Print job allocation system
First Claim
1. A print job allocation system comprising:
- a plurality of data input devices for allowing a plurality of printing plant customers to input print job data concerning a requested print job;
a first data transmission network;
a plurality of printing plants connected to each other via the first data transmission network for printing the requested print job, each of the plurality of printing plants having a plurality of printing machines contained therein and each printing plant including a second data transmission network which is different from said first data transmission network, each of the second data transmission networks in each respective printing plant being arranged to interconnect said plurality of printing machines located in each respective printing plant;
whereinsaid first data transmission network is connected to the plurality of data input devices and to the second data transmission networks of said plurality of printing plants for receiving the print job data input by the printing plant customers via the data input devices and transmitting the print job data to said second data transmission network of at least one of the plurality of printing plants for printing the requested print job.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A print job allocation system interlinks customers of a plurality of printing plants located throughout the world and a plurality of printing plants located throughout the world. The system includes a network for connecting the printing plant customers and a plurality of printing machine control devices controlling a plurality of printing machines in the plurality of printing plants. The system also includes a print job processor which receives print job data from the printing customers and printing machine data from the printing machine control devices. The print job processor processes the data received and allocates print jobs by matching desired print job requirements to available printing machine capacity and capabilities. Using various print job criteria, the print job processor selects one or more printing machines from one or more printing plants which provide for optimum use of the world-wide printing machines and optimum performance of the printing and distribution of the printed products.
101 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A print job allocation system comprising:
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a plurality of data input devices for allowing a plurality of printing plant customers to input print job data concerning a requested print job; a first data transmission network; a plurality of printing plants connected to each other via the first data transmission network for printing the requested print job, each of the plurality of printing plants having a plurality of printing machines contained therein and each printing plant including a second data transmission network which is different from said first data transmission network, each of the second data transmission networks in each respective printing plant being arranged to interconnect said plurality of printing machines located in each respective printing plant;
whereinsaid first data transmission network is connected to the plurality of data input devices and to the second data transmission networks of said plurality of printing plants for receiving the print job data input by the printing plant customers via the data input devices and transmitting the print job data to said second data transmission network of at least one of the plurality of printing plants for printing the requested print job. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of allocating at least one requested print job to at least one of a plurality of printing plants which are connected to each other via a first data transmission network, each of the plurality of printing plants having a plurality of printing machines connected therein and each including a second data transmission network which is different from said first data transmission network, each of the second data transmission networks in each respective printing Plant being arranged to interconnect said plurality of printing machines in each respective printing plant, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving print job data relating to the at least one requested print job; comparing the print job data to printing plant data relating to each of the plurality of printing machines in each of the plurality of printing plants; selecting at least one of a plurality of printing machines located in at least one of the plurality of printing plants to complete the requested print job based on the step of comparing the print job data to the printing plant data; and transmitting the print job data via the first data transmission network to one of said second data transmission which is located in one of the plurality of printing plants having at least one of the plurality of printing machines selected to print the requested print job. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification