Method and system for partitioning multiple media handling jobs

#This invention relates to a method and system for partitioning multiple media handling jobs in an input tray/automatic document feeder (ADF) and performing different functions for each job. Such structures of this type, generally, allow for partitioning multiple media handling jobs. For example, a user arrives at a multi-functional product (MFP) with several documents. The user wishes to fax a document, make copies of another document, and digitally transmit and archive a third document. This invention would enable the user to load all three documents into the ADF and program the MFP to perform the desired tasks on the different documents even if the documents contained differently sized and shaped media.

#Many peripherals to computer networks include a scanner component. One example of such a peripheral is an “All-in-one”, also known as a multi-functional product (MFP). A MFP has the capability to perform the multiple functions of scanning hardcopy documents, copying, printing or the like. Another example is a digital network copier that scans in documents from an automatic document feeder (ADF), does high volume copying, and has the capabilities of binding, collating, folding, stacking, stapling, stitching, edge-trimming, paginating, and printing on substrates of varied composition.

#Prior to the present invention, as set forth in general terms above and more specifically below, it is known, in the printing art, to utilize job partitioning. Exemplary of such prior art are U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,541 ('541) to J. L. Rourke et al., entitled “Method of Applying Electronically Stored Labels to a Print Job” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,995,721 ('721) to J. L. Rourke et al., entitled “Distributed Printing System.” The '541 and '721 references teach the use of pre-printed labels. The user can only enter an identification number on the user's computer and information related to the document to be printed. The labeled document(s) is (are) then sent to a central storage where it (they) can be later retrieved by the user. While these references disclose the use of multiple media handling job partitioning, the multiple media handling jobs are only stored. Also, the reference does not disclose the utilization of a MFP. Therefore, a more advantageous system, then, would be provided if the jobs could also be copied, faxed, sent or any combination of these and the like, the document information could be entered from a variety of sources including a multi-functional product (MFP), and the use of pre-printed labels could be eliminated.

#The FIGURE is a flowchart that illustrates a method for partitioning multiple media handling jobs, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

#With reference first to the FIGURE, there is illustrated one preferred embodiment for use of the concepts of this invention. Method 2 for partitioning multiple media handling jobs is illustrated in the FIGURE. Method 2 includes, in part, the steps of: inserting a separator on a document that is to undergo a media handling job (step 4); feeding the document and the separator through the media handling device (step 6); interacting with a media handling device to partition a media handling job (step 8); and partitioning the media handling job (step 10).

#With reference to step 4, the separator can be, but is not limited to, a plastic tab, a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor, an electronic tag, a disposable separator, a bar code, a wireless transmitter or the like. Also, the media handling job can be, but is not limited to, duplexing, copying, printing, faxing, scanning, digitally transmitting, stapling, collating, store-to-file or the like.

#With respect to step 6, the media handling device can be, but is not limited to, a multi-functional product (MFP) that includes one or a combination of a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a scanner, a printing device, a digital transmitter or the like.