Method and system for handling one or more requests received in a remote work environment

Abstract

To provide methods and systems for handling one or more requests received in a remote working environment.SOLUTION: The method includes: receiving, from a computing device of a user, a print request and a request to turn off the power of a multi-function device; and, based on the request, checking whether the computing device is remotely located by obtaining a location of the computing device using a predefined method, such as the GPS, in real time. Then, the obtained location of the computing device is compared with a location of the multi-function device. Based on the comparison, a corresponding message or alert is presented to the user via a user interface, for an appropriate action. The user can submit a document as a secure print job, can check other non-remote users, and cannot turn off the power of the multi-function device when working remotely.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of printing. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method and system for handling one or more requests received in a remote work environment.

Background Art

[0002] In an office, typically, user devices such as computing devices, laptops, etc. are connected to each other and to various other office devices such as printers, multifunction devices, etc. via a local area network (LAN), which can be wired or wireless. A user submits various requests such as print requests to the connected printer or multifunction device through the LAN. However, recently, users have completely shifted to a work operation mode where they work / operate from home instead of the office location. For example, a user may work from home or operate at a different location of their choice. In such a remote work environment, user / user devices are connected to each other via a Virtual Private Network (VPN). The VPN uses a public network (i.e., the Internet) to enable secure connection of remote-located users to the office network. Similar to the LAN, a user can access all office devices and communicate with each other, and when connected to the VPN, can submit print requests through the remote location. Similar to all users, an administrative user can remotely access and control office devices such as printers, multifunction devices, etc. through the VPN connection. For example, an administrative user can view all print jobs present in the job queue, manage jobs, turn on or turn off the power of any device.

[0003] Users connected to a VPN can select a printer through their computing device and submit a document for normal printing. The printer prints the document based on the attributes of the submitting user. However, this approach can lead to serious security problems. For example, if the user who submitted the print request is not in the office, someone in the office can access the printed document. Furthermore, even if the user's location is nearby, it may take time for the user to arrive at the office and retrieve the printed document, while any other user can retrieve it. By implementing this approach, other / unauthorized users can access the user's potentially confidential and / or personal information. Similarly, if an administrative user accidentally or intentionally turns off any office device remotely, it can cause problems for other users working in the office. For example, if a user in the office wants to print a document or access a device for other purposes such as scanning or copying, they cannot take any action because the administrative user has turned off the device. Currently, there are no known solutions or mechanisms for handling such requests submitted by users via / located remotely. Therefore, methods and systems to address such challenges are needed. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0004] According to embodiments illustrated herein, a method exists for protecting remote print jobs, which is implemented in a print driver operating on a computing device. This method includes receiving a print command request from a user to print a document, along with one or more print attributes, through the print driver. Before submitting the document for printing to the multifunction device, the computing device verifies whether it is located remotely from the multifunction device. Based on this verification, a message is generated and displayed to the user in real time via the user interface to submit the document as a secure print job.

[0005] Further embodiments illustrated herein disclose a computing device for protecting remote print jobs. The computing device includes a print driver that receives a print request to print a document through the print driver, along with one or more print attributes, wherein at least one print attribute selected for printing the document is a normal print job; checks whether the computing device is remotely connected to a multifunction device before submitting the document to the multifunction device; and, based on the check, generates and displays a message to alert the user in real time via a user interface to submit the document as a secure print job.

[0006] Further embodiments illustrated herein provide a method for remotely managing one or more multifunction devices. A remote printer access application operates on the administrator's computing device to: provide a user interface to an administrator user for remotely managing and accessing one or more multifunction devices and one or more print jobs, wherein the one or more multifunction devices are connected to each other in a manner that allows them to communicate with one another via a network; receive a request to turn off the power to at least one of the one or more network-connected multifunction devices; determine whether a computing device is located remotely from the multifunction devices by obtaining the location of the computing device in real time using a predefined method based on the request; compare the obtained location of the computing device with the location of at least one multifunction device; and, based on the comparison, present a warning message to the administrator user via the user interface to prevent turning off the power to at least one multifunction device.

[0007] Further embodiments illustrated herein disclose a computing device for remotely managing one or more multifunction devices. The computing device includes a remote printer access application that operates on the computing device of an administrative user, and provides an administrative user with a user interface for remotely managing and accessing one or more multifunction devices and one or more print jobs, wherein the one or more multifunction devices are coupled together so as to be able to communicate with each other over a network; receives a request to turn off the power of at least one of the one or more multifunction devices; based on the request, using a predefined method in real time, obtain the location of the administrative user's computing device; compare the obtained location of the computing device with the location of at least one of the multifunction devices; and based on the comparison, present a warning message to the administrative user via the user interface so as not to turn off the power of at least one of the multifunction devices.

[0008] Further embodiments illustrated herein disclose a method and system for controlling one or more requests received in a remote work environment. The method includes receiving at least one request, including a print request and a request to turn off a multifunction device, which is received from a user's computing device. Based on the request, the method determines whether the computing device is located remotely by obtaining its location in real time using a predefined method such as GPS. The obtained location of the computing device is then compared to the location of the multifunction device. Based on the comparison, a corresponding message or alarm is presented to the user via a user interface for appropriate action.

