Method and apparatus for remote printing

A system for remote printing comprising an image server computer adapted for connection to a remote printing station, said server computer having a memory, a processor, and a network port, wherein said image server computer is configured to perform the steps of:

• transmitting print job instructions including digital image source information over said network port for printing an image with a printing device at the remote printing station, said digital image source information including an associated control image comprising at least four spaced apart colors that incorporates identification information, the identification information being a sequence of colors selected from a set of predetermined colors wherein each predetermined color is predetermined with respect to a platform-independent color space;
• receiving digital image measurement information from the remote printing station corresponding to measurements of the control image;
• and
• identifying a print job associated with said digital image source information from said received digital image measurement information.

A remote printing system, comprising:

• a network port;
• a printing device connected to said network port, wherein said printing device receives first image information from said network port and generates a printed image and a corresponding control image;
• a measuring device connected to said network port, wherein said measuring device generates second image information from said control image;
• an image server for generating print quality information from said second image information, said image server being located remotely from said printing device and said measuring device and adapted for communication with said printing device and said measuring device over a communication medium, said image server for transmitting said first image information to said printing device and said measuring device for transmitting said second image information to said image server;
• wherein the second image information is indicative of a variation between said second image information and predetermined reference information and the print quality information results from a comparison between the second image information and a threshold and wherein said second image information is used to calibrate said printing device.

A remote printing system, comprising:

• a network port;
• a printing device connected to said network port, wherein said printing device receives first image information from said network port and generates a printed image and a corresponding control image;
• a measuring device connected to said network port, wherein said measuring device generates second image information from said control image;
• a computer collocated with, and connected to said printing device, said measuring device, and said network port, wherein said computer relays said first image information to said printing device;
• and said measuring device transmits said second image information to said computer and said computer generates print quality information from said second image information
• wherein the second image information is indicative of a variation between said second image information and predetermined reference information and the print quality information results from a comparison between the second image information and a threshold and wherein said second image information is used to calibrate said printing device.

A remote printing system, comprising:

• a network port;
• a printing device connected to said network port, wherein said printing device receives first image information from said network port and generates a printed image and a corresponding control image, said control image comprising an arrangement of predetermined colors which predetermined colors provide identification information;
• a measuring device connected to said network port, wherein said measuring device generates second image information from said control image;
• wherein the second image information is indicative of a variation between said second image information and predetermined reference information and the second image information is compared to a threshold to generate print quality information and wherein said second image information is used to calibrate said printing device.

A method of ensuring print quality at a remote location comprising the steps of:

• receiving digital image information from a communication medium;
• printing an image corresponding to the received digital image information;
• printing corresponding control information and generating a sequence of colors selected from a set of predetermined colors in response to a print job identification number;
• generating digital control information from the printed control information;
• and,
• verifying print quality by comparing the digital control information to a digital reference, determining a variation between the digital control information and the digital reference and comparing the variation to a threshold.

A system for remote printing comprising an image server computer adapted for connection to a remote printing station, said server computer having a memory, a processor, and a network port, wherein said image server computer is configured to perform the steps of:

• transmitting digital image source information over said network port for printing an image at the remote printing station wherein the digital image source information includes identification information and wherein the identification information is a sequence of colors selected from a set of predetermined colors in response to a print job identification number;
• receiving digital image measurement information from the remote printing station;
• and,
• verifying print quality by comparing the image measurement information to a digital reference, determining a variation between the image measurement information and the digital reference and comparing the variation to a threshold.

A system for remote printing comprising an image server computer adapted for connection to a remote printing station, said server computer having a memory, a processor, and a network port, wherein said image server computer is configured to perform the steps of:

• transmitting a fist set of print job instructions including first digital image source information over said network port for printing a main image at the remote printing station, said digital image source information including a first associated control image that incorporates identification information;
• transmitting a second set of print job instructions including second digital image source information over said network port for printing the main image at the remote printing station, said digital image source information including a second associated control image that incorporates identification information and is different from the fist associated control image;
• and
• receiving first and second digital image measurement information from the remote printing station respectively corresponding to measurements of the first and second associated control images;
• wherein said first and second received digital measurement information is used to separately identify the respective print job of the printed image.