Abstract: In network printing system including workstations and printers interconnected by a network, remotely generated interactive print jobs are stored at the printer and activated from a workstation either through a network-specific interface or a web-browser-based interface. Interactive print jobs are print jobs that are automatically stored in the printer memory and not printed unless they are explicitly activated by a user. Interactive print jobs waiting to be activated are upon request listed on the display screen of the workstation and may be selected by the user. Upon a print command issued at the workstation in respect of one or more selected print jobs, the job data are fetched from the local printer storage and processed by the printer.

Abstract: A method of managing a queue of print jobs in a printer is disclosed, wherein the jobs are created by specifying print data and print parameters for each job, and the jobs are put into the print queue, and wherein, before print processing of a job in the queue begins, a start condition for the job is checked and printing is started only when the start condition is fulfilled. The method includes steps of checking a status of mode indicator specifying whether the printer is in a “keep going” mode or a “keep sequence” mode; and, when a job in the queue is reached for which the start condition is not fulfilled, postponing print processing of this job and proceeding with a next job, if any, for which the start condition is fulfilled, if the printer is in the “keep going” mode, or stopping print processing, if the printer is in the “keep sequence” mode.

Abstract: In an information processing system including workstations and printers interconnected by a network, current collective status information of a set of print jobs of a user is displayed permanently in icon form on the screen of the workstation of the user. The status is presented as one of three possible states: (1) active: there is still at least one print job of the set not ready; (2) passive: all the jobs of the set are ready, or the set is empty; or (3) error: a job of the set has caused an error in the printer. The set can include all the print jobs of a user, or a selection thereof. In response to a double mouse click on an icon, extensive information concerning the print jobs of the set to which the icon relates is displayed. As an alternative to permanent presentation in icon form, presentation can also be in the form of messages on the screen at the user's workstation when the status of the set changes.

Abstract: A method of managing a queue of print jobs in a printer is disclosed, wherein the jobs are created by specifying print data and print parameters for each job, and the jobs are put into the print queue, and wherein, before print processing of a job in the queue begins, a start condition for the job is checked and printing is started only when the start condition is fulfilled. The method includes steps of checking a status of mode indicator specifying whether the printer is in a “keep going” mode or a “keep sequence” mode; and, when a job in the queue is reached for which the start condition is not fulfilled, postponing print processing of this job and proceeding with a next job, if any, for which the start condition is fulfilled, if the printer is in the “keep going” mode, or stopping print processing, if the printer is in the “keep sequence” mode.

Abstract: In network printing system including workstations and printers interconnected by a network, remotely generated interactive print jobs are stored at the printer and activated from a workstation either through a network-specific interface or a web-browser-based interface. Interactive print jobs are print jobs that are automatically stored in the printer memory and not printed unless they are explicitly activated by a user. Interactive print jobs waiting to be activated are upon request listed on the display screen of the workstation and may be selected by the user. Upon a print command issued at the workstation in respect of one or more selected print jobs, the job data are fetched from the local printer storage and processed by the printer.