Abstract:
In an embodiment, a digital document production system may include a processor, a processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processor and an output device in communication with the processor. The processor-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions for identifying a file list comprising a plurality of file identifiers, selecting a first file and processing the first file using a first page box. The processor-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions for identifying and processing a second file based on the first page box, selecting a third file, processing the third file using a second page box and identifying and processing a fourth file based on the second page box. In addition, the processor-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions for printing the corresponding processed file for each file identifier in the file list.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    It is common for books, documents and/or the like to be created, mastered and stored as multiple single-page portable document format (“PDF”) files. Formatting a book as multiple single-page PDF files rather than as a single multi-page PDF file allows for multiple author revisions and quick and isolated updates. 
         [0002]    Printing the entire book as a collated compilation usually requires performing a centering operation on each individual file and then printing the individual files as a single print job. A problem arises when the file images are not centered within corresponding page boxes. To address this problem, a pre-press operator is often required to add a page box, such as a trim box, to each file so that the image is centered within the page box. However, this is a tedious and time consuming process that adds significant processing time to the document production process. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Before the present methods are described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular systems, methodologies or protocols described, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure which will be limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0004]    It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used herein, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” 
         [0005]    In an embodiment, a digital document production system may include a processor, a processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processor and an output device in communication with the processor. The processor-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions for identifying a file list comprising a plurality of file identifiers. Each file identifier may correspond to a file, a position of each file identifier in the file list may correspond to a page number in a document, each file may correspond to a single-page in the document and each file may correspond to a digital representation of an image. The processor-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions for selecting a first file associated with a first file identifier having a position corresponding to a first page number in the document, where the first page number is an odd number, processing the first file by substantially centering the corresponding digital representation of the image within the first file using a first page box, identifying a second file corresponding to a second file identifier having a position corresponding to an odd page number in the document and processing the second file by positioning the corresponding digital representation of the image within the second file based on a position of the first page box. The processor-readable storage medium may also include one or more programming instructions for selecting a third file associated with a third file identifier having a position corresponding to a second page number in the document, where the second page number is an even number, processing the third file by substantially centering the corresponding digital representation of the image within the third file using a second page box, identifying a fourth file corresponding to a fourth file identifier having a position corresponding to an even page number in the document and processing the fourth file by positioning the corresponding digital representation of the image within the fourth file based on a position of the second page box. In addition, the processor-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions for printing the corresponding processed file for each file identifier in the file list. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment, a method of processing a document may include identifying a file list comprising a plurality of file identifiers. Each file identifier may correspond to a file, a position of each file identifier in the file list may correspond to a page number in a document, each file may correspond to a single-page in the document, and each file may correspond to a digital representation of an image. The method may also include selecting a first file associated with a first file identifier having a position corresponding to a first page number in the document, where the first page number has a first characteristic and processing the first file by substantially centering the corresponding digital representation of the image within the first file using a first page box. The method may also include identifying a second file corresponding to a second file identifier having a position corresponding to a page number having the first characteristic and processing the second file by positioning the corresponding digital representation of the image within the second file based on a position of the first page box. In addition, the method may include selecting a third file associated with a third file identifier having a position corresponding to a second page number in the document, where the second page number has a second characteristic, processing the third file by substantially centering the corresponding digital representation of the image within the third file using a second page box, identifying a fourth file corresponding to a fourth file identifier having a position corresponding to a page number having the second characteristic and processing the fourth file by positioning the corresponding digital representation of the image within the fourth file based on a position of the second page box. The method may also include printing, by a printing device, the corresponding processed file for each file identifier in the file list. 
