Abstract: A method for print job partitioning in a printing environment having a plurality of RIP (raster image processing) engines includes setting a partition size for a selected print job as a function of one or more of a time sensitive nature of the selected print job and an activity duration measured for the printing environment. A different one of the plurality of RIP (raster image processing) engines is assigned to rasterize each job partition of the set size for the selected print job. The partitions of the selected print job rasterized by the plurality of RIP engines are aggregated into an output file for printing.

Abstract: In an exemplary device implementation, the device includes: a scanner capable of scanning a scanning target to produce an electronic image of the scanning target; and a printer capable of printing an image of the scanning target on a media, the printer including a print engine; wherein the device is adapted to overlap the scanning of the scanning target with preparation of the print engine for printing.

Abstract: In an exemplary device implementation, the device includes: a scanner capable of scanning a scanning target to produce an electronic image of the scanning target; and a printer capable of printing an image of the scanning target on a media, the printer including a print engine; wherein the device is adapted to overlap the scanning of the scanning target with preparation of the print engine for printing.

Abstract: An exemplary device implementation includes: a manager that is capable of monitoring a process for preparing a page for printing; and a print engine that is capable of printing the page after the process for preparing the page for printing is complete; wherein the device is adapted to temporally overlap the process for preparing the page for printing with preparation of the print engine for printing. An exemplary method implementation includes actions of: beginning processing of a page of a printing job; providing at least one command to a print engine responsive to at least one time remaining estimate for the processing of the page of the printing job prior to completion of the processing of the page of the printing job; and changing a state of the print engine responsive to the providing of the at least one command to the print engine.

Abstract: A method for print job partitioning in a printing environment having a plurality of RIP (raster image processing) engines includes setting a partition size for a selected print job as a function of one or more of a time sensitive nature of the selected print job and an activity duration measured for the printing environment. A different one of the plurality of RIP (raster image processing) engines is assigned to rasterize each job partition of the set size for the selected print job. The partitions of the selected print job rasterized by the plurality of RIP engines are aggregated into an output file for printing.

Abstract: A printer or other color output device is configured to manage consumable wear. A wear level and a consumable use level of a color cartridge are evaluated. A color cartridge failure mechanism is projected to be either color cartridge wear-out or consumable exhaustion. Where color cartridge wear-out is projected, selection is made between faster printing and a reduced risk of color cartridge wear-out.

Abstract: A method for determining a warranty start date for a product has steps of determining a warranty start event and generating a warranty start date after occurrence of the warranty start event. The timestamp may be generated through a query to a time server on a network connected to the product. Preferred examples of warranty start events comprise first use by the user, and production of a specified cumulative quantity of product output. The warranty start event as well as the generated warranty start date are preferably stored on a memory internal to the product.

Abstract: In a method, a first available server is determined among one or more servers in response to a request packet. The network time from the first available server is applied to a client to synchronize its system clock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an appropriate recalibration duty cycle. The method instructs a network connected computer peripheral to access one or more servers to retrieve a timestamp. Retrieved timestamps are used to calculate the elapsed time since the last trigger-event (e.g., last calibration, printing activity, time of power-off, or the like). If the calculated elapsed time is less than a predetermined or dynamically determined threshold, the method instructs the peripheral to omit otherwise implemented calibration activities, e.g., a power surge reboot.

Abstract: A printing method for printing of a print job by a printing apparatus having a monochrome mode and a full-color mode. The method may include examining a portion of the print job to determine whether the portion includes a color page, and if the portion includes a color page, scheduling printing of a first page of the portion and one or more subsequent pages of the print job in a full-color mode, irrespective of the color content of the one or more subsequent pages.

Abstract: A printing method for printing of a print job by a printing apparatus having a monochrome mode and a full-color mode. The method may include examining a portion of the print job to determine whether the portion includes a color page, and if the portion includes a color page, scheduling printing of a first page of the portion and one or more subsequent pages of the print job in a full-color mode, irrespective of the color content of the one or more subsequent pages.

