Method and system for automatically redirecting jobs in a device community

Abstract

A system and method for automatically redirecting a job in a community of networked devices. A peer-based device community can be created by connecting at least two networked devices utilizing a manual/self-discovery approach based on a set of rules and policies in order to interact and publish a device capability within the device community. A self-assessment approach can be employed to monitor and track the status and consumables of each networked device. A device can perform a self-assessment based on particular criteria and then determine, based on such criteria, whether to request assistance. Such a request is broadcast by the device and includes job ticket data and data indicating why such a request is being made. Devices receiving the request then perform a self-assessment in relation to the specific job and determine if they can provide better service. The job can be automatically transmitted between the networked devices in response to a help request with respect to an exception condition in the device community. A notification indicative of the transmission of the job to another device can be provided to a user. Such an approach provides an internal workload balancing with greater customer satisfaction by re-routing the job from the devices in the exception conditions.