Multi-tiered constraint checking for managing print jobs

Abstract

A method implemented in a print job management apparatus for processing print jobs in a multiple-printer print shop environment is described. When an operator manually assigns a print job to a printer, the print job requirements are compared with capabilities of the printer to detect any constraints (i.e. incompatibilities between printer capabilities and print job requirements). The job is printed if no constraint is detected. If a constraint of a first category is detected (e.g. incompatible color capabilities, paper size and type, layout, etc.), printing will not proceed and an error message is displayed. If a constraint of a second category is detected (e.g. inadequate finishing capabilities.), a warning message is displayed with a request for operator instruction regarding whether to proceed with printing. If the operator chooses to proceed, the job will be printed, and a banner page containing instructions regarding uncompleted job requirements is generated.

1 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for managing a plurality of printing devices and processing a print job implemented in a print job management apparatus, the method comprising:
 (a) defining a virtual printing device, which includes a plurality of printing devices assigned thereto and defines a preset rule for splitting a print job submitted to the virtual printing device so that split portions of each print job are respectively printed by different printing devices assigned to the virtual printing device, the preset rule being independent of any print job submitted to the virtual printing device;   (b) receiving an assignment of a print job to the virtual printing device, the print job specifying job ticket parameters representing printing requirements;   (c) comparing the printing requirements with combined capabilities of the virtual printing device to detect any constrains representing incompatibilities between the printing requirements and the combined capabilities of the virtual printing device, wherein the combined capabilities of the virtual printing device are determined by capabilities of printing devices assigned to the virtual printing device and the preset rule;   (d) if no constraint is detected, submitting the print job to the virtual printing device to print the print job in accordance with the preset rule defined in the virtual printing device;   (e) if a constraint of a first category is detected, displaying an error message indicating that printing fails to proceed and indicating a nature of the detected constraint, without submitting the print job to the virtual printing device;   (f) if a constraint of a second category is detected, displaying a warning message indicating a nature of the detected constraint and indicating a request for operator instruction; and   (g) after step (f), if an operator instruction to proceed is received, submitting the print job to the virtual printing device.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein step (g) further comprises:
 generating data for a banner page for the print job indicating uncompleted job requirements before submitting the print job to the virtual printing device.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the capabilities of the virtual printing device include color capabilities, media supply capabilities, layout capabilities, and finishing capabilities. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first category of constraints includes incompatible color capabilities, incompatible paper size and type, incompatible layout capabilities, internally incompatible finishing requests, incompatible orientation requests, unsupported layout/size modifications, and unsupported media types. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the second category of constraint includes incompatible finishing capabilities. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the error message and the warning message are displayed using different colors. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 (h) storing capacities of each of the plurality of printing devices in an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file.