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

• US 6,917,852 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2003
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• 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): Crawford, Gene O.
• Application Number:
  US10/735,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20040128024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 700/213, 700/223, 700/224, 700/500, 340/612, 340/613, 340/679, 340/988, 235/384
• US Class Current: 700/224
• 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 provide a method for automated input/output job distribution, comprising the steps of: detecting an input/output job at a consumable handling device; interacting between said consumable handling device and a first self-propelled, mobile input/output bin; and contacting a second self-propelled, mobile input/output bin by said first input/output bin when said first input/output bin becomes full.

Claims

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

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

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

contacting a second self-propelled, mobile input/output bin by said first input/output bin when said first input/output bin becomes full.

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 first and second input/output bins 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 interacting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly communicating between said consumable handling device and said first and second input/output bins.

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

contacting a data center regarding said input/output job.

10. 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 first self-propelled, mobile input/output bin; and

interacting said first input/output bin with a second self-propelled, mobile input/output bin when said first input/output bin becomes full.

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

a printer.

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

a printing device.

13. The method, as in claim 10, wherein said method is further comprised of the step of:

outfitting said first and second input/output bins with a locking means.

14. The method, as in claim 10, wherein said detecting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly detecting said input/output job.

15. The method, as in claim 10, wherein said contacting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly contacting said first and second input/output bins.

16. The method, as in claim 10, wherein said interacting step is further comprised of the step of:

contacting a data center regarding said input/output job.

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

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

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

interacting said first input/output bin with a second self-propelled, mobile input/output bin when said first input/output bin becomes full.

18. The method, as in claim 17, wherein said consumable handling device is further comprised of:

a printer.

19. The method, as in claim 17, wherein said consumable handling device is further comprised of:

a printing device.

20. The method, as in claim 17, wherein said method is further comprised of the step of:

outfitting said first and second input/output bins with a locking means.

21. The method, as in claim 17, wherein said detecting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly detecting said input/output job.

22. The method, as in claim 17, wherein said scanning/monitoring step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly contacting said consumable handling device.

23. The method, as in claim 17, wherein said interacting step is further comprised of the step of:

contacting a data center regarding said input/output job.