Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for performing one or more printer device management functions in a network, in which affinities between printers are determined from job tracking data to indicate associations between printer devices and user devices, and the affinity data is used to perform one or more printer management functions such as determining printer connections for new or roaming user devices, print job redirection, and identification of underutilized printer device assets.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices automatically monitor printing activities of a user using a tangible processor, and automatically analyze the printing activities of the user to determine the printing history of the user over time using the tangible processor. Also, these methods, systems, and devices automatically compare the printing history with previously established printing data (using the tangible processor) to produce an analysis of user printing activity, and automatically change the appearance of a graphic screen item on a graphic user interface based on the analysis of the user printing activity. Further, these methods, systems, and devices display details of the analysis of user printing activity on the graphic user interface in response to user interaction with the graphic screen item.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for identifying potential printer failures in a networked printing enterprise, in which job tracking data is gathered for print jobs in the network, affinity data is derived from the job tracking data indicating associations between printer devices and user devices, and potential printer failures are identified based on changes in the affinity data.

Abstract: A method and system for the assessment of the office document production environment(s) in a facility, and more particularly to a client-based method and system that can be used to collect, analyze, model, optimize, and report on document output costs and efficiencies in an office environment.

Abstract: Disclose are embodiments for selecting an advantageous, feasible and suitable location for placing a selected printing device within a space. A mathematical formula identifies a most advantageous location for placing the selected printing device. Next, successive contour regions surrounding this most advantageous location are defined such that any inner contour region is considered more advantageous than any outer contour region. A mark representing the most advantageous location and contour lines indicating the successive contour regions are plotted onto a floor plan of the space. The edited floor plan is then evaluated (e.g., either visually by a user or automatically) to determine whether the mark overlaps any fixed shapes and/or restricted-use areas. If the mark overlaps a fixed shape or restricted-use area, a different location can be selected that is within a closest possible contour region without overlapping any other fixed shapes or restricted-use areas.

Abstract: A method starts when a print job is received from a workstation. The print job includes an identification of an initial printer. The method ranks the abilities of the available printers to process the print job to identify the best printer for the print job. If the initial printer is not ranked as the best printer, the method presents a question/statement to the workstation (to the user through the workstation) regarding whether to redirect the print job to the best printer.

Abstract: A print management system and method for optimizing cost associated with one or more rendering devices (e.g., printers) in a customer environment. A service cost associated with a rendering device can be included in the print management system so that end-users can have the option to perform rendering at a lower service cost rendering device when rendering a complex print document. The service cost and the rendered volume can be recorded by an asset management unit and a helpdesk unit. A real time feedback related to an alternate rendering device can be provided so that the end-user can cancel the current print job and resubmit the print document at the lower cost, comparable, reliable rendering device. Also, automatic job redirection can also be provided by automatically redirecting the rendering job to the lower cost reliable rendering device based on end-user approval or pre-approval.

Abstract: A mail relay server decodes a received command electronic message to produce and issue a command to a service manager server which is directed to a device manager server for a target printing device. The device manager server produces and issues instructions to the target printing device. If the command includes a request for the reply, the process of executing the instruction in the target printing device includes the target printing device producing and issuing, the reply to the device manager server. The device manager server collects any multi packet reply and transmits the reply to the service manager server which directs the reply to the mail relay server. The mail relay server encodes the received reply to produce and issue a reply electronic message to the requestor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for prioritizing service or maintenance of networked printers based on affinities between printers and users determined from job tracking data so that printers shared by large numbers of users or high volume printers used by only one or a few users can be serviced or maintained before other printers to provide overall printer support while mitigating user disruption due to unavailable printers.

Abstract: A computer implemented document-processing system comprises at least one processing element including a receiving component, a target-region identifying component a database and a calculating component. The receiving component electronically receives a print-job specification corresponding to at least one printable document. The receiving component electronically stores the print-job specification. The target-region identifying component operatively identifies at least one target region of a printable document of the at least one printable document. The database stores a plurality of data sources and is in operative communication with the target-region identifying component. Each data source is configured to provide printable data for printing within a target region of the at least one target region received by the target-region identifying component. The calculating component electronically calculates a plurality of prices.

