Method and apparatus for using pattern color space in print job processing

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-usable data carrier storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method for creating a pattern color space for use in conjunction with processing a print job, the method comprising:

• a) defining a variable portion of a pattern color space in a page description language;
• b) defining a fixed portion of the pattern color space in the page description language;
• c) defining a bounding shape for the pattern color space in the page description language;
• and
• d) defining a procedure for painting the variable and fixed portions within the bounding shape in the page description language;
• wherein the variable portion of the pattern color space is based at least in part on variable data associated with a print job and at least one object within the print job identifies the pattern color space for a color parameter.

An apparatus for processing a print job, comprising:

• a storage device for storing a routine in a page description language that creates a pattern color space for use in conjunction with processing a prospective print job, wherein the routine comprises:
• i) defining a variable portion of the pattern color space, ii) defining a fixed portion of the pattern color space, iii) defining a bounding shape for the pattern color space, and iv) defining a procedure for painting the variable and fixed portions within the bounding shape;
• a digital front end for receiving an actual print job, including variable data to be used in conjunction therewith, in a page description language, wherein a first object within the actual print job identifies a pattern color space for a color parameter;
• a print controller in communication with the digital front end and the storage device for generating a bitmap representation of the actual print job, wherein the bitmap portion for the first object is at least partly generated using the routine to create the pattern color space using variable data associated with the actual print job;
• and
• a print engine in communication with the print controller for receiving the bitmap representation and rendering the actual print job.