EP0882580A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
A method of managing print files in an electronic prepress system, and system using the method
Assignee: Agfa Corp
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Filing: 1998-06-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2018-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for processing raster data including at least one input computer terminal (45) for creating postscript data, at least one Raster Image Processor (34), (RIP), for processing the postscript data into raster data, and PrintDrive (41) for managing and controlling the workflow of image files to a plurality of user selectable output devices (58,59) including image files containing raster image data. The present system operates on a general purpose computer platform that runs Windows NT. A method of tracking, queuing, storing and processing raster data utilizing a Graphics User Interface for a PrintDrive in an electronic prepress system which creates virtual engines thereby allowing the entry of job data for print engines that are off line. A system and method comprising a raster flat manager based upon a standard PC platform running the Windows NT operating system. A Raster Image Processor, (RIP), sends compressed data to the PrintDrive via Fast Ethernet. PrintDrive software provides buffering of raster data, while also offering a graphical user interface which allows the user to view the jobs on disk, as well as, the ability to manipulate and control the timing and destination of the output jobs.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeanne M. Lucivero
- 👤 David D. Smith
- 👤 Frank P. White
- 👤 Robert G. Boyle
- 👤 Jeremy C. Catt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/12; G06F3/1296; B; B41; B41B; B41B19/00; G06F3/1201; G06F3/1202; G06F3/1211; G06F3/1223; G06F3/1237; G06F3/1244; G06F3/1247; G06F3/1278; G06F3/1285; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00204; H04N1/00236; H04N1/00238; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0065; H04N2201/0067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An electronic prepress system for managing and controlling
the workflow of a plurality of image files to a plurality of
user selectable output devices (58,59,60) , said system
comprising: at least one front end device (40) for generating page
description language data into image files; at least one raster image processor (34) for receiving
the image files from said front end device and for
converting the page description language data into raster
data; and, a print drive (41) for receiving said image files from
said raster image processor and for managing and
controlling the workflow of said image files to a plurality
of user selectable output devices, wherein said image files
contain raster data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a user selectable
output device for receiving the raster data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said user selectable output
device comprises a hardware device for printing raster data on
film or other media.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said user selectable output
device comprises a printer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said user selectable output
device comprises a proofer (43) for receiving the raster data
from said print drive, said proofer being adapted to preview the
raster data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said user selectable output
device comprises a storage device (52) for receiving the raster
data from said print drive, said storage device being adapted to
store and return the raster data to said print drive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said print drive is
configured on a standard PC based platform running Windows NT™
Operating System.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said print drive is
configured with a Tuner graphic user interface (60).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said Tuner graphic user
interface interacts with said front end device to provide a user
modifiable and selectable list of compatible output devices and
media.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said Tuner graphic user
interface provides a user modifiable and selectable list of
workflow conditions for processing said image files depending
upon the status of said conditions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said print drive interacts
with a graphics user interface (62) associated with a host
computer system (45), said graphics user interface for
controlling the workflow of image files to a plurality of user
selectable output devices.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said graphic user interface
is a Pilot graphic user interface supported remotely on a host
PC or Macintosh™ platform.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said print drive interacts
with said Pilot graphic user interface so that page description
language data is processed into raster data without said user
selectable output devices being attached to said system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said storage device comprises
an external disk drive for receiving the raster data from said
print drive, said disk drive being adapted to store and return
the raster data to said print drive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
raster image processors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
print drivers.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for managing and controlling a plurality of output
files in an electronic prepress system, said output files
comprising raster data, said electronic prepress system having a
print drive (17) configured for managing and controlling said
output files emanating from at least one raster image processor,
said method comprising the steps of: creating a graphics image file; processing the graphics image file with at least one
raster image processor (34) to transform the graphics image
file into an output file containing raster image data; transferring the raster image data output file to a
print drive for managing and controlling said image output
file containing raster data; transferring the raster data image output file to a
selectable output device (58,59).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said print drive includes a
first graphical user interface (60) and a second graphical user
interface (62), wherein said first graphical user interface is
adapted to configure, manage and control said print drive, and
wherein said second graphical user interface is adapted to
interact with said electronic prepress system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 18 further including the step of
configuring a virtual engine with said first user graphical
interface, said virtual engine being selected from the group
consisting of a printer, an imagesetter, a platemaker, a digital
proofer (43), a storage device and a raster image processor
(34).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said selectable output
device is selected from the group consisting of
a printer, an imagesetter, a platemaker, a digital proofer, a
storage device and a raster image processor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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