System and method for managing information from a remote digital printing laboratory

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing digital printing by means of a digital printing laboratory to improve printing and copying services. The invention comprises a system, method and device designed with multifunctional equipment connected to a server PC that further incorporates a support system consisting of a virtual copying centre and multifunctional printing equipment for printing in black / white and colour, which receives a print job via the Internet from a user / customer's mobile phone, tablet or PC. The digital printing laboratory is installed at the location requested by the user / customer's according to their requirements, with a connection to the virtual copying centre.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE USE OF A DIGITAL PRINTING LABORATORY AND REMOTE COPY CENTER

[0002] Technical Field of the Invention

[0003] This description relates to remote copying, plotting, digitizing and finishing centers related to stationery, specifically to a system and method for using a digital printing laboratory and remote copying center.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] A remote print center is a technology that allows you to print files from a remote device to a local printer without needing to be in the same location. This is possible thanks to remote printing, a feature found in most remote access software.

[0006] A system and method for ordering a digital job of printing, copying and other stationery-related tasks; in particular, the present invention relates to the selection of a print format for the digital document, to the establishment of a print order data file, and optionally, to the storage of the print order data file using a remote PC.

[0007] A system and method for making use of a digital printing laboratory and remote copy center equipped with multifunctional equipment, connected to a PC, that allows the delivery of services to educational, health and public service communities, such as printing, photocopying and scanning of documents, which additionally incorporates a backup system consisting of a virtual copy center designed to develop and execute requirements of larger volumes and technical specialties.

[0008] The remote digital printing center / laboratory incorporates black and white and color multifunction equipment, implemented with a constant supply system with additional ink tanks, facilitating continuous operation.

[0009] In the prior art, there are patents related to remote printing and copying centers that provide various digital printing services. One example related to remote printing and copying centers is found in US Patent No. 11956389B1, which describes a method and system that allows a user to launch a client application on an internet-enabled device and then navigate to an image source screen within the client application. After receiving an image source selection from the user, the client application retrieves images from the selected image source. The client application displays the retrieved images available for printing to a user and, in response to receiving an image selection, transmits the image to a proprietary server.In addition, upon receiving print order information, the client application runs a location recognition application that determines the current location of the internet-enabled device and then identifies a retail store near that location. The remote printing system then creates and transmits a print order containing the selected image to the retail store for pickup.

[0010] Another example is found in US patent No. US9104915B2, related to methods and systems for content processing; portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies through which existing functionality can be improved and new functionality can be provided.One claim describes a method comprising: receiving data representing images of an object, the images being captured by a portable device, the portable device comprising a camera and a microphone; determining one or more descriptors related to the object in the images, the determination including the collection of descriptors associated with other images or audio; processing the descriptors to discern whether the images represent an object likely to be of the first, second, or third class, the processing being performed by one or more electronic processors configured to perform such an act; and taking an action based on whether the images represent an object likely to be of the first, second, or third class. Abstract of the Invention.

[0011] One objective of this description is to provide a digital printing laboratory and remote copying center, which can be installed according to the client's requirements, with its corresponding connection to the PC of the virtual work center and technical advice, to guarantee high levels of quality and service to our users, allowing us to satisfy different levels of demand, deadlines and types of requirements, additionally a certified permanent technical service and maintenance is provided for the equipment.

[0012] Participatory design according to each institution, whether public or private, with the objective of maximizing benefits through the number and use of equipment, according to the structure, type and quantity of users and their different functions, in order to structure the joint and coordinated work with the virtual copy center, through its administrative, production, dispatch and supplies areas.

[0013] The digital printing laboratory and remote copy center also provides support and advice for various requirements of small and large work volumes, types, uses, deadlines and production difficulty with high levels of quality, reduced lead times and corresponding technical advice from our specialized team, with coordination and permanent attention together with technological resources equipment, additionally with the use of environmentally friendly water-based printing inks.

[0014] Work in color and / or black and white:

[0015] Catalogs, brochures, flyers, leaflets, leaflets, labels for packaging, order forms, dispatch forms, invoices, envelopes, administrative and technical forms, health and education areas, logos, service orders, letterhead, plans (e.g., PADEM, PEI), books, tests, cards, agendas, notepads, class books, attendance records, banners, posters, diplomas, manuals, reports, stationery, folders, internal regulations, bindings in ring-bound, paginated, perforated, collated, punched, stapled, and other formats.

[0016] The objective of the description is achieved through the digital printing laboratory and remote copy center, which additionally uses water-based inks as raw material, making it environmentally friendly by not using toxic chemicals. This is achieved through the use of multifunctional black and white and color equipment, developed with a continuous ink supply system whose main characteristic is that it allows operation with additional ink tanks, in addition to generating the advantage of being able to install high-capacity systems that do not exist in the market, allowing for reduced operating costs and avoiding the generation of waste, shipments and CO2 emissions.

