Abstract: During processing of job documents in a document processing workflow, execution of the workflow is stopped at a previously defined first sequentially processed node until no more of the job documents can be directed to the first sequentially processed node by the workflow. Then, the job documents that have been stopped at the first sequentially processed node are arranged in a document order, and the sequentially processed nodes are executed for each of the multiple job documents that have been stopped (and such job documents are processed one at a time through the sequentially processed nodes). Thus, execution waits until an immediately previous one of the job documents (in the document order) has finished processing at a previously defined last sequentially processed node before starting processing an immediately subsequent one of the job documents (in the document order) at the first sequentially processed node.

Abstract: During processing of job documents in a document processing workflow, execution of the workflow is stopped at a previously defined first sequentially processed node until no more of the job documents can be directed to the first sequentially processed node by the workflow. Then, the job documents that have been stopped at the first sequentially processed node are arranged in a document order, and the sequentially processed nodes are executed for each of the multiple job documents that have been stopped (and such job documents are processed one at a time through the sequentially processed nodes). Thus, execution waits until an immediately previous one of the job documents (in the document order) has finished processing at a previously defined last sequentially processed node before starting processing an immediately subsequent one of the job documents (in the document order) at the first sequentially processed node.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments illustrate methods and systems for managing virtual machines in a distributed computing environment. The method includes determining an estimated execution time for each job type in one or more jobs received from users and subscribing to virtual machines from the distributed computing environment to execute jobs of each type. The virtual machines are subscribed based on service level agreement (SLA) terms, quality of service (QoS) metrics, and/or the estimated execution time. Further, an actual job execution time for each job executed on an associated subscribed virtual machine is monitored. Thereafter, one or more under-performing virtual machines are identified based on the actual execution time, the estimated execution time, and a tolerance value for each type of job. The one or more under-performing virtual machines are released, while a new set of virtual machines are re-subscribed, such that the SLA terms and the QoS metrics are met.

Abstract: Methods and systems herein determine the relative order in which tasks of a workflow are performed based on verified directional processing links of the tasks. This determines the relative processing order of collection tasks based on the directional processing links. These methods and systems further identify which of the collection tasks to perform in parallel based on which of the collection tasks do not use output from other collection tasks. Additionally, these methods and systems determine the relative processing order of each group of tasks. Tasks in the same group provide output to the same collection task. Also, such methods and systems identify which tasks to perform in parallel based on which tasks do not use output from other the tasks within the same group.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments illustrate methods and systems for managing virtual machines in a distributed computing environment. The method includes determining an estimated execution time for each job type in one or more jobs received from users and subscribing to virtual machines from the distributed computing environment to execute jobs of each type. The virtual machines are subscribed based on service level agreement (SLA) terms, quality of service (QoS) metrics, and/or the estimated execution time. Further, an actual job execution time for each job executed on an associated subscribed virtual machine is monitored. Thereafter, one or more under-performing virtual machines are identified based on the actual execution time, the estimated execution time, and a tolerance value for each type of job. The one or more under-performing virtual machines are released, while a new set of virtual machines are re-subscribed, such that the SLA terms and the QoS metrics are met.

Abstract: A method for providing software updates. The method comprises selecting an eligible population for a software update from a target population and distributing the software update to the initial eligible population. Thereafter, use and error information is gathered and the size of the eligible population is adjusted according to a stability calculation based on the gathered information. This process is repeated until the entire target population for the update has received the update.

Abstract: A verification system includes at least one printing device utilizing paper having an electronic data storage device attached thereto. Each electronic data storage device has identification information stored therein. A quality control reader device senses the identification information stored in the electronic data storage devices. The identification information of each printed page is associated with the print job. After all of the printed pages of the print job are assembled, the identification information of the assembled printed pages is read and compared to the identification information of the pages associated with the print job to determine if the print job is complete and correct.

Abstract: Apparatus preventing unauthorized copying of a document includes a secure document reproducing system having a document input device to receive and reproduce the secure document. A reader device detects an electronic data storage device affixed to the document and reads authorization information stored therein. A user wishing to copy the secure document inputs authorization information into a user interface module. The authorization information from the user is compared to the authorization information retrieved from the electronic data storage device, and if the two are identical, the secure document is reproduced.

