Abstract: In a printing system and method, job data is distributed in segments to a plurality of downstream processors. The segments are processed in respective downstream processors to provide printable frames, which are stored in respective print queues that each supply one of a plurality of printheads. Printing is initiated. Prior to completion of the printing, a job halt request is received. Disable commands are transmitted to the downstream processors responsive to the job halt request. Acknowledgements of respective disable commands are sent from the downstream processors. The downstream processors are grouped following the sending of respective acknowledgements. The print queues are emptied using the grouped, multi-tasking downstream processors.

Abstract: In a printing method and systems, segments of a first print job are distributed to respective downstream processors and are processed to provide printable frames, which are stored in respective print queues. Each print queue supplies a respective one or more printheads. The printable frames are sequentially printed on a continuously transported receiver. A maximum printing duration of each of the print queues is computed periodically during the printing. The transport speed is regulated to trend the maximum printing durations toward a predetermined baseline. The sending of a second print job to the downstream processors is delayed, while processing of the first print job is completed. The delaying is counter to the regulating and reduces the print queues of the first print job non-uniformly relative to the baseline.

Abstract: In a printing system and method, job data is distributed in segments to a plurality of downstream processors. The segments are processed in respective downstream processors to provide printable frames, which are stored in respective print queues that each supply one of a plurality of printheads. Printing is initiated. Prior to completion of the printing, a job halt request is received. Disable commands are transmitted to the downstream processors responsive to the job halt request. Acknowledgements of respective disable commands are sent from the downstream processors. The downstream processors are grouped following the sending of respective acknowledgements. The print queues are emptied using the grouped, multi-tasking downstream processors.

Abstract: In a printing method and systems, segments of a first print job are distributed to respective downstream processors and are processed to provide printable frames, which are stored in respective print queues. Each print queue supplies a respective one or more printheads. The printable frames are sequentially printed on a continuously transported receiver. A maximum printing duration of each of the print queues is computed periodically during the printing. The transport speed is regulated to trend the maximum printing durations toward a predetermined baseline. The sending of a second print job to the downstream processors is delayed, while processing of the first print job is completed. The delaying is counter to the regulating and reduces the print queues of the first print job non-uniformly relative to the baseline.

Abstract: In a printing method and system, segments of a print job are distributed to respective downstream processors. Remaining print jobs of a stream are sequestered. The distributed segments are processed to provide respective printable frames that are supplied to respective printheads. The processing in different downstream processors is asynchronous and dependent upon content. A frame completion signal is transmitted from each downstream processors, immediately after the respective processing. The printable frames are printed on a receiver to provide a printed output having one or more documents, each document having respective printable frames in registry. The sequestering of a next print job is released following and responsive to the transmitting of the frame completion signals from all of the downstream processors.