Patent ID: 8384929

Claim:
An apparatus that is configured to efficiently handle image data, the apparatus comprising: a processor; memory in electronic communication with the processor; instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to: create an imaging job that comprises image data corresponding to an outputting operation that is to be performed by an imaging device; determine whether the image data comprises one or more reduced size images in addition to one or more full size images, wherein the one or more reduced size images are reduced size versions of the one or more full size images; determine whether the one or more reduced size images are satisfactory for the outputting operation, wherein the imaging device determines that the one or more reduced size images are satisfactory for the outputting operation if the outputting operation comprises N-up printing, and N exceeds a threshold value; if the image data comprises the one or more reduced size images, and if the one or more reduced size images are satisfactory for the outputting operation, despool the one or more reduced size images to the imaging device, wherein despooling the one or more reduced size images to the imaging device comprises filtering out the one or more full size images; and if the image data comprises the one or more reduced size images, and if the one or more reduced size images are not satisfactory for the outputting operation, despool the one or more full size images without despooling the one or more reduced size images to the imaging device.