Method for organizing files in a library in a network printing system

A computer apparatus for managing print files associated with a job ticket describing a plurality of print files included in a print job, wherein the print files include data representing graphical images, including:

• (a) a non-volatile hierarchical storage system comprising a first storage device storing print files and a second storage device, wherein in the hierarchical storage system files are transferred between the first and second storage devices;
• (b) means for migrating print files from the first storage device to the second storage device;
• (c) means for generating a stub file including information on the migrated file and storing the stub file in the first storage device, wherein the stub file represents one migrated print file on the first storage device and the migrated print file is stored in the second storage device;
• (d) means for selecting print files, including a plurality of print files represented by stub files to include in the print job described in the job ticket;
• (e) means for accessing reference information on the selected print files represented by stub files from the stub files, representing the selected print files, to include in the job ticket;
• (f) means for using the accessed reference information on the print files represented by stub files from the stub files to recall the print files migrated to the second storage device and to continue processing the job ticket before a print process requires the print files migrated to the second storage device;
• (g) means for replacing the stub files, representing the selected print files, in the first storage device with the selected print files from the second storage device;
• (h) a printer;
• (i) means for transmitting the selected print files from the first storage device to the print process that prepares the job ticket for printing.

An article of manufacture for use in programming a computer system to manage print files associated with a job ticket describing print files included in a print job, the article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program embodied therein that causes the computer system to perform:

• (a) storing print files in a first storage device in a non-volatile hierarchical storage system, wherein in the hierarchical storage system files are transferred between the first storage device and a second storage device;
• (b) migrating print files from the first storage device to a second storage device;
• (c) generating a stub file including information on a migrated file and storing the stub file in the first storage device, wherein the stub file represents one migrated print file on the first storage device and the migrated print file is stored in the second storage device;
• (d) selecting print files, including a plurality of print files represented by stub files to include in the print job described in the job ticket;
• (e) before the print files represented by stub files are available in the first storage device, accessing reference information on the selected print files represented by stub files from the stub files representing the selected print files to include in the job ticket;
• (f) using the accessed reference information on the print files represented by stub files from the stub files to recall the print files migrated to the second storage device and to continue processing the job ticket before a print process requires the print files;
• (g) replacing the stub files, representing the selected print files, in the first storage device with the print files from the second storage device;
• and
• (h) transmitting the selected print files from the first storage device to the print process that prepares the job ticket for printing printer.

A method for use by a print shop to fulfill a customer order, the method comprising:

• enabling a creation of a job ticket data structure stored in a computer usable medium for identifying a plurality of print files included within the customer order;
• storing the print files in a first storage device in a non-volatile hierarchical storage system, wherein in the hierarchical storage system files are transferred between the first storage device and a second storage device;
• migrating print files from the first storage device to a second storage device;
• generating a stub file including information on a migrated print file and storing the stub file in the first storage device, wherein the stub file represents one migrated print file on the first storage device and the migrated print file is stored in the second storage device;
• selecting print files represented by stub files on the first storage device to include within the customer order;
• before the print files represented by stub files are available in the first storage device, accessing reference information on the selected print files represented by stub files from the stub files representing the selected print file to include in the job ticket;
• using the accessed reference information on the print files represented by stub files from the stub files to recall the print files migrated to the second storage device and to continue processing the job ticket before a print process requires the print files;
• replacing the stub files, representing the selected print files, in the first storage device with the selected print files from the second storage device;
• and
• transmitting the print files included within the customer order to the print process to that prepares the job ticket for printing.

A system for use by a print shop to fulfill a customer order, the system comprising:

• means for enabling a creation of a job ticket data structure stored in a computer usable medium for identifying a plurality of print files included within the customer order;
• means for storing the print files in a first storage device in a non-volatile hierarchical storage system, wherein in the hierarchical storage system files are transferred between the first storage device and a second storage device;
• means for migrating print files from the first storage device to the second storage device means for generating a stub file including information on a migrated print file, wherein the stub file represents one migrated print file on the first storage device and the migrated print file content is stored in the second storage device;
• means for storing the stub file in the first storage device;
• means for accessing stub files upon receiving a selection of print files that have been migrated and are represented by stub files;
• means for accessing reference information on the selected print files from the stub files representing the selected print files to include in the job ticket before the print files are available in the first storage device;
• means for using the accessed reference information on the print files from the stub files to recall the print files migrated to the second storage device and to continue processing the job ticket before a print process requires the print file;
• means for replacing the stub files, representing the selected print files, in the first storage device with the selected print files from the second storage device;
• and
• means for transmitting the print files included within the customer order to the print process that prepares the job ticket for printing.

A system for use by a print shop to fulfill a customer order, the system comprising:

• a job ticket data structure stored in a computer usable medium for identifying a plurality of print files included within the customer order;
• a non-volatile hierarchical storage system including a first storage device for storing the print files and a second storage device, wherein print files are transferred between the first and second storage devices;
• means for migrating print files from the first storage device to the second storage device;
• means for generating a stub file including information on a migrated print file, wherein the stub file represents one migrated print file on the first storage device and the migrated print file is stored in the second storage device;
• means for storing the stub file in the first storage device;
• means for accessing stub files upon receiving a selection of print files that have been migrated and are represented by stub files;
• means for accessing reference informatiion on the selected print files represented by stub files from the stub files representing the selected prnt files to include in the job ticket before the print files are available in the first storage device;
• means for using the accessed reference information on the print files represented by the stub files from the stub files migrated to the second storage device and continue processing the job ticket before a print process requires the print files;
• and
• means for transmitting the print files included within the customer order to the print process that preparas the print file in the job ticket for printing.