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

• US 6,681,147 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2002
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Carlson, Gerard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O.
• Application Number:
  US10/057,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20030139844A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 700/218, 700/228, 700/229, 414/279, 414/789.7
• US Class Current: 700/218
• 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 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.

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

a printer.

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

a printing device.

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

outfitting said bin with a locking means.

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

wirelessly detecting said input/output job.

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

wirelessly contacting said consumable handling device.