Brian M Engle

US Patent:

8341000, Dec 25, 2012

Filed:

Apr 21, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/426978

Inventors:

Lewis S. Snow - La Crescenta CA, US
James J. Quackenbush - Vernon NJ, US
Brian Engle - Clinton NY, US
Lawrence Flusser - Palos Verdes Estates CA, US

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

G06Q 99/00

US Classification:

705 713, 705 711, 705 712, 705 721

Abstract:

A machine-implemented method receives job specifications for at least one direct mail printing job from at least one user and creates at least one workflow related to the direct mail printing job. The workflow comprises at least one job activity. The method automatically transmits requests for bids on the job activities to entities for allowing the entities to bid on performing job activities within the workflow. Bids are received on the job activities from the entities and from rate cards previously established by the entities. The method identifies the lowest bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from the bids received from the entities and the rate cards and outputs the lowest bids to the user. The method receives an identification of a single selected entity to perform all activities within the workflow from the user and performing the workflow to output the direct-mail printing job through the selected entity.

US Patent:

20130066668, Mar 14, 2013

Filed:

Nov 9, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/672783

Inventors:

Xerox Corporation - Norwalk CT, US
James J. Quackenbush - Vernon NJ, US
Brian Engle - Clinton NY, US
Lawrence Flusser - Verdes Estates CA, US

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - NORWALK CT

International Classification:

G06Q 10/06

US Classification:

705 713

Abstract:

A machine-implemented method receives job specifications for at least one direct mail printing job from at least one user and creates at least one workflow related to the direct mail printing job. The workflow comprises at least one job activity. The method automatically transmits requests for bids on the job activities to entities for allowing the entities to bid on performing job activities within the workflow. Bids are received on the job activities from the entities and from rate cards previously established by the entities. The method identifies the lowest bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from the bids received from the entities and the rate cards and outputs the lowest bids to the user. The method receives an identification of a single selected entity to perform all activities within the workflow from the user and performing the workflow to output the direct-mail printing job.