US Patent 7126712 File based request queue handler

A system and method is provided for providing a file based job request queue for digital imaging devices. Job requests are stored in a section of file-based queue having a plurality of sections, wherein each section corresponds to a function of a multi-function digital image device. A key is assigned to each job request such that each job request in a section has a different key. Values are then computed for each job request based on the assigned job request key. The computed values are then stored such that they are searchable to determine the current state of the queue.