This application relates generally to presenting users with a subset of available printers for printing print jobs. The application relates more particularly to a print manager that monitors local printers and recommends one or more printers to a user based on printer status and the print job to be printed.
Document processing devices are example digital processing devices which include printers, copiers, scanners and e-mail gateways. More recently, devices employing two or more of these functions are found in office environments. These devices are referred to as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or multifunction devices (MFDs). As used herein, MFPs are understood to comprise printers, alone or in combination with other of the afore-noted functions. It is further understood that any suitable document processing device can be used.
Given the expense in obtaining and maintain MFPs, devices are frequently shared via a data network. MFPs, while moveable, are generally maintained in a fixed location. Users may send document processing jobs, such as a print request, to one or more networked devices. In a typical shared device setting, one or more workstations are connected via a network. When a user wants to print a document, an electronic copy of that document is sent to a document processing device via the network. The user may select a particular device when several are available. If the user has a large or time-sensitive print job, or print jobs that require special paper or color printouts, the user may not immediately know what other MFP resources are around them.
A user may typically use the same nearby MFP for routine print jobs. However, fault conditions such as paper jams or low toner conditions can occasionally occur. A user may not be aware of the condition until after the user has scheduled a print job to the MFP and the user attempts to retrieve the scheduled print job from the MFP, only to find that either the print job has not be completed or the result does not meet the user's requirements. The user must return to their desk, determine a suitable alternative MFP, and resubmit the print job, which wastes the user's time and negatively impacts the overall user experience. Reprinting the same documents can be wasteful of toner and paper resources and may incur higher printing costs to the company.
A system and method for monitoring and managing printers includes receiving printer status data associated with a user print job from two or more networked multifunction peripherals. Print job data is compared to the received printer status data. A multifunction peripheral for executing the user's print job is identified in accordance with the comparison.
In accordance with another aspect of the subject application, the data identifying the multifunction peripheral includes a subset of the printer status data associated with the identified multifunction peripheral.
Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:
The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods, systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such.
In accordance with the subject application,
The network server 120 stores data associated with each of the MFPs 104, 108, and 112 in a data store such as database 124. Example data can include the physical location of the MFP, whether the MFP is handicap accessible, consumable levels such as paper and toner, printer capabilities such as speed or throughput capabilities, color or black-and-white print modes, paper sizes and types, paper capacity, one or two-sided printing, stapling, and so forth, as well as costs associated with different print options.
When a user on a user computing device 128 prints a print job, the user computing device 128 sends data associated with the print job to the network server 120. The user can optionally set, or select, priorities such as handicap accessible, lowest cost, earliest estimated completion time, closest MFP, and so forth. In an embodiment, the priorities can be preset or predefined priorities, for example priorities set by a system administrator or the user. For example, as illustrated at (A), print job details and priority options are transmitted to the network server 120.
The network server 120 receives the print job details and priority options and compares that data to MFP data stored in the database 124 to determine suitable MFPs for executing the print job. The network server 120 then filters, or sorts, the MFPs based on the user priorities and sends a list of suitable MFPs back to the user computing device 128. As illustrated at (B), the list of MFPs can include details about the MFP to assist the user in choosing which MFP to use for the print job. The user can then select the appropriate MFP based on cost, time, convenience or any other suitable metric of their choosing.
For example, if the nearest MFP to the user would not be able to complete the print job, for example due to insufficient paper, the MFP may appear in the list but include an indication that the MFP would require intervention to replenish the paper before the print job could be completed. In another example, if the user attempted to execute a simple 10-page letter-size print job and the user computing device 128 included a default priority setting to use the lowest cost option, then the print job would be sent to the closest MFP to the user with the lowest cost, which might require the user to add paper to the MFP to complete the print job.
In another example, if the user selected a large color print job and the user set the priority to use the most convenient or nearest MFP that could complete the print job without user intervention, the network server 120 would prioritize a more costly MFP over a more economical MFP, but present both options to the user in the list with relevant details so the user can make an informed decision as to which MFP to use. The user can change priorities, for example by selecting cost as a priority, the network server 120 would generate a new list of MFPs accordingly.
In another example, if no MFP exists that matches the print job details, for example if the print job would require the user to load large format paper into the MFP or use the sheet bypass feed to supply the requisite paper for the print job, then a list of MFPs that most closely match the user's preferences and the print job requirements can be generated for the user. Each of the MFPs may be presented with details indicating any necessary user interactions that might need to be undertaken in order for the MFPs to complete the print job.
Turning now to
Processor 202 is also in data communication with a storage interface 208 for reading or writing to a storage 216, suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, cloud-based storage, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Processor 202 is also in data communication with a network interface 210 which provides an interface to a network interface controller (NIC) 214, which in turn provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection 220, or to a wireless data connection via wireless network interface 218. Example wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), Lightning, telephone line, or the like. Processor 202 is also in data communication with one or more sensors which provide data relative to a state of the device or associated surroundings, such as device temperature, ambient temperature, humidity, device movement and the like. Hardware monitors suitably provide device event data, working in concert with suitable monitoring systems. By way of further example, monitoring systems may include page counters, sensor output, such as consumable level sensors, temperature sensors, power quality sensors, device error sensors, door open sensors, and the like. Data is suitably stored in one or more device logs, such as in storage 216.
Processor 202 can also be in data communication with any suitable user input/output (I/O) interface 219 which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as displays, keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like.
Also in data communication with data bus 212 is a document processor interface 222 suitable for data communication with MFP functional units. In the illustrated example, these units include copy hardware 240, scan hardware 242, print hardware 244 and fax hardware 246 which together comprise MFP functional hardware 250. It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform.
Controller 201 is suitably provided with an embedded web server system for device configuration and administration. A suitable web interface is comprised of TOPACCESS Controller (sometimes referred to in the subject illustrations as “TA”), available from Toshiba TEC Corporation.
Turning now to
Referring next to
Once the print manager system receives print job details from a user computing device at decision block 408, the print manager system compares the received print job details at block 410 with information about the MFPs that is stored in the database. The print manager system determines suitable MFPs at block 412, and the print manager system sorts and filters the list of suitable MFPs at block 414 based on the user priorities such as cost, convenience, and so forth as described above.
At block 416, the filtered, sorted list of MFPs is sent to the user. In an embodiment, only the MFP that best fits the criteria is recommended to the user. In an embodiment, the list includes a subset of MFPs, for example a list of the top three MFPs that match the user criteria and print job requirements. In an embodiment, the list includes all matching MFPs. In an embodiment, the list includes the MFP that is the best match, along with one or more other MFPs that satisfy other criteria, such as lower cost options for performing the same print job, or closer MFPs that may take slightly longer to print the print job but which are more convenient to the user.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit and scope of the inventions.