Setting job properties from the JDF job ticket

RICOH ProcessDirector supports functions defined in the JDF Specification that the system requires, including a subset of the JDF Integrated Digital Printing Interoperability Conformance Specification (IDP ICS) and the associated Application Note. The IDP ICS is based on the JDF combined digital printing process, which is intended for integrated digital printers.

RICOH ProcessDirector does not support all possible values in the JDF job ticket. If RICOH ProcessDirector cannot use a value to set a job property, it will remove unsupported values from the job ticket.

After the property values are set, RICOH ProcessDirector stores the job ticket with the job files. If the job ticket is requested by a step, RICOH ProcessDirector updates the job ticket with the most current job property values in its database and sends the job ticket to the application called by the step. When the application returns the JDF job ticket, RICOH ProcessDirector updates any supported job property values that have changed, and these can be seen in the job property notebook in RICOH ProcessDirector.

The value of the Media property is a special case, because it depends on the setting for Media Matching:

• If Media Matching is set to Use media product ID or media name, RICOH ProcessDirector uses one of these media names as the value of the Media property for a job:
  • The name of the media object with the matching product ID specified in the job ticket.
  • The name of the media specified in the job ticket.

  RICOH ProcessDirector first checks whether the job ticket specifies a media product ID. If it does, RICOH ProcessDirector looks for a system media object with the same product ID. If RICOH ProcessDirector finds a match, it puts the name of the matching media object in the Media property for the job. If RICOH ProcessDirector does not find a match, it looks for a media object with the media name specified in the JDF job ticket. If RICOH ProcessDirector finds a match, it puts the name of the matching media object in the Media property for the job.

• If Media Matching is set to Use the properties selected below, RICOH ProcessDirector uses the media properties (such as size) listed in the job ticket to search the existing system media objects and find one that matches. When it finds an appropriate media object, the name of that object is set as the value of the Media property for the job.

  You can choose the properties that are used for Media Matching based on the needs of your installation.

  If more than one media object matches, RICOH ProcessDirector tries to determine which one is the best match based on the rest of the media properties in the job ticket, including the name of the media. If the system cannot determine the best match or if no media objects match, the job goes to Error state. You can use the Correct Media action on the job to select the media and move the job out of Error state.

If a job ticket specifies values for media and stapling, you can view and change them in the job properties notebook. On the Scheduling tab, the Media required property lists the media values for both the job and any page exceptions. The Stapling required property shows whether stapling is required. You can set the job values in the Media and Staple properties on the Scheduling tab. You can change the page values on the Page Exception tab using the Page exceptions action.

If a job ticket specifies values for sides exceptions, you can view them using the Page Exceptions action on the job. You cannot change the Sides page exceptions.

Available punching and stapling options vary from printer to printer. You can configure some RICOH ProcessDirector printers to be punch-capable or staple-capable, but you cannot configure their finishing patterns for punching or stapling. Therefore, RICOH ProcessDirector might schedule a job to a printer that does not support the punch or staple patterns that you requested. When this happens, the printer applies its best equivalent punch or staple pattern.