Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for federation among cloud print services. Based upon identification data and location data received from a user device, a primary cloud print service determines the best document processing device for output of a document. The primary cloud print service uses trusted relationships with other cloud print services, established via secure sharing of information, to allow for transparent printing across clouds to any device registered by the user or available and proximate to the user's location.

Abstract: A music recognition method and system for retrieving metadata based on content associated with a media file. The system includes a music recognition plug-in module associated with a music management unit that communicates with a centralized music repository. The unknown media file may be scanned for collecting a snippet and sent to the music repository in response to a user request for identifying metadata associated with the unknown media file. The music management unit responds to the user with a matching set of standardized metadata, one or more potentially matching sets of data, or an indication that no match is made. The unidentified media file can be made available to the user via a Web interface associated with a socialized music server in order to populate the repository with the standardized metadata.

Abstract: A method for printing web-based content via a cloud print service includes: a) receiving a print request at an interface server of a print interface service, the print request associated an interface record adapted to store a print URL linked to an original URL with web-based content desired to be printed via a cloud print service; b) obtaining the web-based content associated with the original URL from a host server; and c) sending a job request and the obtained web-based content to the cloud print service for printing the desired web-based content. The interface server may include a controller, a consumer user communication module, a storage device, a print content communication module, and a cloud print communication module. The method may include receiving a record request requesting assignment of the print URL and identifying the original URL, assigning the print URL, and storing the print URL, original URL, and link.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for federation among cloud print services. Based upon identification data and location data received from a user device, a primary cloud print service determines the best document processing device for output of a document. The primary cloud print service uses trusted relationships with other cloud print services, established via secure sharing of information, to allow for transparent printing across clouds to any device registered by the user or available and proximate to the user's location.

Abstract: An information management and distribution method and system for updating contact information over a network. A plug-in associated with a cloud-based back-end unit interacts with a Web application. A virtual card comprising a set of pluggable user interface components associated with the plug-in can be displayed in a user interface associated with the Web application. The contact information with respect to a user can be updated and automatically distributed to other users associated with the Web application that is configured with the virtual card plug-in module. The back-end unit can be employed to keep track of the contact information in a database and provide management functions associated with the data via a Web services application programming interface. A hard copy version of the virtual card can also be rendered utilizing a variable data composition engine and a rendering technology.

Abstract: A method for printing web-based content via a cloud print service includes: a) receiving a print request at an interface server of a print interface service, the print request associated an interface record adapted to store a print URL linked to an original URL with web-based content desired to be printed via a cloud print service; b) obtaining the web-based content associated with the original URL from a host server; and c) sending a job request and the obtained web-based content to the cloud print service for printing the desired web-based content. The interface server may include a controller, a consumer user communication module, a storage device, a print content communication module, and a cloud print communication module. The method may include receiving a record request requesting assignment of the print URL and identifying the original URL, assigning the print URL, and storing the print URL, original URL, and link.

Abstract: A system and method for managing customer color orders associated with at least one printer device, including a processor and a supply control module including a series of programmable instructions executable by the processor for: receiving color usage data from the at least one printer device indicative of consumption of one or more of a plurality of color toners; calculating for each printer device of the at least one printer device a permissible amount of each color toner of the plurality of color toners that can be ordered for the printer device by a customer based on a contract; and receiving a customer color order request for selectively ordering an amount of one or more color toners of the plurality of color toners for a printer device of the at least one printer device under the contract.

Abstract: A reviewer opens or imports a document into a document viewer. The reviewer can then create various annotations to the document. The reviewer then has the option of assigning each annotation to a specific recipient or group of recipients. The document viewer can be implemented as a centralized application where recipients to whom annotations have been assigned are notified that a document is available for viewing. Upon receipt of this notification, recipients can log on to the document viewer to view the document containing the annotations specific to each recipient. Alternatively, the document viewer can be implemented as a stand-alone application where recipients to whom annotations have been assigned are sent the document showing only those annotations intended for each specific recipient.

Abstract: A system and method for managing customer orders associated with at least one printer device for consumable supplies under a contract. The method includes receiving printer usage data from at least one printer indicative of consumption of at least one consumable supply and calculating for each printer device based on the received print usage data associated with the printer device an allowed amount of at least one consumable supply that can be ordered for the printer device by a customer based on a contract. The method further includes receiving a customer order request for ordering an amount of a consumable supply for a printer device under the contract; determining whether the requested amount exceeds the allowed amount calculated for the consumable supply for the printer device, and limiting the amount of the requested consumable supply which can be ordered when the determination is positive.

Abstract: A music recognition method and system for retrieving metadata based on content associated with a media file. The system includes a music recognition plug-in module associated with a music management unit that communicates with a centralized music repository. The unknown media file may be scanned for collecting a snippet and sent to the music repository in response to a user request for identifying metadata associated with the unknown media file. The music management unit responds to the user with a matching set of standardized metadata, one or more potentially matching sets of data, or an indication that no match is made. The unidentified media file can be made available to the user via a Web interface associated with a socialized music server in order to populate the repository with the standardized metadata.

Abstract: An information management and distribution method and system for updating contact information over a network. A plug-in associated with a cloud-based back-end unit interacts with a Web application. A virtual card comprising a set of pluggable user interface components associated with the plug-in can be displayed in a user interface associated with the Web application. The contact information with respect to a user can be updated and automatically distributed to other users associated with the Web application that is configured with the virtual card plug-in module. The back-end unit can be employed to keep track of the contact information in a database and provide management functions associated with the data via a Web services application programming interface. A hard copy version of the virtual card can also be rendered utilizing a variable data composition engine and a rendering technology.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing image quality of a printer device's output is provided. The method includes receiving by a processor, via a network from a remote node of the network, a service incident report. The incident report includes an indication of a type of the printer device the printer device being disposed along the network at a location remote from the processor. The method further includes accessing by the processor a storage device storing a collection of test patterns, selecting by the processor a test pattern from the collection of test patterns based on the type of the printer device, wherein the test pattern is configured as input that the printer device can receive and output corresponding printed output, and transmitting by the processor the selected test pattern for the selected test pattern to be provided as input to the printer device.

Abstract: A system and method for managing customer orders associated with at least one printer device for consumable supplies under a contract. The method includes receiving printer usage data from at least one printer indicative of consumption of at least one consumable supply and calculating for each printer device based on the received print usage data associated with the printer device an allowed amount of at least one consumable supply that can be ordered for the printer device by a customer based on a contract. The method further includes receiving a customer order request for ordering an amount of a consumable supply for a printer device under the contract; determining whether the requested amount exceeds the allowed amount calculated for the consumable supply for the printer device, and limiting the amount of the requested consumable supply which can be ordered when the determination is positive.