Abstract: Disclosed is a printer for receiving a print job from a document processing device The print job including a preamble section, print data describing a single copy of a document and a trailer section. The trailer section including a command indicating the number of copies that are to be printed. The printer is adapted to receive the print job and operates to print the copies indicated by the command.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus allow a client to manage job attributes and processes using a job ticket service. The job ticket service allows access and modification of a job ticket by multiple users on a network. The method and apparatus use a network-accessible job ticket to relate to a specific job or content. The content may be stored on the network and maybe accessed by multiple job tickets. Storage and management of the job ticket are transparent to the user. The job ticket is stored in a common location in the network. The job ticket remains in the same location in the network, and users access only that portion of the job ticket required to complete a designated process. Security measures may be added to limit access to those users designated as being allowed to access the job ticket and the job file. The job ticket may include a service ID that relates the job ticket back to the originating job ticket service.

Abstract: A system and method is described for preparing imaging data for servicing imaging data stored in a personal imaging repository by a requested web service operably connected to a computing device requesting the service. The present invention includes a computing device for requesting service with the requested web service, a personal imaging repository associated with a particular user profile for storing imaging data that is to be accessed by the requested web service, user information for allowing access to the personal imaging repository, and a requested web service for servicing the imaging data stored in the personal imaging repository. The personal imaging repository is an exchange infrastructure between the imaging data and available web services on the Internet.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively transferring imaging data from a digital camera to a personal imaging repository located on a client computer connected to a web server computer providing a camera web service via the Internet, which includes a personal imaging repository associated with a particular user for storing imaging data that is to be accessed by requested web services, a camera content for storing selected imaging data from the digital camera onto the personal imaging repository responsive to user selection, and a camera web service for providing the camera content and transferring the selected imaging data from the digital camera to the personal imaging repository. The personal imaging repository acts as an exchange infrastructure between the imaging data and available web services.

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: Representing prodution devices on a computer network. In one embodiment, the invention involves hosting an interface for one or more production devices. Each interface provides user accessible controls for selecting production options for a document. The interface for a selected production device is provided to a client upon request.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring scanned imaging data from a scanning device to a personal imaging repository. The present invention includes a scanning device capable of reading information encoded items, such as smart cards for scanning imaging data, a personal imaging repository associated with a particular user for storing imaging data that is to be accessed by requested web services, an item for storing user information relating to the personal imaging repository, and a device firmware for storing scanned imaging data from the scanning device into the personal imaging repository, which is an exchange infrastructure between the imaging data and available web services on the Internet.

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 system and method for sending, via email, imaging data stored in a personal imaging repository located on a computer connected to an email web server providing an email web service. The present invention includes a personal imaging repository for storing imaging data that is to be accessed by requested web services, an email web content for emailing selected imaging data stored in the personal imaging repository responsive to user selection, such that the email web content is generated by the email web server and available for transferring to a browser. An email web server for providing the email web content and transferring the selected imaging data to a recipient mail server is further included. The personal imaging repository is an exchange infrastructure between the imaging data and available web services on the Internet.

Abstract: A job ticket service allows clients to define databases, and to store data though the job ticket service. The databases may be used to hold contact lists, addresses, and other personal data. The databases may also be used to store any other generic data. The databases could then be used in conjunction with a variety of e-services provided by the processors. For example, an e-mail processor that provides e-mail services may be used in conjunction with a personal contact list to send e-mail messages, transfer electronic files, or to establish a chat room. The e-mail processor may access the contact list at predefined intervals to send e-mail messages to a select group of e-mail addressees. Furthermore, because the service center provides a single portal to processors that are coupled to the communications network, the client need not have any knowledge of the database structure, or the processing requirements of the processors.

Abstract: A job ticket service center includes features to provide security and to control access to a job ticket and related resources. The service center may include programming or servers to authenticate a processor and to authorize the processor to access a particular job ticket. An authentication server receives authentication information from a processor and an authorization server uses the information to check authorization functionality. The authorization or access rights of the processor may be carried as a part of the job ticket. Using these features, the service center may provide trusted authentication information about the processor to the authorization server, and the authorization server then performs its authority check functions. The job ticket maybe signed with an industry standard public key encryption message digest (MD) signature, and may be protected by a public key encryption system.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing imaging data for printing to a requested web service from an application loaded on a user's computing device. The present invention includes an imaging client computer having a web browser for printing from the application to the requested web service, a personal imaging repository associated with a particular user for storing imaging data that is to be accessed by the requested web service, and a capture driver for preparing the imaging data for transfer to the personal imaging repository. The personal imaging repository is an exchange infrastructure between the imaging data and available web services on the Internet.

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: The present invention provides an improved for providing a history list of existing imaging compositions having links to imaging data that is serviced as a single unit that can be later retrieved by the user associated with the history list. The present invention includes a history list of existing imaging compositions, which has links to imaging data that are serviced as a single unit. The present invention further includes a personal imaging repository having a composition store for storing the history list and the existing imaging compositions, and it acts as an exchange infrastructure between the imaging data and available web services on the Internet. The composition store of the personal imaging repository also maintains the history list.

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: This invention relates to a Web-based imaging system that provides print job assurance. Such systems of this type, generally, warm the user, prior to printing, whether or not the print job will be able to be printed, as expected.

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: This invention relates to a Web-based imaging system that provides a print preview. Such systems of this type, generally, allow the user to preview the print job prior to printing of the print job. In particular, if the media to be printed upon is non-white, the system will provide the user with a view of how the print job will look on the non-white media.

Abstract: This invention relates to a web-based imaging system that provides print job assurance. Such system of this type, generally, warn the user, prior to printing, whether or not the print job will be able to be printed, as expected.