METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TONER-DRIVEN PRINTER CONTROL

Disclosed herein are economical methods and apparatuses for controlling a printer based on whether there are toner stations designated as “special toner stations.” Specifically, a printer running a print job is controlled based on whether a hold jobs mode is enabled only for the special toner stations. If the hold mode procedure is not enabled, printing is then allowed. If the hold jobs mode is enabled only for special toner stations, the identity of the installed toner is determined. Additionally, if the hold mode procedure is enabled, the print job is subjected to additional procedures before being allowed to print. These additional procedures may include determining if any predefined attributes exist for the job ticket and automatically applying these attributes, placing the print job into a “hold status,” permitting manual changes to be made to the print ticket, and forwarding notification of the print job upon its completion.