Method and apparatus for providing print job buffering for a printer on

Abstract

An improved printer is provided that improves the response time before jobs are printer by providing a 'fast data path' for certain print jobs while also storing on a hard disk all incoming print job data. This 'fast data path' is especially useful in situations where the incoming print job lacks an 'end of file' code, which could otherwise hold up the processing of either this print job or later print jobs. Once the printer becomes relatively busy, and begins to accumulate a 'queue' of print jobs waiting to be processed and printed, the printer will automatically store all of the print job data on the non-volatile memory (e.g., a hard disk) before that same data is sent to the processing circuitry. Since it is important to utilize the printer's capabilities efficiently, the printer can allow a 'small' print job to be processed and printed after being received from one input port of the printer, while a much larger print job is still being accumulated from a second input port, even though the larger job began to be received first. Since all print job data received by the printer of the present invention is stored in a non-volatile memory, the capability exists for recovering such print jobs after the occurrence of a power failure. Upon power restoration, a 'Header File' that contains status information about stored print jobs will be inspected, and if a print job was never completely printed, the printer will now begin printing the entire job. In this manner, the printer can guarantee that the entire job will be printed in one intact grouping of sheets of paper.