(12) Ulllted States Patent
`Lucivero et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,242,487 B2
`*Jul. 10, 2007
`
`US007242487B2
`
`(54) PRINT DRIVER SYSTEM HAVING A USER
`INTERFACE AND A METHOD FOR
`PROCESSING RASTER DATA
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Jeanne M. Lucivero, Burlington, MA
`(US); DaVid 13- Slniths L011d011deF1'Ys
`NH (US); Frank P. White, Woburn,
`MA (US); Robert G. Boyle, Methuen,
`MA (US)
`
`.
`.
`.
`(73) Asslgneei Agfa Corporation, Wllmlngton, MA
`(US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`This patent issued on a continued pros-
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent
`term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`Subject. to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent 1s extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1300 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 08/869,244
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 4, 1997
`
`(65)
`
`(51)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/0063877 A1 May 30, 2002
`
`[nt_ C1_
`G06F 13/00
`G06173/12
`G06K 15/02
`
`(2005.01)
`(2005.01)
`(2005.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search ............... .. 395/101,
`395/102, 103, 114,115, 116, 117; 358/1.15,
`358/1.16, 1.17, 1.3, 1.4, 1.9, 1.13
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U~S~ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,559,933 A *
`9/1996 Boswell .................... .. 395/114
`............ .. 395/114
`5,577,172 A * 11/1996 Vatland et al.
`
`5,604,843 A *
`2/1997 Shaw et al.
`.... .. 395/101
`5,615,314 A
`3/1997 Schoenzeit ................ .. 395/114
`5,619,624 A *
`4/1997 Schoenzeit et al.
`....... .. 395/118
`5,638,521 A *
`6/1997 Buchala et al.
`........... .. 395/311
`
`Ep
`EP
`JP
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0757573
`4/1997
`0843284
`5/1998
`09102846
`4/1997
`
`>x< Cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Douglas Q. Tran
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Robert A. Sabourin; John
`A. Merecki
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system and method for processing raster data including at
`least one input computer terminal for creating postscript
`~
`data, at least one raster image processor (RIP), for process-
`ing the postscript data into raster data, and a PrintDrive
`system for managing and controlling the workflow of image
`files containing raster image data to a plurality of user
`selectable output devices.
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
`..................... .. 358/1.13; 358/1.15; 358/1.9
`
`24 Claims, 59 Drawing Sheets
`
`35
`
`
`
`PLATE
`@ 1
`‘'1 PM
`
`
`
`
`
`PRINTING INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA
`
`EXHIBIT 1205
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 10, 2007
`
`Sheet 1 of 59
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`US 7,242,487 B2
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`
`1
`PRINT DRIVER SYSTEM HAVING A USER
`INTERFACE AND A METHOD FOR
`PROCESSING RASTER DATA
`
`US 7,242,487 B2
`
`FIELD OF INVENTION
`
`The field of invention relates in general to imagesetting
`and electronic prepress systems and a method for enhancing
`system workfiow. More particularly, the present invention is
`directed to a system and method for processing page
`description format data files such as postscript or Pdf data
`files, into raster data files, (page pixel, image or video data
`files), and for transferring the raster data to a plurality of
`output devices.
`
`More particularly still, the present invention is directed to
`a system for the inputting, tracking, processing, queuing,
`storing, editing and printing of raster or bit map data, and to
`a method for providing a nearly continuous output of raster
`images to a plurality of output devices,
`such as,
`imagesetters, platemakers, on-press imagers, digital
`proofers, digital color printers and the like. Of course, as
`should be apparent from the following discussion, any
`application involving the multiplexing of large parcels of
`data could take advantage of the present invention.
`
`ALDC
`Agfa Print Engine
`Interface
`Specification,
`(APIS).
`
`Backup
`CDF
`
`Device API
`
`EDF
`
`Engine
`
`Export
`
`:ast Ethernet (100
`3aseT)
`:ast Wide SCSI
`
`mport
`
`oh
`
`oh List
`
`ob State
`
`MUX
`Null Device Driver
`
`DEFINITIONS
`
`IBM compression/decompression chip
`An Agfa proprietary point to point data
`transmission protocol consisting of a
`serial bi-directional command channel
`(APIS serial) and a parallel uni-
`directional data channel (APIS video)
`An operation to temporarily save a job in
`a dedicated backup area.
`Component Description File, A file which
`contains text string conversions for
`internationalization.
`Generic Application Programming Interface
`for connecting AGFA devices.
`Engine Description File. These files
`provide a way to set PostScript printer
`specific features on a more global basis.
`They differ from PPD choices in that they
`are persistent for each RIP Bootup and
`more commonly used to handle default settings.
