Abstract:
A method of connecting an image forming apparatus (IFA) to a network and assigning the IFA a network address, selecting a map file image from a plurality of map file images, the selected map file image corresponding to a regional location of the IFA, outputting the selected map file image, selecting a location on the map file image which corresponds to a physical location of the IFA, and storing the location and the network address. An IFA configured to implement the method.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to registration systems for recording and managing the location of image forming apparatuses, including printers, multifunction printers and copiers. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Printing devices and image forming apparatuses, such as printers, laser printers, copiers, multifunction printers and multifunction devices are commonly used in large, networked systems. Some large organizations, including corporations and universities, use as many as tens of thousands of such devices in a networked configuration. Thus, it has become important to track and manage the location of these devices. 
     Tracking and managing these devices has importance in the areas of inventory control and chain management. Also, it can be important to know the location of and usage of one of these devices in order to most efficiently utilize the device or update the device. 
     For example, some devices are efficient at printing less than ten thousand pages a month whereas other devices are efficient only when printing more than fifty thousand pages a month. By knowing the location of such devices and the location of maximum usages, companies can most efficiently use these devices by locating them in proper locations. 
     In order to track location and usage of these image forming apparatuses, it has been known to track usage history via a network connection. Determining the location of the image forming apparatus, however, has not been automatic. Thus, it has been necessary to manually record the location of the image forming apparatus in a database or spreadsheet. However, the entry in the database of the location of the image forming apparatus is limited to a physical location of a network plug the image forming apparatus is connected or a room wherein the image forming apparatus is located. 
     In a large organization, where there can be tens of thousands of image forming apparatuses connected to a common intranet, maintaining a database for the location of each individual image forming apparatus can become unwieldy and difficult to maintain when registering the location of a new image forming apparatus connected to the network, relocating an existing image forming apparatus, locating an existing image forming apparatus to perform service, or finding an image forming apparatus configured to perform a specific function. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention broadly comprises a method of connecting an image forming apparatus (IFA) to a network and assigning the IFA a network address, selecting a map file image from a plurality of map file images, the selected map file image corresponding to a regional location of the IFA, outputting the selected map file image, selecting a location on the map file image which corresponds to a physical location of the IFA, and storing the location and the network address. 
     Preferably, the outputting includes printing the selected map file image, and the selecting the location on the map file image includes marking the printed map file image with a mark corresponding to a physical location of the IFA, scanning the marked map file image, and comparing the scanned map file image with the selected map file image to determine a coordinate location of the mark, wherein the coordinate location of the mark is used as the location of the IFA in the storing. 
     Also preferably, the printing includes printing a computer readable barcode onto the map image file, the barcode corresponding to information including at least one of the network address of the IFA, a function the IFA is configured to perform, and an identification name of the IFA. 
     The scanning may include reading the barcode and determining the information corresponding to the barcode, and the registering may include recording the information in the database entry and associating the information with the IFA. Here, the barcode preferably includes an instruction and the scanning preferably includes reading the barcode for the instruction and the information corresponding to the barcode. In this embodiment, the registering includes transmitting the location, the network address, and the information to the recording device according to the instruction, recording the information in the database entry, and associating the information with the IFA. 
     Alternatively, the printing the selected map file image includes printing an overlay of a grid on the selected map file image, the grid having a plurality of marking areas corresponding to a plurality of respective coordinate locations on the map image file, wherein the marking the printed map image file includes marking one of the plurality of marking areas and the coordinate location of the mark is one of the plurality of respective coordinate locations. 
     In another embodiment, the IFA includes a display. Here, the selecting the map file image includes displaying the plurality of map file images on the display, the outputting the selected map file image outputs the selected map file image to the display, and a selectable input of the display is used in the selecting the location on the map file image. 
     In yet a further embodiment, a location application of the IFA is accessed using a computer connected to the network, wherein the selecting the map file image, the outputting, and the selecting the location are performed through the location application. 
     In some aspects, the regional location is at least one of a country, state, city, zip code, address, building, floor and campus. In other aspects, the selecting the location on the map file image uses at least one of a global positioning system, wireless network triangulation, radio frequency identification, and radio frequency triangulation. 
