Abstract: A system for determining an average walk distance for a plurality of users of print-related services may include a processor, a processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processor and an output device in communication with the processor. The processor-readable storage medium may include programming instructions for identifying a plurality of print-related services in a facility and identifying a total number of users associated with the plurality of services. For each identified user, the processor-readable storage medium may include programming instructions for identifying the services used by the user, determining a usage level associated with the services, determining a distance between the user and the service, determining an average walk distance for the users and displaying, on the output device, the average walk distance.

Abstract: A file storage system includes one or more document input devices and a processor communicating with both a memory and the one or more document input devices. The processor executes a software application stored on the memory to separate a sensitive portion of a document from an insensitive portion of a document. A first type of cloud storage includes one or more storage devices in operable communication with the one or more document input devices. The first type of cloud storage is configured to store one or both of the separated portions with a level of encryption agreed upon by a user. A second type of cloud storage includes one or more storage devices in operable communication with the one or more document input devices. The second type of cloud storage is configured to store the insensitive portion of a document based on a consent of the user.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling automated task preemption, including a plurality of multifunctional devices having a plurality of functional capabilities; and a processing module configured to: (i) separate the tasks requiring the plurality of functional capabilities into the tasks requiring a first category of capabilities and the tasks requiring a second category of capabilities, where the tasks requiring the first category of capabilities has a higher processing priority than the tasks requiring the second category of capabilities; and (ii) selectively process the tasks requiring the first category of capabilities before the tasks requiring the second category of capabilities regardless of arrival times of the tasks requiring the plurality of capabilities; wherein the tasks requiring the second category of capabilities that are preempted by the tasks requiring the first category of capabilities are rescheduled to be completed within a predetermined time period of completion.

Abstract: A method and system including a plurality of multifunctional devices being operatively associated with at least one controller and each having a preset amount of preloaded consumables at a time of initial use; and a software application for enabling at least one user to access the plurality of multifunctional devices, the software application being configured to receive information from a prepaid card, the information including a financial value relating to usage of some of the preset amount of preloaded consumables in the plurality of multifunctional devices; wherein the financial value of the prepaid card is applied by the at least one user across the plurality of multifunctional devices in any desired uniform or non-uniform financial proportions in accordance with usage determinations; and wherein the at least one user is enabled to pay for access to the plurality of multifunctional devices in time staggered installments without pre-established contractual obligations.

Abstract: A system and related method for selectively controlling use of functionality in one or more multifunction devices includes a communications interface in operative communication with a printer and/or a display apparatus. The communications interfaces electronically communicates data with the printer and/or the display apparatus. The data includes a data structure configured to present an advertisement. The data may be print data or image data. The communications interface is operatively associated with an advertisement-credit component which can generate a credit value corresponding to the advertisement. The advertisement-credit component can subsidize multi-function device costs based upon a presented advertisement, e.g., the cost of printing, scanning, faxing, and related consumables including inks, toners and/or papers. The advertisement credit component authorizes use of a predetermined amount of a function with the credit value that corresponds to the advertisement.

Abstract: A method and system is provided including a plurality of multi-function devices being operatively associated with at least one controller. Each of the plurality of multi-function devices having time staggered payment support capabilities for enabling at least one user continued access to the plurality of multi-function devices. A detecting module is provided for enabling the plurality of multi-function devices to automatically detect, inspect, and verify at least one authorization code located on incoming print jobs. The method and system enable the at least one user to pay for continued access to the plurality of multi-function devices via time staggered installments without one or more of the plurality of MFDs directly accessing a payment center via a network connection and without manually supplying the at least one authorization code to the plurality of multi-function devices.

Abstract: A method and system including a plurality of multifunction devices (MFDs), the method and system further including a storage station having geographically separated MFDs for permitting users to store information generated by the plurality of MFDs in operable communication with the locale aware DFS; wherein the information is stored on a plurality of storage stations based on a weighted undirected graph generated from a plurality of dynamically monitored user behaviors, required level of replications, and selection rules to pick the points of storage.

Abstract: A method and a system for storing, accessing, and retrieving data, the printing system including a plurality of multifunction devices (MFDs) in operable communication with a network, the plurality of MFDs configured to be positioned in different geographical locations; and a memory device for automatically storing the data generated by the plurality of MFDs; wherein an authorized user is enabled to print a document via a print request from a first MFD of the plurality of MFDs and then retrieve the document at any of the other MFDs on the network without re-sending another print request from the first MFD.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling and executing jobs in a decentralized multifunction device (MFD) network is provided. The method includes receiving at an origin node of the network of MFDs a job, where the job includes data and a request to perform an operation on the data. MFDs of the network are selected to execute the requested operation on at least a portion of the job data. Portions of the job data are apportioned to the selected MFDs for processing thereof by executing the requested operation. The selecting and the apportioning are performed using historical information related to previous performance and reliability of the MFDs of the network.

Abstract: A system for determining an average walk distance for a plurality of users of print-related services may include a processor, a processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processor and an output device in communication with the processor. The processor-readable storage medium may include programming instructions for identifying a plurality of print-related services in a facility and identifying a total number of users associated with the plurality of services. For each identified user, the processor-readable storage medium may include programming instructions for identifying the services used by the user, determining a usage level associated with the services, determining a distance between the user and the service, determining an average walk distance for the users and displaying, on the output device, the average walk distance.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for providing targeted advertising to a user of a printer assembly having at least one printer device and having data communication capabilities. The printer assembly may include a grid which includes a plurality of printers that share resources and workloads. The aggregator server includes a processor for receiving and storing ad generation criteria from at least one advertiser, receiving target information from at least one printer assembly, and executing a series of programmable instructions. The instructions provide for matching the received target information with stored ad generation criteria, generating ads when a match is found, and delivering ads to the printer assembly for output to a user. Delivery or use of the ad may be verified. Charges may be levied on the advertiser for verified ads and the printer assembly may be credited accordingly, e.g., for subsidizing operating costs associated with the printer assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically organizing devices in a network are disclosed. Information may be collected for a plurality of devices in a predetermined area over a predetermined period of time. The information may include device location information and device information for one or more user groups. Each user group may include one or more users. An average preference for each user group may be determined for each device based on the device usage information. The plurality of devices may be organized automatically into a plurality of clusters based on at least the determined average preferences. Each cluster may include one or more devices.