Abstract: A method and apparatus for notifying a user of an attempted secure print job release from an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a secure print job and secure print job instructions from a user, wherein the secure print job instructions include at least a pass code and the user's contact information, determining if a pass code has been entered for the user's secure print job, wherein if it is determined that a pass code has been entered for the user's secure print job, determining if the entered pass code is correct, wherein if it is determined that the entered pass code is correct, sending a signal to print the secure print job and notifying the user in accordance with the user's contact information that the secure print job has been printed, otherwise, notifying the user in accordance with the user's contact information that an unauthorized user attempted to print the secure print job.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deleting secure print jobs sent to an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a secure print job and secure print job delete instructions from a user that include a secure print job expiration time, setting a secure print job delete timer based on the secure print job expiration time, determining if the secure print job delete timer has expired, wherein if it is determined that the secure print job delete timer has expired, deleting the secure print job, otherwise determining if the secure print job has been printed, wherein if it is determined that the secure print job has been printed, the secure print job delete timer is set to zero.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for notifying a user of an attempted secure print job release from an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a secure print job and secure print job instructions from a user, wherein the secure print job instructions include at least a pass code and the user's contact information, determining if a pass code has been entered for the user's secure print job, wherein if it is determined that a pass code has been entered for the user's secure print job, determining if the entered pass code is correct, wherein if it is determined that the entered pass code is correct, sending a signal to print the secure print job and notifying the user in accordance with the user's contact information that the secure print job has been printed, otherwise, notifying the user in accordance with the user's contact information that an unauthorized user attempted to print the secure print job.

Abstract: An electronic network transaction recording system for accumulating billing data for printing machines interconnected to multiple work stations on the network. A network administrator includes a memory for storing data representing usage of selected printers and a decoder for validating a print job request and a billing account number. Requests for print jobs are verified and billed to an individual or group billing account number.

Abstract: A plurality of multifunction devices each having a facsimile function are connected together in a networking arrangement. Upon receipt of a job requiring a facsimile function, such a device initially checks its queues to determine whether there are any current facsimile jobs in the queues which would delay the transmission of the just-received job. If there are none, the job is transmitted in accordance with the device job priority control arrangement. If prior facsimile jobs are present in the queue, the device checks, via its network connection, other networked devices having facsimile capability from a preprogrammed list thereof, to determine whether any of the devices are not busy. In such a case, the job, with facsimile control instruction and data, is transferred to the non-busy facsimile for transmission.

Abstract: A method of automatic notification to selected remote devices in response to machine conditions detected by a machine monitoring element including displaying machine condition options for selection of predetermined machine conditions for automatic notification to remote stations, selectively programming the predetermined machine conditions for notification to the remote locations, monitoring the operation of the machine, determining a machine condition to be a condition to require a notification to the remote locations, and automatically initiating a notification to the remote locations on a priority basis including notification to a first remote station in response to a first machine condition and notification to a second remote station in response to a second machine condition detected by the machine monitoring element.

Abstract: A method of presetting the time for automatically checking a machine and making quality adjustments in the machine by an image quality monitoring element including the steps of providing a plurality of presetting time options on a screen display of a user interface, selecting a set of preset times to initiate checking the machine by the image quality monitoring element, storing in the controller the set of preset times to initiate checking the machine by the image quality monitoring element, and responding to the set of preset times to activate the image quality monitoring element.

Abstract: A method of automatic notification to a selected remote notification device in response to the machine conditions detected by the machine monitoring element including displaying machine condition options for operator selection of predetermined machine conditions for automatic notification to a remote station, selectively programming the predetermined machine conditions for notification to the remote location, monitoring the operation of the image processing apparatus relative to forming images on the medium, determining a machine condition to be a condition to require a notification to the remote location, and automatically initiating a notification to the remote location, the notification including a designation of the image processing apparatus and the type of machine condition.

Abstract: Sheet handling apparatus for transporting sheets to and from a flat surface comprising an endless belt movably supported around at least two support members to define a belt transport run across and parallel to said flat surface, said endless belt having a top and bottom layer of flexible material, and a layer of tubes sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer, the layer of tubes interlocking along a predetermined plane to provide rigidity to the belt transport in a first direction and flexibility to the belt transport in a second direction.