[0009] Other and further aspects and features of this disclosure will become apparent from reading the following detailed description of embodiments intended to be illustrative rather than limiting this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter are best understood by reference to the drawings, where similar parts are indicated by similar figures throughout. The following description is intended only as an example and merely illustrates specific selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter claimed herein.

[0011] [Figure 1A] This document provides exemplary environments in which various embodiments of this disclosure can be put into practice. [Figure 1B] This document provides exemplary environments in which various embodiments of this disclosure can be put into practice.

[0012] [Figure 2A] This is a system for protecting remote jobs according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] [Figure 2B] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides another system for managing one or more office devices.

[0014] [Figure 3A] This is an illustrative snapshot of various messages / alerts displayed to the user. [Figure 3B] This is an illustrative snapshot of various messages / alerts displayed to the user. [Figure 3C] This is an illustrative snapshot of various messages / alerts displayed to the user. [Figure 3D] This is an illustrative snapshot of various messages / alerts displayed to the user.

[0015] [Figure 3E]Shows an exemplary another snapshot of the message / warning displayed to the user.

[0016] [Figure 4] It is an exemplary method flowchart for handling one or more requests received from one or more users in a remote work environment.

[0017] [Figure 5] It is an exemplary method flowchart for protecting a remote printing job according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] [Figure 6] It is an exemplary method flowchart for remotely managing one or more multifunction devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] [Figure 7] Shows an exemplary flowchart for implementing the present disclosure.

[0020] [Figure 8] Shows an exemplary office environment for implementing the present disclosure.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Some aspects of the inventions of the disclosed embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to various figures. The embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, which is not limited by the scope defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art will recognize some equivalent variations of the various features provided in the following description. Non-limiting definitions

[0022] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, definitions of one or more terms used in this document are provided below. Those skilled in the art will understand that the definitions are provided only for clarity and are intended to include more examples in addition to the examples provided below.

[0023] The term “multifunction device” refers, but is not limited to, to a single device or combination of devices for performing one or more functions, such as printing, imaging, scanning, copying, etc. A multifunction device may include software, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the context of this disclosure, a multifunction device is a device located remotely from a user or a user’s computing device and is communicably coupled to the computing device via a virtual private network (VPN). The multifunction device is available to all users for printing via the VPN. The multifunction device may transmit its physical location to other devices, such as a computing device, and the multifunction device may also be referred to as an office device.

[0024] The term “computing device” refers to a device that a user typically uses to issue print commands and for other purposes. Examples of computing devices include, but are not limited to, personal computers, desktops, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, or any other device capable of data communication. A computing device includes one or more applications, such as a print driver application and a remote printer access application. A print driver application allows a user to submit print commands, one or more print parameters / attributes, and documents to be printed. A remote printer access application allows a user, such as an administrator, to remotely manage a multifunction device or print jobs on a multifunction device. In the context of this disclosure, a computing device handles / controls one or more requests received from one or more users in a remote work environment. Examples of requests may include at least one print request, a request to turn off an office device, etc.

[0025] The term "user" may include any user, such as a user who submits a print request or document for printing from their respective computing device. The term "administrative user" refers to a user who has the right to remotely manage all office devices, such as multifunction devices, and their functions. For example, an administrative user can turn office devices on or off. In another example, an administrative user can suspend office devices.

[0026] The term "remote work environment" refers to an environment where several users or computing devices are located remotely from the office location, or where a multifunction device is located remotely. In a remote work environment, computing devices connect to each other and / or office devices remotely via a VPN. The term "remotely located" is used when a user and / or each user's computing device are not present in the office and are located away from the office location.

[0027] The term "predefined method" refers to any known or subsequently developed method for determining the location of a computing device and / or a user. One exemplary predefined method may be the Global Positioning System (GPS).

[0028] The term "predefined value" defines the local area network distance range to which multiple computing devices, office devices, and users typically connect. The predefined value could be 10km, 15km, 25km, etc. If any user or computing device is located beyond the predefined value, the user / computing device is considered remotely located. In other words, any value beyond the predefined value indicates that the user and / or computing device is not part of the local office network, but is connected to the office network remotely, for example, via a VPN.

[0029] A “predefined message” refers to any message presented to the user in the form of an alarm, notification, or warning message. A predefined message may relate to a print request. For example, a user's message might be to change a normal print job to a secure print job. A predefined message may relate to a request to turn off a power. For example, a predefined message for a user might be not to turn off the power to an office device such as a multifunction device. overview

[0030] This disclosure discloses a method and system for handling one or more requests received from a user in a remote work environment. In one example, the request may be a print request. In another example, the request may be a request to turn off the power to an office device such as a printer, multifunction device, scanner, or copier. These are two examples, but other types of remote requests from a user may exist. One or more requests are managed or controlled so that when a user submits a print request (also referred to as a remote print job) containing a document to be printed from a remote location, it is submitted as a secure print job instead of a normal print job. Similarly, when an administrator attempts to turn off the power to an office device such as a printer from a remote location, the administrator is unable to turn off the power to the device. Here, one or more messages are presented to the user and / or administrator user in the form of alarms, notifications, or warnings. Exemplary environment

[0031] Figure 1A shows an exemplary environment 100 in which various embodiments of the present disclosure can be put into practice. Environment 100 represents a remote work environment in which multiple users remotely operate and remotely access office devices and / or resources. For simplicity, a single user / computing device is shown, but the remote work environment 100 may include multiple users and / or multiple computing devices, etc. Instead of the multifunction device 106, environment 100 may include a printer, a multifunction printer, a multifunction peripheral device, or any device having printing capabilities.