Abstract: An exemplary device includes: a scanner capable of beginning a scan of a scanning target and providing timing-related information for the scan; and a printer capable of printing an image of the scanning target and receiving the timing-related information, the printer including a print engine; wherein the printer is adapted to activate the print engine prior to receiving all scan lines of the scanning target responsive to the timing-related information. An exemplary method for accelerating printing includes actions of: beginning a scan of a scanning target; determining timing-related information from the scan; and sending an instruction to a print engine responsive to the timing-related information and prior to completing the scan.

Abstract: An exemplary device implementation includes: a manager that is capable of monitoring a process for preparing a page for printing; and a print engine that is capable of printing the page after the process for preparing the page for printing is complete; wherein the device is adapted to temporally overlap the process for preparing the page for printing with preparation of the print engine for printing. An exemplary method implementation includes actions of: beginning processing of a page of a printing job; providing at least one command to a print engine responsive to at least one time remaining estimate for the processing of the page of the printing job prior to completion of the processing of the page of the printing job; and changing a state of the print engine responsive to the providing of the at least one command to the print engine.

Abstract: In an exemplary device implementation, the device includes: a scanner capable of scanning a scanning target to produce an electronic image of the scanning target; and a printer capable of printing an image of the scanning target on a media, the printer including a print engine; wherein the device is adapted to overlap the scanning of the scanning target with preparation of the print engine for printing.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided which includes a print mechanism configured to print in a plurality of color modes, and a controller configured to select an active color mode switching option from among a plurality of color mode switching options, and instruct the print mechanism to switch between the color modes according to the active color mode switching option. Each of the color mode switching options defines a manner in which the printing apparatus and method will switch between the plurality of color modes when printing a document.

Abstract: A method for generating a calibration product for an image producing device. The image producing device includes a plurality of toner stations and a transfer medium. Each toner station is configured to deposit an associated toner onto the transfer medium to thereby generate the calibration product. The method includes depositing a first toner from a first toner station onto the transfer medium while moving the transfer medium from a first position relative to the plurality of toner stations to a second position. The method further includes depositing a second toner from a second toner station onto the transfer medium while continuing to deposit the first toner onto the transfer medium while moving the transfer medium from the second position to a third position.

Abstract: A printer or other color output device is configured to manage consumable wear. A wear level and a consumable use level of a color cartridge are evaluated. A color cartridge failure mechanism is projected to be either color cartridge wear-out or consumable exhaustion. Where color cartridge wear-out is projected, selection is made between faster printing and a reduced risk of color cartridge wear-out.

Abstract: In a method, a first available server is determined among one or more servers in response to a request packet. The network time from the first available server is applied to a client to synchronize its system clock.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the time required to generate a calibration image product on a transfer medium in an inline imaging device having a plurality of toner stations by simultaneously applying at least two toners to the transfer medium. In one method of the present invention, each toner station is configured to deposit an associated toner onto the transfer medium to thereby generate the calibration product. The method includes the step of depositing a first toner from a first toner station and a second toner from a second toner station onto the transfer medium while moving the transfer medium from a first position relative to the plurality of toner stations to a second position. An apparatus of the present invention includes a scanning section, a plurality of toner stations, a transfer medium, and a calibration image product generator. Each toner station is configured to deposit a dedicated toner onto the transfer medium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the time required to generate a calibration image product on a transfer medium in an inline imaging device having a plurality of toner stations by simultaneously applying at least two toners to the transfer medium. In one method of the present invention, each toner station is configured to deposit an associated toner onto the transfer medium to thereby generate the calibration product. The method includes the step of depositing a first toner from a first toner station and a second toner from a second toner station onto the transfer medium while moving the transfer medium from a first position relative to the plurality of toner stations to a second position. An apparatus of the present invention includes a scanning section, a plurality of toner stations, a transfer medium, and a calibration image product generator. Each toner station is configured to deposit a dedicated toner onto the transfer medium.