts are compared to the production end printed master critical colors chart for visually determining tolerances of customer printed charts.

Abstract: A rule based system can produce a formal product description when only partially specified processing instructions and page description language (PDL) files are available. The PDL files contain product content data and can contain product description data. The partially specified processing instructions can be obtained from PDL file metadata or from other sources such as a Job Definition Format (JDF) Graybox. A knowledge based reasoning module can use the product description data and partially specified processing instructions to produce a formal product description from which a process network can be automatically produced.

Abstract: A system and method to automate product life cycle management is disclosed. Product registration is automated by providing a package with automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) media, such as an RFID tag or a barcode, and a point-of-sale terminal that writes a unique product registration key to the AIDC media. Information about the product and customer is maintained by the brand owner's product management system. A global directory service acting as a broker is used as an intermediary to facilitate interactions between point-of-sale or post sale systems and the brand owner's system. Upon product purchase, customer and unique product identifier is sent to the brand owner's product management system via the broker. The brand owner's system creates a unique product registration key that is sent back to the point of sale terminal, which then writes the unique product registration key to the AIDC media annexed to the product.

Abstract: A VI production system and method for automatic review of variable imaging job output includes a VI interpreter includes raster image processing for producing electronic output document images based on a variable imaging job included in a VI job stream. A proofing process includes obtaining sample document images from the output document images, and for each obtained sample document image, performing a review procedure. The review procedure includes comparing the obtained sample document image to a corresponding expected document image selected from the expected database to determine differences between the obtained sample document image and the corresponding expected document image. Based on at least one difference being determined, the differences are resolved by displaying the obtained sample document image on the user interface, indicating in the displayed sample document image each of the differences, and performing a difference procedure based on an operator input.

Abstract: A production workflow integration system for a print shop includes multiple workstations, a printing device and a computer in communication with at least one of the workstations and the printing device. Each workstation includes a data collection module having at least one an electronic data storage device reader. The printing device prepares a job ticket for each print job to be produced by the print shop. The computer stores print job instructions for the print job on an electronic data storage device attached to the job ticket and stores the identification information of the electronic data storage device in a field of a print job record in a database stored in the computer.

Abstract: Embodiments herein select performance indicators from raw data and measure the indicators over at least one time period to extract a time series of data for each of the indicators. The methods filter out redundant indicators to produce a reduced indicator set of time series of data. The embodiments detect correlations among the time series of data within the reduced indicator set by considering time-shifts between the time series of data so as to identify correlated indicators. The method determines a time order among the correlated indicators and determines a causal direction among the correlated indicators based on which of the correlated indicators occurs first in time so as to identify relative leading indicators among the correlated indicators. However, if the correlated indicators occur at approximately a same time, the determining of the causal direction is based on a relative ability of each of the indicators to predict behavior of another of the correlated indicators.

Abstract: A method automatically performs regression testing of output of an altered variable information print job (program). In one embodiment, the method begins by supplying test data to a variable information (VI) print job to produce first sample data. Next, the method applies a numeric generation application to the sample data to produce numerical representations. Then, the VI print job is altered and the same test data is supplied to the altered VI print job to produce second sample data. Again, the numeric generation application is applied to the second sample data to produce more of the numerical representations. The numerical representations are then compared to identify altered data records caused by the altering of the VI print job.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately communicating color requirements from a customer to a production printer is disclosed. The method and system include a customer end computer workstation including a monitor, a processor, input tools such as a mouse and a keyboard, and a printer; color selector software; and target builder software. The color selector software enables display of an interactive original document on the monitor and the tools enable navigating the displayed original document and tagging at least one critical color of the displayed document. The color selector further enables selection of a color tolerance in connection with each tagged critical color of the displayed document.