     In yet further aspects, the storing includes storing the location and the network address in a database of a recording device. Here, the method further includes accessing the recording device through the network, searching the database for a database entry corresponding to the IFA using a search term including at least one of the network address of the IFA, a function the IFA is configured to perform, and an identification name of the IFA, and outputting a search result by creating a new map image file by overlaying the location of the IFA onto the selected map image file and displaying the new map image file. 
     The invention also broadly comprises IFA, comprising a processor configured to query a map file image of a plurality of map file images, the map file image corresponding to a regional location of the IFA, a printer configured to print the map file image and a computer readable barcode, the barcode configured to include information about the IFA, including at least one of a network address of the IFA, a function the IFA is configured to perform, and an identification name of the IFA, the printer further configured to print a grid overlay atop the map file image having a plurality of marking areas corresponding to a plurality of respective coordinate locations on the map image file, a scanner configured to read the printed map image file having a mark in a marking area of the plurality of marking areas, the scanner further configured to read the barcode, and a network transmitter configured to connect to a network and transmit the barcode information and a coordinate location corresponding to the mark to a recording device, the recording device configured to record the information and the coordinate location to a database and associate the IFA to the information and the coordinate location in the database. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following description, the present invention is explained in more detail in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a network configuration including an image forming apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  depicts the image forming apparatus of  FIG. 1  in greater detail; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a location registration process; 
         FIG. 4  depicts selecting a regional location in accordance with the process outlined in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a map file image (MFI) and barcode printout in accordance with the process outlined in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart depicting scanning the marked MFI in accordance with process outlined in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is another embodiment of a location registration process; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a network-based selecting of a regional location in accordance with the process outlined in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a screen shot of displaying an MFI in accordance with the process outlined in  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of searching a recording device for an image forming apparatus having its location registered in accordance with the process outlined in either  FIG. 3  or  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts a network  10 , which includes an image forming apparatus (IFA)  12  connected via a network connection  14  to a network hub  16 . The IFA  12  includes a network controller, for example a TCP/IP controller for a 10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet controller in accordance with the IEEE 802.3 LAN protocol. The IFA  12 , in an alternative embodiment, includes a network controller in accordance with one of the wireless networking IEEE protocols 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n. The network connection  14 , in one embodiment, is a category five (Cat5 or Cat5e) cable in accordance with the IEEE 802.3 protocol although any type of communication protocol or medium can be used, including wired, wireless or optical, for example. 
     The network hub  16  is a network device configured to control and/or route communication information and data between the IFA  12 , a management device  18 , computer terminals  20  and additional image forming apparatuses  22 . In a similar fashion to the IFA  12 , the management device  18 , the computer terminals  20 , and the image forming apparatuses  22  are connected to the network hub  16  via network connections  14 . In another embodiment, the network hub  16  is configured to connect to the World Wide Web or Internet  24 , and controls and manages access to the Internet  24  from the IFA  12 , the management device  18 , the computer terminals  20 , and the image forming apparatuses  22 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts the IFA  12  of  FIG. 1  in more detail. The IFA  12  generally includes a processor or controller  30 . The processor  30  is connected to various components of IFA  12 , including a map file image (MFI) database  32 , a printer  34 , a scanner  36 , a display  38  and a network controller  40 . 
     The MFI database  32  is a computer readable medium, which has recorded thereon a plurality of map file images (MFIs) corresponding to floor plans or blueprint layouts of a regional location. A regional location includes a building, campus, building floor, and/or office spaces. For example, one MFI in the MFI database  32  is configured to depict a regional location corresponding to a floor plan of one level of a building. If that floor plan is extensive, then that one MFI is alternatively configured to depict only a portion of the floor plan and a second MFI is configured to depict the remainder. In even more extensive floor plans, a plurality of MFIs are configured to depict the entirety of the floor plan, where each of the MFIs depicts a portion of the floor plan. 
     In one embodiment, the MFI database  32  is categorized by at least one of geographical location (including country, state, city, address, building name, etc.) and building floor level. The MFI database alternatively stores coordinate or other data as an alternative on in addition to map file images. 
