Abstract: A system for printing target data from a web application used through a browser of a client computer that is operatively connected to a web server providing the web application. The system includes a client computer having a browser for using the web application, a web server for providing the web application, a web application content for providing the web application on the browser, and a print destination server specified by the user for printing the target data. The web application content further directs the browser to the print destination server responsive to user print selection.

Abstract: A replaceable print cartridge includes a container and a memory coupled to the container. The memory is configured to limit use of printing material that is to be contained in the container.

Abstract: A bidding service may be used to receive bid information to complete a job request, from processors coupled to a job ticket service center. The processors submit bids in response to posting of job ticket notices at the service center. A work flow controller may post the job ticket notices after receipt of the job request. The job ticket notice may include specific tasks or branches that must be completed to complete the job request. The job ticket notice may include descriptions of specific branches and their interrelationships in sufficient detail to allow the processors to bid for completion of the branches. The bidding service may select bids from the processors based on set criteria. For example, the job request may specify minimum performance requirements (e.g., a maximum cost and a completion deadline). The bidding service may reject any bids that fail to satisfy the minimum performance requirements.

Abstract: Example systems, methods, computer-readable mediums, and other forms of a secure foreign enterprise printing system are provided. An example system may include a wireless telephonic logic for communicating with a wireless network web services provider and a wireless network communication logic configured to communicate a print request to the wireless network web services provider using the wireless telephonic logic. The print item may be stored in a first enterprise and may be printed on an image forming device that is located in a second enterprise. The example system may also include an encryption logic configured to facilitate providing security for the print item as it travels from the first enterprise to the image forming device.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is capable of providing distributed imaging capability to a user of a multi-function peripheral. Document creation, manipulation, editing, and output are provided by the present invention. Document design and image data are associated with the originating user. Generic access instructions cause associated document data to be retrieved or stored in accordance with the present invention. A multi-function peripheral is used to obtain and store at least a portion of image data. Multiple documents and output devices may be employed to accomplish the requesting user's needs. Further, interactive graphical printing configuration and monitoring may be utilized.

Abstract: A method and systems for saving a facsimile message to a personal image repository as a facsimile image in a format compatible with multiple computer operating systems for use with an identity-based imaging system.

Abstract: In a web-based imaging environment, a user accesses a destination service representing a production device, which retrieves user's imaging data and configures available processing job options. The user selects production options, after which the destination service estimates the time required to process user's job. The user is provided an option of reserving a deferred start time for the processing job. If the user opts to reserve, then a deferred start time is selected, avoiding periods when the production device is unavailable, for example when previously reserved, and user's job is stored until the deferred start time. Advantageously, resources for the job are estimated, reserved, and monitored, displaying until deferred start time. Other jobs cannot consume these resources, which are reported with a warning message as if already consumed, whenever a reserved resource is depleted to a quantity insufficient for the deferred processing.

Abstract: A system and method for authorizing electronic messages is provided. One embodiment of the system includes message receiving logic that determines whether a received message comes from an authorized sender based on a pre-assigned token. In another embodiment, a message transmission logic configures a message with a pre-assigned token for transmission to a destination address. The present system and method allows for improved control of electronic messages.

Abstract: Methods and systems enable devices to discover each other when the devices are in a common location. Unique identifiers (UIDs) are associated with one or more location and each UID uniquely identifies a location. Devices that are located in a particular location that has a UID can register to create an association between the device and the UID. In turn, this creates an association between the device and a location. Subsequently, when another device (e.g. a laptop computer or PDA) enters the location, the device can discover the UID of the location and then ascertain which other devices are associated with that location.

Abstract: To control concurrent access problems, the job ticket service may employ branch locking features, that is, the capability to lock a job ticket at the branch level. The branch locking may be accomplished by one of several methods. The work flow controller may assign one or more specific processors to perform the tasks identified with the branch to be locked. Where more than one processor is authorized access to the same branch, the job ticket service may lock the branch when one of the authorized processors actually acquire the branch. The job ticket service may lock the branches by setting a lock/unlock flag for each branch. Processors accessing the job ticket may then review the lock/unlock flag status to determine if the branch may be accessed. In some circumstances, the job ticket service may allow access only to those branches that are unlocked. A processor that has completed a task defined by the branch may need to have the branch unlocked in order to modify the branch.

