Abstract:
A computer-implemented method and system for conveying information associated with a rendered job is disclosed herein. In general, data can be automatically generated, in response to a request by a user to render a job via a rendering device, wherein the data includes information indicative of the job. Thereafter, the data can be rendered for the user in a displayable format in association with the rendering of the job via the rendering device in order to convey to the user sufficient information indicative of how the job was processed and rendered via the rendering device in the event that the user encounters unexpected processing and rendering of the job.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    Embodiments are generally related to rendering devices and techniques. Embodiments are additionally related to the field of computers and similar technologies and, in particular, to software utilized in this field. Embodiments are also related to the generation of print job banner pages. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Rendering devices such as printers often utilize a client/server architecture that includes three primary components, including a client, a server and an output device. The client conveys a print and management request to the server and receives a response from the server that arises in response to requests submitted by the client. The server receives such requests from the client and performs required actions for each request and returns the responses to the client. One such request from the client is a print request, (i.e., a request to print one or more copies of one or more documents), with the printed pages output utilizing one or more features. 
         [0003]    Print jobs sent to the printer undergo several steps to reconcile print job attributes (e.g., finishing, media color, etc.) from distinct sources (e.g., job ticket, pdt, printer queue attributes, global printer job attributes, etc.) based on a precedence model. In the precedence model, the job ticket attributes override attributes found in a print job&#39;s PDL (Page Description Language) such as, for example, PostScrip, PCL, and PDF. In some situations, the print job sent to the printer may not render as expected by a client. For example, the print jobs sent to the printer may have been stapled and/or duplexed, but the job attributes related to the print job includes non-stapled and simplex format. 
         [0004]    Hence, in order to figure out such an unexpected job processing, various sources of job attributes related to the print job, and more particularly, the precedence model that a given DFE (digital front end) utilize to reconcile the job attributes should be known and the job processing must be manually re-derived. Similarly, in a headless printer system (e.g., a printer without a locally attached operator GUI display screen), re-deriving the job processing outcome is impossible, as the user does not have access to any printer information other than the little information that might have been printed in the print job&#39;s banner page. Also, the job attribute information may not be readily available; hence, the user does not possess the ability to figure out the unexpected job processing. 
         [0005]    A banner page is, typically, a printed sheet that separates one print job output from another. For example, a banner page may include the name or some other uniquely identifying feature associated with the user who submitted the print job, often in an eye-catching format, so that the user can easily identify and separate his/her print job from other jobs in the printer&#39;s output tray. Traditionally, the use of such banner pages has been relatively narrow in scope and purpose, reflecting the capabilities and intended use of the shared printers. 
         [0006]    Therefore, a need exists for an improved method and system for automatically printing smart banner pages with print job attributes in order to determine unexpected job processing and to convey general job processing information to an end-user. Such an improved method and system is described in greater detail herein. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The following summary 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 embodiments disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. 
         [0008]    It is, therefore, one aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved method and system for providing information to a user indicative of a job rendered via a rendering device, such as a printer, scanner, copy machine, and the like. 
         [0009]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved method and system for automatically generating smart banner pages with job attributes that convey general job processing information to a user. 
         [0010]    It is further aspect of the present invention to convey smart banner pages in a table format that includes the source of job attributes and information related to the rendering of a particular job (e.g., print job) via a rendering device. 
         [0011]    The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. A computer-implemented method and system for conveying information associated with a rendered job is disclosed herein. In general, data can be automatically generated, in response to a request by a user to render a job via a rendering device, wherein the data includes information indicative of the job. Thereafter, the data can be rendered for the user in a displayable format in association with the rendering of the job via the rendering device in order to convey to the user sufficient information indicative of how the job was processed and rendered via the rendering device in the event that the user encounters unexpected processing and rendering of the job. The data indicative of the rendered job can be, for example, information indicative of a precedence model utilized by the rendering device to render the job. Such data can also include, for example, information indicative of the source (or sources) utilized to direct processing and rendering of the job. Such data may also include one or more attributes associated with the job rendered via the rendering device. The displayable format may be provided in the form of smart banner page rendered in association with the job via the rendering device. 
