Abstract: A method receives a multi-page print job comprising content to be printed on sheets to produce a stack of printed sheets. Each of the sheets comprises sheet sides and sheet edges between the sheet sides, wherein the content is printed on at least one of the sheet sides. The method identifies a side mark to appear on at least one stack side of the stack of printed sheets (the stack side comprises the sheet edges). The method determines locations within the print job of side markings to be printed simultaneously with the content on the sheet sides (a combination of the side markings create the side mark). The method prints the multi-page print job to produce the stack of printed sheets with the side mark on the stack side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus capture bitmapped images of pages of a print job that have been raster image processed while being printed by a printing device and collect electronic image data from at least one predetermined area of the bitmapped images of the pages using a computerized device. In addition, the method and apparatus capture at least one scanned image from the predetermined area of sheets of media printed by the printing device according to the print job, using an optical imaging device operatively connected to the computerized device and compare the scanned image to the electronic image data to validate whether the print job printed correctly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus capture bitmapped images of pages of a print job that have been raster image processed by a digital front end of a printing device (while they are being printed by the printing device). The bitmapped images are captured from the printing device's buffer using a computerized device potentially positioned within the printing device. The computerized device collects image data from at least one predetermined area of the bitmapped images of the pages and performs optical character processing on the image data to identify characters and numbers within the bitmapped images. The computerized device processes the characters and numbers into accumulated data for the pages of the print job. Then the computerized device compares the accumulated data to expected data to validate whether the print job printed correctly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of printing books based on digital data, comprises accepting a plurality of orders, each order including a request for at least one copy of each of a plurality of titles. The plurality of orders form a streamlined cover set. The streamlined cover set is scanned, the detecting of each cover in the cover set causing digital printing of a book block corresponding to the detected title associated with the cover.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the darkness level of image data to assist in output matching between dissimilar rendering devices. Image source information from a source file can be interpreted by a rendering decomposer in order to generate halftone source image data. The decomposition of the image can be repeated in response to a request by an operator for an additional darkening level via a user input file. The additional layers can be shifted in an opposing direction and then a clockwise direction from the original position until the additional darkening level is attained. The required darkening level can be stored in a storage unit or memory so that the required darkening level can be later triggered by a source document name to employ the same darkening approach. The darkening level can be selected from an array of darkening levels to assist in output matching without major modifications to the utilized rendering device(s).

Abstract: A method receives a print job and analyzes the complexity of the print job to generate complexity factors. The method performs raster image processing (RIP) on the print job and records the time taken to perform the raster image processing of each page of the print job. This generates “RIP times.” In addition, the method records the size of each page of the print job to generate “page sizes.” Then the method prints the print job and records the time it took to process the print job. Then the method determines how each of the complexity factors, the RIP times, and the page sizes contributed to the time it took to process the print job. This generates “complexity factor time values.” The method prints a report of the complexity factor time values detailing how each of the complexity factors contributed to the time it took to process the print job.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a data file's security classification, special handling instructions, and disposition, with the additional option of subsequently adding material to the print image contained within the document, is disclosed. The method and system provide control of sensitive information contained in print documents, wherein a first file is encrypted. A second document accompanies the first document containing information for decrypting the first document, control redaction, and/or provide for addition of content or restrictions as to which rendering device the first document may print on. The rendering device, upon receipt of both first and second documents, communicates with a host computer that determines the first document's classification and disposition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus capture bitmapped images of pages of a print job that have been raster image processed by a digital front end of a printing device (while they are being printed by the printing device). The bitmapped images are captured from the printing device's buffer using a computerized device potentially positioned within the printing device. The computerized device collects image data from at least one predetermined area of the bitmapped images of the pages and performs optical character processing on the image data to identify characters and numbers within the bitmapped images. The computerized device processes the characters and numbers into accumulated data for the pages of the print job. Then the computerized device compares the accumulated data to expected data to validate whether the print job printed correctly.

Abstract: A document security system for documents having an electronic data storage device (EDSD) includes a printing device, a first optical scanner associated with the printing device, an electronic data storage device writer, an electronic data storage device reader, and a second optical scanner associated with the electronic data storage device reader. The optical scanners detect, capture and analyze a speckle pattern on a scanned surface of a page of the document and transmits page data related to the speckle pattern of each page of the document. The documents are marked by scanning each page of an unmarked document with the first optical scanner and storing the page data for each page of the document on the document EDSD. The document is verified by scanning each page of a marked document with the second optical scanner, reading the page data stored in the document EDSD, and comparing the stored document page data to the scanned document page data.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the darkness level of image data to assist in output matching between dissimilar rendering devices. Image source information from a source file can be interpreted by a rendering decomposer in order to generate halftone source image data. The decomposition of the image can be repeated in response to a request by an operator for an additional darkening level via a user input file. The additional layers can be shifted in an opposing direction and then a clockwise direction from the original position until the additional darkening level is attained. The required darkening level can be stored in a storage unit or memory so that the required darkening level can be later triggered by a source document name to employ the same darkening approach. The darkening level can be selected from an array of darkening levels to assist in output matching without major modifications to the utilized rendering device(s).