Abstract: System and method for printing to a printer without the use of a print drive.

Abstract: A client configurable web based imaging page redirector method, system and program product, comprising the steps of: storing a redirector reference to redirector software; obtaining content to be processed and accessing the redirector reference and directing a browser to the redirector software; and determining via redirector software at least one destination reference to a desired web page destination or web based imaging service.

Abstract: Methods and systems for converting imaging data so that grayscale representations are eliminated are described. In accordance with one embodiment, imaging data is represented in a print format. The print format is a format that can be understood and used by a printer that is to print the imaging data. The print format is processed in a manner such that any representations within the print format that would result in a grayscale other than pure black or pure white being printed are modified. Modification of the print format can ensure that only black or white appear on a printed page, without any grayscale values therebetween. In one embodiment, a document conversion service for converting grayscale to either pure black or pure white is provided in a network environment and can be accessed and utilized by users via a network such as the Internet.

Abstract: This invention relates to a Web-based imaging system that provides print job time estimates. Such systems of this type, generally, tell the user, prior to printing, how long it will take the target printer to print the print job, as expected.

Abstract: A web based imaging destination service requests web content from its paper handling accessories for a represented printing device and incorporates this content into the web content that it downloads into the client browser. In some embodiments, the printing device's destination service does not understand the web content coming from the accessory but simply integrates that content into the content it downloads. In some embodiments, the destination service synthesizes web content that is influenced by the accessories of the represented printing device. In a variation, the content coming from the accessory includes executable content. In a further variation, the executable content includes a means of collecting and conveying settings back to the printing device. In yet another variation, the accessory actually contains its own destination server that is accessed through the printing device's destination server.

Abstract: In a web-based imaging environment, a user accesses a destination service (e.g.,representing a printer), which retrieves user's imaging data production options for a processing job. The user selects desired production options, after which the destination service estimates the time duration required to process the user's job based on the selected options. If the estimated time required is greater than a predetermined threshold, the option of processing is disabled and a message is normally displayed to the user. If not, the option to process is enabled. In variations, the user's ability to process is reevaluated as the user selects differing options. In other variations, an administrator specifies the threshold, or specifies multiple user-specific thresholds, and/or thresholds specific to time of day and/or day of week and/or month. In another variation, if the user cannot process to this production device, a link to an alternative device is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus facilitate printing N collated copies of a document on a printer, where N is an integer greater than one. The method detetermines whether the printer has sufficient capacity to print N collated copies of the document. If the printer has insufficient capacity to store one copy of the document, then the method performs the following step N times: sending a single copy of the document to the printer. The capacity may be memory to store one copy of the document in print ready form. The apparatus comprises a memory, a spooler connected to the memory, a status agent and a control logic connected to the spooler and the status agent. The memory is configured to store the document. The spooler is configured to send an outgoing print job to the printer. The status agent is configured to receive from the printer information regarding whether the printer has sufficient capacity to collate the document. The control logic controls the spooler on the basis of this information.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product for printing comprising the steps of: receiving a print designation to print a document; receiving a description of graphics contained in the document; obtaining one of the graphics; determining if a preprocessed form of the graphic is available for reuse, and if so, retrieving the processed data therefor from preprocessed graphics storage; and formulating a print job.

Abstract: A system for remote installation of software is utilized to install peripheral software associated with a device driver during the installation of the device driver for a selected peripheral. In particular, a user installs a device driver for the selected peripheral installed from a remote computer. As part of the installation process, the device driver is configured to self-initialize and invoke an initialization entry point. The initialization entry point may be configured to point to a driver initialization description file which is read by the device driver. The initialization description file includes a name of the peripheral software and an installation method for the peripheral software. This information is utilized by the device driver to install the peripheral software according to the listed installation method.

Abstract: A system and method for providing links to services available to an operably connected local computer over a network. The present invention includes a thin portal service for finding services available to the local computer, a thin portal service web content created by the thin portal service for returning links to the discovered available services, and a web browser installed on the local computer for displaying the thin portal service content.