Patent ID: 7031929

Claim:
A computer implemented method for processing a print job with geographically distributed print shops, comprising: coupling a first set of print shops, a second set of print shops, and a central repository via a computer network; the first set of print shops having one print shop and the second set of print shops having a plurality of print shops; sending to the central repository a production schedule representative of at least one print shop in the second set of print shops with access controls that allow visibility of its production schedule to include the print shop in the first set of print shops; each production schedule sent by a print shop to the central repository comprising data allowing a representation for graphically displaying the respective production schedule; retrieving, at the print shop in the first set of print shops from the central repository via the computer network when the print shop in the first set of print shops lacks sufficient printing capacity for processing the print job, the production schedules of print shops in the second set of print shops having access controls that permit visibility of their production schedules to the print shop in the first set of print shops; and transferring, from the print shop in the first set of print shops to at least one print shop in the second set of print shops via the computer network, at least part of the print job when spare printing capacity is indicated in at least one retrieved production schedule of the second set of print shops; wherein the production schedule data is created suitable for storage in the central repository by capturing an image of a human readable rendering of the production schedule; wherein the print shop in the first set of print shops and the at least one print shop in the second set of print shops effect the transfer of the at least part of the print job independent of any centralized scheduling application while each print shop may operate a scheduling application of its choosing; and wherein each production schedule projects a mapping between print jobs and print devices over a period of time.