Error handling for print workflows

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9778886-B2
Application number	US-201313776075-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 25, 2013
Priority date	Feb 25, 2013
Publication date	Oct 3, 2017
Grant date	Oct 3, 2017

Abstract

Methods and systems resume workflow processing of a print job at intermediate steps of a print workflow. In one embodiment, a control system initiates processing of a print job based on steps in a print workflow, where the steps identify print shop activities to perform for the print job. The control system identifies an error in executing a step of the workflow, and identifies an intermediate step in the workflow that has executed in processing the print job. The control system identifies an updated file for the print job to correct the error, and resumes the processing of the print job at the intermediate step using the update file.

First claim

We claim:

1. A system comprising:
a control system operable to initiate processing of a print job based on steps in a print workflow, wherein the steps identify print shop activities to perform for the print job;
the control system is further operable to identify an error in executing a step of the print workflow, to identify an intermediate step in the print workflow that has executed in processing the print job, to identify an updated file for the print job to correct the error, and to resume processing of the print job at the intermediate step using the updated file.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the control system is further operable to indicate to a user a plurality of intermediate steps that have executed in processing the print job, to receive a selection from the user of an intermediate step, and to resume processing of the print job at the intermediate step selected by the user utilizing the updated file.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the control system is further operable to identify a previous version of the updated file, to determine which version to use to resume processing based on a selection from a user, and to resume processing of the print job using the version selected by the user.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the control system is further operable to identify an updated job ticket for the print job to correct the error, and to resume processing of the print job at the intermediate step using the updated job ticket.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the control system is further operable to identify an updated presentation file for the print job to correct the error, and to resume processing of the print job at the intermediate step using the updated presentation file.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the print workflow is a non-branching workflow.

7. A method comprising:
initiating a processing of a print job based on steps in a print workflow, wherein the steps identify print shop activities to perform for the print job;
identifying an error in executing a step of the print workflow;
identifying an intermediate step in the print workflow that has executed in processing the print job;
identifying an updated file for the print job to correct the error; and
resuming the processing of the print job at the intermediate step using the updated file.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein:
identifying an intermediate step further comprises:
indicating to a user a plurality of intermediate steps that have executed in processing the print job; and
receiving a selection from the user of an intermediate step; and

resuming the processing further comprises:
resuming the processing of the print job at the intermediate step selected by the user utilizing the updated file.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein:
identifying the updated file further comprises:
identifying a previous version of the updated file; and
determining which version to use to resume processing based on a selection from a user; and

resuming the processing further comprises:
resuming the processing of the print job using the version selected by the user.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein:
identifying an updated file further comprises:
identifying an updated job ticket for the print job to correct the error; and

resuming the processing further comprises:
resuming the processing of the print job at the intermediate step using the updated job ticket.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein:
identifying an updated file further comprises:
identifying an updated presentation file for the print job to correct the error; and

resuming the processing further comprises:
resuming the processing of the print job at the intermediate step using the updated presentation file.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein:
the print workflow is a non-branching workflow.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, direct the processor to:
initiate a processing of a print job based on steps in a print workflow, wherein the steps identify print shop activities to perform for the print job;
identify an error in executing a step of the print workflow;
identify an intermediate step in the print workflow that has executed in processing the print job;
identify an updated file for the print job to correct the error; and
resume the processing of the print job at the intermediate step using the updated file.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein:
instructions to identify an intermediate step further comprise instructions to:
indicate to a user a plurality of intermediate steps that have executed in processing the print job; and
receive a selection from the user of an intermediate step; and

instructions to resume the processing further comprise instructions to:
resume the processing of the print job at the intermediate step selected by the user utilizing the updated file.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein:
instructions to identify the updated file further comprise instructions to:
identify a previous version of the updated file; and
determine which version to use to resume processing based on a selection from a user; and

instructions to resume the processing further comprise instructions to:
resume the processing of the print job using the version selected by the user.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein:
instructions to identify an updated file further comprise instructions to:
identify an updated job ticket for the print job to correct the error; and

instructions to resume the processing further comprise instructions to:
resume the processing of the print job at the intermediate step using the updated job ticket.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein:
steps to identify an updated file further comprise instructions to:
identify an updated presentation file for the print job to correct the error; and

instructions to resume the processing further comprise instructions to:
resume the processing of the print job at the intermediate step using the updated presentation file.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein:
the print workflow is a non-branching workflow.

Assignees

• Boldt Gerald Donald
• Jahn Janeen E
• Lemaster Ronald J
• Raines Michael David
• Ricoh Co Ltd

Inventors

• Boldt Gerald Donald
• Hamilton Paul
• Jahn Janeen E
• Kadiyala Kumar V
• Leggett Tisha
• Lemaster Ronald J
• Raines Michael David
• Smyth Patrick

Classifications

• G06F3/1282

  High volume printer device · CPC title

• G06F3/1275

  Print workflow management, e.g. defining or changing a workflow, cross publishing · CPC title

• G06F3/1211

  Improving printing performance · CPC title

• G06F3/1234 Primary

  Errors handling and recovery, e.g. reprinting (G06F3/1261 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G06F3/121

  Facilitating exception or error detection and recovery, e.g. fault, media or consumables depleted · CPC title