Method and system for matching distributed users with distributed multi-function devices
US8502996B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2009 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N2201/3278
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system for matching distributed users with distributed MFDs is disclosed, which incorporates a MFD cloud, a back end unit, and a client application. The MFD cloud is composed of a large number of geographically distributed MFDs and can be logically divided into a public cloud and a private cloud. The back end unit maintains a persistent state of each MFD associated with the MFD cloud. The client application permits the distributed users to submit a rendering job in association with a job criterion to the back end unit which responds with a sorted list of nearby available MFDs that meet the job criterion. The user can select a MFD from the list and turn-by-turn directions from a user's current location to the selected MFD can be provided for collecting the rendering job. The system data can be kept current by periodically sending a status associated with each MFD.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.