Foreword

At the end of my first three years at ESIEE, I did training period at Océ in Venlo from April to August 1999. I pursued two main goals with this stage: staying for a long time in a foreign country, and finding a technically interesting experience.

Océ completely filled them. With a business consisting in designing, manufacturing and marketing of high technology printing and copying products, Océ is a leading Information Technology company. By working at its biggest research center in Venlo, the Netherlands, I found the experience I searched.

During these five months, I worked on developing a communication system between one of the successful Océ printers and an Océ's new application developed in Java. This report, written for Océ and ESIEE people, describes this work.

Many people helped me to achieve this assignment. First I want to thank Robert Timmers, who, in addition of being my mentor, helped me a lot in many areas, from administration to housing. Thanks also to André Verhaegh, who was my first contact in Venlo, and who made everything possible. I don't forget Jean- Claude Longo, who answered "yes, why not" when I asked him if it could be possible to do the stage in Venlo.

Many people at Océ gave me technically help and answered my questions, directly or by e-mail. In particular, I must thank Duncan Stiphout and Peter Teeuwen. Thanks to Helene Chahine for helping me on design issues.

I can not quote everybody here, but I thank all people from the team in Venlo and in Créteil, and everybody in the 3A52 and 3A05 rooms. Finally, I don't forget everyone from whose I have eaten a piece of "vlaai" a day!

Vincent Oberlé, August 1999

Contents

NOTA: For confidentiality reasons, some part of the report can not be put online. Sorry for the inconvenience.

1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose and scope of this document
1.2 Place of the training period
1.3 Abbreviations and definitions

2 Océ Presentation
2.1 Profile
2.2 A short history of Océ
2.3 Some figures
2.4 Business review
2.4.1 Wide Format Printing Systems
2.4.2 Document Printing Systems
2.4.3 Production Printing Systems
2.4.4 Imaging Supplies
2.5 Research & Development (R&D)
2.6 Océ in France

3 School Presentation And Context
3.1 The ESIEE Group
3.2 ESIEE: Graduate School in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
3.3 Training period context

4 Assignment Context
4.1 Device management application project
4.1.1 Product characteristics
4.1.2 Technical overview
4.2 The Océ 3165
4.2.1 Digital copying
4.2.2 Network printing
4.2.3 Mailbox
4.2.4 Client software
4.2.5 Administration
4.2.6 Printing technology
4.3 Backchannel communication

5 Assignment Approach And Process
5.1 Assignment approach
5.1.1 Two step approach
5.1.2 Planning
5.2 Assignment process
5.2.1 Problem and possible solutions study
5.2.2 First conclusions
5.2.3 The requirements
5.2.4 Technologies study
5.2.5 Prototyping
5.2.6 Design
5.2.7 Implementation
5.2.8 Tests
5.2.9 Documentation
5.2.10 At last

6 Personal Experience
6.1 Technically
6.2 Working in English
6.3 Working in an Information Technology company

7 Last Words

1 Introduction

The assignment presented in this document consisted in developing a communication library between the Océ 3165 Network Printer and Java applications. This training period took place from the beginning of April to the end of August (five months).

1.1 Purpose and scope of this document

For Océ printers, transparent access from the user's desktop computer is a must-have feature. Aimed printers include the Document Printing Systems made for the office environment market and the successful Océ 3165 Network Copier. Providing 3165 access to Java applications was the goal of this assignment.

This document aims at describing to people at Océ and at ESIEE the context of the assignment, the work that was done and my personal experience. Special attention is given to explanations of choices. This document is not a technical reference.

People inside Océ can find more information in the Product Description document that describes precisely the library architecture and how to use it. Other technical information exists also be found in the JNI Technical Information document that summarizes some JNI development methods. Finally, the comparison of different solutions to access the 3165 and the library requirements documents are also good sources of additional information.

The report gives first some general information about Océ and ESIEE. Further chapters describe the technical context and the component that was developed. The assignment process with its planning is also given. Finally, the report is concluded with my personal experience.

1.2 Place of the training period

The assignment took place in the main Research and Development center of Océ, in Venlo, the Netherlands.

The head office of Océ N.V. is at St. Urbanusweg 43, Venlo, the Netherlands

Contact information:

Postal address:	P.O. Box 101,
	5900 MA Venlo, the Netherlands
Phone:	(+31) 77-359 22 22
Fax:	(+31) 77-354 47 00

1.3 Abbreviations and definitions

JNI	Java Native Interface
JVM	Java Virtual Machine
SNMP	Simple Network Management Protocol
VPS	Virtual Printer Server

2 Océ presentation

The head office of Océ is located in Venlo, the Netherlands. Most of the research, production and international marketing activities are also concentrated in Venlo, within the central operating company Océ-Technologies BV. The Océ Group also has research centers and manufacturing facilities in Germany, France and the United States.

