A printing apparatus includes a print engine and a first controller configured to generate a raster data from a print job and cause the print engine to perform a print process based on the raster data. The first controller includes a first core and a second core. The first core is configured perform an analyzing process of analyze a job control command included in the print job and the second core is configured to perform an RIP process of generating the raster data from a PDL command.

Part of a received job ticket is analyzed, and an acquisition request for a print file is transmitted to an external apparatus based on a result of the analysis. The job ticket is analyzed, and printing is controlled based on a result of the analysis and the print file acquired from the external apparatus based on the acquisition request to the external apparatus.

An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to obtain PJL data via a data interface, and add target PJL data to the obtained PJL data with reference to filter data stored in a non-volatile memory. The target PJL data is PJL data intended for causing the image forming apparatus to perform a particular process. The filter data includes data for adding the target PJL data to the obtained PJL data.

Methods and apparatus for encoding data streams are provided. A computing device can receive an encoder-input data stream (EIDS) encoded in a encoder-input format. The computing device can reformat the EIDS into an encoder-output data stream (EODS) encoded in an encoder-output format that differs from the encoder-input format. The EODS can include a page table for pages, resources of the pages that include reusable resources used multiple times, and binary-formatted commands related to the resources, which are stored in stored in first-come, first-served fashion. The page table can refer to pages of the EODS. The EODS can be based on a resource table storing entries for each reusable resource. Each reusable resource is stored only once in the EODS. The computing device can generate an output based on the EODS.

Information for use in a command script for a product dispensing system is compiled by sniffing packets associated with a print job that contains information associated with a product to be dispensed, filtering the packets so as to remove fields not associated with the print job, and combining the filtered packets to generate contiguous data associated with the print job. A command script for a product dispensing system is generated by receiving data associated with a print job that contains information associated with a product to be dispensed, extracting the information associated with the product from the print job data, organizing the information associated with the product into discrete informational units, and generating the command script based on the organized discrete information units.

A printing computing device connects to a printing device using a fast data transfer connector to enable additional functionality and capabilities not offered by the printing device. The printing computing device connects to a network to receive print jobs from external devices within the network. The printing computing device processes the print jobs according to rules such that print jobs are processed accordingly. The printing computing device also includes firmware not available on the printing device such that print jobs not supported by the printing device still may be processed. The printing computing device also includes an engine that determines whether an incoming print job is a PDL print job or a command to perform a function not available on the printing device.

Methods and apparatus for decoding data streams are provided. A computing device can receive a decoder-input data stream encoded in a decoder-input format. The decoder-input data stream can include one or more pages of content. The decoder-input data stream can be initiated by an identifier identifying the decoder-input format (which may be the same as an encoder-output format) and a lookup table. The lookup table can reference objects within the decoder-input data stream and can specify locations of each of the one or more pages within the decoder-input data stream. The computing device can generate an output based on the decoder-input data stream.

Methods and apparatus for encoding data streams are provided. A computing device can receive an encoder-input data stream (EIDS) encoded in a encoder-input format. The computing device can reformat the EIDS into an encoder-output data stream (EODS) encoded in an encoder-output format that differs from the encoder-input format. The EODS can include a page table for pages, resources of the pages that include reusable resources used multiple times, and binary-formatted commands related to the resources, which are stored in stored in first-come, first-served fashion. The page table can refer to pages of the EODS. The EODS can be based on a resource table storing entries for each reusable resource. Each reusable resource is stored only once in the EODS. The computing device can generate an output based on the EODS.

Methods related to pre-processing a print job are disclosed. In an example method thereof, it is determined whether a document file is loaded in an application for the print job. Identifying information for the document file is retrieved. A data set obtained from the identifying information is sent to a print manager. A print history for the document file is updated responsive to the data set. The print job includes: pre-rendering of the document file into a document image; and caching of the document image. Print settings of the print job are associated with the document file. The print settings are tracked to provide criteria data to identify frequency of use of the document file.

Systems and methods are provided for handling print jobs. One embodiment is a system that includes a print server that serves a print shop having printers which exhibit different capabilities. The print server includes an interface that receives print jobs that each include content in the form of a Job Definition Format (JDF) job ticket and Portable Document Format (PDF) print data, a memory that stores the print jobs, and a controller. The controller schedules the print jobs for printing at the printers, and converts content of at least one of the print jobs to a different implementation, such that print jobs scheduled for printing at different printers include different implementations of content, based on the capabilities of the printer that they are scheduled for printing at.