[0032] As shown in the figure, environment 100 includes a computing device 102 that is communicatively coupled to a multifunction device 106. The computing device 102 is located remotely from the multifunction device 106 and is further connected to the multifunction device 106 via a virtual private network 105 (VPN) to securely communicate with other devices and / or users. The VPN 105 creates a secure communication channel between the computing device 102 and the multifunction device 106. While the VPN is one example of connecting users and / or computing devices to an office network, users and / or computing devices may connect remotely to the office network / devices through other known or later developed methods. Users use the computing device 102 for daily tasks such as chatting, emailing, surfing, and submitting documents for printing. Various examples of the computing device 102 may be a laptop, personal computer, mobile device, personal digital assistant, or any known or later developed computing device. The computing device 102 runs several applications, such as a print driver 104.

[0033] The print driver 104 allows a user to submit a document for printing, along with one or more print attributes / parameters such as pages, number of copies, black and white, print scale, orientation, and destination printer. In the context of this disclosure, the print driver 104 is configured to handle such print requests before submitting them to the remote multifunction device 106.

[0034] During operation, when a user selects a document to print via the print driver 104, the print driver 104 receives the document along with other selected print attributes, such as the destination printer, number of copies, number of pages to print, orientation, and print type, for use with a multifunction device such as 106. Before submitting the document for printing to the selected multifunction device such as 106, the print driver 104 checks whether the computing device 102 is located remotely from the multifunction device 106. This is determined based on the locations of the computing device 102 and the multifunction device 106. Based on this check, the print driver 104 generates a predefined message for the user. The predefined message alerts the user that they are submitting a document to print from away from or outside the office, further enabling the user to take appropriate action, i.e., submit the print job as a secure print job.

[0035] Similarly to the above, in environment 110 of Figure 1B, the computing device 112 and the multifunction device 116 are remotely connected via a VPN network 117. The computing device 112 is shown to include a remote printer access application 114. Typically, the remote printer application 114 is used by an administrator to remotely manage and access one or more office devices, such as multifunction devices, printers, scanners, and copiers. For example, the remote printer access application 114 allows a user to view all print jobs and print queues submitted by various users, and further allows an administrator to power on, pause, and power off a network-connected multifunction device 116. In the context of this disclosure, when an administrator requests to power off the multifunction device 116 by selecting the power-off option, the remote printer access application 114 checks whether the administrator and / or the administrator's computing device 112 are located remotely. If they are located remotely from the selected multifunction device 116, the remote printer access application 114 displays a warning message not to power off the multifunction device 116. The remote printer access application 114 further rejects the administrator user from turning off the power to the multifunction device 116 when the administrator user's computing device 112 is located remotely from the multifunction device 116. Exemplary System

[0036] Figure 2A shows a system 200 including a computing device 202 that is communicably coupled to a multifunction device 214 via a virtual private network (VPN) 212. As illustrated, the computing device 202 includes a VPN client 210 and a print driver 204 which includes a user interface 206 and a location determination and analysis module 208.

[0037] The user first connects computing device 202 to a public network, i.e., the Internet, using any method such as broadband, a mobile hotspot, or other known or later developed methods. Once connected, the user is required to open and access VPN client 210 on their computing device 202 and enter login credentials such as a username, password, employee code, employee ID, or other authentication information to connect to resources such as office networks, devices, printers, multifunction devices (such as 214), or to communicate with other users. This establishes a secure connection between computing device 202 and multifunction device 214. Once connected to VPN network 212, the user can view and further access any resources, files, or communicate with any other users as would be done when connected to a location area network. For example, the user can access files residing on a file server, etc.

[0038] During operation, the user submits a document for printing to a remotely located multifunction device 214 from the user's computing device 202 using the print driver 204. The user submits a print command request to print the document, along with the selection of one or more print attributes, as discussed above. While submitting the print command, the user can see all multifunction devices available for printing and select any multifunction device. For example, the user can select a multifunction device such as 214 to print to. The print driver 204 receives the document along with the selected multifunction device 214 for printing. Before submitting the document for printing to the selected multifunction device 214, the print driver 204 checks whether the computing device 202 is located remotely. To achieve this, the print driver 204 communicates with the location determination and analysis module 208. The location determination and analysis module 208 obtains the location of the computing device 202, for example, using GPS in real time. The location determination and analysis module 208 may obtain the location of computing device 202 based on its IP (Internet Protocol) address. In other examples, the location determination and analysis module 208 may obtain the location of computing device 202 using any third-party service or tool as a known or subsequently developed method. Once obtained, the location determination and analysis module 208 compares the location of computing device 202 with the location of the multifunction device 214 selected for printing the document. To achieve this purpose, the location of the selected multifunction device 214 may be obtained through the print driver 204 itself, or if the IP address of the selected multifunction device 214 is known or pre-supplied within the print driver 204. Furthermore, the location of the selected multifunction device 214 may be obtained by establishing a connection between the print driver 20 and the selected multifunction device 214.