2.2 A short history of Océ

Océ was founded in 1871 when Lodewijk van der Grinten, a chemist of Venlo, started research on the production of butter- coloring agents. Océ's document-copying activities only started in 1920 with blueprint paper fabrication. In 1923, Océ decisively improved the process known as diazo printing, which produced colored lines on white paper. The Océ name derived from the German words "ohne Componente" (without component). To make the abbreviation O.C. easier to pronounce, the "é" was added later.

In 1935, Océ made a significant innovation in copying with the RetOcé process, which allowed copies to be made of non- translucent originals. The dominance of this copying method persisted until the first electrophotographic copying machines arrived on the market in 1956, but by then Océ had already begun developing other products. Océ introduced in 1970 its first plain-paper office copier and in 1983, its first wide-format plain- paper copier. In 1973, Océ developed a revolutionary reprographic technology, the Océ Copy Press System, the only alternative to xerographic technology.

In addition to increasing its product line, the Océ Group expanded as a worldwide company over the years with many mergers, first with European countries, then in the US. In 1989, Océ acquired the large plotter activities of the French company Schlumberger. Once called Océ-Graphics, these activities now fall under the auspices of the Océ Engineering Systems Business Unit. This merger strengthened Océ's position in the engineering market as well as bringing new technologies such as automation and digitalization. Océ has now subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Spain, Brunei, Portugal, Finland, etc. In 1996, Océ joined its forces with Siemens Nixdorf Printing to form Océ Printing Systems.

Now Océ develops color reproduction machines for both the engineering and office markets, as well as scanners and digital copiers, printers, plotters and combined printer-copiers.

2.3 Some figures

Based in Venlo, the Netherlands, Océ has operating companies in 30 countries and is active in 80 countries.

There are nearly 21,000 employees in the world, and the turnover in 1998 was greater than NLG 6 billion (18 billion FF). 57% of this turnover was made in Europe and 37% in the USA. 6% of the turnover is used in Research and Development, with a staff of 1,600.

2.4 Business review

Océ market, but also its organization is divided in 4 business units.

2.4.1 Wide Format Printing Systems

Wide Format Printing Systems (WFPS) are printers designed for the CAD markets (large format printing and copying). Océ has a leading position in this market. In 1998, their revenues, including services and supplies, increased by about 6% to NLG 1,700 million.

Analogue copiers still have an important role to play in providing extra capacity possibilities combined with machines in networked environments. However, the total number of diazo and analogue plain paper machines in the market is declining.

Since the introduction in 1993 of the first digital printer/copier/plotter (the Océ 9500), Océ is a leader in the wide format digital market. It was further consolidated with the launch of the Océ 9800 and the Océ 9400. These machines have a very wide range of applications. They serve as multi-functional production units, which scan, print and copy and in many cases also play a central role in archiving.

Currently, a growing proportion of sales consists of software applications and upgrades. For instance, in 1998, Océ launched the Reprodesk and Reproexec software applications. They are programs for controlling and managing document flows.

2.4.2 Document Printing Systems

Document Printing Systems (DPS) are printers and copiers that would print generally A4 paper format and are used by administration department for example. In the market for Office Systems, Océ's revenues increased by 19% to NLG 2,833 million. This was mainly attributable to the enormous demand for the Océ 3165 digital printer/copier. Océ therefore grew faster than the market, especially in the United States. The Océ 3165 had a major share in that growth.

The shift from analogue to digital can also be clearly seen in the Office Systems market. There is also a move of the attention from the machine itself and to complete solutions in digital environments.

2.4.3 Production Printing Systems

The business unit Océ Production Printing Systems (PPS), which combines the production, sale and service of printers for both the medium volume and the high volume, grew by 5% in 1998, achieving revenues of NLG 1,533 million.

Before, at the end of 1997, Océ presented the fastest system in its range, the Océ PS 1060 twin, which has a speed of 1,060 pages per minute.

2.4.4 Imaging Supplies

Imaging Supplies consist of all printers' furniture. In this market, Océ's revenues increased in 1998 by 3% to NLG 928 million.

2.5 Research & Development (R&D)

Océ's R&D cover a lot of complex areas. Océ currently has over 1,600 R&D employees (about 8% of total workforce) and invests around 6% of its revenue in R&D. The expansion into digital technologies needs major research efforts.