Abstract: A print management system and method for optimizing cost associated with one or more rendering devices (e.g., printers) in a customer environment. A service cost associated with a rendering device can be included in the print management system so that end-users can have the option to perform rendering at a lower service cost rendering device when rendering a complex print document. The service cost and the rendered volume can be recorded by an asset management unit and a helpdesk unit. A real time feedback related to an alternate rendering device can be provided so that the end-user can cancel the current print job and resubmit the print document at the lower cost, comparable, reliable rendering device. Also, automatic job redirection can also be provided by automatically redirecting the rendering job to the lower cost reliable rendering device based on end-user approval or pre-approval.

Abstract: Disclose are embodiments for selecting an advantageous, feasible and suitable location for placing a selected printing device within a space. A mathematical formula identifies a most advantageous location for placing the selected printing device. Next, successive contour regions surrounding this most advantageous location are defined such that any inner contour region is considered more advantageous than any outer contour region. A mark representing the most advantageous location and contour lines indicating the successive contour regions are plotted onto a floor plan of the space. The edited floor plan is then evaluated (e.g., either visually by a user or automatically) to determine whether the mark overlaps any fixed shapes and/or restricted-use areas. If the mark overlaps a fixed shape or restricted-use area, a different location can be selected that is within a closest possible contour region without overlapping any other fixed shapes or restricted-use areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically reconfiguring a print driver for an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a request to print a print job from a user, wherein the print job includes one or more print job parameters, determining if the one or more print job parameters violate one or more print policies, wherein if it is determined that the one or more print job parameters violate one or more print policies, notifying the user that the one or more print policies have been violated, prompting the user to select to have the print driver reconfigured to adhere to the one or more print policies that were violated, determining if the user selected to reconfigure the print driver, wherein if it is determined that the user selected to reconfigure the print driver, reconfiguring the print driver to adhere to the one or more print policies that were violated, and sending a signal to print the requested print job.

Abstract: When an electronic message is received from a requester a mail relay server decodes the command electronic message to produce and issue a command to a service manager server. The command from the service manager server is directed to a device manager server responsible for managing the target printing device. The device manager server formats the command to be compatible with the target printing device to produce and issue an instruction to the target printing device. The target printing device then executes the instruction. If the command includes a request for the reply, the process of executing the instruction includes producing, by the target printing device, the reply and issuing the reply to the device manager server. The device manager server collects the reply if it is in many packets and transmits the reply to the service manager server. Once the reply is transmitted, the service manager server directs the reply to the mail relay server.

Abstract: A method starts when a print job is received from a workstation. The print job includes an identification of an initial printer. The method ranks the abilities of the available printers to process the print job to identify the best printer for the print job. If the initial printer is not ranked as the best printer, the method presents a question/statement to the workstation (to the user through the workstation) regarding whether to redirect the print job to the best printer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for performing one or more printer device management functions in a network, in which affinities between printers are determined from job tracking data to indicate associations between printer devices and user devices, and the affinity data is used to perform one or more printer management functions such as determining printer connections for new or roaming user devices, print job redirection, and identification of underutilized printer device assets.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for prioritizing service or maintenance of networked printers based on affinities between printers and users determined from job tracking data so that printers shared by large numbers of users or high volume printers used by only one or a few users can be serviced or maintained before other printers to provide overall printer support while mitigating user disruption due to unavailable printers.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for identifying potential printer failures in a networked printing enterprise, in which job tracking data is gathered for print jobs in the network, affinity data is derived from the job tracking data indicating associations between printer devices and user devices, and potential printer failures are identified based on changes in the affinity data.

Abstract: A method and system for the assessment of the office document production environment(s) in a facility, and more particularly to a client-based method and system that can be used to collect, analyze, model, optimize, and report on document output costs and efficiencies in an office environment.