         [0012]    Such a method and/or system can therefore be utilized to automatically generate smart banner pages that convey to the user information regarding unexpected job processing including information related to a print job. A rendering system such as, for example, a print system can reconcile job (e.g., print job) attributes for processing a print job from various sources. A smart banner page can be displayed in a table format that includes information such as final print job attributes, sources related to the print job attributes and a precedence model utilized by the print system. The smart banner page can be printed preceding a first page of the print job. The smart banner page can also be utilized in a headless system in order to readily determine unexpected job processing parameters and to convey general job processing information to an end-user. 
         [0013]    The job attributes provide information related to the processing of the print job. The sources of the print job attributes can be, for example, job ticket, global printing system settings, printing system queues, and printer description language (PDL). The smart banner page can be enabled in the rendering device utilized in, for example, the office market. The smart banner page can also be utilized in production or transaction shops in order to expedite analyzing the root-cause of unexpected job processing and to generate information related to job processing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    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 a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a diagram depicting a network of user computers that can selectably operate one or more rendering devices and which may be adapted for use in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of a data-processing system in which the present invention may be embodied; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic view of a software system including an operating system, application software, and a user interface, which can be adapted for use in carrying out an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a graphical representation of a network of data-processing systems in which aspects of the present invention may be implemented; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a detailed flow chart of operations illustrating logical operational steps of a method for automatically generating smart banner pages with print job attributes and print job processing information, which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary smart banner page depicting job attribute sources and print job processing information utilized by a printing system, which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope of such embodiments. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 1-4  are provided as exemplary diagrams of data processing environments in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. It should be appreciated that  FIGS. 1-4  are only exemplary and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environments in which aspects or embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  illustrates a diagram depicting a network of user computers that can selectably operate one or more rendering devices and which may be adapted for use in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Each user computer or data-processing apparatus  100 ,  102 ,  104  is capable of sending rendering job data to one or more selected rendering devices  108 ,  109  and/or  111  over a network  114 . Each rendering device  108 ,  109 , and/or  111  can respectively include thereon a local user interface (UI)  141 ,  143 ,  145  through which messages can be displayed (including sound messages) and instructions can be entered into a control system associated with the machine. Also available to all the printers on a network  114  is a server  118 , which typically is accessed by a systems administrator. As used herein, a “server” is any computer or data-processing apparatus that is capable of retaining and performing operations on a database relating to the printers in a given population. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates the present invention as embodied in the context of a machine, such as data-processing apparatus  100 . Note that in  FIGS. 1-2 , identical or similar parts or elements are generally indicated by identical reference numerals. Data-processing apparatus  100 , which is similar to computers  102  and  104 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 , generally includes a central processor  133  and a main memory  131 . Alternatively, data-processing apparatus  100  may be implemented as a server, such as, for example, server  118 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Data-processing apparatus  100  can also include an input/output controller  135 , a keyboard  121 , a pointing device  123  (e.g., mouser track ball, pen device, or the like), a display device  125 , and a mass storage  127  (e.g., hard disk). Additional input/output devices, such as rendering device  108 , may be included in association with the data-processing apparatus  100  as desired. As illustrated, the various components of the data-processing apparatus  100  communicate through a system bus  110  or similar architecture. 
