WO2001087615A2 - Controlling media selection in printing - Google Patents

Controlling media selection in printing Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001087615A2
WO2001087615A2 PCT/US2001/015397 US0115397W WO0187615A2 WO 2001087615 A2 WO2001087615 A2 WO 2001087615A2 US 0115397 W US0115397 W US 0115397W WO 0187615 A2 WO0187615 A2 WO 0187615A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
supply
media
job
logical
lookup table
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/015397
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2001087615A3 (en
Inventor
Kevin J. Guarino
Original Assignee
Heidelberg Digital L.L.C.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Heidelberg Digital L.L.C. filed Critical Heidelberg Digital L.L.C.
Priority to JP2001584045A priority Critical patent/JP2003533790A/en
Priority to AU2001261510A priority patent/AU2001261510A1/en
Priority to CA002374736A priority patent/CA2374736C/en
Publication of WO2001087615A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001087615A2/en
Publication of WO2001087615A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001087615A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/48—Apparatus for condensed record, tally strip, or like work using two or more papers, or sets of papers, e.g. devices for switching over from handling of copy material in sheet form to handling of copy material in continuous form and vice versa or point-of-sale printers comprising means for printing on continuous copy material, e.g. journal for tills, and on single sheets, e.g. cheques or receipts
    • B41J11/485—Means for selecting a type of copy material amongst different types of copy material in the printing apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
    • G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
    • G06K15/021—Adaptations for printing on specific media
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
    • G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
    • G06K15/021—Adaptations for printing on specific media
    • G06K15/023—Adaptations for printing on specific media for printing on transparent media
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
    • G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
    • G06K15/16—Means for paper feeding or form feeding
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
    • G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
    • G06K15/18—Conditioning data for presenting it to the physical printing elements
    • G06K15/1801—Input data handling means
    • G06K15/181—Receiving print data characterized by its formatting, e.g. particular page description languages
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
    • G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
    • G06K15/18—Conditioning data for presenting it to the physical printing elements
    • G06K15/1801—Input data handling means
    • G06K15/1822—Analysing the received data before processing

Definitions

  • This invention relates to routines for electronic printing, and in particular to software for the selection of media therefor.
  • the current PCL5 Page Description Language provides functionality to select input media supplies via a standard escape sequence containing a numeric supply ID. A different supply can be used for any page in the job. This functionality is available on most third party PCL5 client print drivers. Each logical supply ID number is associated with a specific physical media supply on the respective device.
  • the functionality introduces device dependence between the job stream and the destination device because the IDs associated with the physical media supplies change from device to device. That is, the same job may cause media to be pulled/output to differing physical supplies depending on the device it is printed on.
  • the only way to guarantee correct results is to edit or re-generate the print job.
  • PCL5 print drivers supporting media supply selection support a limited number of supply IDs, typically between I and 8. This becomes a significant limitation when devices have more than 8 physical media supplies.
  • This invention provides the ability to map the logical supply ID number specified within a job stream to any of the physical media supplies on a destination device. This can be accomplished via a device level configuration tool or a job level command within the job stream.
  • the invention is achieved through a lookup table, typically embedded in software, which maps a logical supply ID number to any respective physical media supply on the device.
  • This lookup table is examined for each occurrence of the logical supply command within the job stream.
  • the lookup table is dynamic based on current device and job level settings.
  • the invention enables a customer to take any existing job, which contains requests for media supplies by ID, and configure the exact behavior based on the current destination device physical media supply configuration, without modifying the original job.
  • the invention has the capability when appropriate to select media from different media supply modules, each of the modules having a plurality of available media.
  • a supply module may be added to a printer which, in a "standard" configuration, lacks the capacity to provide a sufficient variety of media.
  • Figure 1 is a flow chart setting out a process for selecting media.
  • This invention pertains to the printing of a job originating at an input device such as a computer or word processor.
  • the input device communicates with a destination device such as an electronic marking machine or printer using a software job stream in a Page Description Language (PDL) such as PCL5, providing commands which pertain to the text and format of a document.
  • PDL Page Description Language
  • the format commands include instructions as to a media source, in particular a media supply.
  • media may be paper or transparency media, and may vary according to size, color and weight, for example.
  • paper media may be supplied as sheets or from rolls. If different pages of sections of a document require different media types, commands are appropriately included in the job stream.
  • job streams are currently configured so that they conform to a given destination device. In other words, a job configured for one printer cannot readily be transferred to another printer which is non-identical. In particular, each printer has its own source (supply) IDs. When it is attempted to print on a second printer a job designed for a first printer, either the job may not be printed or errors may occur.
  • a logic control unit (LCU) incorporated in the destination device may include a digital computer, and has a stored program for sequentially acting on incoming commands.
  • the stored program includes a lookup table, which maps an unvarying logical supply ID against to a physical media supply which can vary according to the particular job or input device. At any point in the job-stream when a specific media supply needs to be identified, the lookup table is invoked to match the logical supply ID with the desired physical media supply. The lookup table is then not invoked again until a change in media is required.
  • the lookup table contains an array of different logical supply IDs and their physical media supply counterparts.
  • a user can key in an appropriate lookup table either at the destination device, or at the job level wherein the table can be keyed in at the input device.
  • the invention is used as follows, as indicated in the flow chart of Figure 1.
  • An operator constructs the lookup table to associate logical supply IDs with physical media supply.
  • the PCL5 job stream is communicated to the LCU, wherein it is parsed.
  • a logical supply ID request is detected in the job stream, it is mapped to its physical media supply counterpart, as required by the predetermined lookup table, causing the appropriate physical media supply to be selected.
  • the operator constructs an appropriate lookup table, then proceeds as before.
  • the accuracy of the lookup table depends on the supplies being correctly loaded, but this is always the case with any print job.
  • a lookup table can be factory-installed in a printer so that it provides for a default relationship between physical media supplies and logical supply IDs. This of course does not preclude the user from departing from the default setting and a newly selected setting.
  • the factory default table can be:
  • This user-selected table can be chosen as a new default table.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computational Linguistics (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

