Print driver system having a user interface and a method for processing raster data
AssigneeAgfa NV
InventorsJeanne M. Lucivero, David D. Smith, Frank P. White, Robert G. Boyle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for processing raster data including at least one input computer terminal for creating postscript data, at least one raster image processor (RIP), for processing the postscript data into raster data, and a PrintDrive system for managing and controlling the workflow of image files containing raster image data to a plurality of user selectable output devices.
Claims24
An electronic prepress system for managing and controlling the workflow of a plurality of image files to a plurality of user selectable output devices, said system comprising:
- at least one front end device for generating page description language data into image files;
- at least one raster image processor for receiving the image files from said front end device and for converting the page description language data into raster data;
- a plurality of user selectable output devices, including a virtual engine;
- and
- a print drive for receiving said raster data from said raster image processor, for managing and controlling the workflow of said raster data to the plurality of user selectable output devices, and for establishing a virtual connection with the virtual engine upon selection of the virtual engine by a user.
A method for managing and controlling a plurality of output files in an electronic prepress system, said output files comprising raster data, said method comprising the steps of:
- creating a graphics image file;
- processing the graphics image file with at least one raster image processor to transform the graphics image file into an output file containing raster image data;
- providing a plurality of user selectable output devices, including a virtual engine;
- transferring the raster image data output file to a print drive for managing and controlling the workflow of said raster image data output file to the plurality of user selectable output devices;
- and
- establishing a virtual connection between the print drive and the virtual engine upon selection of the virtual engine by a user.
A method of processing and transferring an image file containing raster image data to a virtual output device utilizing a print drive for an electronic prepress system, said print drive having a graphic user interface for managing and controlling a plurality of output files containing raster image data, wherein said print drive is configured for managing and controlling said image files emanating from at least one raster image processor, said method comprising the steps of:
- selecting an output device selected from the group consisting of a printer, an imagesetter, a platemaker, a digital proofer, a storage device and a raster image processor;
- and
- utilizing said graphical user interface to configure said selected output device with a virtual connection to said print drive output;
- wherein image files containing raster image data are transferred to said print drive for the eventual transfer to said virtual output device.
An electronic prepress system for managing and controlling the workflow of a plurality of image files to a plurality of user selectable output devices, said system comprising:
- at least one front end device for generating page description language data into image files;
- at least one raster image processor for receiving the image files from said front end device and for converting the page description language data into raster data;
- a plurality of user selectable output devices, including a virtual engine;
- and
- a print drive, configured with a Tuner graphical user interface, for receiving said raster data from said raster image processor, for managing and controlling the workflow of said raster data to the plurality of user selectable output devices, and for establishing a virtual connection with the virtual engine upon selection of the virtual engine by a user, wherein the Tuner graphic user interface provides user control of a condition precedent to temporal transfer of each of the image files to respective output devices.
A method for managing and controlling a plurality of output files in an electronic prepress system, said output files comprising raster data, said method comprising the steps of:
- creating a graphics image file;
- processing the graphics image file with at least one raster image processor to transform the graphics image file into an output file containing raster image data;
- providing a plurality of user selectable output devices, including a virtual engine;
- transferring the raster image data output file to a print drive for managing and controlling the workflow of said raster image data output file to the plurality of user selectable output devices, wherein said print drive includes a first graphical user interface and a second graphical user interface, wherein said first graphical user interface adapted to configure, manage and control said print drive, and wherein said second graphical user interface is adapted to interact with said electronic prepress system;
- establishing a virtual connection between the print drive and the virtual engine upon selection of the virtual engine by a user;
- and
- configuring the virtual engine with said first user graphical interface, said virtual engine being selected from the group consisting of a printer, an imagesetter, a platemaker, a digital proofer, a storage device and a raster image processor;
- wherein the raster image data output file is transferred to the print drive for the eventual transfer to the virtual engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.