Moreover, after digital machines have been launched, and unlike analogue machines, their development is basically never completely finished. Digital machines contain a big amount of embedded software. There are also an important number of software applications that are regularly upgraded.

Océ's R&D largely consist of young people attracted by the leading-edge nature of the research work, by the open structure and by working together in multidisciplinary teams. To meet the great need for trained developers, Océ launched its own training program in 1997.

In 1998 some 250 new employees strengthened the R&D. Cooperation between the various R&D establishments within Océ (in the Netherlands, France, Germany and the United States) gradually increases, despite the differences in culture in the various countries.

2.6 Océ in France

Océ France S.A. head office is in Noisy le Grand (93). In 1997, there were 1050 employees and the turnover was 1,4 billion FF. There are two factories in Guérande (44) and Châteauroux (36), one research and development center in Créteil (94), and 24 regional commercial offices.

For more information about Océ:
http://www.oce.com/

3 School presentation and context

As a French student working in Dutch company, it seems important to give some information about my school, the ESIEE, and in which context this training period took place.

3.1 The ESIEE Group

The ESIEE Group, a Center for Advanced Technical and Scientific Education, was set up in 1961 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry to train engineers capable of adapting to the ever-changing needs of today's industry. Currently, the ESIEE Group is an important education and research center. It is located in Marne-La-Vallée, 20 km from Paris.

3.2 ESIEE: Graduate School in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

In France most graduate engineers are educated at higher education institutions such as ESIEE known as "Grandes Ecoles". These institutions are noted for their highly selective admission procedures and intensive curricula.

The aim of ESIEE is to provide industry with high-level graduate engineers. Admission is through competitive examination. 150 students are accepted each year into a 5-year program, which focuses on research and expertise needed in industry. The graduates obtain the "Diplôme d'Ingénieur" accredited by the Education Department and equivalent to a Master's degree.

After 3 years of studying common core subjects covering mathematics, physics, electronics, computer science, economics, and foreign languages, students major in one of the four main fields:

• communications, signal processing and microwaves,
• electronics and microelectronics,
• computer engineering,
• control systems.

ESIEE's international program enables at least 60 % of its students to spend between 4 months and 2 years abroad.

For more information about ESIEE:
http://www.esiee.fr/eng/index.html

3.3 Training period context

This training period takes place after the first three years of common study. The ESIEE program offers the possibility to students, who finished the common part earlier, to get a professional experience during the last term of the third year.

4 Assignment context

Skiped for confidentatility.

4.2 The Océ 3165

The Océ 3165 is a digital copier and a network printer. It is one of the most successful Océ's products, with many interesting characteristics.

4.2.1 Digital copying

The 3165 can be used like a normal copier. Its user panel displays all the required settings. Many functions are automated, such as automatic calculation of zoom factors based on the indicated output size.

It has automatic input from A5 to A3, a 100,000-copy toner reservoir, automatic size detection of originals, 25% to 400% zooms, etc.

4.2.2 Network printing

The 3165 can be connected to a network. The user can then print directly from his or her computer. Characteristics of the printing are 62 impressions per minute, 600x600 dpi quality. All machine functions are remotely programmable from a PC.

4.2.3 Mailbox

Jobs submitted via the network can be temporarily stored in the Digital Mailbox of the 3165. Once at the copier, users locate their job in the Digital Mailbox (in the copier's user panel display) and select the job to be printed.

The Digital Mailbox concept prevents the mixing of jobs and provides "secure printing" for confidential documents.

4.2.4 Client software

The 3165 is provided with a client software installed on individual users' PCs, just like a normal print driver. But it offers more access to the 3165 functionality than a driver.

Printing options include number of copies, printing from any one of four paper trays, printing to the upper output tray (for A3, A5 and heavy materials), duplexing, stapling, covers, margin shift, security-code printing, mailbox printing, binding (long or short edge), etc.

The client software allows users to print directly to the 3165 or to the Digital Mailbox.

• With direct printing, jobs come to and leave the Océ 3165 on a first-in, first-out basis.
• Jobs to the Digital Mailbox are only printed out when confirmed at the machine itself.

The Network Copy Control System of the 3165 is a system for monitoring document flow. It allows to record exactly how a company or department copies and/or prints, or to restrict access to the device.

There also interesting print-on-demand capability: for instance, a class manuscript can be stored on the 3165 hard disk. Students can then print this manuscript and pay for it via a coin or credit card.

4.2.6 Printing technology

Digital copying with the Océ 3165 is more reliable than traditional copying because the handling of originals is simple and safe.