         [0007]    In an embodiment, a device for processing a document may include a processor, a processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processor and a printing subsystem in communication with the processor. The processor-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions for identifying a file list comprising a plurality of file identifiers. Each file identifier may correspond to a file, a position of each file identifier in the file list may correspond to a page number in a document, each file may correspond to a single-page in the document, and each file may correspond to a digital representation of an image. The processor-readable storage medium may also include one or more programming instructions for selecting a first file associated with a first file identifier having a position corresponding to a first page number in the document, where the first page number has a first characteristic, processing the first file by substantially centering the corresponding digital representation of the image within the first file using a first page box, identifying a second file corresponding to a second file identifier having a position corresponding to a page number having the first characteristic and processing the second file by positioning the corresponding digital representation of the image within the second file based on a position of the first page box. The processor-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions for selecting a third file associated with a third file identifier having a position corresponding to a second page number in the document, where the second page number has a second characteristic, processing the third file by substantially centering the corresponding digital representation of the image within the third file using a second page box, identifying a fourth file corresponding to a fourth file identifier having a position corresponding to a page number having the second characteristic and processing the fourth file by positioning the corresponding digital representation of the image within the fourth file based on a position of the second page box. In addition, the processor-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions for printing the corresponding processed file for each file identifier in the file list. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Aspects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary method of processing a document according to an embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary file list according to an embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates exemplary page boxes according to an embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface that may be used to define a page box according to an embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of exemplary internal hardware that may be used to contain or implement the program instructions according to an embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary device according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    For purposes of the discussion below, a “document” refers to a multi-page publication. Exemplary documents may include books, workbooks and/or the like. 
         [0016]    A “file” refers to a page description language (“PDL”) document, such as a portable file format (“PDF”) file, a post script (“PS”) document and/or any other similar file having uniform page positioning. A file may include a single page of a document. 
         [0017]    A “page box” refers to a modifiable, rectangular region that may encompass a portion of a file. Exemplary page boxes may include a crop box, a bleed box, a media box, a trim box and/or the like. 
         [0018]    A “crop box” defines a region to which a file&#39;s contents are to be cropped. 
         [0019]    A “bleed box” defines a region to which a file&#39;s contents are to be trimmed when output by a production environment. 
         [0020]    A “media box” defines the width and height of a page. 
         [0021]    A “trim box” defines the intended dimensions of a finished page. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary method of processing a document according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, a file list may be identified  100 . A file list may include information regarding a plurality of files corresponding to a document. 
         [0023]    In an embodiment, each file may represent a single page of a document, and each page may include a digital representation of an image. In an embodiment, an image may include text, one or more pictures, one or more drawings and/or the like. In an embodiment, an image may refer to content on a page. For example, a page may include three paragraphs of text and two photographs. The image associated with that page may include the three paragraphs of text and the two photographs. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment, a file list may include one or more file identifiers that may correspond to a name, a location, an order and/or the like associated with each file.  FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary file list according to an embodiment. As illustrated by  FIG. 2 , the file list  200  includes file identifiers for ten files  205   a -N. For example, the file list  200  includes a file identifier (i.e., “C:/Documents and Settings/0481-pg.1.pdf”) corresponding to the name and path location of a first file. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment, the order of the file identifiers in the file list may represent the order of the files in the document. As such, each file identifier in the file list may correspond to a document page number based on its location in the file list. For example, referring to  FIG. 2 , the file identifier at the top of the file list, “C:/Documents and Settings/0481-pg.1.pdf,” may correspond to the first file in the document, while the file identifier at the bottom of the file list, “C:/Documents and Settings/0481-pg.10.pdf,” may correspond to the last file in the document. As such, the first file may correspond to page 1 of the document, while the last file may correspond to page 10 of the document. 
         [0026]    In an embodiment, a first file may be selected  105 . In an embodiment, the first file may be selected  105  based on the position of its corresponding file identifier in the file list. For example, the file corresponding to the first file identifier in the file list may be selected first, the file corresponding to the second file identifier in the file list may be selected second, and so on. 
         [0027]    In an embodiment, the image corresponding to the first file may be substantially centered  110  within the first file. In an embodiment, the modified first file may correspond to the same file identifier as the original first file. The image may be centered  110  based on a page box associated with the first file. A page box may be a modifiable, rectangular region that may encompass a portion of a file. Exemplary page boxes may include a crop box, a bleed box, a media box, a trim box and/or the like.  FIG. 3  illustrates exemplary page boxes according to an embodiment. As illustrated by  FIG. 3 , a page  300  may include a media box  305 , a bleed box  310  and a trim box  315 . 
         [0028]    In an embodiment, a page box associated with a first file may be set so that the image associated with the first file is substantially centered within the page box.  FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface that may be used to define a page box. As illustrated by  FIG. 4 , a user may set one or more margins associated with the page box. In an embodiment, a page box may be set automatically. 