`A hardware device capable of receiving
`and printing Raster data on film or other
`media. (For example, Agfa’s Avantra
`family of Engines) (Output printing device)
`This refers to the operation of providing
`long-term off-line storage ofjobs, or
`the ability to send jobs to a remote site.
`Communication medium, 100 Mb/sec maxi-
`mum transfers over Twisted pair wire.
`16 bits wide and 20 MB/sec maximum
`transfer rate.
`This refers to the operation of bringing
`a job into the PowerMux system from an
`external media source.
`One or more related pages together
`constitute a fiiobfi. This is the
`smallest entity that can be manipulated
`by the PowerMux.
`Terminology for the list ofjobs, that
`are available for imaging.
`Current read-only State of a Job. (E.g.,
`Hold, Imaging, Spooling, etc.)
`Multiplexer
`A “dummy” device that adheres to the
`Device API. All data sent to this device
`driver is essentially dropped on the
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`
`-continued
`
`DEFINITIONS
`
`floor, that is there is no interpretation
`or saving of data.
`One or more related separa ions together
`constitute a “page”. For example, “the
`cyan, magenta, yellow, and black
`separations for page 3”.
`A PostScript Printer Descriation file. A
`human readable text file that can be
`parsed and provides a uniform approach to
`handling special features 0 devices that
`contain PostScript interpreters. These
`are applied on a job by job basis.
`PostScript Environment layer of software
`with interfaces to front-en PostScript
`programs and Agfa’s RIPS.
`A single l-bit Raster image as output
`from a RIP. For example, “the cyan
`separation”. This is also re erred to as
`a “take”.
`See Separation.
`Choice of media holding device for use
`on an engine
`Command user inputs into a front end
`erminal after completing a document
`which signals the beginning of a print job.
`’rior art device driver capable of
`receiving raster data from as many as
`W0 RIPS, basic advantage-buffer
`Device and raster image manager for
`aroviding efficient throughput due to
`Juffering of output files. (See also
`Multiplexer).
`{aster Image Processor
`One or more separations of like color
`ormatted for printing
`Graphic arts designer
`Workflow administrators for setting
`ariority of output high speed network
`such as 100 BASE-T
`{igh speed network such as 100 BASE-T
`Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Page
`
`10
`
`PPD File
`
`PSE
`
`15
`
`Separation
`
`Take
`Spindle
`PRINT
`
`MULTIPLEXER (MUX,
`MUX CONTROLLER)
`PRINT DRIVER
`(a.k.a., Printdrive
`or PrintDrive)
`RIP
`FLAT
`
`FRONT END USER
`PRINT DRIVE
`OPERATOR
`
`PAST ETHERNET
`CMYK
`
`As known in the art of imagesetting and electronic
`prepress systems, heretofore, output devices, e.g. imageset-
`ters and more recently platesetters typically have been
`served by a dedicated Raster Image Processor (RIP) con-
`nected between a front-end and an output device. Typical
`electronic prepress image file sizes, e.g. often greater than
`100 Megabytes per page, have previously restricted elec-
`tronic prepress systems to dedicated proprietary hardware
`and software systems using parallel data transfer methods to
`provide high speed data transfer rates between the front-end,
`the RIP and the output device
`More recently, use of page description languages, e.g.
`PostscriptTM and PDFTM, offered by Adobe Systems of
`Mountainview Calif., have allowed object oriented text
`descriptions of large image data files to be transferred
`efficiently over serial data communication lines, as used in
`network systems and adopted in electronic prepress systems,
`for transferring serial image data in page description formats
`between a front-end and a RIP. Serial data transfer systems
`offer the advantage that two way communications between
`the front-end and the RIP allow status information and other
`commands and files to be transferred in either direction as
`will be further described below.
`
`Once the image file data is received by the RIP, operations
`such as image screening, color separating, imposition, trap-
`ping and various other prepress image preparation opera-
`
`

`
`US 7,242,487 B2
`
`3
`tions result in a final bit map image data file which hereto-
`fore has been transferred to the output device over a parallel
`data transfer interface in order to provide an efficient data
`transfer rate, thereby, keeping the output device operating at
`a desired operating speed. Typically, the process of RIPing
`data, i.e. preparing a final bit map image file for transfer to
`the output device, has been slow, sometimes causing the
`output device to remain idle while waiting for a RIP to
`prepare the next bit map image file.
`Even more recently, the use of a RIP multiplexer, (MUX),
`e.g. MULTISTAR, offered by Agfa Corporation of
`Wilmington, Mass., has offered the electronic prepress
`industry some improvement in data throughput, and cost
`savings, by functioning as a page buffer between one or two
`RIPs, and a single output printing device. Cost savings and
`improved efficiency have been realized by either RIPing an
`image with a first RIP while transferring a previously RIPed
`image to the output device or by storing RIPed image data
`for transfer to the output device at an appropriate time after
`RIPing. This more fully utilizes the output device, or print
`engine, which is typically an expensive resource. In fact,
`keeping the print engine busy is a key design goal of any
`electronic prepress system design.
