Method and system to manage multiple format fonts in an image generating device

The present invention is directed to a method and system for managing multiple format fonts in an image generating device. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method and system to store a font in a selected storage area, remove a selected font stored in the selected storage area, and locate a selected font stored in a selected storage area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method and system for managing multiple format fonts in an image generating device. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method and system to store a font in a selected storage area, remove a selected font stored in the selected storage area, and locate a selected font stored in a selected storage area.

A typical image generating device includes a fixed set of fonts that a user can invoke for image generation. For example, if the user desires to have additional fonts supported in the printer, the user will have to make a request to the printer manufacturer and then would have to wait for a new software/firmware release with the expanded font set from the manufacturer. If the user has purchased a font and wants print with the new font, the new font has to be embedded in the print job by the application software. Every document that uses the new font must have the font embedded in the print data stream. The user may also need to convert the new font to a supported format before the font can be used with the software or the printer.

It is desirable to have a method and system which allows a user to manage multiple format in a image generating device. It is also desirable to have a method and system for managing multiple fonts which eliminates the extra step of conversion or concatenation of font data before it can be downloaded and eliminates the need to embed the font data in the image generating jobs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method and system which allows a user to manage multiple format in a image generating device.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method and system to store a font in a selected storage area, remove a selected font stored in the selected storage area, and locate a selected font stored in a selected storage area.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method and system for managing which eliminates the extra step of conversion or concatenation of font data before it can be downloaded

Still further, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method and system to manage multiple format fonts in an image generating device. A management request is received from an associated user to store a font in a selected storage area of the image generating device. The type of font to be stored is determined and a new font file is selectively generated. When the font to be stored is a PostScript font, selected PostScript language code is pre-appended to the PostScript font data to create a new font file. When the font to be stored is a PCL font, selected PJL software commands are pre-appended to the PCL font data to create a new font file. When the font to be stored is other than a PostScript font or PCL font, the font is converted to a PCL font and selected PJL software commands are pre-appended to the converted PCL font data to create a new font file. In a preferred embodiment, the management request is received from the user via a web administration tool.

Still further, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method and system to manage multiple format fonts in an image generating device. A management request is received from an associated user to remove a selected font from a selected storage area of an image generating device. A new file is created which includes a selected command and the font to be removed. A determination is made if the selected font is stored in the storage area. Upon a determination that the selected font is stored in the storage area, the selected font is removed from the storage area. In a preferred embodiment, the management request is received from the user via a web administration tool.

Still further, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method and system to manage multiple format fonts in an image generating device. A management request is received from an associated user to locate a selected type of font stored in a selected storage area of the image generating device. A determination is made if the selected type of font is stored in the storage area. A list of fonts corresponding to the selected type of font is generated. The list of fonts is transmitted to the associated user via at least one of displaying the list of fonts on a display means and generating test documents listing the fonts. In a preferred embodiment, the management request is received from the user via a web administration tool.

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be understood by one skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed to a method and system for managing multiple fonts in an image generating device. Referring toFIG. 1, the system100includes an image generating device102. The image generating device is any suitable image generating device known the art. Suitable image generating devices include, but are not limited to, printing devices, facsimile devices, copying devices, video display monitors, and the like. Preferably, the image generating device is a printing device. The image generating device102comprises a controller104for controlling the functions of the image generating device. The controller includes a storage area106for storing at least selected fonts. The controller104also comprises a raster image processor or spooler108for processing image data. The image generating device further comprises communication means110for communication with associated drivers and associated users. Such communication means include means to communicate via simple management network protocol112and through a web administration tool or user interface114. The web administration tool is any suitable web administration tool known in the art. Suitable web administration tools include, but are not limited to, Microsoft FrontPage, Novell Netware Enterprise Server, Netware Web Manager, SQL, NT, or the like. The image generating device also comprises means for displaying and testing fonts116.

In operation, the image generating device receives management requests from an associated user as shown by118and responds to such commands via at least one of simple management network protocol commands a shown by120and through a web administration tool as shown by122.

FIG. 2shows a basic flow diagram200of the method and system of the present invention. A user using an associated workstation or browser202submits a management request204to the image generating device. The management request is at least one of a request to store a selected font in the storage area of the image generating device, a request to delete a selected font from the storage area of the image generating device, and a request to query whether a selected font is stored in the storage area of the image generating device. The management request is received by the image generating device as shown by206. Based on the management request received, a new file containing selected font data may be created as discussed in detail below. The new file is processed by the raster image processor208and stored in the selected storage area210, such as a hard drive.

FIG. 3is flow chart300illustrating the method for managing multiple formats in the image generating device. The image generating device receives a management request from a user as shown by302. The determination is made as whether the request is to a request to store a selected font in the storage area of the image generating device, a request to delete a selected font from the storage area of the image generating device, or a request to query whether a selected font is located in the storage area of the image generating device as shown by304. Upon a negative determination, flow proceeds to306and the process ends.

If the determination is positive, flow proceeds to308, wherein a determination is made as to whether the request is to store a selected font in the storage area of the image generating device. Upon a positive determination, the flow proceeds toFIG. 4, described in detail below.

Upon a negative determination, flow proceeds to310, wherein a determination is made as to whether the request is to delete a selected from the storage area of the image generating device. If the determination is determination is positive, flow proceeds toFIG. 5, described in detail below.

