Open systems printing

A printing environment comprising:

• print sources connected to a TCP/IP network, the print sources configured to generate print jobs having print data, some of the print jobs having different respective print data formats;
• output devices coupled to a local area network for executing the print jobs, some of the output devices being compatible with different respective print data formats;
• and
• a print server connected to the TCP/IP network and the local area network and comprising;
• a format detector configured to detect the print data format compatibility of print data in each of the print jobs with respective ones of the output devices;
• a data transformer configured to convert all of the print data in each of the print jobs from the print data format of the print job into a different print data format compatible with any given one of the output devices;
• a checkpoint restarter configured to allow a failed print job to be re-initiated at the point of failure;
• a print enhancer configured to enhance the print data by supplementing the print data with other print data that is resident at the print server;
• and
• a print job merger configured to create a merged print job before printing by merging print data from a first print job with print data from a second print job,
• the print server being configured to select one of the output devices for each of the print jobs and each of the merged print jobs and to direct the print data of each of the print jobs and of each of the merged print jobs over the local area network to the selected one of the output devices that is compatible with the print data format of the output device.

A method of handling print jobs received by a print server, the print server for use with print sources that generate print jobs having print data, some of the print jobs having different respective print data formats, and output devices that execute the print jobs, some of the output devices being compatible with different respective print data formats, the print server being configured to direct print data of print jobs received from the print sources to the output devices, the method comprising:

• detecting the print data format compatibility of print data in each of the print data in each of the print jobs with respective ones of the output devices;
• enhancing the print data by supplementing the print data with other print data that is resident at the print server;
• creating a merged print job by merging print data from a first print job with print data from a second print job;
• selecting one of the output devices for each of the print jobs that is compatible with the print data for the print job;
• converting all of the print data in the print jobs from the print format of the print jobs into a different print data format compatible with any given one of the output devices;
• directing the print data of each of the print jobs over a local area network to the selected one of the output devices;
• and
• allowing a failed print job to be re-initiated at the point of failure.

A method of handling print jobs received by a print server, the print server for use with print sources that generate print jobs having print data, some of the print jobs having different respective print data formats, and output devices that execute the print jobs, some of the output devices being compatible with different respective print data formats, the print server being configured to direct print data of print jobs received from the print sources to the output devices, the method comprising:

• detecting the print data format compatibility of print data in each of the print data in each of the print jobs with respective ones of the output devices;
• enhancing the print data by supplementing the print data with other print data that is resident at the print server;
• creating a merged print job before printing by merging print data from a first print job with print data from a second print job;
• selecting one of the output devices for each of the print jobs that is compatible with the print data for the print job;
• converting all of the print data in the print jobs from the print format of the print jobs into a different print data format compatible with any given one of the output devices;
• directing the print data of each of the print jobs over a local area network to the selected one of the output devices;
• and
• allowing a failed print job to be re-initiated at the point of failure.

A computer readable storage medium encoded with computer software, comprising instructions for use in a print server for use with print sources that generate print jobs having print data, some of the print jobs having different respective print data formats, and output devices that execute the print jobs, some of the output devices being compatible with different respective print data formats, the print server being configured to direct print data of print jobs from the print sources to the output devices, the storage medium comprising instructions for causing the print server to:

• detect the print data format compatibility of print data in each of the print jobs with respective ones of the output devices;
• enhance the print data by supplementing the print data with other print data that is resident at the print server;
• create a merged print job before printing by merging print data from a first print job with print data from a second print job;
• select one of the output devices for each of the print jobs that is compatible with the print data for the print job;
• convert all of the print data in each of the print jobs from the print data format of the print job into a different print data format compatible with any given one of the output devices;
• direct the print data of each of the print jobs over a local area network to the selected one of the output devices;
• and
• allow a failed print job to be re-initiated at the point of failure.