[0039] Once the locations of both the print driver 204 and the selected multifunction device 214 are obtained, the location determination and analysis module 208 compares the location of the computing device 202 with the location of the selected multifunction device 214. The location determination and analysis module 208 then calculates the distance between the computing device 202 and the selected multifunction device 214 and further determines whether the distance between the computing device 202 and the selected multifunction device 214 is greater than a predefined value. For example, the predefined value may be 15 km. If, for example, the distance between the computing device 202 and the multifunction device 214 is greater than 15 km, the location determination and analysis module 208 determines that the computing device 202 is not part of the local area network and is far from the office location. The location determination and analysis module 208 may simply compare the location of the computing device 202 with the location of the selected multifunction device 214 and determine that the computing device 202 is located far from the office or from the multifunction device 214. In some implementations, the location determination and analysis module 208 can obtain the area range defined within the multifunction device 214. For example, if the defined area range is 25 km, the location determination and analysis module 208 further identifies whether the distance between the computing device 202 and the multifunction device 214 is greater than the defined area range. If it is greater than the defined area range, the location determination and analysis module 208 considers the computing device 202 to be located remotely from the multifunction device 214. Otherwise, the computing device 202 is located near the multifunction device 214. In this way, the location determination and analysis module 208 determines that the computing device 202 is located remotely from the multifunction device 214. The predefined values ​​and defined area ranges (such as distance) indicate boundaries where all devices are considered local devices, and devices outside these boundaries are considered remotely located.

[0040] Next, the location determination and analysis module 208 communicates this to the print driver 204. The print driver 204 checks the print attributes and identifies whether the user has submitted the document as a regular print job or as a secure print job. If the print attributes are a regular print job, the print driver 204 generates a message for the user indicating that the computing device 202 is away from the office. The message is generated in the form of an alarm and is displayed to the user via the print driver's user interface 206 itself. The message presents the user with the option to submit a regular print job as a secure print job. One such exemplary user interface 300 is shown in Figure 3A. The user interface 300 displays a predefined message (displayed as 302), such as "Printing while away from the office." The user can proceed by selecting the option OK (displayed as 306). The user interface 300 further presents the user with a message to omit this message in the future (displayed as 304b). The user can use the checkbox displayed as 304a to choose to omit such messages, collectively referring to message 304b and checkbox 304a as 304.

[0041] Based on the user's response, the print driver 204 automatically converts a normal print job into a secure print job. Here, the print driver 204 changes at least one print attribute, such as a normal print job, to a secure print job. In this way, the print driver 204 protects print jobs submitted remotely and enhances the security level for remote work environments. In some implementations, the print driver 204 provides the user with the option to convert a normal print job into a secure print job in real time. The option is provided through the user interface 206. An exemplary interface 310 with the option (displayed as 312) is presented to the user. Option 312 asks the user if they want to convert a normal print job into a secure print job. If the user selects "yes" (displayed as 314), the print driver 204 converts the normal print job into a secure print job. If the user selects "no" (displayed as 316), the print driver 204 retains the normal print job.

[0042] When a normal print job is successfully converted into a secure print job, the print driver 204 submits the document and print attributes to the multifunction device 214 for printing. Secure print jobs can be printed when the user is at the multifunction device 214 and further enters their authentication information, such as username, user ID, password, and employee ID. If user authentication is successful, the multifunction device 214 prints the document based on the print attributes submitted by the user. In this way, system 200 provides a method for protecting remote print jobs, i.e., jobs submitted from a computing device 202 located remotely from the multifunction device 214 / office.

[0043] Figure 2B shows a system 220 comprising a computing device 222 and a multifunction device 234, which is similar to system 200 shown and discussed in Figure 2A. However, the requirements submitted by the computing device 222 differ from those submitted in Figures 1A and 2A. As shown in Figure 2B, the computing device 222 includes a remote printer access application 224 that enables a user, such as an administrator, to remotely manage any office device.

[0044] The administrator user first connects computing device 222 to the internet using any method, such as a public network, i.e., broadband, mobile hotspot, or any other known or later developed method. Once connected, the administrator user is required to open and access VPN client 230 on their computing device 222 and enter login credentials such as username, password, employee code, employee ID, or other authentication information to connect to resources such as office networks, devices, printers, and multifunction devices, or to communicate with other users. This establishes a secure connection between computing device 222 and multifunction device 234. Once connected to VPN network 232, the administrator user can further use the remote printer access application 224 to access and manage any office devices, resources, and files, or to communicate with any other users, as would be done when connected on a location area network. For example, the administrator user can access and remotely manage multifunction device 234.

