Input/output job tagging readable by mobile input/output bins

• US 6,747,229 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2002
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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): Walsh, Donald P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOERGER, KAITLIN S
• Application Number:
  US10/056,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20030136712A1
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 198/370-1-3, 209/583, 700/224
• US Class Current: 209/583
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00 Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00968 by scanning marks on a sheet mark-sheet input means H04N1/00355; sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3207 of an address

Abstract

This invention relates to self-propelled, mobile input/output bins (MIOB). Such structures of this type, generally, allow the MIOB to scan/read machine readable data on an input/output job banner page. This information allows the MIOB to determine the owner of the input/output job, the owner'"'"'s location, and the location where the input/output job is to be delivered so that the input/output job can be delivered by the MIOB.

Claims

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

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

reading a machine readable data located on an input/output job cover page means by a self-propelled, mobile input/output bin; and

determining an owner of the input/output job through the use of the 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 consumable handling device to detect said input/output job.

4. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said consumable handling device is further comprised of:

a printer.

5. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said consumable handling device is 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 with 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 cover page moans is further comprised of:

a banner page.

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 to read a machine readable data located on a job cover page means in order to transfer said job to an owner of said job through the use of said bin.

10. The method, as in claim 9, wherein said consumable handling device is further comprised of:

a printer.

11. The method, as in claim 9, wherein said consumable handling device is 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 cover page means is further comprised of:

a banner page.

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

scanning/monitoring a 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

determining an owner of said job by reading machine readable data located on a cover page means of said job through the use of said bin.

16. The method, as in claim 15, wherein said consumable handling device is further comprised of:

a printer.

17. The method, as in claim 15, wherein said consumable handling device is 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 cover page means is further comprised of:

a banner page.