User operated group machine time slot reservation and management system

• US 7,158,938 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2001
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Nguti, Tallam I., Labbe, Jocelyn
• Primary Examiner(s): Dixon; Thomas A.
• Application Number:
  US09/992,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20030101249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,863 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A group machine time slot reservation and management system and process including (a) a machine time slot reservation subsystem having a storage device for storing time slot reservation information, calendar and time clock information, time slot status information, intended user ID code information, and machine control information, for a user operated group machine; (b) receiving and analyzing wares for receiving and analyzing machine operation information including order quantity information for the UOGM; (c) capability for checking a status of any time slot corresponding with a current clock time; (d) a first programmed application for operating the UOGM to run the received order quantity when the current clock time shows no reserved time slots for the UOGM; (e) user ID verifier for receiving and processing an actual user ID code against the intended user ID code, when the current clock time corresponds to a reserved time slot; and (f) a second programmed application for enabling operation of the UOGM to run the received order quantity when the actual user ID code matches the intended user ID code, thereby enabling efficient and economical management of the time of the UOGM, and that of potential users thereof in a group work environment.

Claims

1. A group machine time slot reservation and management system including:

a. a machine time slot reservation subsystem including storage means for storing time slot reservation information, calendar and time clock information, time slot status information, intended user identification (ID) code information, and machine control information, for a user operated group machine (UOGM);

b. receiving and analyzing means for receiving and analyzing machine operation information including order quantity information for said UOGM;

c. means for checking a status of any time slot corresponding with a current clock time;

d. programmed means for operating said UOGM to run said received order quantity when said current clock time shows no reserved time slots for said UOGM;

e. user ID verification means for receiving and processing an actual user ID code against said intended user ID code, when said current clock time corresponds to a reserved time slot; and

f. programmed means for enabling operation of said UOGM to run said received order quantity when said actual user ID code matches said intended user ID code, thereby enabling efficient and economical management of the time of said UOGM, and that of potential users thereof in a group work environment.

2. A group machine Time Slot Reservation (TSR) process comprising:

a. displaying on a user interface connected to a controller, a Time Slot (TS) and Time Slot Status (TSS) information screen for a User Operated Group Machine (UOGM);

b. reviewing the Time Slot Status (TSS) information;

c. providing Time Slot Reservation (TSR) information onto the screen for the UOGM when the TSS information shows at least one Open Time Slot (OTS) for the UOGM; and

d. confirming and saving at least one TS as a reserved time slot responsively to the provided TSR information, thereby enabling subsequent efficient and economical management of the time of the UOGM, and the time of potential users thereof in a group work environment;

wherein said displaying step includes displaying selectable date and time calendar information on the screen; and

,

wherein said step of displaying selectable date and time calendar information comprises displaying only current and future date and time selectable calendar information.

3. A group machine TSR process comprising:

a. displaying on a user interface connected to a controller, a Time Slot (TS) and Time Slot Status (TSS) information screen for a User Operated Group Machine (UOGM);

b. reviewing the Time Slot Status (TSS) information;

c. providing Time Slot Reservation (TSR) information onto the screen for the UOGM when the TSS information shows at least one Open Time Slot (OTS) for the UOGM; and

d. confirming and saving at least one TS as a reserved time slot responsively to the provided TSR information, thereby enabling subsequent efficient and economical management of the time of the UOGM, and the time of potential users thereof in a group work environment;

wherein said displaying step includes displaying time slot symbols and time divisions for designated Time Slots for a particular UOGM during a work group'"'"'s work day shift;

wherein said step of displaying time slot symbols and time divisions includes displaying interactive selectable time slot symbols; and

,

wherein said step of displaying interactive selectable time slot symbols includes displaying time slot symbols that open for receiving TSR information only when a time slot corresponding to a time division for such symbol is an open time slot.

4. A group machine TSR process comprising:

a. displaying on a user interface connected to a controller, a Time Slot (TS) and Time Slot Status (TSS) information screen for a User Operated Group Machine (UOGM);

b. reviewing the Time Slot Status (TSS) information;

c. providing Time Slot Reservation (TSR) information onto the screen for the UOGM when the TSS information shows at least one Open Time Slot (OTS) for the UOGM; and

d. confirming and saving at least one TS as a reserved time slot responsively to the provided TSR information, thereby enabling subsequent efficient and economical management of the time of the UOGM, and the time of potential users thereof in a group work environment;

wherein said displaying step includes highlighting already reserved time slots for each calendar month, date and time of day for each UOGM; and

,

wherein said displaying step includes displaying and retaining a record of past, present and future time slot reservations for each UOGM.

5. A group machine Reservable Time Slot Management (RTSM) process comprising:

a. receiving and analyzing order information, including an order quantity, for operating a User Operated Group Machine (UOGM);

b. checking a status of any designated Time Slots for the particular UOGM corresponding with a current clock time;

c. requesting an actual User identification (ID) code from the operator actually attempting to use the UOGM when the current clock time corresponds to at least a Reserved Time Slot;

d. comparing the Actual User ID code with a stored Intended User ID code; and

e. operating the UOGM for the received order quantity when the Actual User ID code matches the stored Intended User ID code, thereby enabling efficient and economical management of the time of the UQOM, and that of potential users thereof in a group work environment.

6. The group machine RTSM process of claim 5, including comparing the received order quantity information with a stored control quantity.

7. The group machine RTSM process of claim 5, including operating the machine for the received order quantity when the current clock time shows no reserved Time Slots for the particular UOGM.

8. The group machine RTSM process of claim 5, including operating the UOGM for only a stored control quantity when the received order quantity is greater than the stored control quantity and the Actual User ID code does not match the Intended User ID Code.

9. The group machine RTSM process of claim 5, including a step of alerting the intended user, prior to the receiving and analyzing step, responsively to stored Time Slot Reservation information.

10. A group machine TSR system comprising,

a. a controller assembly including means for processing and storing information, and at least one user interface having display means for displaying stored Time Slot (TS) and Time Slot status information for a User Operated Group Machine (UOGM);

b. input means for providing Time Slot Reservation (TSR) information to said controller assembly for said UOGM when said TSS information includes at least one Open Time Slot for said UOGM; and

c. confirming and saving means for confirming and saving at least one TS as a Reserved Time Slot (RTS), for said UOGM, responsively to said TSR information, thereby enabling efficient and economical management of the time of the UOGM, and that of potential users thereof in a group work environment;

also including alerting means communicating with said controller assembly for alerting an intended user of a Reserved Time Slot (RTS);

wherein said alerting means comprises a light tower including a pole and a light source having an ON state and an OFF state.

11. The group machine TSR system of claim 10, wherein said light source is visible remotely from various workstations within the group work environment.

12. The group machine TSR system of claim 10, wherein said light source is set to be in said ON state said UOGM is running, and in said OFF state when said UOGM is not running.

13. The group machine TSR system of claim 10, wherein said light source includes a flashing ON and OFF state.

14. The group machine TSR system of claim 13, wherein said light source is set to flash ON and OFF when a job being run is interrupted.