     Each MFI is preferably configured to depict at least general structures such as walls, desks, furniture, hallways, lighting, windows, entryways and exits of a regional location. If these general structures, for the entirety of the regional location, are printable on a single piece of paper of standard size (e.g., Letter or A4) such that the general office space structures are readily recognizable after printing, then only one MFI is necessary for depicting the regional location. Alternatively, if the regional location is extensive as discussed above, several MFIs are used so that the office space structures are readily recognizable after printing the MFI. In a further embodiment, the MFI is not printed, but is displayed as will be discussed in a further embodiment. In an embodiment where the MFI is displayed and not printed, a plurality of MFIs will be used to depict an extensive floor plan if a plurality of MFIs are used to adequately depict office structures at a given resolution of the display. Alternatively, if the MFI is displayed, the displaying structure will include a zoom feature to adequately depict office structures and a pan feature to pan between sections of the MFI. Here, one MFI is used for depicting an entire regional location. 
     The printer  34  is preferably a laser printer. In further embodiments, the printer  34  is an inkjet or bubble jet printer, although any printing technology can be utilized. The processor  30  is configured to query an MFI corresponding to a selected regional location from the MFI database  32  and print the MFI using the printer  34  in a process discussed in a further embodiment. Preferably, the printer  34  is configured to perform one of the additional functions of rasterizing, duplexing, stapling, collating, hole punching, and binding. 
     In one embodiment, the printer  34  is configured to print an overlay of marking areas atop the floor plan. An exemplary overlay is depicted in  FIG. 5  and discussed below. The marking areas are preferably blank spaces, where one of the marking areas is marked for identifying a specific physical location of the IFA  12 , although any type of marking area may be utilized. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the IFA  12  includes a scanner  36  connected to the processor  30 . The scanner  36  is configured to scan documents, including the printed or marked MFI. In a further embodiment, the scanner  36  includes an optical character recognizer (OCR) configured to determine the marked marking area. The processor  30  uses the marked marking area to associate a coordinate location of the IFA  12  with respect to the regional location. For example, each regional location is associated with a coordinate grid such as an x-y coordinate system. In the simplest embodiment where a regional location is depicted by a single MFI, the single MFI will depict all of the possible x-y coordinates the IFA  12  may be located. In alternative embodiments, the entirety of the x-y coordinate is spread across a plurality of MFIs depicting the entire regional location in which the IFA  12  may be located. An x-y coordinate axis is preferable because it is easily recorded onto a computer readable medium into a database by the management device  18 . 
     The IFA  12  also includes the display  38  connected to the processor  30 , which is configured to display the contents of the MFI database  32 , specifically each MFI associated with a selected regional location. As will be discussed below, the display  38  is also configured to select a specific MFI from the MFI database  32 . The display  38 , in a preferred embodiment, also includes controls for printing with the printer  34  and scanning with the scanner  36 . Such controls include a touch-screen display where the touch-screen display is selectable across the viewing area. The display  38 , in a further embodiment, includes access to configuring the network controller  40 . The network controller  40  is primarily configured to control access to the network hub  16  via the network connection  14 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the network controller  40  is a wireless network controller configured in accordance with one of the IEEE 802.11 protocols. In a further embodiment, the network controller  40  is configured for both wireless and wired network connections. 
     In other further embodiments, the IFA  12  includes a location device  42  connected to the processor  30 . The location device  42  is a location detection device which uses at least one of radio frequency identification, wireless radio frequency triangulation, and satellite global positioning systems (GPS) to determine a coordinate-based location. In this embodiment, the processor  30  is configured to identify the coordinate-base location to a corresponding coordinate location of the regional location. Specifically, the processor  30  is configured to take, e.g., a GPS latitude/longitude coordinate from the location device  42  and associate it with an x-y coordinate on an MFI in the MFI database  32  corresponding to the regional location. For example, in an embodiment including GPS coordinate location identification, in a building having several regional locations placed atop one another such as a multiple level office building, selecting a regional location such as a floor and combining the regional location with the latitude/longitude coordinate location results in an accurate physical location identification of the IFA  12 . Thus, GPS enabled IFAs are associated in the same fashion as non-GPS enabled IFAs in accordance with the methods discussed below. 
     Also, in a further embodiment, the IFA  12  includes an automatic document feeder  44  connected to the processor  30 . The automatic document feeder  44  is configured to communicate and be controlled by the processor  30  and/or the display  38 . 
     An IFA which capable of being configured in accordance with the above and used in accordance with the invention as discussed below is a RICOH® Aficio MP 7500, the manual for which is incorporated herein by reference. The Aficio MP 7500 includes an automated document feeder, a processor, a flatbed scanner, a paper tray, a touch-screen display, a network controller and a computer readable hard disc drive or solid state drive. The Aficio MP 7500 optionally includes a binder, a duplexer, a rasterizer, a stapler, a hole punch, an access terminal and a wireless network controller. 
