Composite Print Job Assembly via Logical Device Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for creating composite print jobs are inefficient, requiring repetitive print commands and manual assembly, and lack the capability to optimize print quality due to manipulation of data in printer-independent file formats rather than printer-dependent formats.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that receive files in printer-independent formats, convert them to printer-dependent formats appropriate for a physical printing device, and combine them as a composite print job, using a logical printing device with a user interface and combining module to prepare files for printing, optimizing the print job for the selected printer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple print commands are issued to create composite documents, then the composite print job can be created, but the number of commands required increases and manual assembly is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to create composite print jobsVSAvoidnumber of print commands required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate print commands into a single composite print command. The system merges multiple source documents into one composite document structure, allowing all documents to be printed in a single operation rather than requiring separate print commands for each document.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assembly of multiple documents into a composite document structure before the actual printing process. This pre-processing step consolidates all source materials into a unified format, so that when the print command is executed, the composite document is already prepared and ready for single-pass printing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If printer-independent file format is used for composite print jobs, then compatibility is improved, but print quality optimization is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter compatibilityVSAvoidprint quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts the print job format based on the target printer characteristics. Instead of using a static printer-independent format throughout the process, the system converts the composite document into printer-dependent format optimized for the specific printer being used, allowing print quality to be maximized for each printer type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the file format parameters from a generic printer-independent format to a printer-specific dependent format. This parameter transformation allows the composite document to be optimized for the specific printer's capabilities, resolution, and output requirements, thereby improving print quality while maintaining the initial compatibility advantage of using printer-independent formats during the composition phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7411692B2Method and apparatus for building a composite print job

Publication Date: 2008.08.12 SHARP KK

AI summary

The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for building a composite print job. According to a method, at least first and second files are received in respective printer independent file formats. The first and second files are printed to a logical printing device in a printer dependent file format appropriate for a physical printing device. The first and second files are thereafter combined as a composite print job, to prepare the first and second files for printing to the physical printing device.