Utilizing otherwise unused space on cover or partition sheets

Abstract

A system and method for utilizing otherwise unused space on cover or partition sheets printed in response to a print command, which sheets otherwise typically become waste paper, by printing on such sheets additional information not directly related to the print job but of interest to the user, such as coupons, or other promotional material, or other information such as lottery material.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . A method for printing, comprising: 
 merging coupon information stored in memory at a user station to a print job, to produce merged information, said coupon information being directed to a user but is not specific to the print job;    automatically retrieving the coupon information from the memory at the user station, without user knowledge of contents of the coupon information, before printing of the merged information; and    printing the merged information on one or more sheets.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the coupon information is included in the merged information printed on said one or more sheets, without user knowledge, prior to said printing, that the coupon information would be included in the merged information printed on said one or more sheets.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 pushing said coupon information by a service center through a network to said memory of the user station.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 downloading said coupon information by software operating on the user station from a database through a network, without knowledge by the user of said downloading.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 automatically checking the memory at the user station for the coupon information;    performing said automatic retrieving and merging, only if the coupon information is found in the memory at the user station.    
   
   
       20 . A printing system comprising: 
 a user station including memory, printer driver and a network connection through which said user station communicates with another device connected to the network;    said print driver merging coupon information stored in the memory, to a print job to produce merged information, said coupon information being directed to a user but is not specific to a print job;    said print driver automatically retrieving the coupon information from the memory, without user knowledge of contents of the coupon information, before printing of the merged information;    said print driver submitting the merged information for printing on one or more sheets.    
   
   
       21 . The printing system of  claim 20 , further comprising one or more printers connected to said network, wherein the merged information is submitted for printing to a selected one of the printers.  
   
   
       22 . The printing system of  claim 20 , further comprising a database, wherein said coupon information is downloaded from said database through said network connection to said memory of said user station.  
   
   
       23 . The printing system of  claim 22 , wherein said user station further includes software configured to download said coupon information from said database through said network, without knowledge by the user of said downloading.  
   
   
       24 . The printing system of  claim 22 , further comprising a service center, wherein said service center pushes said coupon information through said network to said memory of the user station.  
   
   
       25 . The printing system of  claim 20 , wherein said print driver automatically checks the memory of the user station for the coupon information, and performs said automatic retrieving and merging, only if the coupon information is found in the memory at the user station.  
   
   
       26 . A printing system comprising: 
 merging means for merging coupon information stored in memory at a user station to a print job, to produce merged information, said coupon information being directed to a user but is not specific to the print job;    retrieving means for automatically retrieving the coupon information from the memory at the user station, without user knowledge of contents of the coupon information, before printing of the merged information; and    printing means for printing the merged information on one or more sheets.