`Typically, for electronic prepress and imagesetting sys-
`tems of the prior art, a print job required that a specific
`output device be connected to the system before the job
`could be processed. For example, a print job requiring a
`particular imagesetter for an output device, (engine), or a
`particular media type or size loaded onto the output device,
`could not be processed into raster data, if the particular
`output device that was currently connected to the system did
`not meet the job requirements. Such a condition may cause
`a system delay or require that a front-end operator physically
`change the media or output device connected to the RIP in
`order to continue processing and outputing image files.
`Since, the electronic and imagesetting systems of the prior
`art were not only device dependent but media dependent as
`well, the queuing of rasterized print jobs was not possible.
`Thus, the choice of the output device and print media proved
`to be a considerable hindrance in productivity.
`Another expensive resource, front-end operators, are also
`kept busy since transfer of bit map image data between a RIP
`and a MUX has been controlled by the front end operator in
`the prior art system. Such operators are often the image
`creators and editors and burdening these operators with
`control of the output process reduces overall system effi-
`ciency. By moving control of the RIPing and image output
`process to a system administrator, the front end operator and
`the front-end itself become free to function more efficiently.
`However, one of the biggest shortcomings of electronic
`prepress systems of the prior art, heretofore, has been the
`inability to control and monitor the queuing of output jobs
`and to make changes in the order or priority of image output
`either from the RIP of from the output device. Further, prior
`art systems have offered no user interface which might be
`used by a system administrator or a prepress shop manager
`to control the RIPing and output process. Furthermore, due
`to the costly proprietary hardware and inflexible nature of
`RIP and output engine hardware, few, but costly, expansion
`opportunities have been available for the prepress customer.
`Another problem of the prior art has been that in order to
`transfer bit map data between a RIP and a MUX or between
`a MUX or a RIP and an output device, it has been necessary
`to use a parallel communication interface in order to provide
`data transfer rates which are fast enough for transferring
`very large image data files, e.g. image data files in excess of
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`
`100 Mbits per page, at rates which provide efficient work-
`flow. Prior art bit map data parallel
`transfer interface
`systems, e.g. Agfa Printer Interface Standard (APIS) or
`Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) systems, use a
`data transfer protocol to identify the data file format and
`convert serial data into 8 bit parallel data formats. Then, the
`8 bit data is transferred over parallel data interface cables
`which provide a plurality of separate wires bundled together,
`each transmitting data in parallel. However, since parallel
`data transfer methods are restricted to one way data transfer,
`e.g. between the RIP and MUX or between the MUX or RIP
`and an output device, a serial data charmel has also been
`provided bundled within, or in addition to, the parallel data
`interface cable to provide two way communication for
`protocol and other message or file communication between
`the RIP and the MUX or between the RIP or MUX and the
`output device or between the front-end and the RIP, the
`MUX or the output device. One significant draw back of a
`parallel data transfer interface has been that the cable length
`is limited in order to maintain efficient and effective data
`transfer. In some operations, cable length may be limited to
`about 25 feet requiring that the RIP, MUX and output device
`each be locally connected to each other and usually all
`within the same room. This shortcoming of the prior art has
`limited prepress systems to local connectivity and slowed
`the development of automation features needed in modem
`prepress workflow environments. A need exits for better
`overall control of the RIP, MUX and output process by a
`system administrator. Features such as job queuing, equip-
`ment swapping, and manipulating, editing, storing and trans-
`ferring previously RIPed bit map image data are needed in
`the modern prepress environment.
`For electronic prepress systems which have employed
`imagesetters as print engines to create pages, typically, these
`devices have been driven by a dedicated RIP or a MUX. The
`RIP/Imagesetter or RIP/MUX/Imagesetter combination has
`been very productive in creating pages. Except for the most
`complex jobs, the RIP has advanced so that it is not the
`bottleneck in the pre-press workflow of page creation.
`Today’s needs for developing large format imagesetters
`(and platemakers and on-press plate imaging) go well
`beyond creating just pages. These devices produce press size
`flats in film or plate that may contain four, eight, or more
`pages. These devices have also been driven by a RIP or
`MUX, but unlike page format imagesetters, the RIP can be
`the bottleneck in creating press format films and plates.
`As the needs of the electronic prepress industry steadily
`move towards large format imagesetters and the direct-to-
`plate workflow,
`it becomes imperative that
`the output
`devices be supplied data at rates which meet their specified
`throughput requirements. This means that
`the workflow
`system must be able to perform at or better than engine
`speed. Notwithstanding the advent of RIPs operating at
`faster processing speeds, direct RIP to engine configurations
`carmot guarantee meeting these requirements, especially as
`large-format, very complex jobs become more and more
`common.