     Methods of using an IFA having the aforementioned structures will now be discussed in more detail in accordance with claimed invention. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a process by which an IFA is registered through a location register application (LRA). The LRA is controlled by the processor  30  of the IFA  12  and stored on a computer readable medium. At a first step  102 , the IFA is connected to a network or a local area network, such as discussed above. Preferably, the IFA is connected to an intranet. Next, the LRA is started at step  104  and a regional location is selected in the location register application at step  106 . 
     A regional location is selected at step  106  by using a graphical user interface as depicted in  FIG. 4 , for example by using the display  38  of the IFA  12 . Such an interface is displayed using the display  38  attached to the IFA, or through a network interface as is discussed below in a further embodiment. Step  106  includes selecting a regional location using at least one of a state at field  202 , a city at field  204 , a building at field  206 , a floor at field  208 , or a section at field  210 . 
     The specificity for the selected regional locations depicted in  FIG. 4  is used to query an MFI at step  108  as outlined in  FIG. 3 . The MFI, as previously presented, is preferably a blue print type map of a floor of a building or a section of a floor of a building. Most preferably, the MFI is a bird&#39;s eye view of the layout of a floor with the MFI having identified therein office structures such as walls, offices, hallways, desks and doors. By querying the MFI, the processor  30  accesses the MFI database  32  and selects at least one MFI corresponding to a regional location, the regional location selected using the fields  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  and  210 . Since, as discussed above, there can be various MFIs corresponding to a single regional location, the step of querying an MFI at step  108  will include narrowing a search result using at least one of fields  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  and  210 . For example, a specific building is selected in field  206 , resulting in displaying a plurality of MFIs corresponding to all of the regional locations within the specific building using display  38 . A user then selects the specific MFI corresponding to the regional location or portion of the regional location corresponding to the location of the IFA  12 . 
     After the MFI has been queried and selected at step  108 , the MFI is printed at step  110  as outlined in  FIG. 3 . The printer  34  of the IFA  12  is used for printing, but the processor  30  is also configured to transmit the MFI to another printer such as a printer of one of IFAs  22 . In addition to printing the MFI, the IFA is configured to also print a barcode  306  on a page  300 , as depicted in  FIG. 5 , the page  300  including an MFI  304  and a plurality of marking areas  302 . The barcode  306  is preferably a computer readable barcode including an identification name of the IFA, an internet protocol address of the IFA, properties related to functions the IFA is configured to perform, and a serial number of the IFA. Such functions the IFA is configured to perform include printing, scanning, duplexing, rasterizing, binding, stapling, punching, faxing, optical character recognizing, and image converting. 
     The computer readable barcode  306  is a one-dimensional barcode, as shown, or alternatively a two-dimensional barcode, not shown. A one-dimensional barcode is preferable if the barcode identifies merely an identification number of the IFA, such as a serial number or an IP address. For example, a one-dimensional or linear barcode in accordance with ISO/IEC 15417 is used. A two-dimensional barcode is preferable if the barcode has encoded thereon more than the serial number or IP address, and includes the functional capabilities of the IFA. For example, a two-dimensional barcode, or matrix barcode, in accordance with ISO/IEC 16022 is used. 
     The aforementioned information included on the barcode may be retrievable through an identification code correlating to or embedded in the barcode  306  and accessible through an intranet or internet database. Such an embodiment uses the network controller  40  to access the database and query the barcode in the database to retrieve information on the IFA. The database is preferably located in a computer readable medium of the management device  18 , but is alternatively located on another computer readable medium accessible through the Internet  24 . 
     This embodiment is preferable with a one-dimensional barcode where the barcode only includes a single number, such as a serial number or an IP address. Alternatively, information relating to the aforementioned properties of the IFA is embedded directly into the barcode  306  as a two-dimensional barcode as discussed above. As discussed above, the two-dimensional barcode is capable of including more information than a single number and it is thus not necessary to connect to a database to retrieve IFA information. However, the IFA can still be configured to retrieve information from a database using the two-dimensional barcode in the event the two-dimensional barcode is lacking information regarding a functional capability of the IFA. 
