Encoding of requests for sample copy output in document assembly trees
View Patent ↗The concept of a document assembly tree is extended to include in nodes, such as a node describing a sheet 330 or a node describing a compilation 342 , a sample interval specification. The sample interval specification is interpreted as a request to produce sample copies of the part of a job described by the node every time the sample interval specified in the node has transpired. Digital printing system modules are arranged and configured to provide a sample job destination 39 separate from the main job destination.
1. In a document processing apparatus comprising a plurality of machine modules for processing and/or producing printed media, including a designated sample destination, a method to generate samples of portions of a main job during the production of the main job, the method comprising:
generating a document assembly tree having nodes that describe portions of a main job;
including in the node descriptions, keywords that specify a sample delivery interval; and
producing the main job and sample jobs as indicated by the document assembly tree.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein generating a document assembly tree and including keywords are performed at least in part, by a first computing platform and producing the main job is performed at least in part, by a second computing platform, and producing the main job further comprises:
the first computing platform submitting the document assembly tree to the second computing platform.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein producing the main job further comprises:
checking each node for a sample delivery interval specification;
when processing a node that contains a sample delivery interval specification, comparing that sample delivery interval specification with a current interval; and,
if the sample delivery interval specification has been reached, producing a sample of the part of the main job specification described by the node at the sample delivery destination.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the sample delivery interval is measured in a number of copies produced.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the sample delivery interval is measured in time.
6. A document processing apparatus comprising a plurality of machine modules that together process and/or produce printed media, the apparatus comprising:
a document assembly tree generator operative to generate a document assembly tree having at least one node that describes a portion of a main job and a keyword that specifies a sample delivery interval for sample jobs;
at least one destination designated for delivery of main job production; and,
at least one destination designated for delivery of sample job production.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the destination designated for the delivery of sample job production is a sample/purge tray.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:
at least one finishing device for the delivery of main job production; and,
at least one finishing device for the delivery of sample job production.