Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for recording asset tracking parameters in networked devices. One method includes providing a workflow that includes at least one processing mechanism, associating at least one parameter with the processing mechanism, processing at least a portion of a data file according to the workflow using the processing mechanism, and recording information regarding the parameter. Information regarding the parameter(s) may be recorded within a resulting processed data file that is saved. Thus, the processed data file may include a metadata portion that includes the information regarding the parameter(s). The method also includes selectively retrieving the information regarding the recorded parameter(s) from the resulting processed data file. In other implementations, the method may include providing information regarding the parameter(s) to a database and thereafter selectively retrieving such information from the database.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for printing a document stored on a remote computer using an information appliance. The method includes providing a connection between an information appliance and a remote computer, wherein the remote computer stores one or more documents, and receiving synchronization information from the remote computer. The synchronization information includes one or more reference information, where each reference information identifies a document stored on the remote computer. The method also includes displaying the reference information on an information appliance display, receiving a print request for one or more documents selected from the displayed reference information, and, responsive to receiving the command to print, transmitting a print request to a nearby printer. The system includes an information appliance that is synchronized with reference information identifying the documents stored on a remote computer.

Abstract: A universal printing system of the present invention is provided for remotely accessing and printing documents on any internet addressable printer. The universal printing system includes at least one remote communication device (RCD), a printer object or “remote printer”, and a network addressable device linked to the RCD and the remote printer. The network addressable device is constructed of various software components or processes operating on a communications network, such as the Internet for example. The network addressable device includes a document storage assembly and a universal remote interface assembly linked to the document storage assembly and the printer object. The universal remote interface assembly receives a document command from the RCD via a document command message sent in a SMTP code structure. The document command is provided for accessing the document storage assembly and for transmitting a print job command to the printer object in an internet addressable protocol code structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing processing operations on documents by external processing routines are provided. A representative system includes a processing link identifier that identifies a document containing at least one processing link to the external processing code. An invoker is used to invoke a processing engine that modifies the document using the external processing routine. A representative method operates by acquiring a processing link in the document and using the processing link to invoke a processing engine. The processing engine is then used to modify the document.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring resource usage in a networked computer system that includes client systems, a resource server and system resources accessible to the resource server. A client system issues a resource job requiring use of a system resource wherein the resource job includes job instructions directing the resource to perform an operation and job data to be operated upon by the resource in performing the operation. The client system forwards the resource job to the resource server, which directs the job instructions and job data to a resource that returns corresponding job result information to the resource server. A job processor in the resource server forwards the resource job to the resource and extracts job attribute information identifying system resources to be used in executing the resource job.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods that facilitate the automatic organization and collection of electronic information accessed or communicated by a computer user are provided. One embodiment of the system automatically monitors the type and content of electronic files, such as web pages, emails, and other sources for content that are accessed, received, or transmitted by a user. The system then analyzes this information and determines keywords or categories of information included in each content source. The content sources are then classified and referenced in one or more databases for future rapid access.

Abstract: A central print system in which print jobs are directed to a particular print resource based on a set of print job attributes specified by an end user at the time the print job is submitted. The central print system provides intent-based printing which allows the end user to specify the end result of the printing operation rather than initially selecting a print resource. A print job manager processes the print job using the end user selected print job processing attributes to select the appropriate print resource from a group of networked print resources. An attribute registers a set of job processing attributes for each print resource servicing a single print queue and provides a list of available print job attributes to each client computer on the network from which an end user specifies particular job attributes to define a desired end result for a print job. The attribute manager periodically updates the job processing attribute list as print resources are added to or deleted from the network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for recording asset tracking parameters in networked devices. One method includes providing a workflow that includes at least one processing mechanism, associating at least one parameter with the processing mechanism, processing at least a portion of a data file according to the workflow using the processing mechanism, and recording information regarding the parameter. Information regarding the parameter(s) may be recorded within a resulting processed data file that is saved. Thus, the processed data file may include a metadata portion that includes the information regarding the parameter(s). The method also includes selectively retrieving the information regarding the recorded parameter(s) from the resulting processed data file. In other implementations, the method may include providing information regarding the parameter(s) to a database and thereafter selectively retrieving such information from the database.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing processing operations on a document by a external processing routine. In architecture, the system includes a processing link identifier that identifies a document containing at least one processing link to the external processing code. An invoker is used to invoke a processing engine that modifies the document using the external processing routine. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for operating on a document by external processing routines that can operate on the document. The method operates by acquiring a processing link in the document and using the processing link to invoke a processing engine. The processing engine is then used to modify the document.

Abstract: A universal printing system of the present invention is provided for remotely accessing and printing documents on any internet addressable printer. The universal printing system includes at least one remote communication device (RCD), a printer object or “remote printer”, and a network addressable device linked to the RCD and the remote printer. The network addressable device is constructed of various software components or processes operating on a communications network, such as the Internet for example. The network addressable device includes a document storage assembly and a universal remote interface assembly linked to the document storage assembly and the printer object. The universal remote interface assembly receives a document command from the RCD via a document command message sent in a SMTP code structure.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for printing a document stored on a remote computer using an information appliance. The method includes providing a connection between an information appliance and a remote computer, wherein the remote computer stores one or more documents, and receiving synchronization information from the remote computer. The synchronization information includes one or more reference information, where each reference information identifies a document stored on the remote computer. The method also includes displaying the reference information on an information appliance display, receiving a print request for one or more documents selected from the displayed reference information, and, responsive to receiving the command to print, transmitting a print request to a nearby printer. The system includes an information appliance that is synchronized with reference information identifying the documents stored on a remote computer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for promoting communications between a web-enabled digital imaging device and an on-line digital imaging services site are provided. In accordance with embodiments of the system, the device at least includes a microcontroller for executing client-ware and memory for storing a set of information defining a user profile. The user profile includes identification and preference information that is utilized to establish a connection between the device and the imaging services site, and to automatically perform certain imaging services.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods that facilitate the automatic organization and collection of electronic information accessed or communicated by a computer user are provided. One embodiment of the system automatically monitors the type and content of electronic files, such as web pages, emails, and other sources for content that are accessed, received, or transmitted by a user. The system then analyzes this information and determines keywords or categories of information included in each content source. The content sources are then classified and referenced in one or more databases for future rapid access.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for locally storing on a local Point Of Presence (POP) an online service hosted on a remote host computer. The method includes providing a local point of presence for receiving a request to access an online service, and determining if the requested online service is locally stored on the local point of presence. The method also includes, in response to determining that the requested online service is not locally stored, downloading at the local point of presence the requested online service from a remote host computer hosting the requested online service and storing the downloaded online service on the local point of presence. The system includes a service caching system coupled to a POP and a POP cache. The POP receives a request to access an online service. The service caching system determines if the requested online service is locally stored in the POP cache.

Abstract: A purchasing system of the present invention is provided for buying consumer items from a communications network business through a communications network based on purchasing information gathered from a user environment in accordance with parameters provided by a user. The purchasing system includes a monitoring unit linked with the user environment and a purchasing unit linked with the monitoring unit. The monitoring unit obtains the purchasing information from the user environment in accordance with the user parameters. The purchasing unit generates a consumer item order by assessing the purchasing information. The purchasing system further includes a trader unit linked with the purchasing unit and the communications network. The trader unit selects a communications network business for the consumer item order.