[0045] In the implementation, the administrator submits a request to turn off the power to a multifunction device such as 234. The request is submitted through the user interface 226 of the remote printer access application 224. The user interface 226 further includes various options for the administrator, as will be discussed in detail below. Before turning off the power to the multifunction device 234, the remote printer access application 224 verifies whether the administrator's computing device 222 is remotely connected to the multifunction device 234. To achieve this objective, the remote printer access application 224 communicates with the location determination and analysis module 228. The location determination and analysis module 228 obtains the location of the computing device 222, for example, using GPS in real time. The location determination and analysis module 228 may obtain the location of the computing device 222 based on the computing device 222's IP address. In other examples, the location determination and analysis module 228 may obtain the location of the computing device 222 using any third-party service or tool as a known or later developed method. The location determination and analysis module 228 further compares the location of the computing device 222 with the location of the selected multifunction device 234. The location of the selected multifunction device 234 may be obtained through the remote printer access application 224, or if the IP address of the selected multifunction device 234 is known or pre-supplied within the remote printer access application 224. Furthermore, the location of the selected multifunction device 234 may be obtained by establishing communication with the selected multifunction device 234. Once the location of the selected multifunction device 234 is obtained, the location determination and analysis module 228 compares the location of the computing device 222 with the location of the selected multifunction device 234. The location determination and analysis module 228 calculates the distance between the computing device 222 and the selected multifunction device 234 and further determines whether the distance to the computing device 222 is greater than a predefined value.For example, if the distance between computing device 222 and multifunction device 234 is greater than 15 km, the location determination and analysis module 228 determines that computing device 222 is not part of the local area network and is located away from the office location, i.e., remotely. The location determination and analysis module 228 may simply compare the location of computing device 222 with the location of the selected multifunction device 234 and determine that computing device 222 is located remotely from the office. The location determination and analysis module 228 then communicates this to the remote printer access application 224. The remote printer access application 224 generates a message for the administrator indicating that computing device 222 is away from the office. The message is generated in the form of an alarm or warning message and is displayed to the administrator via the remote printer access application 224. The alarm informs the administrator that they are working remotely and do not need to power off or pause device 234.

[0046] The remote printer access application 224 is shown to include modules such as 226 and 228, but the functions of these modules 226 and 228 can be directly incorporated into the remote printer access application 224. In such a case, location determination, location comparison, alarm generation, messaging, etc., are performed by application 224.

[0047] The remote printer access application 224 lists all multifunction devices available in the office. The administrator can select any multifunction device from the list. For the sake of discussion, it is assumed that the administrator selects a single multifunction device, such as 234.

[0048] One such exemplary remote printer access application, such as 320, is shown in Figure 3C. As shown, the remote printer access application 320 or its user interface displays all jobs submitted by various users (displayed as 324), such as 324a, 324b, 324c, 324d, and 324e. As further shown, the remote printer access application 320 includes various options such as delete 326a, job progress 326b, and job details 326c (collectively 326). Option 326a allows the administrator to delete any job, option 326b allows the administrator to view the progress of any listed job, and option 326c allows the administrator to view all details of a listed job in the job queue. The application 320 further includes a power off option, displayed as 328, for turning off an office device such as 234, and a pause option, displayed as 330, for temporarily pausing device 234. When an administrator selects power-off option 328, an exemplary message is displayed to the administrator, as shown in Figure 3D. The exemplary message is "Printer policy prevents external organizations from turning off the printer" (displayed as 342) in snapshot 340 of Figure 3D. Another exemplary message displayed to the administrator is "Sorry, we cannot turn off the virtual access printer. We restrict remote power-off of the printer to avoid inconsistencies with existing non-remote users" (displayed as 352) in snapshot 350 of Figure 3E.

[0049] Figures 2A and 2B discuss the print driver 204 and the remote printer access application 224, where location identification and distance calculation are performed by location determination and analysis modules 208 and 228, respectively. However, it is understood that location identification and distance calculation (for both computing devices 202, 222 and multifunction devices 214, 234) can also be performed, for example, at the VPN level, i.e., by VPN clients 210 and 230, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, respectively. For example, VPN client 210 may already have source and destination locations, i.e., the locations of computing device 202 and multifunction device 214, and based on these locations, VPN client 210 calculates the distance and identifies whether computing device 202 is located remotely. In another example, VPN client 210 may obtain the location of multifunction device 214 in real time. Similarly, the VPN client 230 in Figure 2B may already have a source location, i.e., a computing device 222, and a destination location, i.e., a multifunction device 234. Based on these locations, the VPN client 230 calculates the distance and identifies whether the computing device 222 is located remotely. In another example, the VPN client 230 may obtain the location of the multifunction device 234 in real time. These are just a few examples, but the locations of computing devices (202 and 222) and multifunction devices (214 and 234) can be determined / identified using any known or subsequently developed method without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Example Method Flowchart

[0050] Figure 4 is a flowchart 400 of a method for controlling one or more requests received in a remote work environment. In 402, at least one request is received from a user or computing device. The request may be a print request or a request to turn off an office device such as a multifunction device 106. A print request includes a print command request to print a document, along with one or more print attributes, at least one of which is a destination print device such as 106. For ease of consideration, it can be assumed that a print request or a request to turn off a multifunction device 106 is received from the same computing device such as 102. However, it is understood that a print request or a request to turn off a device 106 can be received from different computing devices, and therefore the locations of these computing devices are determined and compared. Similarly, a print request or a request to turn off a device 106 is considered for the same multifunction device 106. However, it is understood that a print request and a request to turn off a device can be for different multifunction devices. Therefore, the locations of these multifunction devices are considered for comparison purposes only. Print requests may be received from any user in the office or from an administrative user. Requests to turn off device 106 may be received from an administrative user.

