System, method and computer program product for implementing a print services network
US8885190B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 2010 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2206/1508
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed are embodiments of a system, method and computer program product for implementing a federated print services network. The embodiments provide a central server that receives external print job requests from customers and, optionally, any backlog of internal print job requests from a participating print shop or any internal print job requests that are outside a participating print shop's current printing capabilities or that exceed the participating print shop's supply inventory. The server can selectively distribute those requests amongst the participating print shops in the network for fulfillment. Distribution is based on printing equipment utilization records in order to balance printing equipment utilization across the network and, if necessary, on printing capability records and/or supply inventory records. Thus, for participating print shops, the embodiments provide a means for increasing equipment utilization percentages during downtimes and, thereby a means to subsidize the cost of ownership. They also provide a means for abating any backlog of print job requests and fulfilling, as necessary, any internal print job requests.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.