     As previously mentioned, the IFA is preferably configured to print a grid overlay of marking areas  302  atop the MFI  304 . Each of these marking areas corresponds to a coordinate location on the MFI  304 , which in turn corresponds to a physical location of the regional location the MFI  304  depicts. As previously discussed, the coordinate location is an x-y coordinate location. As portrayed in  FIG. 5 , the MFI  304  depicts a portion of a floor of an office using a blueprint or floor plan-type map, where each of the marking areas  302  corresponds to an x-y coordinate location. 
     Each of the marking areas  302  is a substantially square box having a blank interior. Alternative, the marking areas are circles having a blank interior. 
     After the page  300  has been printed at step  110  outlined in  FIG. 3 , a specific location on the map image file is selected at step  112 . In this embodiment, a mark is made to one of the marking areas  302 , the mark and corresponding selecting marking area  302  is selected based on a corresponding physical or specific location of the IFA. For example, a user correlates the physical surroundings of the IFA  12  to office structures depicted in the MFI  304  and places an “X” or other mark in one of the marking areas  302 , including shading the entirety of the marking area  302 . After the specific location has been selected and marked on the MFI  304 , the MFI  304  is then scanned at step  114  using, as previously discussed, the scanner  36  of the IFA  12 . 
     The scanned MFI is then read by a computer or the OCR of the IFA  12 , and the location information, specifically the x-y coordinate location corresponding to the marked marking area  302  is transmitted to a recording device using the processor  30  and network controller  40  of the IFA  12 . The recording device is preferably a hard drive, such as a magnetic rotating disks, a flash-based solid state drive, or any other type of storage medium connected to the management device  18  connected to the IFA  12  via network controller  16 . 
     The management device  18 , and thus the recording device, is configured to record the location information, as well as any information included in the barcode  306  in a database and associate the information with the IFA in the database. Specifically, the management device creates a database of IFAs connected to the network controller  16 , identifying each IFA by an identification name or IP address and stores the database on the recording device. Associated with each IFA (by means of the identification name or IP address), the database includes fields for the management device  18  to record at least the x-y coordinate location of the IFA, but also preferably includes fields for recording the functional capabilities of the IFA (such as duplexing, scanning, rasterizing, binding, faxing, etc.). 
     Alternatively, the information, including the x-y coordinate location and identifying information included in the barcode, is transmitted in accordance with instructions embedded in the barcode. This embodiment is preferably used with a two-dimensional barcode configured to include computer readable code to instruct the processor  30  of the IFA  12  to transmit the information via network controller  40 . For example, the LRA is configured to print an instruction into the barcode  306  which instructs the processor  30  to transmit the location information to one of a plurality of recording devices or to a specific internet protocol address via network controller  16  connected to the Internet  24 . 
     In another embodiment, steps  114  and  116  outlined in  FIG. 3  are performed together as step  118  as outlined in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  depicts a step of scanning the MFI at step  402 , where the MFI is then analyzed at step  404  with the OCR as previously mentioned. The OCR determines, at step  406 , the coordinate based x-y location of the marked marking area  302  on the MFI  304  by comparing the marked and scanned MFI with an unmarked MFI, specifically the MFI queried at step  108  prior to printing at step  110 . This MFI is a digital image and is compared to a digital image of the scanned and marked MFI. The processor  30  of the IFA  12 , or alternatively the management device  18  if the scanned and marked MFI is transmitted prior to comparing, compares the two digital images to determine the marked area and associates an x-y coordinate location based on the marked area. 
     The OCR then transmits the coordinate based location to a recording device at step  408 , or alternatively to the management device  18  to be recorded in a database as previously discussed. The recording device then registers the IFA at step  410  by recording the coordinate location into the database and associating the coordinate location to an identification name or IP address of the IFA as mentioned above. The recording device also records any, if not all, of the information included in the barcode. This includes an internet protocol address, functions the IFA is configured to perform, a device name or identification name of the IFA and a serial number of the device as mentioned above. 
       FIG. 7  outlines another embodiment, which incorporates web or network-based access to the IFA  12 .  FIG. 7  outlines the IFA  12  connected through a network, Internet, intranet or LAN connection at step  502  where the IFA is assigned a network address or more preferably, an internet protocol (IP) address. At step  504 , a web or network based location register application (LRA) is initiated. Starting the LRA is performed by entering, for example, the IP address of the IFA assigned at step  502  in an IP browser of a computer terminal. For example, an internet browser provides an html or Java-based graphical user interface to the IFA  12 , similar to the display  38  presented in the previous embodiments. 
