Abstract:
An implementation of an improved Multiple-Original-Output (“Mopying”) technology for multifunction devices (MFDs), described herein, enables a user at a computer to fully control and access the functions of a Mopy-enabled MFD. With this technology, the user fully controls the source (e.g. data and paper) for each Mopy of a Mopy job. Similarly, the user fully controls the destination (e.g. paper and communications) for each Mopy of a Mopy job. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention generally relates to an improved technology for controlling Mopymultiple-original-output (“Mopying”) on multifunction devices (MFDs). More particularly, this invention generally relates to an improved technology for controlling source and destination of specific outputs of a multiple-original-output job on MFDs. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Mopying 
     The term “Mopy” is short for a function often called “Multiple Original Copies”, “Multiple Original Prints”, or “Multiple Original Output”. A Mopy-enabled product produces “Mopies,” whereas a photocopier produces copies. 
     Advances in digital technology have created a trend towards reliable, affordable multifunction equipment in place of traditional stand-alone, single purpose devices like photocopiers and fax machines. While the need for copying will continue to exist, more complete multifunctional solutions are being developed that will substitute for or replace traditional photocopier and fax devices. 
     To Mopy, a computer user, typically, sets an option to print a given number of copies of a document via an application or a printer driver interface. However, use of conventional non-mopied printers for Mopying can cause a slower return to applications for users as the computer generates multiple collated sets on the host, which results in higher network traffic as the file size increases. 
     Mopy-enabled printers utilize intelligent firmware and host software to improve throughput and eliminate the issues above. The printer driver transmits the file only once and sends appropriate header information (e.g., the number of copies) to the printer for rasterization and spooling. The printer rasterizes the job only once and then prints multiple, original copies in the manner determined by a user. Mopy printing is particularly useful for complex jobs that slow down the printer when the first copy is created or takes a long time to transmit over a network. 
     Mopying allows users to take advantage of the advanced processing and finishing capabilities of the printer, instead of burdening their own computer and the network. Compared to traditional alternatives like making copies on photocopiers, Mopying results in a more efficient, productive work process; the sharp quality of a first generation document (rather than a copy); increased reliability; and the convenience of desktop control and management. 
     Multifunction Devices 
     Generally, a Mopy-enabled printer is a printer that produces multiple original prints. Mopying a document reduces the amount of data sent to the printer, which provides a faster return to the application and reduces network traffic. Examples of Mopy-enabled printers include: The Hewlett-Packard Company (henceforth “HP”) LaserJet® 4000, 5000, 4050, 8000, 8100 Series printers. 
     Many of the existing Mopy-enabled printers are also multifunction devices (MFDs). As the name implies, a MFD is a device capable multiple functions. Most of the functions are related to printing, paper handling, or data communication. Examples of the functions performed by a MFD include (but are not limited to):
         printing;   Mopying;   copying;   send/receive fax;   send/receive e-mail;   image acquisition;   text recognition;   source paper handling (such as high capacity input (HCI); trays   having differing paper sizes/types; envelope trays);   destination paper handling (such as stacking; stapling; sorting; collating; mailboxes);   data acquisition (network; serial; USB; parallel; IR; floppy disk; hard disk; RAM; flash cards; any other media).       

       FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional Mopying scenario  100 . A client computer  102 , as directed by a user  104 , sends a print job  106  to a MFD  11 O via a network  108 . A print job directs a printer to print a document (consisting of one or more pages). Using the printer driver, the user  104  directs the MFD to print multiple original copies (i.e., Mopies) of each page in print job  106 . Thus, print job  106  may be referred to as a Mopy job  106 . A Mopy job directs a printer to print a document (consisting of one or more pages) multiple times, but the document is sent to the printer only once and is only rasterized once. 
     As is conventional, the MFD  110  pulls paper from a single source  120 , such as an input stack  122 . There may be multiple sources available, but each page of a Mopy is only pulled from one source although a particular Mopy job may use multiple sources. Examples of such sources include a tray of legal sized paper; a tray of letter sized paper; a tray of blue paper; an envelope tray; etc. 
     Likewise, the MFD  110  sends the printed Mopies to a single destination  130 , such as an output stack  132 . There may be multiple destinations available, but each page of a Mopy is only delivered to one destination. Examples of such destinations include a paper stacker; a paper stapler; a mailbox; e-mail; fax; etc. 
     Although these Mopy-enabled multifunction devices have a large array of functions, users of such devices are conventionally restricted from fully utilizing all of the capability of such devices or instructing individual Mopies fro/from different devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     Described herein is an improved Multiple-Original-Output (“Mopying”) control technology for multifunction devices (MFDs). Such technology enables a user at a computer to fully control and access the functions of a Mopy-enabled MFD. With this technology, the user fully controls the source (e.g. data and paper) for each Mopy of a Mopy job. Similarly, the user fully controls the destination (e.g. paper and communications) for each Mopy of a Mopy job. 
     This summary itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. For a better understanding of the present invention, please see the following detailed description and appending claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like elements and features. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a multifunction device (MFD) on a network with a client. This diagram illustrates a conventional Mopying scenario. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a multifunction device (MFD) on a network with a client. This diagram illustrates an example of a Mopying scenario in accordance with an implementation of the invention claimed herein. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an exemplary system in accordance with an implementation of the invention claimed herein. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an example of a methodological implementation of the invention claimed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description sets forth specific embodiments of an improved multiple-original-output (“Mopying”) control for multifunction devices that incorporate elements recited in the appended claims. These embodiments are described with specificity in order to meet statutory written description, enablement, and best-mode requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. 
     Described herein are one or more exemplary implementations of an improved Mopying control for multifunction devices. The inventor intends these exemplary implementations to be examples. The inventor does not intend these exemplary implementations to limit the scope of the claimed present invention. Rather, the inventor has contemplated that the claimed present invention might also be embodied and implemented in other ways, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. 
     An example of an embodiment of an improved Mopying control for multifunction devices may be referred to as an “exemplary Mopying control.” 
     Exemplary Mopying Control Scenario 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary scenario  200  in which an exemplary Mopying control is implemented. A client computer  202 , as directed by a user  204 , sends a Mopy job  206  to a MFD  210  via a network  208 . Using a printer driver, the user  204  directs the MFD  210  to print multiple original copies (i.e., Mopies) of each page in job  206 . Thus, job  206  is a Mopy job  226 . 
     In the exemplary scenario, the user  204  would like for each of the Mopies of the Mopy job  206  to pull paper in from different sources  220 . For example:
         One Mopy on white, draft, letter-sized paper  222 ;   Another Mopy on blue, draft, letter-sized paper  224 ;   Still another Mopy on bond, letter-sized paper  226 ; and   Further still another Mopy on a transparency (not shown).       

