Abstract: Printer-based pre-ripping and caching of network documents allows an indication of a network document to be forwarded to a printer prior to a request to print the network document being received. This allows the network document to be converted to a print-ready format, and the converted document to be used for printing if a print request is subsequently received. Additionally, network documents can be cached at the printer (either in print-ready format or not in print-ready format) and the cached documents used for printing.

Abstract: A system to retrieve information pertaining to an imaging apparatus. The system includes an imaging apparatus having an information retrieval signal generator configured to generate an information retrieval signal. The system further includes a communication device connectable to an information network. The system has a processor configured to execute a series of computer executable instructions, and a memory device containing an information retrieval program. The information retrieval program includes a series of computer executable instructions to detect the information retrieval signal. In response to detecting the information retrieval signal, the information retrieval program directs the controller to retrieve from the information network, via the communication device, information pertaining to the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: Printer-based pre-ripping and caching of network documents allows an indication of a network document to be forwarded to a printer prior to a request to print the network document being received. This allows the network document to be converted to a print-ready format, and the converted document to be used for printing if a print request is subsequently received. Additionally, network documents can be cached at the printer (either in print-ready format or not in print-ready format) and the cached documents used for printing.

Abstract: In one respect, the invention pertains to a method for shifting a cost associated with operating a device. The method includes executing an agreement to shift the cost associated with operating the device and measuring a consumable resource utilized by the device. The method further includes determining a cost associated with the utilized consumable resource and shifting the cost from a user of the device to a provider of the device. In another respect, the invention utilizes a system for performing the above mentioned method.