Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Position or velocity determined
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-29
2001-06-26
Grant, II, Jerome (Department: 2624)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Position or velocity determined
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252674
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to picture image output devices that are arranged in prescribed positions throughout a network and perform the reception of picture image information, and host devices that perform the transmission of the picture information.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, information related tools such as personal computers and the like, have been used more and more frequently connected by means of networks. The picture image output devices are also connected in networks wherein multiple picture image output devices are connected in common with multiple host devices (e.g. information related tools such as personal computers). One host device or multiple host devices may be used to select the desired picture image output device.
Under these circumstances, it becomes important to determine how the picture image output demands are processed to a particular picture image output device from multiple host devices. For example, in Japanese patent publication 4-264945, a means is shown for processing the picture image output in accordance with high priority output demands. In Japanese patent publication 4-276819, the technology is shown that makes it possible to change the priority of the picture image output demands after they have been initially determined.
Also, in Japanese patent publications 5-19986, and 5-73233, the technology is shown for cases where there are high priority picture image output demands after processing has begun, thus requiring interruption of the present processing for the high priority picture image processing. Furthermore, in Japanese patent publication 7-325685, technology is shown that considers the picture image output waiting time in addition to the above-mentioned priorities.
Ordinarily, the picture image output demands are transmitted from one host device, with the selection of a picture output device connected to the network being entrusted to the user of the host device. Alternatively, Japanese patent publication 5-227431 shows a host device that automatically selects suitable picture image output devices according to the conditions of each picture image output device.
As shown in the above-discussed related art, conventional picture image output operations often include the three steps of: 1) picture image output by the user; 2) picture image output by the picture image output device; and 3) acquisition of the output results by the user.
In the above-discussed related art, improvements are noticed at steps (1) and (2). However, the conventional methods do not take into consideration improving the acquisition of the output results by the user.
In other words, after the user sends out the picture image output demands from the host device, and the output demands move on to the corresponding picture image output device, a recording medium printed on by the picture image output device is received. The host devices and picture image output devices of the prior art do not take into consideration the length of the distances between them, or the time required for successful output in accordance with an output demand at a particular output device. As a result of the failure of the prior art devices to take into consideration these sort of positional relationships, the most efficient use of time and printing resources during a series of operations performed by the users is not attained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes at least one host device and picture image output devices that are controlled and configured to resolve the above-discussed problems with conventional systems. A host device of the present invention is a device that transmits the picture image information to one of multiple picture image output devices that are arranged in prescribed positions throughout a network. The host device includes a storage means or recording means that stores information on the respective positional relationships of a device main body and multiple picture image output devices. A picture image output device selection means is provided for using the information on the positional relationships stored in the storage means and determining if the picture image information was transmitted to one of the picture image output devices.
The picture image output device of the present invention also receives the picture image information from one of a plurality of host devices that are arranged in prescribed positions throughout the network. A storage means or recording means in the output device stores information on the respective positional relationships of the device main body and the multiple host devices. A picture image output priority determination means uses the information on the positional relationships that were stored in the storage means and determines if the picture image information was received from one of the host devices.
Information based on the respective positional relationships of the host device main bodies and multiple picture image output devices is stored in the storage means by the host devices of the present invention. The information based on these positional relationships is used by the picture image output device selection means, and the selection means determines which picture image output device among the multiple picture image output devices would enable the most efficient use of time and printing resources as a result of being physically or temporally closest to the host device main body. Subsequently, the picture image information is transmitted to the selected picture image output device.
A picture image output device according to an embodiment of the present invention also utilizes the stored information on the respective positional relationships of the picture image output device main body and multiple host devices. The information based on these positional relationships is used with the picture image output priority determination means, and there is a determination of which host device among the multiple host devices is physically and temporally closest to the picture image output device main body. Accordingly, the output demands from this host device are prioritized, and picture image output processing is performed.
In accordance with the above-described features of the present invention, the host devices and picture image output devices are arranged in prescribed positions throughout the network, and the printing of picture image information in accordance with a user's output demands is achieved in the most efficient manner possible. The picture image output information is transmitted to the physically or temporally closest picture image output device from a particular host device, or in the case when there are picture image output demands from multiple host devices, the picture image information that was transmitted from the physically or temporally closest host device from a particular picture image output device is prioritized and output.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4994926 (1991-02-01), Gordon
patent: 5490287 (1996-02-01), Itoh
patent: 5757510 (1998-05-01), Okada
patent: 000656581 (1995-06-01), None
patent: 4-264945 (1992-09-01), None
patent: 4-276819 (1992-10-01), None
patent: 5-19986 (1993-01-01), None
patent: 5-73233 (1993-03-01), None
patent: 5-227341 (1993-05-01), None
patent: 407200215 (1995-08-01), None
patent: 7295766 (1995-11-01), None
patent: 7-325685 (1995-12-01), None
Fuji 'Xerox Co., Ltd.
Grant II Jerome
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
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