Apparatus and method for providing printer separator pages

Abstract

An arrangement is provided wherein a printer used with a host device is operated to generate print batch separator pages using the same blank sheets as are used to print respective pages of successive print jobs. The printer is directed to print a visually distinctive graphic indicator, such as a separator border, trim, header, visible banner or other visual indicator or markings. This eliminates the need for an additional printer separator page tray. Usefully, a host device is operated to generate a separator command in a specified PDL language. A printer control device receives the page separator PDL command, and software contained in the printer control converts the PDL command into a printer readable format (PRF). A printer component responsive to the PRF command then operates the printer to print the specified separator page.

1 . Apparatus for use with a printer operable to successively print a first and then a second print batch using blank sheets that are substantially identical in appearance with one another, said apparatus comprising; 
 a host device operable to generate a page separator command in a specified page description language;    a printer control coupled to receive said page separator command;    a computer readable medium contained in said printer control, said medium provided with software configured for use in converting said page separator command into a format readable by said printer;    a component in said printer disposed to receive said page separator command in said printer readable format, and to operate said printer in response to said command to print one or more specified visual indicators onto one of said sheets to form a separator page, wherein said separator page is visually distinct at least from both the last printed page of said first batch, and the first printed page of said second batch, and wherein said visual indicators are selected from a group that includes at least banners, headers, borders and trim; and    a single paper feed mechanism provided to feed all of said blank sheets to said printer.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said separator page is one of a plurality of separator pages printed at different positions in a sequence of printed pages, each of said separator pages being visually distinct from every other separator page, and each of said separator pages being positioned to divide respective pages of a corresponding print batch from the pages of an adjacent print batch.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said printer receives print jobs from a plurality of users, and a particular separator page associates a particular user with a print batch immediately adjacent to said particular separator page.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said printer is selected from a group that includes at least laser printers and inkjet printers.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said printer prints said separator page using ink of the same color that is used to print respective pages of batches separated by said separator page.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said printer prints said separator page using ink of a different color from the ink used to print respective pages of batches separated by said separator page.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 all of said blank sheets are of the same color prior to use thereof in printing.    
   
   
       8 . A method for use with a printer operable to successively print a first and then a second print batch using blank sheets that are substantially identical in appearance with one another, said method comprising the steps of: 
 operating a host device to generate a page separator command in a specified page description language;    coupling said page separator command to a printer control;    using said printer control to convert said page separator command into a format readable by said printer;    operating said printer in response to said page separator command in said printer readable format to print one or more specified visual indicators onto one of said sheets to form a separator page, wherein said separator page is visually distinct at least from both the last printed page of said first batch, and the first printed page of said second batch, and said visual indicators are selected from a group that includes at least banners, headers, borders and trim; and    feeding all of said blank sheets to said printer for printing from a single paper feed mechanism.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 said separator page is one of a plurality of separator pages printed at different positions in a sequence of printed pages, each of said separator pages being visually distinct from every other separator page, and each of said separator pages being positioned to divide respective pages of a corresponding print batch from the pages of an adjacent print batch.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 said printer receives print jobs from a plurality of users, and a particular separator page associates a particular user with a print batch immediately adjacent to said particular separator page.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 said printer is selected from a group that includes at least laser printers and inkjet printers.    
   
   
       12 . A computer program product in a computer readable medium for use with a printer operable to successively print a first and then a second print batch using blank sheets that are substantially identical in appearance with one another, said computer program product comprising: 
 first instructions for operating a host device to generate a page separator command in a specified page description language;    second instructions for coupling said page separator command to a printer control;    third instructions for using said printer control to convert said page separator command into a format readable by said printer;    fourth instructions for operating said printer in response to said page separator command in said printer readable format to print one or more specified visual indicators onto one of said sheets to form a separator page, wherein said separator page is visually distinct at least from both the last printed page of said first batch, and the first printed page of said second batch, and said visual indicators are selected from a group that includes at least banners, headers, borders and trim; and    fifth instructions for operating a single paper feed mechanism to provide all of said blank sheets to said printer for printing.    
   
   
       13 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said separator page is one of a plurality of separator pages printed at different positions in a sequence of printed pages, each of said separator pages being visually distinct from every other separator page, and each of said separator pages being positioned to divide respective pages of a corresponding print batch from the pages of an adjacent print batch.    
   
   
       14 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said printer receives print jobs from a plurality of users, and a particular separator page associates a particular user with a print batch immediately adjacent to said particular separator page.    
   
   
       15 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said printer is selected from a group that includes at least laser printers and inkjet printers.