SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PRINT MANAGEMENT
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of print management initiated upon detection of a print job requested by an end-user, said method comprising:
- (a) obtaining information about the print job and the end-user to create a print situation;
(b) applying a set of business rules to the print situation to create a candidate set of zero or more business rules;
(c) applying a set of meta-rules to the candidate set of business rules to choose zero or more business rules to fire;
(d) if a business rule is chosen to fire, applying an action associated with the chosen business rule;
(e) observing a user response to the action; and
(f) recording the print situation, the candidate set of business rules, the meta-rules matched, the business rule chosen, and user response, all to a print usage database.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-implemented print management system and method includes the application of business rules to a print situation, and the application of meta-rules to the business rules to choose zero or more business rules to fire. The meta-rules may suppress the business rule or modify actions associated with a business rule. The actions associated with a business rule may include one or more of the following: present information to the user, request information from the user, request a choice or decision by the user, or allow, modify or deny the print job. The print situation, the chosen business rule and the user interaction may be recorded to a print usage database, which may be used in subsequent print situations.
77 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of print management initiated upon detection of a print job requested by an end-user, said method comprising:
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(a) obtaining information about the print job and the end-user to create a print situation; (b) applying a set of business rules to the print situation to create a candidate set of zero or more business rules; (c) applying a set of meta-rules to the candidate set of business rules to choose zero or more business rules to fire; (d) if a business rule is chosen to fire, applying an action associated with the chosen business rule; (e) observing a user response to the action; and (f) recording the print situation, the candidate set of business rules, the meta-rules matched, the business rule chosen, and user response, all to a print usage database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A server-based print management system comprising:
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(a) a business rule database, (b) a meta-rules database; (c) a print usage database; and (d) a communication interface configured to communicate with a client based system comprising a client print system, a rules engine, a usage data collector, and a user interface; (e) wherein the usage data collector is configured to observe end-user print behavior and record it to the print usage database, and the rules engine is configured to analyze a print job situation by applying business rules to the situation, and meta-rules to the applied business rules and situation. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A client based print management system for use with a client print system, said print management system comprising:
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(a) a rules engine; (b) a usage data collector; (c) a user interface; and (d) a communication interface configured to communication with a server based system comprising a business rules database, a meta-rules database, and a print usage database; (e) wherein the usage data collector is configured to create a print situation and observe end-user behavior, and record information to the print usage database, and wherein the rules engine is configured to receive the print situation and apply business rules to the situation, and apply meta-rules to the applied business rules and the situation, and if a business rule is chosen to fire, execute an action associated with the chosen business rule, the action as modified by the application of the meta-rules thereto.
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Specification