Abstract: A method for providing software updates. The method comprises selecting an eligible population for a software update from a target population and distributing the software update to the initial eligible population. Thereafter, use and error information is gathered and the size of the eligible population is adjusted according to a stability calculation based on the gathered information. This process is repeated until the entire target population for the update has received the update.

Abstract: A production workflow integration system for a print shop includes multiple workstations, a printing device and a computer in communication with at least one of the workstations and the printing device. Each workstation includes a data collection module having at least one of an electronic data storage device reader. The printing device prepares a job ticket for each print job to be produced by the print shop. The computer stores print job instructions for the print job on an electronic data storage device attached to the job ticket and stores the identification information of the electronic data storage device in a field of a print job record in a database stored in the computer.

Abstract: A location based notification system for a shop having multiple components that are susceptible to a fault event includes an electronic data storage device and a fault event sensor apparatus associated with each susceptible component. The electronic data storage device has identification data for the associated component stored therein. Operators carry a portable device having an electronic data storage device reader and a memory. The fault event sensor apparatus generates fault event data when a fault event occurs in the associated component and transmits the fault event data to the electronic data storage device or the portable device. The data stored in the electronic data storage devices is read with an electronic data storage device reader of the portable device as the operator moves through the shop.

Abstract: A locating system for an archive having multiple objects stored therein includes an RFID reader device having an RFID reader to detect and read RFID tags on the objects. A central processing unit includes a database to store information on each object in the archive, a location engine operating system in communication with the RFID reader device, and a data structure to store a relative position of each object in the archive relative to each other object in the archive. A method of locating an object within an archive containing multiple objects includes carrying an RFID reader device through the archive. The RFID reader device queries each RFID tag for the identifier associated with the RFID tag and determines whether each identifier is an old identifier stored in a memory or a new identifier not stored in the memory.

Abstract: A system for maintaining displayed pricing at retail stores includes a computer, a printer, an EDSD reader or an EDSD reader/encoder, and at least one portable EDSD reader. The computer includes a database having a record of each product for which displayed pricing will be maintained. Each such record includes a unique identifier for the product and the current price for the product. The printer is in communication with the computer, and is adapted to generate printed pricing material on EDSD enabled media. The EDSD reader or EDSD reader/encoder is associated with the printer. Printed pricing material is generated by obtaining the current price from the product record in the product pricing database, printing the current price on EDSD enabled media, and associating an identifier stored in the EDSD with the product. The printed pricing material is then installed in the store.

Abstract: A location based notification system for a shop having multiple components that are susceptible to a fault event includes an electronic data storage device and a fault event sensor apparatus associated with each susceptible component. The electronic data storage device has identification data for the associated component stored therein. Operators carry a portable device having an electronic data storage device reader and a memory. The fault event sensor apparatus generates fault event data when a fault event occurs in the associated component and transmits the fault event data to the electronic data storage device or the portable device. The data stored in the electronic data storage devices is read with an electronic data storage device reader of the portable device as the operator moves through the shop.

Abstract: A production workflow integration system for a print shop includes multiple workstations, a printing device and a computer in communication with at least one of the workstations and the printing device. Each workstation includes a data collection module having at least one an electronic data storage device reader. The printing device prepares a job ticket for each print job to be produced by the print shop. The computer stores print job instructions for the print job on an electronic data storage device attached to the job ticket and stores the identification information of the electronic data storage device in a field of a print job record in a database stored in the computer.

Abstract: A verification system includes at least one printing device utilizing paper having an electronic data storage device attached thereto. Each electronic data storage device has identification information stored therein. A quality control reader device senses the identification information stored in the electronic data storage devices. The identification information of each printed page is associated with the print job. After all of the printed pages of the print job are assembled, the identification information of the assembled printed pages is read and compared to the identification information of the pages associated with the print job to determine if the print job is complete and correct.

Abstract: An automated notification method comprises detecting an event requiring a notification to a user, determining a level of urgency of the event, selecting a notification method (from predetermined user-specified notification methods) based on the level of urgency of the event, performing the notification method, and dynamically changing the notification method depending upon a change in the level of urgency of the event and upon user response.