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The patent: http://www.google.com/patents/US7986426

Another view: http://stop-project-paperless.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Patent-US7986426.pdf

Analysis of the patent: http://www.patentbuddy.com/Patent/7986426

The dispute of the patent: http://www.ricoh-usa.com/news/news_release.aspx?prid=1052&alnv=pr

Dispute filing: http://www.sutherland.com/portalresource/Ricoh_institution_decision.pdf

Possible prior art:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerox_DocuShare

http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/xerox/xns/XNSG058504_XNS_Introduction.pdf (1985)

I have had two over the last twenty years. Still going strong and working great. http://www.ricoh-usa.com/products/models_listing.aspx?cid=25

Prefer Ricoh

I am NOT impressed with the Ricoh we have in my office. It continually flashes this error about "Cannot install this software" on the display, and the technicians say there's no way to get rid of it. It jams frequently. The thing loves to beep loudly and frequently about EVERYTHING (and yes, it is in the cube behind me). It isn't bad, but it isn't what I'd consider "good" either.

(Full info: It is a Ricoh Aficio MP C5501. Yes, this is probably beyond the kind of thing the OP was looking for, but I'm mostly posting to give my feedback on the brand.)

Most of these can be solved if IT is willing to actively engage their users and try to help them. Here are a few examples of how we've addressed the issues you've pointed out. Nothing is perfect but we're trying to work with our users. Some people can be tough to work with, but if you genuinely want to help them I find most people receptive. Remember that a big part of our job as IT is customer service.

1. We use HotSpot printing from Ricoh. Just e-mail the document, walk to MFP and choose the file to release.

2. Specify a password for AirPlay on your AppleTV so other people can't send video

3. Check out Volume Purchasing and MDM platforms like Air-Watch or MobileIron.

4. You can not save your iTunes password on an iPad, it's not possible.

I've heard a lot of people say "Well why do you NEED an iPad". I honestly never understood the need for an iPad either, until I was given one. After spending some time with it, I think it's a great tool and almost indispensable now. What if we turned it around - tell me why users shouldn't be able to use their iOS devices, given that it's been proven that they can be deployed safely and effectively by using the appropriate procedures and management tools.

Heh... You're deluding yourself... Want to know what typical devices they'd be using? Here's an example thereof:

The Oce cm2510

Here's another example...

The Ricoh C4500

In both cases, these machines, like pretty much ALL the other "business" printers (and that's what they get used for) run network centric print servers that support LPR/LPD, JetDirect, IPP, and possibly SMB direct spools. They take PCL5 or more typically Postscript as a command language. The stuff you'll find in most of these contexts is not some desktop printer that they've nabbed and slapped somewhere. And if it was done for some lightweight application, they're using a standard network print spool box, coupled with something that's...supported by PCL5 or Postscript, mainly because they don't want to dink with drivers. In the case of the scanners on those multi-function devices, they scan not to a desktop but to your EMAIL.

Sorry...not buying the line they're running up the flagpole. For the expense of what they claimed for those "drivers" they could have eliminated it if they didn't have devices like the two above. Seriously.

Personally, I'd much rather cameras have GPS instead of Wi-Fi, so that they can automatically fill in the EXIF location data for the photos.

Don't they already have this?

What is the purpose? For hikers? Aren't they usually carrying around a GPS anyway? Is it to save having to match time stamps?

Velocity Workflow software features a modular design that enables you to manage multiple print engines, balance print jobs or split print jobs between Aficio color and/or black and white print engines.