`
`In addition, with the advent of platesetters and direct-to-
`press prepress systems, a need also exists to provide a digital
`proofing device capable of providing either a color or black
`and white proof of the final
`image since films used to
`provide analog proofs have often been eliminated from the
`prepress workflow. Such proofing systems may accept
`image files as page description data, screened bit map data
`or bit map data which has not been screened. A need
`therefore exists to redirect image data to a proofer, and that
`data may need to be prepared in an appropriate format for
`output by the proofer.
`
`

`
`US 7,242,487 B2
`
`5
`there exists the need for an electronic prepress
`Thus,
`system that can meet these data requirements to drive an
`output engine at speed, to redirect appropriately formatted
`data to a proofer, to queue store or manipulate the priority of
`image output files and to provide overall control of the
`RIPing and output functions of a modern prepress system to
`a system administrator, while maintaining high amounts of
`“production time” at the front end workstations and the
`output devices.
`SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
`
`In order to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art,
`the present invention provides a system and method which
`allows a FRONT END user to input parameters for a print
`job, select an off-line engine or other output device including
`a proofer, and execute a PRINT command without the need
`of the specific output device and/or print media having to be
`contemporaneously connected to the system.
`The present invention provides a print drive system which
`offers improved throughput and cost savings by functioning
`as a multi-page buffer for more than one RIP connected to
`more than one imagesetter. The present
`invention also
`provides a new system design and concept in which the print
`driver, (also referred to as a print drive),
`is a device and
`raster flat manager, called a PrintDrive, which accepts
`compressed RIPed data in addition to acting as a Multiplexer
`or MUX of the prior art.
`The present invention is also directed to a system which
`allows for a “RIP ahead” approach to electronic prepress
`systems, e.g., the processing, queuing, storing and proofing
`of raster data designated for engines and media that are not
`physically connected or available, thereby creating virtual
`engines and media.
`For digital platemaking especially, plate remakes and
`backups can be previewed from the RIP. Since the system of
`the present invention allows for a full disconnect of the
`Ripping process from the imaging process, similar jobs can
`be grouped together. This results in a more efficient use of
`the image- or platesetter and also allows for more jobs to be
`processed.
`The present invention is a print drive and system operat-
`ing within a standard network environment. For example,
`the present invention may connect with RIPs configured to
`output compressed raster data over a standard network
`interface.
`
`For other industry standard RIPs which output through an
`APIS interface (also known as APIS RIPs), connections
`within a network can be made through an “APIS-in” inter-
`face board.
`
`The present invention is also directed to a print drive
`system having a Remote and Local Graphical User Interface
`which allows users to view the status of the Ripped jobs, as
`well as, to manipulate and control the timing and priorities
`of the output. The print driver,or print drive can be con-
`trolled from any computer system running Windows 95
`Windows NT operating system or the Macintosh OS Oper-
`ating System in the network. The user can determine a
`preferred set of parameters that become selectable at print
`time. Previewing raster data is available as well, regardless
`of the number of connected RIPs.
`
`The print drive system of the present invention acts as an
`extensive file buffer with the ability to back up raster data to
`external media or file servers. In digital workflows,
`the
`system of the present invention offers Digital Imposition
`proofing in black and white, as well as color, to a large
`format proofer directly from the bitmaps stored for final
`output.
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`For networked systems, communication from the RIP(s)
`to the print drive is over fast ethemet. Through hardware
`compression and decompression, the network transfer times
`are reduced, and the disk space required for storing the
`bitmapped data is reduced. The compressed data is sent from
`the RIP to the print drive of the present invention over fast
`Ethernet. This eliminates the distance bottleneck typical of
`the prior art, (from the use of APIS cables), so that the print
`driver can be located near the platesetter (which is down in
`the plate making facility) and the RIP can be located in the
`pre-press department. Through local and remote Graphics
`User Interfaces, users and operators can track the RIPped
`jobs, change priorities and imaging queues.
`The print drive system of the present invention can also be
`connected to prior art RIPs that are not configured to output
`compressed raster data but APIS data instead. By installing
`a hardware conversion system for converting the APIS data
`to the desired state. These RIPs can be hooked up to the print
`drive of the present invention in which previewing, buffering
`and backup features of the present invention can be utilized.
`The electronic prepress system and method of present
`invention is designed to meet the data rate requirements of
`the current and future engines of the industry, as well as to
`provide flexibility for expanded configurations and
`enhanced workflow scenarios.
`
`The present invention comprises a system for creating,
`storing and processing a plurality of printable image files,
`said image files containing postscript data, said system
`network comprising, at least one input termin