Automated input/output job distribution through the use of mobile input/output bins

• US 20030139844A1
• Filed: 01/24/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Carlson, Gerard J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,681,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/213
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1261 by using alternate printing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1291 Pool of printer devices: self-managing printing devices in a network, e.g. without a server
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1292 Mobile client, e.g. wireless printing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0032 with a medium handling apparatus, e.g. a sheet sorter handling thin or filamentary material, e.g. sheets B65H
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00567 Handling of original or reproduction media, e.g. cutting, separating, stacking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0062 Removing sheets from a stack or inputting media
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00631 Ejecting or stacking H04N1/00641 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

This invention relates to self-propelled, mobile input/output bins (MIOB). Such structures of this type, generally, allow the MIOB to provide an automated input/output job distribution. For example, the MIOB can be used to transfer a print job to a scanner so that the print job can be scanned and forwarded.

Claims

1. A method for automated input/output job distribution, comprising the steps of:

detecting an input/output job at a first consumable handling device;

interacting between said consumable handling device and a self-propelled, mobile input/output bin; and

transferring the job to a second consumable handling device through the use of said bin.

2. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said detecting step is further comprised of the step of:

contacting a data center of said input/output job.

3. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said detecting step is further comprised of the step of:

scanning/monitoring said first consumable handling device to detect said input/output job.

4. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said first and second consumable handling devices are further comprised of:

a printer.

5. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said first and second consumable handling devices are further comprised of:

a printing device.

6. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said method is further comprised of the step of:

outfitting said bin w it h a locking means.

7. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said detecting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly detecting said input/output job.

8. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said interacting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly communicating between said first consumable handling device and said bin.

9. A method for passively automating an input/output job distribution, comprising the steps of:

detecting an input/output job at a consumable handling device;

contacting a self-propelled, mobile input/output bin; and

sending said bin to said consumable handling device in order to transfer the job to a second consumable handling device through the use of said bin.

10. The method, as in claim 9, wherein said first and second consumable handling devices are further comprised of:

a printer.

11. The method, as in claim 9, wherein said fist and second consumable handling devices are further comprised of:

a printing device.

12. The method, as in claim 9, wherein said method is further comprised of the step of:

outfitting said bin with a locking means.

13. The method, as in claim 9, wherein said detecting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly detecting said input/output job.

14. The method, as in claim 9, wherein said contacting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly contacting said bin.

15. A method for actively automating an input/output job distribution, comprising the steps of:

scanning/monitoring a first consumable handling device by a self-propelled, mobile input/output bin;

detecting an input/output job at said consumable handling device by said bin; and

transferring said job to a second consumable handling device through the use of said bin.

16. The method, as in claim 15, wherein said first and second consumable handling devices are further comprised of:

a printer.

17. The method, as in claim 15, wherein said first and second consumable handling devices are further comprised of:

a printing device.

18. The method, as in claim 15, wherein said method is further comprised of the step of:

outfitting said bin with a locking means.

19. The method, as in claim 15, wherein said detecting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly detecting said input/output job.

20. The method, as in claim 15, wherein said scanning/monitoring step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly contacting said consumable handling device.