Patent ID: 8322846

Claim:
A method for providing multiple uses of printer coversheets, comprising: (a) providing a printer having a dedicated coversheet tray, at least one document sheet tray, and a scanning device; (b) receiving a print command from a user through the user's computer device, the user having a corresponding username, the username being associated with the print command, and the print command instructing the printer to print a file; (c) drawing a coversheet from the dedicated coversheet tray to be positioned adjacent the printed file, the coversheet having a plurality of predetermined username indication positions at which the printer is operable to print usernames corresponding to print commands and a corresponding plurality of predetermined barcode positions located separately from the plurality of predetermined username indication positions on the coversheet, at which the printer is operable to print one or more barcodes having data encoded therein, the data corresponding to a username indication position; (d) the scanning device performing a barcode scan of at least one barcode printed on the coversheet to obtain data from the scanned barcode corresponding to a username indication position; (e) determining at which username indication position to print the username on the coversheet based on the data obtained from the barcode scan at step (d); (f) printing the username at a next-available one of the username indication positions on the coversheet based on the determination made at step (e), and (g) printing a barcode on the coversheet at the one of the barcode positions, the barcode having data encoded therein, the data corresponding to the username indication position at which the username is printed at step (f).