A method (Fig. 1) for mapping logical supply IDs and physical media supplies in a printer, so that the printer may receive a job stream and correctly select media from the correct supplies.

Description

CONTROLLING MEDIA SELECTION IN PRINTING
Field of the invention
This invention relates to routines for electronic printing, and in particular to software for the selection of media therefor.
Background of the invention
The current PCL5 Page Description Language provides functionality to select input media supplies via a standard escape sequence containing a numeric supply ID. A different supply can be used for any page in the job. This functionality is available on most third party PCL5 client print drivers. Each logical supply ID number is associated with a specific physical media supply on the respective device.
The functionality introduces device dependence between the job stream and the destination device because the IDs associated with the physical media supplies change from device to device. That is, the same job may cause media to be pulled/output to differing physical supplies depending on the device it is printed on. Currently, the only way to guarantee correct results is to edit or re-generate the print job.
Most PCL5 print drivers supporting media supply selection support a limited number of supply IDs, typically between I and 8. This becomes a significant limitation when devices have more than 8 physical media supplies.
Also, when submitting a legacy (archived) job stream or mainframe generated job to a device, it is necessary to have the physical media supplies configured as they were when the print job was initially created. Otherwise, incorrect supplies may be utilized for the job.
Summary of the invention
This invention provides the ability to map the logical supply ID number specified within a job stream to any of the physical media supplies on a destination device. This can be accomplished via a device level configuration tool or a job level command within the job stream.
The invention is achieved through a lookup table, typically embedded in software, which maps a logical supply ID number to any respective physical media supply on the device. This lookup table is examined for each occurrence of the logical supply command within the job stream. The lookup table is dynamic based on current device and job level settings.
The invention enables a customer to take any existing job, which contains requests for media supplies by ID, and configure the exact behavior based on the current destination device physical media supply configuration, without modifying the original job.
The invention has the capability when appropriate to select media from different media supply modules, each of the modules having a plurality of available media. For example, a supply module may be added to a printer which, in a "standard" configuration, lacks the capacity to provide a sufficient variety of media.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 is a flow chart setting out a process for selecting media.
Detailed description of the preferred embodiments
This invention pertains to the printing of a job originating at an input device such as a computer or word processor. Currently, the input device communicates with a destination device such as an electronic marking machine or printer using a software job stream in a Page Description Language (PDL) such as PCL5, providing commands which pertain to the text and format of a document.
Specifically, the format commands include instructions as to a media source, in particular a media supply. Sometimes, it may be required that more than one type of media may be used; media may be paper or transparency media, and may vary according to size, color and weight, for example. Furthermore, paper media may be supplied as sheets or from rolls. If different pages of sections of a document require different media types, commands are appropriately included in the job stream. However, job streams are currently configured so that they conform to a given destination device. In other words, a job configured for one printer cannot readily be transferred to another printer which is non-identical. In particular, each printer has its own source (supply) IDs. When it is attempted to print on a second printer a job designed for a first printer, either the job may not be printed or errors may occur. Hitherto, it has been necessary for an expert to convert the software so that the second printer can accept and print the job free of error. The present invention provides that a non-expert user can, with a few keystrokes, enable the job-stream to incorporate commands necessary to print the job error-free. A logic control unit (LCU) incorporated in the destination device may include a digital computer, and has a stored program for sequentially acting on incoming commands. In particular, the stored program includes a lookup table, which maps an unvarying logical supply ID against to a physical media supply which can vary according to the particular job or input device. At any point in the job-stream when a specific media supply needs to be identified, the lookup table is invoked to match the logical supply ID with the desired physical media supply. The lookup table is then not invoked again until a change in media is required.