Abstract: A hybrid document automation system manages a hybrid printing job, such as PostScript (PS) job with a mix of color and monochrome (B/W) sheets containing variable data. The print job may contain any number of sets, each differing in size and ratio of color and B/W sheets. The system includes a color printer, a monochrome printer, a print manager, a splitter for separating color pages from monochrome pages in the print job and automatic jam recovery. A graphical user interface (GUI) may be provided to give a user/operator information on the status of the print job. The system may also include a document integrity system for insuring the correct output of the merged color and monochrome pages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of printing books based on digital data, comprises accepting a plurality of orders, each order including a request for at least one copy of each of a plurality of titles. The plurality of orders form a streamlined cover set. The streamlined cover set is scanned, the detecting of each cover in the cover set causing digital printing of a book block corresponding to the detected title associated with the cover.

Abstract: A method and a system for automatically tracking and controlling usage of a first set of components, including the steps of receiving data from one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags electrically coupled with a second set of components; checking whether the first set of components are permitted to communicate with the second set of components; and enabling the first set of components to transfer data between the first and second set of components when communication is permitted.

Abstract: A method receives a print job and analyzes the complexity of the print job to generate complexity factors. The method performs raster image processing (RIP) on the print job and records the time taken to perform the raster image processing of each page of the print job. This generates “RIP times.” In addition, the method records the size of each page of the print job to generate “page sizes.” Then the method prints the print job and records the time it took to process the print job. Then the method determines how each of the complexity factors, the RIP times, and the page sizes contributed to the time it took to process the print job. This generates “complexity factor time values.” The method prints a report of the complexity factor time values detailing how each of the complexity factors contributed to the time it took to process the print job.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tools allowing users to finely adjust the print image before actual printing to compensate for expected distortion. These tools will be available at the queue level and allow the user to apply adjustments to front side or back side of the pages independently. These tools utilize a feature within printers that allows “pre-ripping” of input documents into a set of separate files that include a calling program, a set of page images, and other files used by the system. These tools modify the calling postscript file to cause the needed image modifications. The exemplary embodiment provides the user GUI based tools at the queue level to manipulate the output image to compensate for repeatable distortion due to media movement during printing.

Abstract: A method of operating a printer comprising at least one tray for retaining print media comprises reading a code associated with a quantity of print media, and associating the code with loading the quantity of print media in the tray in a database. If the print media in the tray is deemed unusual, based on types of media placed in the tray in the past, a human user near the printer is notified. The code on the print media is read through a wireless device in direct communication with a server retaining the database for a population of printers.

Abstract: A method receives a multi-page print job comprising content to be printed on sheets to produce a stack of printed sheets. Each of the sheets comprises sheet sides and sheet edges between the sheet sides, wherein the content is printed on at least one of the sheet sides. The method identifies a side mark to appear on at least one stack side of the stack of printed sheets (the stack side comprises the sheet edges). The method determines locations within the print job of side markings to be printed simultaneously with the content on the sheet sides (a combination of the side markings create the side mark). The method prints the multi-page print job to produce the stack of printed sheets with the side mark on the stack side.

Abstract: A system and methods for providing user-generated color tonal reproduction curves (CTRCs) to enhance color information when the prints will be made on a monochrome or highlight color printer. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided to allow the user to generate tonal reproduction curves (TRCs) for each of the four separations of the color images thereby choosing what color features for the given document need emphasis on the monochrome printers. The same TRC may be applied to the color objects in a page description language (PDL) file.

Abstract: A method of operating a printer comprising at least one tray for retaining print media comprises reading a code associated with a quantity of print media, and associating the code with loading the quantity of print media in the tray in a database. If the print media in the tray is deemed unusual, based on types of media placed in the tray in the past, a human user near the printer is notified. The code on the print media is read through a wireless device in direct communication with a server retaining the database for a population of printers.

Abstract: A tool to create a TRC (Tonal Reproduction Curve) file on an monochrome image formation device that relates “input” grayscale values of a source file and the desired “output” (printed) grayscale values. By adjusting this curve, i.e., mapping selected input values to new output values, the file will be reproduced with tonal ranges which have been broadened and/or compressed as appropriate. The TRC is applied when the desired print file is released for reproduction thereby allowing the user to choose a desired curve at a print queue level to adjust each print file as desired. The adjustments remap what the decomposer would normally produce to a more appropriate range of tonal variations to emphasize image characteristics and value.