Abstract: Image forming devices and methods of assisting with maintenance of image forming device consumables are described. According to one aspect, an image forming device includes: an image engine configured to utilize a consumable to form hard images; an interface adapted to communicate with a network comprising a plurality of network devices external of the image forming device; and processing circuitry coupled with the image engine and configured to forward a search request to the interface for communication to the network, to receive information regarding the consumable from the plurality of network devices via the interface responsive to the search request, to generate a message including information received from at least one of the network devices, and to control communication of the message.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooperative rasterization of print data in an enterprise network are described. In one aspect, a primary printer rasterizes a portion of a print job to input raster bits into a raster buffer associated with the primary printer. During print job processing operations, the primary printer identifies a potential underflow condition of the raster buffer. Thus, the primary printer communicates an un-rasterized portion of the print job to a secondary printer for the secondary printer to rasterize—the primary printer not rasterizing the un-rasterized portion. Subsequently, the primary printer receives raster bits corresponding to the un-rasterized portion from the secondary printer. The primary printer prints all of the raster bits corresponding to the print job.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for enhancing management of raster image processing (RIP) resources are described. In one aspect, a printing environment includes a RIP engine and multiple RIP pipelines. The RIP engine is scheduled to perform RIP for a first time period for a first pipeline of the multiple RIP pipelines. Responsive to occurrence of a start time of the first time period, the RIP engine is automatically transferred to the first pipeline for RIP.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing raster image process (RIP) pipeline data throughput are described. The RIP pipeline includes multiple RIP engines. In one aspect, a print job is divided into multiple partitions. The multiple partitions are at least as numerous as the number of RIP engines in the pipeline. A respective partition is distributed to each of the multiple print engines for processing into raster data. The raster data is printable by a printing device.

Abstract: A pressurized pouch is made of a water-soluble material, preferably PVA film, to hold a concentrated product for later mixing in a bottle to provide a water solution. Because of the interior pressure, the water-soluble pouch retains a semi-rigid resilient shape that greatly facilitates its introduction through the neck of the bottle. The pressurized pouch can be made by either VFFS or HFFS machines wherein a puff of air is added prior to sealing. Alternatively, the pouch is made by filling it in a pressurized chamber.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for raster image processing employing partitioning of print jobs are described herein. In one representative embodiment, a method is provided that comprises the steps of determining a page count for a print job expressed in a page description language and specifying a number of partitions of the print job. The method also includes the steps of assigning each of the partitions of the print job to one of a number of raster image processing (RIP) engines for raster image processing, and, re-aggregating a number of raster image processed partitions from the RIP engines into a raster image processed output file. Each of the raster image processed partitions is generated by raster image processing a corresponding one of the partitions with a respective one of the RIP engines.

Abstract: Digital printing technologies often rely on raster image processors (RIPs or RIP engines) to convert vector image data to raster, or bit-map, data, which allows a printer to render the image as a pattern of dots or pixels. One problem that the present inventors recognized with conventional RIPs is that they have limited communications capabilities that can in some circumstances reduce their effective processing speed. Accordingly, at least some embodiments of the present invention allow controlling a RIP engine using two or more different RIP control entities.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for determining a unique identifier of an imaging device. Such structures of this type, generally, detect the closest imaging device to the user by having the user's mobile device query the online/off-line status of all the imaging devices in the current network list. The user then presses a key on the imaging device. The user's mobile device then polls all the imaging devices in the list to see which imaging devices have made online/off-line transition. A message is posted on the control panel of the imaging device as a means of providing confirmation to the user that this is the imaging device the user desires to print from. Finally, the imaging device returns a unique identifier, such as a network address, to the user's mobile device so that the user can download the print job information from the mobile device to the imaging device and the document can be printed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing raster image process (RIP) pipeline data throughput are described. The RIP pipeline includes multiple RIP engines. In one aspect, a print job is divided into multiple partitions. The multiple partitions are at least as numerous as the number of RIP engines in the pipeline. A respective partition is distributed to each of the multiple print engines for processing into raster data. The raster data is printable by a printing device.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for enhancing management of raster image processing (RIP) resources are described. In one aspect, a printing environment includes a RIP engine and multiple RIP pipelines. The RIP engine is scheduled to perform RIP for a first time period for a first pipeline of the multiple RIP pipelines. Responsive to occurrence of a start time of the first time period, the RIP engine is automatically transferred to the first pipeline for RIP.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a raster image processing (RIP) manager is configured to distribute partitions of a print job to a RIP pipeline to be RIPed. If the RIP manager anticipates a delay in the RIP pipeline, the RIP manager adds a RIP engine to the RIP pipeline.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for organizing a raster image processing pipeline are described herein. In one representative embodiment, a method is provided that comprises the steps of configuring a number of pipelines for raster image processing in a memory, associating at least one raster image processing (RIP) engine with at least one of the pipelines, and, assigning a print job to the one of the pipelines for raster image processing by at least one of the RIP engines associated therewith.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for raster image processing employing partitioning of print jobs are described herein. In one representative embodiment, a method is provided that comprises the steps of determining a page count for a print job expressed in a page description language and specifying a number of partitions of the print job. The method also includes the steps of assigning each of the partitions of the print job to one of a number of raster image processing (RIP) engines for raster image processing, and, re-aggregating a number of raster image processed partitions from the RIP engines into a raster image processed output file. Each of the raster image processed partitions is generated by raster image processing a corresponding one of the partitions with a respective one of the RIP engines.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preparing/printing video scene indices from a variety of video types. Such methods of this type, generally, allow the user to prepare/print a video scene index from a video so that the user does not have to view the entire video in order to determine what is on the video. The index can also be stored at the beginning or end of the video so that the index cannot be misplaced or lost.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting imaging device proximity. Such structures of this type, generally, detect the closest imaging device to the user by equipping the user's mobile device with a “slider” graphical user interface (GUI) element that represents the current power level for receiving wireless signals from imaging devices. If the power level setting is turned to its maximum value, then the wireless receiver or mobile device would maximize its power so that all imaging devices in the range would be detected. If that results in too many imaging devices for the user to select from, then the setting value can be decreased until a small enough (acceptable for that user) list of imaging devices is presented.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for assuring that a selected imaging device is the desired one. Such structures of this type, generally, send messages from the user's mobile device to the desired imaging device that notifies the user that this is indeed the imaging device that the user wants to use. The message may, for example, appear on a display located on the imaging device that assures the user that the desired imaging device will be used. For example, a phrase, such as “Hello User”, may be used to appear on the imaging device display as a means of assurance so that the user can download the print job information from the mobile device to the imaging device and the document can be printed.

Abstract: Image forming devices and methods of assisting with maintenance of image forming device consumables are described. According to one aspect, an image forming device includes: an image engine configured to utilize a consumable to form hard images; an interface adapted to communicate with a network comprising a plurality of network devices external of the image forming device; and processing circuitry coupled with the image engine and configured to forward a search request to the interface for communication to the network, to receive information regarding the consumable from the plurality of network devices via the interface responsive to the search request, to generate a message including information received from at least one of the network devices, and to control communication of the message.

Abstract: Edge-to-edge printing in a laser or ink jet printer is accomplished by printing registration or calibration marks proximate to the edges of at least one page. The number of marks visible at each edge provides a measurable indication of the alignment of the print mechanism with respect to the page.