Patent ID: 7202964

Claim:
A method of processing a print job by a predetermined number of raster image processors M to operate a printer for the duration of the print job comprising: partitioning the print job into X partitions; preprocessing into a printer-ready output, a plurality of partitions Y where Y is a subset number of the X partitions prior to printing, the preprocessing performed by a plurality of the M raster image processors; after the preprocessing the Y partitions, sending the printer-ready output for the Y partitions to the printer and initiating operation of the printer; processing into printer-ready output, the remaining X−Y partitions concurrent with the printing, the processing being performed by at least one of the M processors; and sending the printer-ready output for the X−Y partitions to the printer; wherein the method further comprises calculating the number of partitions in the subset Y according to a formula expressed as N = PcRc - α ⁢ ⁢ γ + Pg ⁡ ( 1 - α Pt ) α ⁢ ⁢ β where: N is the number of RIP cycles to RIP before engaging the printer or press in order to be able to keep a printer running continuously after starting, until the print job is completed; Pc is the partition page count; Rc is the RIP Count; α = Rc Rp + RcPo Nt ; β = PcRp + PcRcPo Nt ; γ = FsRc Nt ; Rp is the RIP page time; Pg is the total number of pages of the print job; Pt is the press time constant; Fs is the file size, in megabytes; Po is the press page size; Nt is the network transmission speed.