[0051] Based on the request, method 400 determines whether the computing device is located remotely by obtaining its location in real time using a predefined method in 404. The location of the computing device is obtained as discussed in detail above. In 406, the obtained location of the computing device is compared with the location of the multifunction device. In 408, a message is presented to the user via the user interface for appropriate action based on the comparison. For example, if the user's request concerns a print request, a message is displayed to the user in real time via the user interface to submit the document as a secure print job. In another example, if the user's request concerns turning off the multifunction device, a warning message is presented to the user via the user interface to prevent the multifunction device from being turned off. In this way, method 400 controls or handles all requests received in a remote work environment. For example, method 400 controls print requests by first presenting a message to the user to submit the document as a secure print job to protect the job when the user / computing device is away from the office, and / or further converts the document from a normal print job to a secure print job. In another example, method 400 controls requests to turn off a multifunction device by first warning the administrative user not to turn off the multifunction device, and / or further rejecting the request to prevent the administrative user from turning off the multifunction device.

[0052] Figure 5 is an exemplary method flowchart 500 for protecting remote print jobs. Method 500 can be implemented on a computing device such as computing device 102 in Figure 1A or computing device 202 in Figure 2A. However, method 500 can be implemented on any equivalent device, including a print driver.

[0053] First, the user submits a print command through the print driver 104 and selects one or more print attributes as discussed above. Along with this, the print driver 104 displays one or more multifunction devices available for printing the job. The user selects a multifunction device, such as 106, to print through the print driver. In 502, the document to be printed from the user is received along with the print attributes and the selection of multifunction device 106 to print.

[0054] Before submitting a document for printing to the selected multifunction device 106, the location of the computing device 102 is obtained in real time at 504. The location is obtained in real time using a predefined method such as GPS. Similarly, the location of the selected multifunction device 106 is obtained / already known to the computing device 102 or the print driver 104. Then, at 506, the obtained location of the computing device 102 is compared with the location of the selected multifunction device 106. Next, the distance between the computing device 102 and the selected multifunction device 106 is calculated based on these obtained locations. If the difference in the calculated distance of the compared locations is greater than a predefined value, for example 10KM, it is determined that the computing device 102 is located outside the office or at a remote location. Therefore, at 508, a message is generated for the user to submit the print job as a secure job and is displayed / presented to the user. The notification alerts the user that they are operating outside the office and therefore need to submit the document as a secure print job when the user is not in the office. Based on user responses, regular print jobs are directly and automatically converted from regular print jobs to secure print jobs. In some cases, users are offered the option to convert regular print jobs to secure print jobs. Users can select this option and manually change the print attributes from a regular print job to a secure print job. In this way, method 500 protects print jobs submitted remotely and ensures that documents submitted from computing device 102 are secure print jobs.

[0055] For the purposes of Method 500, the print request is considered to contain a document, and the print type attribute selected for the document is a regular print job.

[0056] Figure 6 is an exemplary method flow diagram 600 for remotely managing one or more multifunction devices. Method 600 can be implemented on a computing device such as computing device 112 in Figure 1B or computing device 222 in Figure 2B. However, method 600 can be implemented on any equivalent device, including remote printer access applications.

[0057] The remote printer access application 114 runs on the administrator user's computing device 112, allowing the administrator user to remotely manage one or more office devices. For example, the administrator user can access a multifunction device 116, where all multifunction devices are located within the office.

[0058] In 602, a user interface is provided to a management user for remotely managing and accessing one or more multifunction devices. Here, one or more multifunction devices are coupled together so that they can communicate with each other via a local area network. For simplicity, a single multifunction device such as 116 is considered for the purpose of examining flow chart 600.

[0059] In block 604, a request is received to turn off the power to at least one multifunction device, such as 116, among one or more multifunction devices. The administrator user selects at least multifunction device 116, and then selects an option included in the remote printer access application to turn off the power to device 116.

[0060] Based on the request, in block 606, the location of computing device 112 is obtained in real time before the selected multifunction device is powered off. The location is obtained in real time using a predefined method such as GPS. Similarly, the location of the selected multifunction device 116 is obtained / already known. Then, in 608, the obtained location of computing device 112 is compared with the location of the selected multifunction device 116. Next, the distance between computing device 112 and multifunction device 116 is calculated based on these obtained locations. If the calculated difference between the compared locations is greater than a predefined value, namely 10 KM, it is determined that computing device 112 is located outside the office or at a remote location.

[0061] Next, in 610, if the difference between the compared locations exceeds a predefined value, a warning message is displayed to the administrator via the user interface. The warning message may be to prevent the power from being turned off on at least one multifunction device 116. In some cases, the administrator is restricted from turning off the power of the selected multifunction device 116 by disabling the power-off option included in the remote printer access application 114. Alternatively, the administrator is denied the power-off of the multifunction device 116. In other cases, the power-off option is temporarily disabled for the administrator. In this way, method 600 allows for the remote management of the multifunction device and ensures that other users who may be present in the office can continue to use the multifunction device 116.