Each original document is scanned only once. The resulting digital information is stored temporarily in the Océ 3165's set memory, with capacity for up to approximately 560 A4 originals. All reproduction occurs from this memory. That means fewer originals handling, and less chance of problems.

Virtually all other copiers on the market - both analogue and digital - are based on the traditional xerographic process. Despite its wide usage, xerography has one great shortcoming: to make a copy, the toner must 'jump' from the photoconductor to the paper via a powerful electrostatic charge.

This is a dubious jump. It results in less than perfect toner adhesion, as well as toner pollution in the machine and on copies. The electrostatic charge is also a source of ozone.

The Océ Copy Press actually "presses" the image onto the paper with heat and pressure. The result is consistently high quality for many impressions.

4.3 Backchannel communication

An important characteristic of a device management applications is to be able to provide feedback to the user about the printers and about his or her jobs.

As a framework for device management applications should be capable to address a wide range of Océ products, even Document Printing Systems, my assignment was to give to Lombok access to the 3165.

More precisely, the assignment consisted in studying how it is possible to interface a Java application like this device management software with the Océ 3165. The second step was to develop a backchannel component with a working prototype. Depending on the quality of the solution, it is planned that the backchannel component would be integrated later in the device management software.

Feedback or backchannel communication means all kind of information a user can ask to a printer, or a printer can send to a user. This includes for instance "the paper level of the second paper tray is low", or "a job has been printed", or even for an administrator asking the printer which network protocols are installed on the copier.

6 Personal experience

This part tries to explain what I derive from these five moths at Océ.

6.1 Technically

What was really satisfying with this training period was the opportunity to see many different technologies.

There is a bit SNMP, which is a good complement for an Internet protocols culture.

A deeper study was COM components. It is an interesting technology, with some really good ideas, like the way there is no need to support heritage to develop a component model. Nevertheless, compared to the JavaBean model for instance, developing a COM component is difficult and many wizards are needed.

By the way, the C++ development on the Windows platform was instructive too. But it generates a lot of frustration. There are many APIs that do almost the same, but not exactly. To develop a little application without à la Visual Basic wizards, a developer already needs to have a good knowledge of Windows APIs.

The Java platform becomes bigger and more complete each day and one of its relevant part is the native interface. JNI is a good technology to interface easily large amount of code in another language to a Java application, such as business logic code. Nevertheless, it may be not the best solution if a lot of interaction between the Java application and the native code is needed, such as in component-based application. A lot of glue code is then necessary, and it can have some impact on performances. More essential, it makes everything more difficult to debug and to maintain. It is a good think to verify if it is not easier and better to rewrite everything in Java.

Finally the last interesting discover was a part of UML modeling. Until now, I was never confronted with it. In fact, UML is only a standardization of what most people already did when they needed to develop a big object-oriented application. But apart from this standard which facilitates communication between teams, the most interesting in the UML language are the tools that come with it. Rational Rose for instance is really useful to put “on the screen” the design you have in mind. Then again, it was a self-taught UML introduction by practice and probably studying now the complete theory would be a good thing.

6.2 Working in English

This may be amusing, but it was important to prove to me that I am able to work and communicate entirely in English.

Of course, this period in an almost English environment helped to improve my language level and to become more fluent, but maybe the most important is it makes me realize that understand, speak and write in English is not difficult.

Actually, living five months in country of which you do not speak the native language is an interesting experience. It is important to be friendly enough so that people are prone to make the effort to speak English.

6.3 Working in an Information Technology company

I particularly appreciated this training period because Océ is an important actor of the Information revolution. Despite e-mail and Internet development, paper still remains the preferable way of most of the communication. Being a part of this research process was quite exciting.

It was interesting to see how Océ integrates itself in the Internet mutation of the whole industry. Océ conducts a lot of technology watching. It is really concerned by the development of new protocols like IPP, the Internet Printing Protocol.

After my precedent experience in a little French Internet start-up, the comparison with a more than centenarian company is interesting too. Océ can not have the same reactivity than a start-up with only a few employees, but Océ is able to cope with new technologies. The Internet revolution, Java or XML are not only vague ideas at Océ.

7 Last words...

What can I say more than I am very satisfied with my five months at Océ?

Océ is quite a pleasant company to work for, leading its domains, and with excellent working conditions. I really appreciated it.

This stage was technically interesting. I have discovered a lot of new interesting domains, and put my other knowledge into practice. Culturally too, it was really benefiting. I still have a lot to learn about Dutch culture, but I think I now had a good approach of Dutch R&D working habits.

Even less estimable is the personal value of this period. Not only I am more confident with English, but also more generally, I think the "new release of myself" improved a lot since April 99.