[0017] Brief Description of the Figures

[0018] It should be noted that the figures are schematic representations of the multi-functional bus and are not drawn to scale.

[0019] Figure 1 is a flowchart of an implementation of a digital printing laboratory, according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 is a flow diagram of a digital printing laboratory operation scheme, according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a digital printing method, according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a user information supply device, according to the present invention.

[0023] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0024] The various aspects of this description will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which illustrate currently preferred modes of description. However, this description can be carried out in many different ways and should not be interpreted as limited to the modes set forth herein; rather, these modes are provided to ensure thoroughness and completeness, and to fully convey the scope of the description to the expert recipient. Similar reference characters refer to similar elements throughout.

[0025] Figure 1 is a flowchart of a digital printing laboratory implementation (1), comprising a system and a method, designed with multifunctional equipment, connected to a server PC (2) that also incorporates a backup system consisting of a virtual copy center (3), black and white and color multifunctional printing equipment (4), developed with a continuous ink supply system (5) whose main characteristic is to allow operation with additional ink tanks (6), it also generates the advantage of being able to install high capacity systems that do not exist in the market, allowing to reduce operating costs and avoid the generation of waste and CO2 emissions, which receives a job or large volume of work (7) through the internet network (8), by means of a mobile phone, Tablet or PC (9) of a user / client (10).

[0026] Digital printing laboratory (1) installed at the requested location according to the requirements of a user / client (10), with its corresponding connection to a virtual copy center (3) and technical advice (11), to guarantee high levels of quality and service to our users (10).

[0027] Figure 2 is a flowchart of an operational scheme for the digital printing laboratory (1) and virtual copy center (3). A user / client (10) or company generates a work plan (12) that requires the services of the laboratory (1) or the copy center (3). The requirements may require technical support or advice (11). Requirements are entered through a mobile phone, tablet, or PC (9) and received by a server PC (2) that coordinates and manages them, according to the client's requirements (10), in accordance with the reality of each client (10), company, or institution, with the objective of maximizing the benefits offered through the number and use of printing equipment (4), according to the structure, type, and quantity of users and their different functions, in such a way as to structure the joint and coordinated work with the virtual copy center, through the administrative, production, dispatch, and supplies areas (13).to then be routed according to the user's requirements (10) or to the digital printing laboratory (1), where it can be routed either to printing (14), photocopying (15) or scanning (16) or to the virtual copy center (3) where the management (17), production (18) and dispatch of the job (19) are carried out, and eventually if the client / user (10) requires supplies they can obtain them. In Figure 3, a flowchart of a digital printing method is shown that comprises: receiving information from a user (10) who uses a mobile phone, tablet or PC (9) to send a file (20) in order to select at least one file (20) to print, from among at least one of the text and image files or multimedia files,and print control information (21) for the selected file (20) to be printed; generate a print order file (22) using a markup language based on the selection information and the print control information (21); and transmit the print order file (22) to the server PC (2) which manages and administers the file (20) to a printing device (4) in the copy lab (1) via a predetermined Bluetooth or Wi-Fi interface (23), wherein the file (20) to be printed comprises at least one of the following: information (I) about a region of a screen to be printed, number of prints, image or font information linked to the selected file, a driver for transmitting the selected file, size of an image to be printed, rotation information, color adjustment information, size adjustment information, centering information, resolution information, and print quality information.

[0028] A user (10) enters via mobile phone, tablet or PC (9) the selection information and print control information (21).

[0029] The selected data file uses a language, which may be the same as or different from the language used for the command file (22) used, in this sense the file (20) to be printed comprises at least one of the following information: information about a region of a screen to be printed, number of prints, image information or font linked to the selected file, a driver to transmit the selected file, size of an image to be printed, rotation information, color adjustment information, size adjustment information, centering information, resolution information and print quality information.

[0030] The copy center (3) uses a Bluetooth wireless interface and a Wi-Fi interface (23) for a wireless local area network, so as to allow the transfer of the files (20) required to be subjected to different processes according to the requirements of a client / user (10).

[0031] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a user information supply device (10), selected from a mobile phone, tablet, or PC (9) via the internet (8) managed by a server PC (2); information related to a file (20) that includes text and image data per unit or per volume is received by an interface (23) located in the laboratory (1) that receives the information in a receiving unit (R) that receives a selection order file (24) to select at least one file (20) to print or a volume of information to print, from at least one of the image and multimedia files, managing the print control information (21) for a file (20) selected to print, a job order file generation unit (24) generates an order file (22) using a markup language based on the selection information and the print control information;and a transmission unit (25) transmits the order file (24) to a printing device (4) of the virtual printing lab (1) managed by means of the interface (23), wherein the printing devices (4) are connected to a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth receiving unit (23) that receives the order file (24) and a print control unit (21) that analyzes the order file (22) and prints the requested file (20), collected by the server PC (2) according to the print control information (21).;

[0032] Industrial Application

[0033] The present invention relates to a system and method for making use of a digital printing laboratory and remote copying center, according to its application it finds use in industry and in particular in the computer industry, social networking industry, computer peripherals industry, computer transmission and reception device industry, networking industry, copying, printing and plotting device industry, printer ink industry, service industry, delivery industry.

