Patent Application
20070127942
The present invention is generally related to reprographic systems and methods reprographic device user subset finishing selections at a graphical user interface associated with a reprographic device. More particularly, the present invention is related to methods providing a reprographic device user with a wider choice of document finishing selections to construct and print mixed subset finished output options coupled with automatic image rotation and automatic input media substrate selection.
Reprographic devices are systems that operate as copiers and printers. In general, basic job programming on a reprographic device enables the reprographic device user to produce collated and uncollated sets of printed documents from a single N page input document. These sets are generally defined as follows:
Collated sets are X sets of page(s) [1,2,3 . . . N], printing an N page document with Quantity X selected and collation enabled will yield X complete sets of N page(s) each.
Uncollated stacks (i.e. X duplicates of page 1, (X) duplicates of page 2, (X) duplicates of page N. Printing an N page document with Quantity X selected and Uncollated (collation disabled) will yield X stacks of page 1, X stacks of page 2, . . . and X stacks of page N.
Workflow software can offer a reprographic device user with a limited set of print job programming attributes, by way of the local UI, for collated or uncollated jobs. These attributes enable a single copy or print job resident on the system to be subdivided and printed with the same type of finishing applied to each subset.
What can be termed “Build Job” is software operable in some photocopiers that enables a user to scan (i.e. copy) documents in separate chunks, electronically collect and collate those scans before producing the printed output. Build Job is applicable to scan jobs and does not apply to print jobs. Build Job software does not support mixed subset finishing.
Subset finishing allows the user to program different types of finishing within a single job. In most systems, subset finishing can only be programmed in PostScript using the setpage device operator or by using the Variable Data Intelligent PostScript Printware (VIPP) or a subset-finishing command set offered on DocuTech copiers manufactured and sold by XEROX Corporation.
The limitation with current methods and system is that reprographic device users lack management over complex functions for mixed document print jobs including image orientation, output orientation, and staple control to give the reprographic device user what they desire as output on the first try.
Another problem with current methods and system is that waste is caused by experimental “cut and try” operations that are undertaken by reprographic device users before the proper mixture of system elements is found.
The problem with current methods and system is that they are unable to determine the proper image rotation which forces substrate orientation selections and finishing setup, especially where mixed documents are concerned.
What is needed are print systems and associated software methods improvements that eliminate the need of reprographic device users to scan documents from the document feeder or the manual document glass in separate chunks, and electronically collect and collate those scans before producing a single printed document output.
The following summary of the invention is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
The present invention eliminates the need to scan documents from the document feeder or the manual document glass in separate chunks, and to electronically collect and collate those scans before producing the printed output.
An improved reprographic device provides collated and uncollated subset finishing selections at the local Graphical User Interface (GUI) to allow the user to program different types of finishing within a single job to construct mixed subset finished output.
Accordingly, it is a feature of the embodiment to provide users of a reprographic device with the ability to program different types of finishing within a single job from the local GUI for collated and uncollated jobs.
According to another feature, subset programming attributes provide capabilities for the user to construct mixed subset finished output from a single N page input document that is acquired from at least one of a copy job or job ticket resident on the system.
According to another feature attributes, conveniently available at the local UI, enable construction of stack output that contains mixed subset finishing, variable subset page ranges, variable subset page duplication, variable subset media selection and variable subset offset. It enables the user to combine both finished and unfinished subsets in a single stack output.
According to another feature, subset functionality combines UI selection, input original orientation of Long Edge Feed (LEF), or Short Edge Feed (SEF), manages the system's image rotation before marking and selects the correct paper feed tray media orientation of LEF or SEF to construct stack output containing mixed subset finishing treatment.
It is another feature of the present embodiment to provide a reprographic device user the management over complex functions including image orientation, output orientation, and staple control to give the reprographic device user what they desire as output on the first try.
It is yet another feature of the present embodiment to eliminate waste caused by experimental “cut and try” operations that are undertaken by reprographic device users before the proper mixture of system elements is found.
The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form part of the specification, further illustrate embodiments of the present invention.
The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The system and methods of the present embodiment provide users of a reprographic device with the ability to program different types of finishing within a single job from a reprographic device's local GUI for collated and uncollated print jobs. Referring to
Referring to
Subset programming attributes provide capabilities for the user to construct mixed subset finished output from a single N page input document that is acquired from a copy job (e.g., via a reprographic device scanner) or job ticket (e.g., a print job request to a reprographic device) resident on the system. If the user intends to make mixed finished subsets with variable subset finishing, variable pages per subsets and variable subset media, then the user can now select a single N page residential Copy or Print job and select subset job programming attributes at the local reprographic device GUI during job submission. When the mixed subset finished job is submitted, the system will automatically construct and print the desired output.