     Furthermore, the user  204  would like for the Mopies to have multiple destinations  230 . In other words, not all of the Mopies are stacked together. For example:
         One Mopy stacked in the regular destination stacks  238 ;   Another sent to a mailbox  236  of a specific person;   Still another  232  sent via e-mail  234  (thus, it need never be physically printed);   Further still another sent via fax (not shown)       

     If this were a conventional scenario as shown in  FIG. 1 , the MFD  210  would pull paper from a single source. Likewise, if this were a conventional scenario, the MFD  210  would send the printed Mopies to a single destination. 
     To satisfy his Mopying needs listed, the user  202  most likely will not employ the Mopying function of the MFD. Since the user is forced to live with no source and destination choices, the user is likely to print one copy and manually copy on a photocopier the document onto other types of paper. The user will manually fax a printed document. The user will manually email the document. The user will manually place copies in the mailboxes of others. 
     However, in the exemplary scenario  200  of  FIG. 2 , in which an exemplary Mopying control is implemented, the user  202  has options to select one or more sources  220  and one or more destinations  230 . The user is given the option to select such sources and destinations via a printer dialog box (e.g., graphical user interface) on the client  204 . Such a dialog box may be provided by an application or a printer driver. 
     Examples of the sources (data and physical media, such as paper) that may be selected by a user include (but are not limited to):
         received fax;   an e-mail;   image acquisition (e.g., scanner);   text recognition for a source image;   high capacity input (HCI);   trays having differing paper sizes/types;   envelope trays;   an electronic source (for data) and no paper when the destination is electronic;   data acquisition (network; serial; USB; parallel; IR; floppy disk; hard disk; RAM; scanner; flash cards; any other media).       

     Examples of the destinations (data and physical media, such as paper) that may be selected by a user include (but are not limited to):
         sending fax;   sending e-mail;   stacking;   stapling;   sorters;   collating;   high capacity output (HCO)   mailboxes;   data transmission (network; serial; USB; parallel; IR; floppy disk; hard disk; RAM; flash cards; any other media).       

     Furthermore, the user  204  can build a customized profile to configure a standard Mopying control. The user presumably names or identifies the profiles. The profiles may be saved in a secondary non-volatile memory (e.g., hard drive) of a client (or server). When the user wishes to direct the MFD in standard manner, the user invokes the saved profile to do so. This may be called “Mopy job profiling.” 
     Exemplary Mopying Control 
       FIG. 3  shows a schematic block diagram of the exemplary Mopying control at the client and at the MFD. Mopy control system  300  includes I/O unit  310 , source-selection determiner  320 , destination-selection determiner  330 , Mopy-job formatter  340 , and Mopy-job transmitter  350 . The Mopy control system may be implemented as part of a printer driver, application, operating system, or the like. 
     The I/O unit  310  receives input from the user. It may also present a GUI for the user. The user&#39;s source-selections are determined by the source-selection determiner  320 . Likewise, the user&#39;s destination-selections are determined by the destination-selection determiner  330 . These are sources and destinations on a MFD. 
     These determined selections are included in the Mopy job, which is generated and formatted by the Mopy-job formatter  340 . The Mopy-job transmitter  350  sends this job via a network  360  to a MFD  370 . 
     The MFD  370  includes a receiver  372 , a conventional print engine  378 , multiple sources  374  (such as those listed above), and multiple destinations  376  (such as those listed above). 
     The receiver  372  receives the Mopy job and transfers it to the print engine  378 . The print engine prints the Mopies of the Mopy job. In doing so, it selects the designated source for each Mopy. Likewise, it selects the designated destination for each Mopy. 
     Methodological Implementation of the Exemplary Mopying Control 
       FIG. 4  shows methodological implementation of the exemplary Mopy-control performed by the MFD  210  (or some portion thereof) and/or client  204  (or some portion thereof). This methodological implementation may be performed in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. 
     At  410  of  FIG. 4 , the Mopying control presents a GUI (graphical user interface) to the user once the user has requested to print to a MFD. Such GUI includes an option for Mopy. It also includes options for selecting the source of each Mopy of a Mopy job. Furthermore, it includes options for selecting the destination of each Mopy of a Mopy job. In may also include a mechanism to save and retrieve Mopy job profiles. The user may select a profile; select amongst the various source/destination options; or a combination of both. 
     At  412 , the client sends a Mopy job to the MFD. The Mopy job includes Mopying-control directions that specify the source and destination of each Mopy in a Mopy job. 
     At  414 , the MFD processes such directions and prints the Mopy job accordingly. At  416 , the process ends. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or steps described. Rather, the specific features and steps are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention.