Patent · US Expired

Multiple print engine system with selectively distributed ripped pages

US6657741B1 · kind B1 · utility

45Cited by
25References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 7, 1995
Grant dateDec 2, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 7, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02D10/00
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A multiple print engine configuration allows a plurality of workstations (10) to create individual print jobs and then transfer them to a distributing processor (14). The distributing processor (14) is operable to spool the jobs in a print spooler (20) and then perform a software RIP on the print jobs. The RIP process divides the jobs into multiple individual jobs which are stored in the page buffer (24). An image task manager (26) in conjunction with an engine manager (28) are then operable to selectively distribute the pages to multiple print engines (16). They are distributed in such a manner that they are placed in the output bins (40) in the order that the pages were received in the print jobs.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.