     Next, a regional location is selected in the LRA at step  506 .  FIG. 8  depicts a screen shot selecting a regional location in accordance with step  506 , where a state is selected at field  602 , a city is selected at field  604 , a building is selected at field  606 , a floor is selected at field  608  and a section of a floor is selected at field  610 . Adverting back to  FIG. 7 , an MFI is queried at step  508  using the regional selections made at step  506  using at least one of fields  602 ,  604 ,  606 ,  608  and  610 . As with the previous embodiments, the queried and selected MFI is preferably one of a plurality of MFIs corresponding to various regional locations corresponding to the selected fields  602 ,  604 ,  606 ,  608  and  610 . 
     The MFI is then displayed at step  510 , wherein the displayed MFI corresponds to the regional selections made at step  506 . For displaying, a print button at field  612  in  FIG. 8  is selected, which includes printing a barcode and an overlay of marking areas in accordance with the previous embodiment and  FIG. 5 . Alternatively, and preferably with web-based access to the IFA  12  and in reference to  FIG. 9 , a print button at field  612 , once selected, initiates step  510  in  FIG. 7  and creates a virtual display of an MFI  702 . Here, the MFI  702  is an electronic MFI displayed in a web browser, having thereon a plurality of marking areas  704 . A specific location on the MFI is selected at step  512  to create location information. Specifically, one of marking areas  704  of  FIG. 9  is selected. 
     Then registration is authorized at step  514  by selecting the registration button at field  706 , which starts the transmitting step  516  where the LRA transmits the location information of the IFA to the recording device, namely the management device  18  via the network controller  40  of the IFA  12 . The step  514  preferably includes associating the selected marking area  704  with an x-y coordinate location, where the x-y coordinates are including in the location information for the IFA transmitted at step  516 . In addition, the LRA transmits IFA properties to the recording device, including IP address, identification name, functions the IFA is configured to perform, and IFA serial number as previously discussed. 
     Therefore, an IFA is registered and its location managed using one of the above-discussed embodiments. As for tracking an IFA after the IFA has been registered,  FIG. 10  outlines a process of accessing the recording device through the network to display a MFI corresponding to the regional location of a selected IFA. At step  802 , a recording device is accessed through the network. For example, a computer terminal  20  accesses the management device  18  using the network controller  16 . Then, the computer terminal  20  transmits search terms and commands, such as a parameterized search to the management device  18  at step  804 . The management device  18  preferably includes an MFI database similar or identical to the MFI database included in the IFA  12 . Alternatively, the management device  18  is configured to access the MFI database  32  of the IFA  12  using the network controller  16 . 
     The parameterized search is preferably based on a number of parameters including device identification name, functions the IFA is configured to perform, IP address, or regional location. Additionally, a specific MFI or latitude/longitude coordinate and radius requirement is included as parameters. For example, a parameterized search includes searching IFAs configured to staple and duplex within a specific regional location. Here, at step  804 , the computer terminal  20  transmits the parameters staple, duplex, and regional location to the management device  18  where the management device  18  queries a database recorded on a computer readable medium of the management device  18  and returns to the computer terminal  20  a list of IFAs which meet the parameters. 
     At step  806 , a specific IFA of the aforementioned list is selected, but it should be appreciated the parameterized search, depending on the parameters chosen, will return no IFAs, one IFA, or a plurality of IFAs. In the event the management device does return a list of a plurality of IFAs, one or more the IFAs are selected at step  806 . 
     The selected IFA(s) are then identified on a newly generated MFI using an existing MFI of the MFI database. The newly generated MFI, created at step  808 , uses symbols or numbers to identify each of the selected IFA(s) using the associated x-y coordinate locations of the respective IFA wherein the symbols or numbers are overlaid onto an existing MFI of the MFI database. 
     Then, at step  810 , the newly generated MFI is displayed, which includes printing the newly generated MFI using any of the IFAs  22  or IFA  12 , displaying the newly generated MFI in a web browser or creating an image document to be saved in a computer readable medium on the computer terminal  20  or the management device  18 .