KIRKLAND, Wash., Nov. 5 -- ImageX (R), Inc., the leading e-print service provider for online management and procurement of branded communications materials, today announced it has received a Notice Of Allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office for a patent relating to its ImageX Print System technology. Based on the Notice of Allowance, a patent on this application is expected to be issued soon. The new patent filing covers a file conversion technology that allows a print vendor to receive an automated print-ready file that has been previewed, proofed and approved by a customer. This invention adds a competitive edge to ImageX's offering by enabling the company to eliminate human intervention in the print ordering and production process, thus ensuring a near-error free print production process. Additionally, this technology dramatically reduces turnaround times between a customer print order and the actual production to as little as a few seconds. As a result, ImageX is able to operate production facilities that are highly scalable and efficient, resulting in further cost reductions for customers. "This patent allowance solidifies our foothold as the leading innovator of print procurement technologies,'' said Rich Begert, president and CEO, ImageX. "ImageX's conversion print technology provides the most cost-effective way for corporate customers to order their printed materials, and is essential to printers who desire to manage large scale print jobs in an efficient manner.'' "With 85 additional U.S. patents pending on related print and e-procurement technologies, we believe that the implications of our technology are far reaching to the print and e-procurement industries,'' said Mariam Naini, VP and general counsel, ImageX. "For the past hundred years, the commercial printing industry has remained relatively unchanged. However, with our proprietary technology, ImageX intends to set the standard for the printing procurement and production process.''