Automatic device detection and configuration in a network-aware print fulfillment engine
Disclosed is a system and method for automatically detecting the topology of output devices present in a network, and for automatically configuring those output devices for outputting a specific media type. One or more network devices are present in a computer network environment configured for processing orders for physical and/or electronic photographic prints. Such network devices may have one or more output devices attached thereto for fulfilling consumer orders for photographic prints. In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the system and method described herein query the network devices to determine the numbers and characteristics of output devices that are attached to and active on each network device, update a listing of such available output devices on an administrative management unit attached to the network, and configure each such output device for outputting specific media types.
1. An automatic detection and configuration system for a photo product fulfillment LAN (local area network) system that automatically detects and configures local photo output devices connected to the LAN system, comprising:
a local management unit that attaches to a product fulfillment LAN system, said local management unit further comprises a user interface, a local data repository, and an order submission and processing module;
a local user terminal that attaches to said product fulfillment LAN system, said local user terminal allows the end user customer to receive, process, and fulfill the end customer's order;
one or more local network devices attached to said product fulfillment LAN system, said local network device further comprises a local print engine module, local data storage, and one or more local photo output devices, said local print engine module either on its own or upon request by said local management unit creates a local output device count by counting the number of said local photo output devices attached to said local network device, said local print engine module additionally creates a local available media output profile, said local device output device count and said local available media output profile are stored in said local data storage;
wherein said local management unit periodically requests said local network devices to count the number of attached said local photo output devices to create a local network output device count and create a local network media output profile by combining said local available media output profiles, said local network output device count and said local network media output profile are stored in said local data repository of said local management unit, said local management unit dynamically provides said local network output device count and said local network media output profile to said local user terminal;
wherein the local photo output devices are configured for outputting a specific media type based on the size of the particular media type or types that the local photo output devices support;
wherein the media type comprises photographic prints of a selected size, poster prints, or images on a CD;
wherein a listing of print media output sizes is maintained by the local management unit reflecting supported media sizes of prints that may be produced by the local photo output devices; and
wherein the end user customer is presented the listing of print media output sizes as an order option and is able to fulfill the order by selecting an appropriate and available said local photo output device through said local user terminal.
2. A method to manufacture an automatic detection and configuration system for a photo product fulfillment LAN (local area network) system that automatically detects and configures local photo output devices connected to the LAN system, comprising:
providing a local management unit that attaches to a product fulfillment LAN system, said local management unit further comprises a user interface, a local data repository, and an order submission and processing module;
providing a local user terminal that attaches to said product fulfillment LAN system, said local user terminal allows the end user customer to receive, process, and fulfill the end customer's order;
providing one or more local network devices attached to said product fulfillment LAN system, said local network device further comprises a print engine module, local data storage, and one or more local photo output devices, said print engine module either on its own or upon request by said local management unit creates a local output device count by counting the number of said local photo output devices attached to said local network device, said local print engine module additionally creates a local available media output profile, said local device output device count and said local available media output profile are stored in said local data storage;
wherein said local management unit periodically requests said local network devices to count the number of attached said local photo output devices to create a local network output device count and create a local network media output profile by combining said local available media output profiles, said local network output device count and said local network media output profile are stored in said local data repository, said local management unit dynamically provides said local network output device count and said local network media output profile to said local user terminal;
wherein the local photo output devices are configured for outputting a specific media type based on the size of the particular media type or types that the local photo output devices support;
wherein the media type comprises photographic prints of a selected size, poster prints, or images on a CD;
wherein a listing of print media output sizes is maintained by the local management unit reflecting supported media sizes of prints that may be produced by the local photo output devices; and
wherein the end user customer is presented the listing of print media output sizes as an order option and is able to fulfill the order by selecting an appropriate and available said local output device through said local user terminal.
3. A method to use an automatic detection and configuration system for a photo product fulfillment LAN (local area network) system that automatically detects and configures local photo output devices connected to the LAN system, comprising:
providing a local management unit that attaches to a product fulfillment LAN system, said local management unit further comprises a user interface, a local data repository, and an order submission and processing module;
allowing the end user customer to receive, process, and fulfill the end customer's order through a local user terminal that attaches to said product fulfillment LAN system;
providing one or more local network devices attached to said product fulfillment LAN system, said local network device further comprises a local print engine module, local data storage, and one or more local photo output devices, said local print engine module either on its own or upon request by said local management unit creates a local output device count by counting the number of said local photo output devices attached to said local network device, said local print engine module additionally creates a local available media output profile, said local device output device count and said local available media output profile are stored in said local data storage;
wherein said local management unit periodically requests said local network devices to count the number of attached said local photo output devices to create a local network output device count and create a local network media output profile by combining said local available media output profiles, said local network output device count and said local network media output profile are stored in said local data repository, said local management unit dynamically provides said local network output device count and said local network media output profile to said local user terminal;
wherein the local photo output devices are configured for outputting a specific media type based on the size of the particular media type or types that the local photo output devices support;
wherein the media type comprises photographic prints of a selected size, poster prints, or images on a CD;
wherein a listing of print media output sizes is maintained by the local management unit reflecting supported media sizes of prints that may be produced by the local photo output devices; and
wherein the end user customer is presented the listing of print media output sizes as an order option and is able to fulfill the order by selecting an appropriate and available said local output device through said local user terminal.
4. A non-transitory program storage device readable by a computing device that tangibly embodies a program of instructions executable by the computing device to perform a method to use an automatic detection and configuration system for a photo product fulfillment LAN (local area network) system that automatically detects and configures local photo output devices connected to the LAN system, comprising:
providing a local management unit that attaches to a product fulfillment LAN system, said local management unit further comprises a user interface, a local data repository, and an order submission and processing module;
allowing the end user customer to receive, process, and fulfill the end customer's order through a local user terminal that attaches to said product fulfillment LAN system;
providing one or more local network devices attached to said product fulfillment LAN system, said local network device further comprises a local print engine module, local data storage, and one or more local photo output devices, said local print engine module either on its own or upon request by said local management unit creates a local output device count by counting the number of said local photo output devices attached to said local network device, said local print engine module additionally creates a local available media output profile, said local device output device count and said local available media output profile are stored in said local data storage;
wherein said local management unit periodically requests said local network devices to count the number of attached said local photo output devices to create a local network output device count and create a local network media output profile by combining said local available media output profiles, said local network output device count and said local network media output profile are stored in said local data repository, said local management unit dynamically provides said local network output device count and said local network media output profile to said local user terminal;
wherein the local photo output devices are configured for outputting a specific media type based on the size of the particular media type or types that the local photo output devices support;
wherein the media type comprises photographic prints of a selected size, poster prints, or images on a CD;
wherein a listing of print media output sizes is maintained by the local management unit reflecting supported media sizes of prints that may be produced by the local photo output devices; and
wherein the end user customer is presented the listing of print media output sizes as an order option and is able to fulfill the order by selecting an appropriate and available said local output device through said local user terminal.