Patent attributes
A cache memory system and method for printers is described. In one exemplary implementation, a system includes a printer, memory, an input buffer and a control system. The memory contains one or more prior print job elements referenced by one or more previous print job tickets that were previously processed by the printer. The input buffer receives a new print job ticket referencing one or more new print job elements. The control system searches memory for any prior print job elements matching the one or more new print job elements referenced by the new print job ticket. The control system downloads one or more new print job elements not matching any of the one or more prior print job elements from a remote site. This permits the printer to retrieve the one or more prior print job elements that match the one or more new print job elements from memory instead of having to retrieve them from the remote site.