[0062] Method 600 considers a scenario in which an administrator requests that a single multifunction device be powered off, but Method 600 can be implemented when an administrator requests that multiple multifunction devices be powered off. In such a case, the location of each multifunction device is obtained and then compared with the location of the administrator's computing device. Based on the comparison, the administrator is presented with a message for the appropriate action for each multifunction device. For example, the administrator may not be able to power off multifunction device 116. The administrator may also be further restricted or denied the powering off of multifunction devices.

[0063] Although method 600 is considered in relation to a power-off request, method 600 can be implemented when an administrative user requests that device 116 be suspended.

[0064] Figure 7 shows a flowchart 700 in which user 702 operates remotely (e.g., at home) using a computing device, selects a document to print, and then selects a printer such as 704 to print to. In this way, user 702 proceeds with printing (displayed as 703). Before submitting the document to printer 704, the user is alerted (displayed as 705) about printing remotely. The user is then prompted to select print type information to proceed, such as a secure print job (displayed as 706) or a normal print job (708). If the user selects the secure print job option 706, the print job is processed as a secure print job (displayed as 709). If the user selects option 708, the print job is processed as a normal print job (displayed as 711). Exemplary office environment

[0065] An exemplary use case scenario for implementing this disclosure is discussed in conjunction with Figure 8. However, it should be understood that this disclosure may be implemented for other case scenarios without limiting its scope.

[0066] Figure 8 shows an exemplary office environment 800, which includes multiple users such as users 802a, 802b, and 802c (collectively 802), multiple computing devices 804a, 804b, and 804c (collectively 804), and a multifunction device 810. For the users' daily tasks, user 802a uses computing device 804a, user 802b uses computing device 804b, and user 802c uses computing device 804c. As clearly shown, some users such as 802a and 802b operate in the office and are connected to each other via a local area network (LAN), while user 802c operates remotely, i.e., outside the office, and is connected to the office network via the internet 814 and a VPN server 808. As shown in the figure, users 802a and 802b, and computing devices 804a and 804b, which are part of the LAN, are indicated by a boundary (shown as 812). Furthermore, users such as 802c and remotely located computing devices 804c are shown outside the boundary 812.

[0067] Typically, when users 802a and 802b submit a print request to the multifunction device 810, the print drivers running on their respective computing devices 804a and 804b identify that computing devices 804a and 804b are part of the LAN. The print drivers on computing devices 804a and 804b submit their respective documents to the multifunction device 810 for printing. The multifunction device 810 prints the documents, and users 802a and 802b collect their respective printed documents. However, when user 802c submits a print request containing a document, the print driver running on computing device 804c verifies whether computing device 804c is part of the local area network or is located remotely. Based on the confirmation, the print driver identifies that computing device 804c is located remotely, and the print driver presents a message to user 802c to submit the document / print job as a secure print job while outside the office.

[0068] If user 802c is an administrator user and attempts to turn off the power to multifunction device 810, the remote printer access application running on computing device 804c first checks whether computing device 804c or the administrator user is located remotely or is part of a local area network. Based on this check, the remote printing application identifies that computing device 804c is located remotely. The application then restricts user 802c from turning off the power to multifunction device 810. In this way, other users 802a and 802b who are in the office can continue to use or access multifunction device 810 without any interference.

[0069] Requests received in a remote work environment can be controlled by automatically converting normal print jobs to secure print jobs, or by providing users with the option to change normal print jobs to secure print jobs. Similarly, requests to turn off office devices can be controlled by disabling the power-off option, restricting access to administrators, or denying administrators the right to turn off the devices.

[0070] This disclosure can be implemented in any organization where some users operate from an office location and some users operate remotely. This disclosure can also be implemented in any organization where all users can operate remotely, i.e., from any location away from the office.

[0071] This disclosure discloses a method and system for handling user requests in a remote work environment, such as print requests or requests to turn off office devices such as printers. The method and system generates necessary alarms / notifications when a user submits a normal print job from a remote location and further converts the normal print job into a secure print job based on user input before print submission. As a result, the method and system solves security issues when submitting print jobs from remote locations, i.e., outside the office. The method and system provides an easy-to-use approach and an efficient method for protecting remote printing. Similarly, the method and system generates alarms / notifications for administrative users when attempting to remotely turn off office devices, further preventing the administrative user from turning off the devices. The method and system automatically adds security to common functions, further adding a layer of security for remote users. The method and system brings awareness to print progress or power-off requests from outside the office.

[0072] The order in which the Method is described is not intended to be construed as limiting, and any number of the method blocks described may be combined in any order to implement the Method or an alternative Method. Additionally, individual blocks may be removed from the Method without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the Method may be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. However, for the sake of ease of explanation, in the embodiments described below, the Method may be considered to be implemented in the systems and / or equipment described above and / or any electronic devices (not shown).

[0073] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of various components. Those skilled in the art are familiar with such details, and techniques, known related technologies, or designs and materials to be developed in the future should be used, provided they do not deviate from these techniques presented. Those skilled in the art can select suitable manufacturing and design details.