In simple jobs wherein a document is printed entirely from a single type of media, only one logical supply ID and one corresponding physical media supply are used. In jobs which require more than one type of media, the lookup table contains an array of different logical supply IDs and their physical media supply counterparts. A user can key in an appropriate lookup table either at the destination device, or at the job level wherein the table can be keyed in at the input device.
The invention is used as follows, as indicated in the flow chart of Figure 1. An operator constructs the lookup table to associate logical supply IDs with physical media supply. On the provision of a suitable command, the PCL5 job stream is communicated to the LCU, wherein it is parsed. When a logical supply ID request is detected in the job stream, it is mapped to its physical media supply counterpart, as required by the predetermined lookup table, causing the appropriate physical media supply to be selected.
When it is desired to employ a second non-identical destination device, the operator constructs an appropriate lookup table, then proceeds as before. Of course, the accuracy of the lookup table depends on the supplies being correctly loaded, but this is always the case with any print job.
Typically, a lookup table can be factory-installed in a printer so that it provides for a default relationship between physical media supplies and logical supply IDs. This of course does not preclude the user from departing from the default setting and a newly selected setting. For example, the factory default table can be:
Physical Printer Supply (6 trays) Logical Supply ID
6
and the user selected table can be: Physical Printer Supply (6 trays) Logical Supply ID
10
6 6
This user-selected table can be chosen as a new default table.
It is a great advantage of this invention that it renders unnecessary any drastic changes to the software associated with archived jobs. This can represent a considerable saving of time and expense on the part of the user, as well as greatly expanding the user's flexibility in choice of printers. If the user is dissatisfied with a particular printer, and would prefer a new non-identical printer, the inclusion of the invention in the new printer obviates the necessity of extensively modifying the software, and removes a great disincentive to installing the new printer.
The present invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, but it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth; on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:
I . A logic control unit (LCU) for an electronic marking machine, comprising a predetermined lookup table mapping a logical supply ID request to an available physical media supply.
2. The LCU of claim 1 , wherein the logical supply ID request is in a PDL job stream.
3. The LCU of claim 1 , wherein the logical supply request is one of an array of such requests.
4. The LCU of claim 1 , wherein the job stream is a PCL5 job stream.
5. A system of controlling media selection for a PDL job stream, comprising a logical supply ID in the job stream, mapped to a physical media supply through a lookup table.
6. The system of claim 5, comprising a plurality of logical supply IDs and a corresponding plurality of physical media supplies.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein the lookup table originates at an input device.
8. The system of claim 5, wherein the lookup table originates at a destination device.
9. The system of claim 5, wherein the PDL job stream is in PCL5 language.
10. The system of claim 6, wherein the media can be selected from paper media.
I I . The system of claim 10, wherein the paper media can be supplied as sheets or form rolls.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the paper media can be supplied as sheets or from rolls.
13. The system of claim 6, wherein the media can be supplied from transparency media.
14. The system of claim 6, wherein the media supplies are in any one of a plurality of media supply modules.
15. The system of claim 6, wherein the media supplies are in any one of a plurality of destination devices.
16. A method of configuring a print job, comprising mapping a logical supply ID in a job stream to an available physical supply.
17. A method of configuring a selected print job for a printer, comprising:
(a) causing the print job to enter the printer;
(b) detecting a logical supply request in the print job;
(c) identifying a physical supply, from a predetermined lookup table located in a printer LCU, the lookup table having a correspondence between the physical supply and the logical supply request.
(d) communicating the physical supply request to the printer.
PCT/US2001/015397 2000-05-17 2001-05-11 Controlling media selection in printing WO2001087615A2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2001584045A JP2003533790A (en) 2000-05-17 2001-05-11 Media selection control in printing
AU2001261510A AU2001261510A1 (en) 2000-05-17 2001-05-11 Controlling media selection in printing
CA002374736A CA2374736C (en) 2000-05-17 2001-05-11 Controlling media selection in printing