         [0025]    Note that rendering devices  108 ,  109 ,  111  may constitute, for example, a printer, a copier, fax machine, scanner, and/or other types of rendering components, depending upon design considerations. A rendering job (e.g., a print job) can thus be implemented from data-processing system  100  and rendered via one or more rendering devices  108 ,  109  and/or  111 . One example of a rendering device/system that can be utilized to implement rendering devices  108 ,  109  and/or  111  is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. US20080068417 entitled “Printing System and Method”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which published on Mar. 20, 2008, and is additionally assigned to the Xerox Corporation. Another example of a rendering device/system that can be utilized to implement data rendering devices  108 ,  109  and/or  11  is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US20080068641 entitled “Document Processing System”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which published on Mar. 20, 2008, and is also assigned to the Xerox Corporation. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates a computer software system  150  for directing the operation of the data-processing apparatus  100 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Software system  150 , which can be stored in system memory  131  and/or on disk memory  127 , can include, for example, a kernel or operating system  151  and a shell or interface  153 . One or more application programs, such as application software  152 , may be “loaded” (i.e., transferred from storage  127  into memory  131 ) for execution by the data-processing apparatus  100 . The data-processing apparatus  100  receives user commands and data through user interface  153 ; these inputs may then be acted upon by the data-processing system apparatus in accordance with instructions from operating module  151  and/or application module  152 . 
         [0027]    The interface  153 , which is preferably a graphical user interface (GUI), also serves to display results, whereupon the user may supply additional inputs or terminate a given session. In one possible embodiment, operating system  151  and interface  153  can be implemented in the context of a “Windows” system. It can be appreciated, of course, that other types of systems are possible. For example, rather than a traditional “Windows” system, other operation systems, such as, for example, Linux may also be employed with respect to operating system  151  and interface  153 . Application module  152  can be a banner page management module  154  that can include instructions, such as the various operations described herein with respect to the various components and modules described herein, such as, for example, the method  400  depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  depicts a graphical representation of a network of data processing systems in which aspects of the present invention may be implemented. Network data processing system  300  can be provided as a network of computers in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. Network data processing system  300  contains network  302 , which is the medium used to provide communications links between various devices and computers connected together within network data processing system  300 . Network  302  may include connections, such as, for example, wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables. 
         [0029]    In the depicted example, server  304  and server  306  connect to network  302  along with storage unit  308 . In addition, clients  310 ,  312 , and  314  connect to network  302 . These clients  310 ,  312 , and  314  may be, for example, personal computers or network computers. Data-processing apparatus  100 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 , can be, for example, a client such as client  310 ,  312 , and/or  314 . Alternatively, data-processing apparatus  100  can be implemented as a server, such as servers  304  and/or  306 , depending upon design considerations. Server  118  is additionally analogous to, for example, servers  304  and/or  306 . 
         [0030]    In the depicted example, server  304  provides data, such as boot files, operating system images, and applications to clients  310 ,  312 , and  314 . Clients  310 ,  312 , and  314  are clients to server  304  in this example. Network data processing system  300  may include additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown. Specifically, clients may connect to any member of a network of servers which provide equivalent content. 
         [0031]    In the depicted example, network data processing system  300  is the Internet with network  302  representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite of protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial, government, educational and other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course, network data processing system  300  also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as, for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).  FIG. 2  is intended as an example and not as an architectural limitation for different embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0032]    The following description is presented with respect to embodiments of the present invention, which can be embodied in the context of a data-processing system such as data-processing apparatus  100 , computer software system  150 , data processing system  300  and network  302 , as depicted respectively in  FIGS. 1-4 . The present invention, however, is not limited to any particular application or any particular environment. Instead, those skilled in the art will find that the system and methods of the present invention may be advantageously applied to a variety of system and application software, including database management systems, word processors, and the like. Moreover, the present invention may be embodied on a variety of different platforms, including Macintosh, UNIX, LINUX, and the like. Therefore, the description of the exemplary embodiments, which follows, is for purposes of illustration and not considered a limitation. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates a detailed flow chart of operations illustrating logical operational steps of a method  400  for automatically generating smart banner pages with print job attributes and print job processing information, which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Note that the method  400  can be implemented in the context of a computer-useable medium that contains a program product. The method  400  depicted in  FIG. 5  can also be implemented in a computer-usable medium containing a program product. As indicated at block  410 , a banner page can be enabled via a rendering device, such as, for example, rendering devices  108 ,  109 , and/or  111 . As indicated next at block  420 , a rendering job (e.g., a print job) can be received. The rendering devices  108 ,  109  and/or  111  can reconcile print job attributes from various sources for processing and rendering the print job. Note that for purposes of this discussion, it is assumed that rendering devices  108 ,  109  and/or  111  function primarily or exclusively as printers. It can be appreciated, however, as indicated above, that rendering devices may  108 ,  109  and/or  111  may also be a copier, fax machine, scanner, etc. 
