System, method, and program for automatically switching operational modes of a printer between direct and print-on-demand (POD) modes
US6819440B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB42P2261/04
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method, system, and program for automatically switching operational modes of a printer between direct and on-demand modes. A rasterizer receives a data stream containing various data sets to be presented. The rasterizer detects occurrences of an include command that specifies remotely stored data that is to be presented. In response to the detected include commands, the rasterizer automatically switches between a direct mode and an on-demand mode of presentation as an operational mode for the printer while continuously processing the data stream. The printer is initialized to operate in a desired operational print mode. If the printer is operating in the on-demand mode of presentation, the print rasterizer switches the printer to operate in the direct mode when the print rasterizer detects a predetermined number of consecutive pages that do not have the include command. Conversely, when the printer is operating in the direct mode of presentation, the print rasterizer switches the printer to operate in the on-demand mode when the print rasterizer detects a predetermined number of consecutive pages containing the include command. The present invention is not limited to being implem…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.