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US57236700A 2000-05-17 2000-05-17
US09/572,367 2000-05-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001087615A2 true WO2001087615A2 (en) 2001-11-22
WO2001087615A3 WO2001087615A3 (en) 2002-05-30

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PCT/US2001/015397 WO2001087615A2 (en) 2000-05-17 2001-05-11 Controlling media selection in printing

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EP (1) EP1162512B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2003533790A (en)
AU (1) AU2001261510A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2374736C (en)
DE (2) DE10122501A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2001087615A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7756954B2 (en) 2004-04-21 2010-07-13 Dell Products L.P. Method for heterogeneous system configuration

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105204789B (en) * 2015-08-24 2018-08-14 北京金山安全软件有限公司 API (application program interface) debugging log printing method and device

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US5025497A (en) * 1985-12-17 1991-06-18 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Facsimile apparatus connected to data communication network having time-saving capability
US5710908A (en) * 1995-06-27 1998-01-20 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Adaptive network protocol independent interface

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US4797706A (en) * 1985-02-28 1989-01-10 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Multi-unit image processing system with central control
DE4122421C2 (en) * 1990-07-06 2003-12-04 Ricoh Kk Device for monitoring, controlling and communicating with one or more office devices
JPH06162008A (en) * 1992-11-17 1994-06-10 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Page description language processor
US5502555A (en) * 1994-07-11 1996-03-26 Xerox Corporation Printing system having an image characteristics automatic method and apparatus for copy sheet reselection
JP2932346B2 (en) * 1994-07-22 1999-08-09 富士通株式会社 PRINTING APPARATUS AND PRINT CONTROL METHOD AND CHARACTER FONTS PATTERN MANAGEMENT METHOD IN PRINTING APPARATUS
JPH11180009A (en) * 1997-12-25 1999-07-06 Casio Electron Mfg Co Ltd Print system
JP2000289295A (en) * 1999-04-06 2000-10-17 Ricoh Co Ltd Printer apparatus
JP2001113794A (en) * 1999-10-18 2001-04-24 Seiko Epson Corp Printer

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5025497A (en) * 1985-12-17 1991-06-18 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Facsimile apparatus connected to data communication network having time-saving capability
US5710908A (en) * 1995-06-27 1998-01-20 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Adaptive network protocol independent interface

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7756954B2 (en) 2004-04-21 2010-07-13 Dell Products L.P. Method for heterogeneous system configuration

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1162512A2 (en) 2001-12-12
EP1162512B1 (en) 2005-07-27
JP2003533790A (en) 2003-11-11
WO2001087615A3 (en) 2002-05-30
CA2374736C (en) 2007-07-24
DE50106862D1 (en) 2005-09-01
DE10122501A1 (en) 2001-11-22
AU2001261510A1 (en) 2001-11-26
EP1162512A3 (en) 2001-12-19
CA2374736A1 (en) 2001-11-22

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