Upon a negative determination, flow proceeds to312, wherein a determination is made as to whether the request is to query whether a selected font is located in the storage area of the image generating device. If the determination is positive, flow proceeds toFIG. 6, described in detail below. If the determination is negative, flow proceeds to306and the process ends.

Referring toFIG. 4, there is shown a flow chart400illustrating storing a selected font in a selected storage area of the image generating device. A determination is to the type of font to be stored as shown at402. Preferably, a determination is made as to whether the font is a predetermined type of font. More preferably, a determination is made as whether the font is a PostScript font, a PCL font, or a font other than a PostScript font or a PCL font. In a more preferred embodiment, a determination is made as to whether the font is a PostScript font, a PCL font, or a TrueType font. If the font is not a predetermined type of font, the flow proceeds to404and the process ends. Preferably, an error message is generated and displayed to the user.

Upon a positive determination that the font is a predetermined type of font, flow proceeds to406, wherein a determination is made whether the font to be stored is a PostScript font. If the determination is positive, flow proceeds to408, wherein selected PostScript language code is pre-appended to the PostScript font data to create a new font file. The new font file is then processed by an associated raster image processor as shown at410and the processed file is stored in the storage area as shown at412.

If the font to be stored is not a PostScript font, flow proceeds to414, wherein a determination is made as whether the font to be stored is a PCL font. If the determination is positive, flow proceeds to416, wherein selected PJL software commands are pre-appended to the PCL font data to create a new font file. The new font file is then processed by an associated raster image processor as shown at418and the processed file is stored in the storage area as shown at420.

If the font to be stored is not a PCL font, flow proceeds to422, wherein a determination is made as whether the font to be stored is a selected font other than a PostScript font or a PCL font. Preferably, a determination is made as whether the font is a TrueType font. If the determination is positive, the selected font is converted to a PCL font as shown at424. Flow proceeds to426wherein selected PJL software commands are pre-appended to the PCL font data to create a new font file. The new font file is then processed by an associated raster image processor as shown at428and the processed file is stored in the storage area as shown at430.

FIG. 5is a flow chart500illustrating deleting a selected font from the storage area of the image generating device. A determination is to the type of font to be stored as shown at502. Preferably, a determination is made as to whether the font is a predetermined type of font. More preferably, a determination is made as whether the font is a PostScript font, a PCL font, or a font other than a PostScript font or a PCL font. In a more preferred embodiment, a determination is made as to whether the font is a PostScript font, a PCL font, or a TrueType font. If the font is not a predetermined type of font, the flow proceeds to504and the process ends. Preferably, an error message is generated and displayed to the user.

Upon a positive determination that the font is a predetermined type of font, flow proceeds to506, wherein a new file is created which includes a selected software command and the name of the font. Preferably, the file name includes a selected PJL software command and the name of the font. More preferably, the file name includes a @PJL DELETE software command and the name of the font. The new file is then processed by an associated raster image processor as shown at508and the processed file is stored in the storage area as shown at510.

FIG. 6is a flow chart600illustrating querying whether a selected font is stored in the storage area of the image generating device. A determination is to the type of font to be stored as shown at602. Preferably, a determination is made as to whether the font is a predetermined type of font. More preferably, a determination is made as whether the font is a PostScript font, or a PCL font. If the font is not a predetermined type of font, the flow proceeds to604and the process ends. Preferably, an error message is generated and displayed to the user.

Upon a positive determination that the font is a predetermined type of font, flow proceeds to606, wherein a determination is made as whether the font is a PCL font. If the determination is positive, flow proceeds to608wherein the area within the storage area for storing PCL fonts is searched. If the selected font is located, a list of fonts corresponding to the selected type of font is generated and the list of fonts is transmitted to the user via at least one of displaying the list of fonts on a display means and generating test documents listing the fonts.

Upon a positive determination that the font is a predetermined type of font, flow proceeds to610, wherein a determination is made as whether the font is a PostScript font. If the determination is positive, flow proceeds to612wherein the area within the storage area for storing PostScript fonts is searched. If the selected font is located, a list of fonts corresponding to the selected type of font is generated and the list of fonts is transmitted to the user via at least one of displaying the list of fonts on a display means and generating test documents listing the fonts.

In a preferred embodiment, the image generating device receives management requests from an associated user via a web administration tool or user interface. A sample font management template700is shown inFIG. 7. The user enters the font name at702, the type of font at704, and the size of the font, if known, at706. The user then may select to add such font by select Add708or Remove710. The user may also select to query fonts stored in the controller. The user can select the PCL box712to access the list of PCL fonts or select the PS box714to access the list of PS fonts. The user may also query whether a selected font is stored in the controller by inputting the name702, type704, and size706and checking box716to query the font. Once the user has entered the desired management request, the management request is received by the image generating device and processed as discussed above.

In a preferred embodiment, if the management request is to store storing a selected font in a selected storage area of the image generating device, the web administration tool prompts the user to upload the selected font to the controller of the image generating device for appropriate storage as discussed above. A sample template800for uploading the font is shown inFIG. 8. The user selects the type of font as PCL802, PS,804, or neither if it is another type of font. The user then inputs the name of the font file806. The user has the ability to browse all available font files by selecting Browse808. Once the user has entered the required information, the user may select to upload the font by selecting Upload810or to cancel the process by selecting Cancel812.