         [0034]    The job attributes provide information related to the processing of the rendered job (i.e., the print job). The sources of the print job attributes can be, for example, a job ticket, global printing system settings, printing system queues, printer description language (PDL) and so forth. A “smart” banner page, such as that depicted in  FIG. 6 , can be automatically created, as depicted at block  430 . The software application  152  can include the banner page management module  154  for banner page generation according to the present invention. In general, the banner page can be automatically created by the banner page management module  154  in a common word processing application such as “Microsoft Word” or “Core Word Perfect” containing static information and dynamic information. However, the banner page document may comprise any information that the user wishes to appear on the printed banner page file such as text, graphics and advertisements, whether static or dynamic. 
         [0035]    The banner page management module  154  generates the banner page related to the print job. A table can be created which includes print job attributes and various sources related to the print job attributes and print job processing information by the banner page management module  154 , as depicted at block  440 . A precedence model utilized by the rendering device  108  for printing the print job can also be included in the banner page table, as depicted at block  450 . The printing of the banner page can be initiated with sufficient details as required by the user, as depicted at block  460 . The banner page can be printed on one page front of each of the print jobs. The received print job can also be printed, as depicted at block  470 . The smart banner page can also be utilized in a headless system in order to readily determine unexpected job processing parameters and to convey additional printer information to an end-user. 
         [0036]    Programs defining functions on the present invention can be delivered to a data storage system or a computer system via a variety of signal-bearing media, which include, without limitation, non-writable storage media (e.g., CD-ROM), writable storage media (e.g., hard disk drive, read/write CD ROM, optical media), system memory such as but not limited to Random Access Memory (RAM), and communication media, such as computer and telephone networks including Ethernet, the Internet, wireless networks, and like network systems. It should be understood, therefore, that such signal-bearing media when carrying or encoding computer readable instructions that direct method functions in the present invention, represent alternative embodiments of the present invention. Further, it is understood that the present invention may be implemented by a system having means in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware as described herein or their equivalent. Thus, the method  400  described herein can be deployed as process software in the context of a computer system or data-processing system, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary smart banner page  500  in a table format, which includes job attributes and print job processing information utilized by the rendering device  108 , which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The smart banner page  500  includes sources of job attributes such as job ticket  510 , system settings  520 , system queue  530  and a PDL master  540  and job attributes such as staple  550 , media  560  and duplex  570 . The jobs sent to the rendering device  108  undergo several steps to reconcile job attributes from distinct sources. The print job processing information can also be re-derived in the smart banner page  500 . The exemplary smart banner page  500  illustrates the job attributes utilized by the rendering device  108  for a print job that has been stapled as a result of a queue override  530  as well as printed duplex due to a PDL setting  540 , as indicated by “X” in the table. The exemplary smart banner page  500  also includes information  580  such as the name of the user that submitted the print job, print job file name and time at which the print job is printed. The smart banner page  500  illustrated in  FIG. 6  is for exemplary purpose only, however, they should not be interpreted in any limiting way. 
         [0038]    The smart banner page  500  can be utilized in a headless system in order to figure out unexpected job processing and to convey additional print job information to an end-user. The smart banner page  500  can be enabled in the rendering device  108  utilized in the office market. However, the smart banner page  500  can be utilized in production or transaction shops, in expediting a customer to analyze root-cause of unexpected job processing. 
         [0039]    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.