[0034] List of reference numbers for memory and figures

[0035] I information R reception unit

[0036] 1 digital printing laboratory

[0037] 2 PC server

[0038] 3 virtual copy center

[0039] 4 multifunction black / white and color printing devices

[0040] 5 continuous ink supply system

[0041] 6 additional ink tanks

[0042] 7. Individual work or workload

[0043] 8 Internet

[0044] 9. Mobile phone, tablet or PC

[0045] 10 user / client

[0046] 11 technical advice

[0047] 12 work plan

[0048] 13 areas: administrative, production, shipping and supplies

[0049] 14 print

[0050] 15 photocopies

[0051] 16 scans

[0052] 17 management

[0053] 18 production

[0054] 19 Labor Office

[0055] 20 file

[0056] 21 control information

[0057] 22 order file

[0058] 23 Bluetooth and Wi-F interface

[0059] 24 work order file

[0060] 25 transmission unit

[0061] 26 Wireless local area network

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A digital printing system by means of a digital printing laboratory (1), which collaborates and improves printing, copying, binding and other services, reducing costs and making the system environmentally friendly by using water-based inks, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises a system and a method, designed with multifunctional equipment, connected to a server PC (2) that also incorporates a backup system consisting of a virtual copy center (3), black and white and color multifunctional printing equipment (4), developed with a continuous ink supply system (5) whose main characteristic is to allow operation with additional ink tanks (6), also generates the advantage of being able to install high-capacity systems that do not exist in the market, allowing to reduce operating costs and avoid the generation of waste, shipments and CO2 emissions,that receives a job or large volume of work (7) through the internet network (8), by means of a mobile phone, Tablet or PC (9) of a user / client (10), digital printing laboratory (1) installed in the requested location according to the requirements of a user / client (10), with connection to virtual copy center (3) and technical advice (11 )., 2. The digital printing system by means of a digital printing laboratory (1) and virtual copy center (3), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that a user / client (10) or company generates a work plan (12) that requires the services of the laboratory (1) or the copy center (3), the requirements may require technical support or advice (11), requirements entered through a mobile phone, tablet or PC (9), received by a server PC (2) that coordinates and manages them, according to the requirements of a client (10), in accordance with the reality of each client (10), company or institution, with the objective of maximizing the benefits offered through a number and use of printing equipment (4), according to the structure, type and quantity of users and their different functions, in such a way as to structure the joint and coordinated work with The virtual copy center, through the administrative, production, dispatch and supplies areas (13), to subsequently refer according to the user's requirements (10) or to the digital printing laboratory (1), where it can be referred either to printing (14), photocopies (15) or scanning (16) or be referred to the virtual copy center (3) where the management (17), production (18) and dispatch of the work (19) is carried out.

3. A digital printing method according to the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: receiving selection information to select at least one file (20) to be printed, from among at least one image file and multimedia file, and print control information for a selected file to be printed; generating a command file (22) using a markup language based on the selection information and the print control information (21); and transmitting the command file (22) to a central printing device via a predetermined interface.

4. The method according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises analyzing the transmitted order file (22) and printing the selected file (20) through the printing device.

5. The method according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that the selection information and print control information are entered by a user (10) by means of a mobile device, Tablet or PC (9).

6. The method according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the selected file (20) is a multimedia file using a language, which may be the same as or different from the language used for the command file (22) used.

7. The method according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED in that the file (20) includes linked information of text, images and font.

8. The method according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED in that the file (20) to be printed comprises at least one of the following: information about a region of a screen to be printed, number of prints, image or font information linked to the selected file, a driver for transmitting the selected file, size of an image to be printed, rotation information, color adjustment information, size adjustment information, centering information, resolution information, and print quality information.

9. The method according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that the default interface is a wireless interface (23).

10. The method according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED in that the wireless interface is a Bluetooth interface and a Wi-Fi interface (23) for a wireless local area network.

11. A printing device (4), CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a receiving unit (R) that receives an order file (20) (24) that includes data about at least one of a text file and an image file to be printed, and print control information (21) for a given file, from a text and image supply device via a predetermined WiFi interface (23); and a print control unit (21) that analyzes the order file (22) and prints the requested file (20), collected by the server PC (2) in accordance with the print control information (21).

12. The printing device, according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: - Multifunctional equipment, connected to a server PC (2) which also incorporates a backup system consisting of a virtual copy center (3), - Multifunctional black and white and color printing equipment (4), developed with a continuous ink supply system (5) whose main feature is to allow operation with additional ink tanks (6), allowing to reduce operating costs and avoid the generation of waste and CO2 emissions.

Images