         [0029]    In an embodiment, one or more files may be selected  115 . Each file may be selected  115  based on a location of its corresponding file identifier in the file list. In an embodiment, one or more files that are associated with document page numbers that share a characteristic with the document page number of the first file may be selected  115 . For example, if the first file is associated with an odd document page number, one or more files associated with odd document page numbers may be selected  115 . 
         [0030]    In an embodiment, the image associated with each file that is selected may be positioned  120  within the file. In an embodiment, each image may be automatically positioned  120  based on a position of the page box associated with the first file. For example, a first file may correspond to page number ‘1’, and the image of the first file may be centered  110  in a trim box to produce a first centered image. One or more files associated with odd page numbers may be selected  115 , and the images associated with each selected file may be positioned  120  based on a location of, for example, the trim box associated with the first file. In an embodiment, each modified file may correspond to the same file identifier as the original file. 
         [0031]    In an embodiment, a second file may be selected  125 . A second file may correspond to a document page number having a different characteristic than the document page number of the first file. For example, if the first file corresponds to an odd page number, the second file may correspond to an even page number. 
         [0032]    In an embodiment, the image corresponding to the second file may be substantially centered  130  within the second file. The image may be centered  130  based on a page box associated with the second file. In an embodiment, a page box associated with the second file may be set so that the image associated with the second file is substantially centered within the page box. In an embodiment, the modified second file may correspond to the same file identifier as the original second file. 
         [0033]    In an embodiment, one or more files may be selected  135 . Each file may be selected  135  based on a location of its corresponding file identifier in the file list. In an embodiment, one or more files that are associated with document page numbers that share a characteristic with the document page number of the second file may be selected  135 . For example, if the second file is associated with an even document page number, one or more files associated with even document page numbers may be selected  115 . 
         [0034]    In an embodiment, the image associated with each file that is selected based on the document page number associated with the second file may be positioned  140  with the file. In an embodiment, each image may be automatically positioned  140  based on the page box associated with the second file. For example, a second file may correspond to page number ‘2’, and the image of the second file may be centered  130  in a trim box to produce a second centered image. One or more files corresponding to even page numbers may be selected  135 , and the images associated with each selected file may be positioned  140  based on a location of, for example, the trim box associated with second file. In an embodiment, each modified file may correspond to the same file identifier as the original file. 
         [0035]    In an embodiment, the modified files may be printed  145 . For example, the modified file associated with each file identifier in the file list may be printed  145  as a collated set. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  depicts a block diagram of exemplary internal hardware that may be used to contain or implement the program instructions according to an embodiment. A bus  500  serves as the main information highway interconnecting the other illustrated components of the hardware. CPU  505  is the central processing unit of the system, performing calculations and logic operations required to execute a program. Read only memory (ROM)  510  and random access memory (RAM)  515  constitute exemplary memory devices. 
         [0037]    A disk controller  520  interfaces with one or more optional disk drives to the system bus  500 . These disk drives may include, for example, external or internal DVD drives  525 , CD ROM drives  530  or hard drives  535 . As indicated previously, these various disk drives and disk controllers are optional devices. 
         [0038]    Program instructions may be stored in the ROM  510  and/or the RAM  515 . Optionally, program instructions may be stored on a tangible computer readable medium such as a compact disk, a digital disk or other tangible recording medium. 
         [0039]    An optional interface  540  may permit information from the bus  500  to be transmitted to an output device  545 . For example, the interface  540  may permit information from the bus  500  to be displayed on a display in audio, graphic or alphanumeric format. In an embodiment, the interface  540  may permit information from the bus  500  to be printed by a printing device. Additional and/or alternate output devices may be used within the scope of this disclosure. Communication with external devices may occur using various communication ports  550 . An exemplary communication port  550  may be attached to a communications network, such as the Internet or an intranet. 
         [0040]    In an embodiment, the hardware may include an interface  555  which allows for receipt of data from input devices such as a keyboard  560  or other input device  565  such as a mouse, a touch screen, a remote control, a pointer and/or a joystick. 
         [0041]    An embedded system, such as a sub-system within a xerographic apparatus, may optionally be used to perform one, some or all of the operations described herein.  FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary device that may perform one, some or all of the operations described herein. As illustrated by  FIG. 6 , the device  600  may include a processor  605 , a processor-readable storage medium  610  in communication with the processor, and a printing subsystem  615  in communication with the processor. Likewise, a multiprocessor system may optionally be used to perform one, some or all of the operations described herein. 
         [0042]    It will be appreciated that various 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.