Systems and methods for segmenting pages and changing settings for graphical elements in printing

• US 20050286063A1
• Filed: 06/24/2004
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ferlitsch, Andrew R., Owen, James E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,014,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2206/1514 Sub-job
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1205 resulting in increased flexibility in print job configuration, e.g. job settings, print requirements, job tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1208 resulting in improved quality of the output result, e.g. print layout, colours, workflows, print preview
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1256 User feedback, e.g. print preview, test print, proofing, pre-flight checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1257 by using pre-stored settings, e.g. job templates, presets, print styles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server

Abstract

A method for modifying settings in printing a document is disclosed. Document data is provided that comprises multiple graphical elements. The document data is converted into printing instructions. At least one setting is applied to the printing instructions. A preview is presented of the printing instructions to a user through a graphical display. The method enables the user to select a specific graphical element from the preview and to change the setting to a new setting. A device specific rendering is simulated using the new setting. The user is provided with the option of saving the new setting.

Claims

1. A method for modifying settings in printing a document, the method comprising:

providing document data that comprises multiple graphical elements;

converting the document data into printing instructions;

applying at least one setting to the printing instructions;

presenting a preview of the printing instructions to a user through a graphical display;

enabling the user to select a specific graphical element or specific multiple graphical elements from the preview and to change the setting to a new setting; and

using the new setting when printing the document.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a plurality of global settings to the printing instructions.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising enabling the user to change the global settings.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the printing instructions comprise Render Independent elements (Graphics Device Interface (GDI) instructions), Device Dependent elements (DDI Instructions), Intermediate Format elements, Render specific elements (PDL elements, Tiff elements, PDF elements, or rasters).

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing page segmentation by Render Independent elements (Graphics Device Interface (GDI) instructions), by Device Dependent elements (DDI Instructions), by Intermediate Format elements, or by Render specific elements (PDL elements, Tiff elements, PDF elements, or rasters).

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing page segmentation by region.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing page segmentation by object.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically identifying graphical elements for the user that exceed a predefined threshold.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the new setting is localized to the specific graphical element and does not apply to the entire document.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising simulating a device specific rendering using the new setting.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the user with the option of saving the new setting.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the user to select all the graphics in one or more pages from the preview.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the user to select a specific graphical element from the preview and to apply a security setting for controlling access to the specific graphical element.

14. A computing device configured for modifying settings in printing a document, the computing device comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor;

executable instructions executable by the processor, wherein the executable instructions are configured to implement a method comprising;

accessing document data that comprises multiple graphical elements;

converting the document data into printing instructions;

applying at least one setting to the printing instructions;

presenting a preview of the printing instructions to a user through a graphical display;

enabling the user to select a specific graphical element or specific multiple graphical elements from the preview and to change the setting to a new setting; and

using the new setting when printing the document.

15. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises applying a plurality of global settings to the printing instructions.

16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises enabling the user to change the global settings.

17. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the printing instructions comprise Render Independent elements (Graphics Device Interface (GDI) instructions), Device Dependent elements (DDI Instructions), Intermediate Format elements, or Render specific elements (PDL elements, Tiff elements, PDF elements, or rasters).

18. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises performing page segmentation by Render Independent elements (Graphics Device Interface (GDI) instructions), by Device Dependent elements (DDI Instructions), by Intermediate Format elements, or by Render specific elements (PDL elements, Tiff elements, PDF elements, or rasters).

19. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises performing page segmentation by region.

20. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises performing page segmentation by object.

21. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises automatically identifying graphical elements for the user that exceed a predefined threshold.

22. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the new setting is localized to the specific graphical element and does not apply to the entire document.

23. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises simulating a device specific rendering using the new setting.

24. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises providing the user with the option of saving the new setting.

25. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises enabling the user to select all the graphics in one or more pages from the preview.

26. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises enabling the user to select a specific graphical element from the preview and to apply a security setting for controlling access to the specific graphical element.

27. A computer-readable medium for storing program data, wherein the program data comprises executable instructions for implementing a method for modifying settings in printing a document, the method comprising:

accessing document data that comprises multiple graphical elements;

converting the document data into printing instructions;

applying at least one setting to the printing instructions;

presenting a preview of the printing instructions to a user through a graphical display;

enabling the user to select a specific graphical element or specific multiple graphical elements from the preview and to change the setting to a new setting; and

using the new setting when printing the document.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises applying a plurality of global settings to the printing instructions.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises enabling the user to change the global settings.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the printing instructions comprise Render Independent elements (Graphics Device Interface (GDI) instructions), Device Dependent elements (DDI Instructions), Intermediate Format elements, or Render specific elements (PDL elements, Tiff elements, PDF elements, or rasters).

31. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises performing page segmentation by Render Independent elements (Graphics Device Interface (GDI) instructions), by Device Dependent elements (DDI Instructions), by Intermediate Format elements, or by Render specific elements (PDL elements, Tiff elements, PDF elements, or rasters).

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises performing page segmentation by region.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises performing page segmentation by object.

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises automatically identifying graphical elements for the user that exceed a predefined threshold.

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the new setting is localized to the specific graphical element and does not apply to the entire document.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises simulating a device specific rendering using the new setting.

37. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises providing the user with the option of saving the new setting.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises enabling the user to select all the graphics in one or more pages from the preview.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the method implemented by the executable instructions further comprises enabling the user to select a specific graphical element from the preview and to apply a security setting for controlling access to the specific graphical element.