As will be appreciated from the inventor's teaching, subset functionality can combine UI selection, input original orientation of Long Edge Feed (LEF), or Short Edge Feed (SEF), manages the system's image rotation before marking and selects the correct paper feed tray media orientation of LEF or SEF, to construct stack output containing mixed subset finishing treatment. This is an improvement in a finishing system that eliminates the need to manually scan documents in separate chunks and electronically collect and collate those scans before producing the printed output.
A reprographic device user can select mixed subset Finishing and subset offset using the job programming attributes for collated and uncollated stacks using a printing system configured with a graphical user interface.
When Subset Finishing is selected, the user can select:
As examples, the following finishing types can be programmed to operate on a printing system for collated and uncollated print stacks. The type of finishing is limited to finisher devices that are attached to the printing system. Uncollated mixed subset finishing can also be provided an enhanced programming tool on the local UI for pad printing. Typical Kinds of pad printing include Blank Pad, Note Pad, Shopping Pad, Steno Pad, Legal Pad, Phone Pads, Advertising Pad, and Engineering Pad.
Subset stapling with variable page range [a-b] for collated or page (Y) for uncollated, up to sheet capacity of the stapler, and one of the following options:
Subset Offset with variable page range [c-d] or page (Y) for uncollated, and one of the following options:
Subset Fold with variable page range [e-f] or page (Y) for uncollated, and one of the following options:
Subset Hole Punch with variable page range [g-h] or page (Y) for uncollated, and one of the following options:
Subset Output Location with variable page range [I-j] or page (Y) for uncollated, and one of the following options:
Referring to
Referring to
What follows are specific examples of how a reprographic device user can select mixed subset finishing and subset offset using the job programming attributes for collated and uncollated stacks using a printing system configured with a graphical user interface.
Collated Stacks
As specifically applied to collated stacks (e.g., Quantity (X) of any page range in the N page input document), a reprographic device user can define a desired quantity (X) of any page range in the N page input document and combine it with mixed subset finishing and subset offset. Examples 1 and 2 described below illustrate the ability for a reprographic device user to select “Variable Subset Options” at the GUI. Variable subset options can be programmed and applied on a subset basis. Example 3 illustrates how selecting the “Fixed Subset Options” can cause the choice for subset finishing and subset offset to be applied to each subset. As can be appreciated from the following examples, the reprographic device user can choose various finishing options for mixed document collated jobs:
A user intends to use a 28 Page File to construct 500 mixed subset finished presentation folders and would like to create the following output for each folder:
Then the user can submit a single 28-page copy job, or modify a job ticket, with the following job programming attributes selected:
100 Page job with separate stack output. A user intends to use a 100 Page File to construct mixed subset finished output and have separate output stacks. The following output is desired for this job:
Then the user can submit a single 100 page copy job, or modify a job ticket, with the following job programming attributes selected:
A user intends to subdivide a 70 page job into 7 landscape stapled subsets, for handouts, consisting of 10 pages per handout, and then the user would submit a 70 page copy job, or a job ticket with the following job programming attributes selected:
As specific applied to uncollated stacks (e.g., Quantity (X) of any number of original (N), a reprographic device user can define a desired quantity (X) duplicates of page (Y) in the N page input document and combine it with mixed subset finishing and subset offset. Examples 4-6 illustrate the ability to select “Variable Subset Options” at the GUI. In examples 4-6 variable subset options can be programmed and applied on a subset basis. Examples 7 and 8 illustrate how selecting the “Fixed Subset Options” would cause the choice for subset finishing and subset offset to be applied to each subset.
A user intends to use a one Page File to construct 500 Phone Message Pads with 100 sheets in each pad on 5″×7″, Pink paper stock., then the user would submit a single-page copy job, or select a job ticket, and program the following job programming attributes:
A user intends to use a 4 Page File to construct 3000 pad sets with 4 pads per set and 50 sheets in each pad, each pad is produced with a different 4″×5″ media:
Then the user can submit a single 4-page job with the following job programming attributes selected:
A user intends to use a 2 Page File to construct 200 pad sets with 2 pads per set and variable number of sheets in each pad.
Then the user can submit a single 2-page job with the following job programming attributes selected:
Job contains one input page to make note Pads on 4″×6″ media. Note: This uncollated subset finishing example exists today.
If the user intends to make 10 dual portrait stapled notepads consisting of 50 pages per notepad, then the user would submit a single page original with the following job programming attributes selected (total printed pages=500):
Uncollated Subset offsetting. The user has an option to specify Subset offsetting with no finishing at job submission for uncollated jobs. For example: If a user intends to make 10 dual portrait stapled notepads consisting of 50 pages per notepad, then the user would submit a single page original with the following job programming attributes selected:
It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
