Abstract: A production printer having multiple input sources and an output source includes a Web server, a print server, and a printer. The Web server controls a repository of software and data that supports the software. A print server linked to the Web server is configured to download and install software stored on the Web server. The printer linked to the print server produces images on sheets received from one or more of the input sources. A method of downloading and installing software from a publicly accessible network into a printer includes: launching a monitoring program that searches across a publicly accessible network to generate a list of software, recording the addresses of potential software to be copied to one of a remote and a local interface; and installing the software in a memory to be installed immediately or stored for a later installation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing image data operates in a high capacity or a high quality mode. In the former a single bit per pixel is created and processed along one of two identical processing paths. The processing paths involve compression, buffering and expansion for output to a writer interface. The processing path selected for pixels in each image frame is in accordance with the most available buffering memory. In the latter mode two bits per pixel, a more significant bit (MSB) and a less significant bit (LSB) are created and processed simultaneously along the two processing paths. The processing path for each is selected in accordance with the LSB being processed by the processing path with the most available memory. As compression of the LSBs is not as efficient as that of the MSBs, the number of document pages stored in the compression buffers is maximized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing image data operates in a high capacity mode or a high quality mode. In the former a single bit per pixel is created and processed along one of two identical processing paths. The processing paths involve compression, buffering and expansion for output to a writer interface. The processing path selected for pixels in each image frame is in accordance with the most available buffering memory. In the latter mode two bits per pixel, a more significant bit (MSB) and a less significant bit (LSB) are created and processed simultaneously along the two processing paths. The processing path for each is selected in accordance with the LSBs being processed by the processing path with the most available memory. As compression of the LSBs is not as efficient as that of the MSBs, the number of document pages stored in the compression buffers is maximized.

Abstract: Reproduction apparatus is disclosed having at least one image signal generator, a multiple page buffer memory for storing the image signals, and a writer for forming images from the page buffer memory. Upon the occurrence of a malfunction in the writer, operation of the image signal generator is continued only until the first to occur of (a) all of the original pages have been stored in the multiple page buffer memory or (b) the multiple page buffer memory is filled. Upon the occurrence of a malfunction in the signal generator, operation of the writer is continued until the next page to be written has not been stored in the buffer memory.

Abstract: An electronic printer receives multi-page documents as character code signals which are applied to a raster image processor for rasterization. The rasterized signals are electronically stored so that a plurality of electronically collated, multi-page sets can be printed without re-rasterization.

Abstract: A printer/copier which stores job image data in memory before reproduction has a "refresh period" after which data stored therein will degrade if the device is not refreshed. Upon completion of a "security" job, DRAM refresh and normal read or write operations are disabled for a time period sufficient to allow the data resident in the DRAM to degrade.

Abstract: A continuous forms feeder in which the restacking of the continuous forms is facilitated. Panels of the continuous forms are sequentially fed at a predetermined linear speed from a stack in a supply station through a work station, such as a print or exposure station of a reproduction apparatus, to a storage station. During the movement of the first several panels through the work station, the linear speed is reduced relative to the predetermined linear speed to provide more time for effecting proper restacking of the continuous forms in the storage station.