Abstract: A printing system includes first and second communicatively linked printers, each including a print engine and a processor which controls the operation of the respective print engine. A scanner, associated with the first printer, scans a hardcopy document and generates image data therefrom. The scanner is for communicating the image data to the first printer. A graphical user interface is provided through which user selections are communicated to at least one of the scanner and the first printer. The first processor has a first mode of operation in which a print job derived from the image data is printed on the first print engine and a second mode of operation in which a print job is exported to the second printer for printing. At least one of the first and second modes of operation is invoked at least in part by user interaction with the graphical user interface.

Abstract: An auto tray switching method that is invoked when a misfeed occurs includes automatically switching to a different paper tray that has appropriate paper stock to continue a job. A misfeed signal is indicated only if the tray in which the misfeed occurred is selected by a user for another job.

Abstract: A method of printing is provided comprising: assigning a first set of image performance parameters from a plurality of image performance parameters to an associated image job; communicating the initially assigned first set of image performance parameters of the associated image job to an image marking engine; determining a queue of other image jobs assigned to the image marking engine, wherein the other image jobs are queued before the associated image job; and, assigning a second set of image performance parameters to the associated image job. The second set of image performance parameters can alter the first set of image performance parameters. The altering of the first set of image performance parameters to the second set of image performance parameters reduces a print duration to complete printing of the associated image job. The altering can further include reordering the queue of print jobs.

Abstract: An auto tray switching method that is invoked when a misfeed occurs includes automatically switching to a different paper tray that has appropriate paper stock to continue a job. A misfeed signal is indicated only if the tray in which the misfeed occurred is selected by a user for another job.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, including both a front-end computerized device used to submit a print job and a printing device receiving a print job, that can detect a floating signature on the signature page of an electronic document in the print job and can halt printing of that print job until further action is taken by a user. The devices can apply a set of heuristics to analyze the electronic document in order to determine whether it has a signature page and, if so, whether the signature page contains a floating signature. When a floating signature is detected, the device can notify a user and can preclude printing of the print job until such time as a response to the notification is received. Also disclosed herein are associated methods for detecting a floating signature and for halting printing of a print job until further action is taken.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, including both a front-end computerized device used to submit a print job and a printing device receiving a print job, that can detect a floating signature on the signature page of an electronic document in the print job and can halt printing of that print job until further action is taken by a user. The devices can apply a set of heuristics to analyze the electronic document in order to determine whether it has a signature page and, if so, whether the signature page contains a floating signature. When a floating signature is detected, the device can notify a user and can preclude printing of the print job until such time as a response to the notification is received. Also disclosed herein are associated methods for detecting a floating signature and for halting printing of a print job until further action is taken.

Abstract: An auto tray switching method that is invoked when a misfeed occurs includes automatically switching to a different paper tray that has appropriate paper stock to continue a job.

Abstract: Methods and devices automatically and regularly transition a printing apparatus between a full-on power mode and a full-sleep power mode based on a previously established sleep mode schedule. Such methods and devices also automatically and regularly maintain the printing apparatus in the full-sleep power mode during a previously scheduled sleep mode interval except in response to the communications port receiving a received print job. Then, in response to the communications port receiving the received print job during the previously scheduled sleep mode interval, the methods and devices herein automatically transition from the full-sleep power mode to the second sleep power mode, automatically store the received print job in the non-transitory storage medium while in the second sleep power mode, and automatically return to the full-sleep power mode after completing the process of storing the received print job (without transitioning to the full-on power mode).

Abstract: A method of printing is provided comprising: assigning a first set of image performance parameters from a plurality of image performance parameters to an associated image job; communicating the initially assigned first set of image performance parameters of the associated image job to an image marking engine; determining a queue of other image jobs assigned to the image marking engine, wherein the other image jobs are queued before the associated image job; and, assigning a second set of image performance parameters to the associated image job. The second set of image performance parameters can alter the first set of image performance parameters. The altering of the first set of image performance parameters to the second set of image performance parameters reduces a print duration to complete printing of the associated image job. The altering can further include reordering the queue of print jobs.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are presented for custom media size detection in a printing device. A user places standard or custom sized media in a media tray associated with a printing device. The media tray contains a media tray sensor which determines whether the media tray is closed and a media size sensor which determines whether the media tray is loaded with custom size media. If so, a computer processing device connected to the sensors and a visual display displays to the user the opportunity to select a media platen and image scanning device to scan an example media item with the same dimensions as the custom size media located in the media tray. The scanning device selected then scans an example media item a user has placed on the selected media platen, and data on the determined dimensions is presented to the user for confirmation or modification.

Abstract: A printing system includes first and second communicatively linked printers, each including a print engine and a processor which controls the operation of the respective print engine. A scanner, associated with the first printer, scans a hardcopy document and generates image data therefrom. The scanner is for communicating the image data to the first printer. A graphical user interface is provided through which user selections are communicated to at least one of the scanner and the first printer. The first processor has a first mode of operation in which a print job derived from the image data is printed on the first print engine and a second mode of operation in which a print job is exported to the second printer for printing. At least one of the first and second modes of operation is invoked at least in part by user interaction with the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A machine with a user interface employs a reader to obtain user interface preferences from an electronic tag residing with the user and uses the user interface preferences to customize the user interface for the user.