Data network based copier

• US 6,452,689 B1
• Filed: 05/15/1998
• Issued: 09/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Srinivasan, Thiru
• Primary Examiner(s): WALLERSON, MARK E
• Application Number:
  US09/079,898
• Time in Patent Office: 1,586 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.12, 358/1.13, 358/1.14, 358/1.15, 358/1.16, 358/296, 358/1.1, 358/404, 358/407, 707/500, 707/501, 707/513
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32502 in systems having a plurality of input or output devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32507 a plurality of input devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/34 for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3219 of a job status, e.g. successful execution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 Transmission

Abstract

A network based copier allows customers who have access to a data network to submit electronic documents to be copied. Users of the network access a web page and submit a electronic document as well as other customer related information. Once this information has been input onto the web page, a processor verifies methods of payment and organizes details necessary for completion of the job. The electronic document is then placed in the queue manager. When the electronic document is first in the queue any necessary changes are made to the copier and the document is copied. Once the copies are completed, notifications are provided to the copier attendant and the customer, and the customer is automatically billed for the copies.

Claims

1. A data network based copier system, comprising:

a processing device in connection with the Internet, wherein the processing device includes a web page which is accessible over the Internet and through which at least one electronic document and associated customer information may be entered, said processing device further comprising at least one queue manager for holding electronic documents received over the data network where the queue manager is remotely accessible over the Internet by the customer to determine status of the at least one electronic document, and further configured to employ the associated customer information to generate at least one notification which is transmittable over a telephonic network outside the system to the customer wherein the at least one notification includes information relating to the status; and

a copier in connection with the data network and in communication with the processing device, which is configured to receive the at least one electronic document and the associated customer information from the processing device and to generate copies of the at least one electronic document as specified in the customer information.

2. The data network based copier system of claim 1, wherein the processing device provides status information.

3. The data network based copier system of claim 2 wherein the status information may include costs for copying, length of time till the copies are complete, problems encountered during the copying, when the copying is completed, and how the copies can be delivered.

4. The data network based copier system of claim 2 further including a user interface connectable to the processing device which displays the status information and the customer information.

5. The data network based copier system of claim 1 wherein the customer information may include personal information.

6. The data network based copier system of claim 5 wherein the personal information may include name of customer, the customer'"'"'s address, the customer'"'"'s telephone number for job completion notification, the customer'"'"'s e-mail address for job completion notification, the customer'"'"'s pager number for customer completion notification.

7. The data network based copier system of claim 1 wherein the customer information may include financial information.

8. The data network based copier system of claim 7 wherein the financial information may include type of credit card, the credit card number, the credit card date of expiration, and the departmental charge code.

9. The data network based copier system of claim 1, wherein the customer information may include instructions on how the at least one electronic document is to be copied.

10. The data network based copier system of claim 9, wherein the instruction on how the at least one electronic document to be copied may include file type, the file name, use of color copier, page size, single sided or double sided copy, use of three hole punch paper, use of binder, the binder color and type of the binder.

11. The data network based copier system of claim 1 wherein the at least one electronic document is in a word processing format.

12. The data network based copier system of claim 2 further comprising a telephonic interface which transmits the notification from the processor to a notification system, and the notification system provides the notification to the customer.

13. The data network based copier system of claim 12 wherein the notification is transmitted over telephone lines.

14. The data network based copier system of claim 12 wherein the notification system electronically pages the customer.

15. The data network based copier system of claim 12 wherein the notification system transmits E-mail messages to the customer.

16. The data network based copier system of claim 12 wherein the notification system is a telephone switchboard where a telephone call is placed to the customer.

17. The data network based copier system of claim 1 further including a financial systems interface which provides a connection between the processor and a billing system.

18. The data network based copier system of claim 17 wherein the financial systems interface provides the connection over the telephone lines.

19. The data network based copier system of claim 17 wherein the billing system is a credit card service which verifies credit card information, and authorizes charges made against a particular account.

20. The data network based copier system of claim 17 wherein the billing system controls access and makes charges against accounts established by the customer with the copier business to pay for the copies.

21. The data network based copier system of claim 1 wherein the processing device is a personal computer attached to the Internet.

22. The data network based copier system of claim 1 wherein the processing device is a UNIX server connected to the Internet.

23. The data network based copier system of claim 1 wherein the at least one queue manager may provide the electronic documents for a plurality of the copiers.

24. The data network based copier system of claim 1 wherein the interface is a web page.

25. A method for copying at least one electronic document, comprising the steps of:

providing a web page which is accessible over the Internet, wherein the web page is configurable to receive at least one document from a customer as well as customer associated instructions for copying the document;

receiving the at least one electronic document and the associated customer information through the web page;

storing the at least one electronic document in a queue, and generating status information with regards to the at least one electronic document which is accessible over the Internet through the web page;

processing the at least one electronic document and the associated customer information received at the interface;

transmitting the electronic document to a network copier;

making copies of the electronic document according to the associated customer information; and

generating at least one notification with regards to the step of making copies of the at least one electronic document and transmitting the notification to at least one remotely located party over a telephony network according the associated customer information, wherein the notification includes the status information.

26. The method of copying at least one electronic document of claim 25 wherein the status information may include costs for copying, length of time till the copies are complete, problems encountered during the copying, when the copying is completed, and how the copies can be delivered.

27. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 25 wherein the status information is provided to the customer through an electronic paging system.

28. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 25 wherein the status information is provided to the customer through an E-mail system.

29. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 25 wherein the status information is provided to the customer with a telephone call.

30. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 25 wherein the customer information may include personal information.

31. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 30 wherein the personal information may include name of customer, the customer'"'"'s address, the customer'"'"'s telephone number for job completion notification, the customer'"'"'s e-mail address for job completion notification, the customer'"'"'s pager number for customer completion notification.

32. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 25 wherein the customer information may include financial information.

33. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 32 wherein the financial information may include type of credit card, the credit card number, the credit card date of expiration, and the departmental charge code.

34. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 25, wherein the customer information may include instructions on how the at least one electronic document is to be copied.

35. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 34, wherein the instruction on how the electronic document to be copied may include file type, the file name, use of color copier, page size, single sided or double sided copy, use of three hole punch paper, use of binder, the binder color and type of the binder.

36. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 25 wherein the status information and the customer information are provided to an attendant of the network copier.

37. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 36 wherein the attendant makes adjustments to the copier based on the customer information.

38. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 25 further comprising the step of automatically billing a customer for the copies.

39. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 38 wherein the processing of automatically billing the customer includes determining charges based on any combination of a number pages in the electronic document, page size, charge per page, single sided or double sided, type of binder, and choice of color.

40. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 38 wherein the charges are made against a credit card account.

41. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 38 wherein the charges are made against an account established to pay for the copies.

42. The method for copying at least one electronic document claim 25 wherein the at least one electronic document is split into a plurality of the electronic documents if a page count exceeds a predetermined number.

43. The method for copying at least one electronic document of claim 25 wherein the at least one electronic document is submitted to the processor by the attendant through a user interface.

44. The method of claim 25 wherein the interface is a web page.