[0074] Throughout the following discussion, numerous references may be made to servers, services, engines, modules, interfaces, portals, platforms, or other systems formed from computing devices. It should be understood that the use of such terms is intended to represent one or more computing devices having at least one processor configured or programmed to execute software instructions stored in computer-readable tangible non-temporary media, also referred to as processor-readable media. For example, a server may include one or more computers operating as a web server, database server, or other type of computer server in a manner that performs the described roles, responsibilities, or functions. In the context of this document, the disclosed devices or systems are also considered to comprise computing devices having a processor and non-temporary memory that stores instructions executable by the processor, causing the device to control, manage, or otherwise operate the characteristics of the device or system.

[0075] Some parts of embodiments for carrying out the inventions herein are presented with respect to algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits performed by conventional computer components, including a central processing unit (CPU), a memory storage device for the CPU, and an attached display device. Descriptions and representations of these algorithms are means used by those skilled in the field of data processing to most effectively communicate the work of those skilled in the art to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is generally understood as a self-consistent sequence of steps that produce a desired result. The steps require the physical manipulation of physical quantities. Generally, but not always, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals that can be stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. For reasons of general use, it has sometimes proven convenient to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, digits, etc.

[0076] However, it should be understood that all these and similar terms are associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to those quantities. Unless otherwise specifically stated, as is evident from the discussions herein, discussions using terms such as “receive,” “print,” “control,” “handle,” “generate,” “present,” and “display” are understood to refer to the functions and processing of a computer system or similar electronic computing device, or other storage, transmission, or display device of such information, that manipulates and converts data represented as physical (electronic) quantities in the registers and memory of a computer system into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the memory or registers of a computer system.

[0077] Exemplary embodiments also relate to apparatus for performing the operations considered herein. This apparatus may comprise a general-purpose computer that can be specifically constructed for a required purpose or selectively started or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such computer programs may be stored in computer-readable storage media, each connected to a computer system bus, including, but not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions.

[0078] The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other device. Various general-purpose systems may be used in programs according to the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized devices to implement the methods described herein. The structures of various such systems are evident from the above description. In addition, the exemplary embodiments are not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be understood that the teachings of the exemplary embodiments described herein can be implemented using various programming languages.

[0079] The methods illustrated throughout this specification may be implemented in computer program products that can be run on a computer. Computer program products may include non-temporary computer-readable recording media on which control programs are recorded, such as disks, hard drives, etc. Common forms of non-temporary computer-readable media include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, or any other magnetic storage media, CD-ROMs, DVDs, or any other optical media, RAM, PROMs, EPROMs, FLASH-EPROMs, or other memory chips or cartridges, or any other tangible media that can be read and used by a computer from within.

[0080] Alternatively, this method can be implemented in a transient medium such as a transmittable carrier wave, where the control program is embodied as a data signal using a transmission medium such as sound waves or light waves, such as those generated between radio waves and infrared data communications.

[0081] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the disclosure. It will be understood that some of the features and functions disclosed above, or their substitutes, may be combined with other systems or applications. Various currently unforeseen or unexpected alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements of this specification may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this disclosure, as are covered in the following claims.

[0082] The initially presented and potentially amended claims include variations, substitutions, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those not currently anticipated or recognized, as well as those that may arise, for example, from the applicant / patentee and others.

[0083] It will be understood that variations of those disclosed above, as well as other features and functions, or substitutes thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various currently unforeseen or unprecedented substitutes, modifications, variations, or improvements may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art, and these are also intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for protecting remote printing, which is implemented in a print driver operating on a computing device, and the method is Receiving a print command request from a user to print a document through the print driver, along with one or more print attributes, wherein at least one print attribute selected for printing the document is a normal print job, and receiving this request. Obtaining the location of the computing device in real time using a predefined method, To obtain the location of a multi-functional device, Before providing the document for printing to the multifunction device, the location of the acquired computing device is compared with the location of the multifunction device to determine whether the computing device is located remotely from the multifunction device, A method comprising, based on the aforementioned confirmation, providing the user via a user interface with an option to convert the document submitted as a regular print job into a secure print job in real time.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying a message to the user via the user interface if the difference between the compared locations exceeds a predefined value.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically converting a document submitted as a regular print job into a secure print job by changing one or more print attributes associated with the document.

4. A computing device for protecting remote print jobs, and a print driver, Receiving a print request to print a document through the print driver, along with one or more print attributes, wherein at least one print attribute selected for printing the document is a normal print job, Obtaining the location of the computing device in real time using a predefined method, To obtain the location of a multi-functional device, Before providing the document for printing to the multifunction device, the location of the acquired computing device is compared with the location of the multifunction device to determine whether the computing device is located remotely from the multifunction device, A computing device comprising a print driver for providing an option via a user interface to convert the document submitted as a regular print job into a secure print job in real time based on the aforementioned confirmation.

5. The computing device according to claim 4, wherein the print driver is for displaying an alert to the user if the difference between the compared locations exceeds a predefined value.

6. The computing device according to claim 4, wherein the print driver is for automatically converting the document submitted as a normal print job into a secure print job by changing the at least one print attribute.

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