LOCATION-BASED PRINT AUTHORIZATION FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTERS
Three-dimensional fabrication resources are improved by adding networking capabilities to three-dimensional printers and providing a variety of tools for networked use of three-dimensional printers. Web-based servers or the like can provide a single point of access for remote users to manage access to distributed content on one hand, and to manage use of distributed fabrication resources on the other.
1 . A system comprising:
a print server coupled through a data network to a plurality of three-dimensional printers, the print server configured to receive status information from each one of the plurality of three-dimensional printers and to manage a print queue for each one of the plurality of three-dimensional printers; and
a database coupled in a communicating relationship with the print server and configured to store print queue data, status information, and a printer location for each one of the plurality of three-dimensional printers;
wherein the print server is configured to determine a location of a mobile system transmitting a print request to the print server, and to select one of the plurality of three-dimensional printers for executing the print request based upon a proximity of the printer location to the location of the mobile system.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile system includes at least one of a laptop computer and a tablet.
3 . The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile system includes at least one of a cellular phone and a smart phone.
4 . The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile system includes location awareness technology.
5 . The system of claim 4 wherein the mobile system includes a Global Positioning System.
6 . The system of claim 4 wherein the location awareness technology includes cellular network triangulation.
7 . The system of claim 1 wherein the print server is configured to initiate a print job based upon the print request at one of the plurality of three-dimensional printers closest to the printer location.
8 . The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of three-dimensional printers include at least one fused deposition modeling system.
9 . The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of three-dimensional printers include at least one stereolithography system.
10 . A system comprising:
a three-dimensional printer including a network interface, the three-dimensional printer configured to receive a request to execute a print job from a user through the network interface; and
a processor that controls the three-dimensional printer, the processor configured to conditionally authorize execution of the print job based upon a location of the user.
11 . The system of claim 10 wherein the processor is local to the three-dimensional printer.
12 . The system of claim 10 wherein the processor is on a print server remote from the three-dimensional printer.
13 . The system of claim 10 wherein the location of the user is based upon a mobile system operated by the user.
14 . The system of claim 13 wherein the mobile system includes at least one of a cellular phone and a smart phone.
15 . The system of claim 13 wherein the mobile system includes at least one of a laptop computer and a tablet.
16 . The system of claim 13 wherein the mobile system includes location awareness technology.
17 . The system of claim 16 wherein the mobile device includes a Global Positioning System.
18 . The system of claim 10 wherein the processor conditionally authorizes execution of the print job only when the user is near a predetermined location.
19 . The system of claim 18 wherein the predetermined location includes a geofenced area.
20 . The system of claim 10 wherein the processor conditionally authorizes execution of the print job only after a user has visited a predetermined location.