Resource error correction in a multicolor electrophotographic print-engine
View Patent ↗A method and system for printing image documents using a variety of toners where some toners using a multi-development station having two or more development stations. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver by the multi-development station.
1. A method of maintaining print quality during printing using an electrophotographic print engine comprising:
a. processing image data, according to a print job having a job specification including providing rasterized color separated image data (RIP data) for one or more development stations, including a multi-development station and a primary imaging member;
b. checking for any resource errors that indicate unavailable resources to enable processing of the image data according to the job specification;
c. indicating resource errors with an indicator before creating an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a separation by image-wise exposing the primary imaging member;
d. converting the electrostatic latent image into a visible image using the multi-development station;
e. transferring the image to a receiver; and
f. permanently fixing the image to the receiver;
wherein when the job specification creates a conflict, a resource error message is created, the print job is paused providing resolution of the conflict, and the conflict is resolved by overprinting a simplex image.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator specifies the development station to deposit a specialty toner.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the specialty toner is a specialty item used to enhance an available color gamut.
4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the print engine selects the development station to deposit the specialty toner based on job information.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein an operator receives the indicator.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein one or more development stations of the multi-development station contains a marking that informs the electrophotographic print engine as to the contents of the one or more development stations.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein an operator inputs a new resource for the electrophotographic print engine based on the indicator.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the overprinting of the simplex image is done using a diverter that allows either duplex or multipass simplex printing as a resolution of the conflict.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the conflict is resolved using a look up table (LUT).
10. An electrophotographic print engine comprising;
a. a single development station;
b. at least one multi-development station;
c. two or more primary imaging members; and
d. a control unit such that said control unit processes image data, according to a print job having a job specification including providing rasterized color separated image data (RIP data) for one or more development stations, including the multi-development station and a primary imaging member, and checks for any resource errors that indicate unavailable resources to enable processing of the image data as directed; and
e. an indicator that the control unit causes to indicate an unavailable resource causing a resource error before creating an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a separation by image-wise exposing the primary imaging member;
the multi-development station being adapted to convert the electrostatic latent image into a visible image;
wherein when the job specification creates a conflict, a resource error message is created, the print job is paused pending resolution of the conflict and the conflict is resolved by overprinting a simplex image.
11. The electrophotographic print engine according to claim 10 , wherein the indicator specifies the development station to deposit a specialty toner.
12. The electrophotographic print engine according to claim 11 , wherein the specialty toner is a specialty item.
13. The electrophotographic print engine according to claim 11 , wherein the print engine selects the development station to deposit the specialty toner based on job information.
14. The electrophotographic print engine according to claim 10 , wherein an operator receives the indicator.
15. The electrophotographic print engine according to claim 10 , wherein one or more development stations of the multi-development station contains a marking that informs the electrophotographic print engine as to the contents of the one or more development stations.
16. The electrophotographic print engine according to claim 10 , wherein an operator inputs a new resource for the electrophotographic print engine based on the indicator.
17. An electrophotographic print engine comprising;
a. a single development station;
b. at least one multi-development station;
c. two or more primary imaging members; and
d. a control unit such that said control unit processes image data, according to a print job having a job specification including providing rasterized color separated image data (RIP data) for one or more development stations, including the multi-development station and a primary imaging member, and checks for any resource errors that indicate unavailable resources to enable processing of the image data as directed; and
e. an indicator that the control unit causes to indicate an unavailable resource causing a resource error before creating an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a separation by image-wise exposing the primary imaging member;
the multi-development station being adapted to convert the electrostatic latent image into a visible image;
wherein when the job specification creates a conflict, a resource error message is created, the print job is paused pending resolution of the conflict and the conflict is resolved using a diverter that allows either duplex or multipass simplex printing as a resolution of the conflict.
18. The electrophotographic print engine according to claim 17 , wherein the conflict is resolved using a look up table (LUT).