Proxied printing services
First Claim
1. A method for enabling a simple network printer to print a print job that includes raster image processor instructions, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a broadcast from a raster image processor (RIP)-enabled unit announcing the RIP-enabled unit'"'"'s capabilities;
storing information on the RIP-enabled unit'"'"'s capabilities in the simple network printer;
upon receiving a RIP print job request from a source, sending by the simple network printer, notification to the RIP-enabled unit that the source has the RIP print job;
spooling, by the RIP-enabled unit, the RIP print job from the source;
rasterizing, by the RIP-enabled unit, the RIP print job into a Printer Control Language (PCL) format; and
sending the RIP print Job In PCL format to the simple network printer for printing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, an image processing device, a computer network and a simple network printer wherein a simple network printer without RIP capability is enabled to print a print job that includes raster image processor instructions. In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, the steps include receiving and storing, by the simple network printer, a broadcast from a raster image processor (RIP)-enabled unit announcing the RIP-enabled unit'"'"'s capabilities and, upon receiving a RIP print job request from a source, requesting the RIP-enabled unit to proxy the print job and send the print job in simple format to the simple network printer for printing.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for enabling a simple network printer to print a print job that includes raster image processor instructions, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a broadcast from a raster image processor (RIP)-enabled unit announcing the RIP-enabled unit'"'"'s capabilities; storing information on the RIP-enabled unit'"'"'s capabilities in the simple network printer; upon receiving a RIP print job request from a source, sending by the simple network printer, notification to the RIP-enabled unit that the source has the RIP print job; spooling, by the RIP-enabled unit, the RIP print job from the source; rasterizing, by the RIP-enabled unit, the RIP print job into a Printer Control Language (PCL) format; and sending the RIP print Job In PCL format to the simple network printer for printing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A simple network printer, arranged to process a print job that includes raster image processor (RIP) instructions via proxying a raster image processor-enabled unit that converts the RIP instructions and image information of the print job to a predetermined Printer Control Language (PCL) format, the simple network printer comprising:
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a transceiver, intercoupled to the RIP-enabled unit and a plurality of computing units in a network that includes the simple network printer, for receiving a broadcast from the RIP-enabled unit, wherein the broadcast announces information on the RIP-enabled unit'"'"'s capabilities; wherein the transceiver, upon receiving a RIP print job request from a computing unit of the plurality of computing units, sends notification to the RIP-enabled unit that the simple network printer has received the RIP print job request and upon rasterizing, by the RIP-enabled unit, the RIP print job into a Printer Control Language (PCL) format, the transceiver receives the RIP print job in the predetermined PCL format for printing; a storage unit, coupled to the transceiver and to a printer control unit, for storing information on the RIP-enabled unit'"'"'s capabilities; the printer control unit, coupled to the transceiver, the storage unit and a printing unit, for controlling operation of the simple network printer in accordance with a predetermined scheme; and the printing unit, coupled to the printer control unit and the transceiver, for printing image information in accordance with the predetermined PCL format. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for enabling a simple network printer to print a print job that includes raster image processor instructions, comprising the steps of:
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receiving and storing, by the simple network printer, a broadcast from a raster image processor (RIP)-enabled unit, announcing the RIP-enabled units capabilities; and upon receiving a RIP print Job request from a source, requesting the RIP-enabled unit to proxy the print job and send the print job in simple format to the simple network printer for printing. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification