Patent Application
20230267189
This application relates generally to print management and accounting in a print network. The application relates more particularly to displaying an encoded image for scanning by a secure, portable user device upon detection of use of an unregistered card to commence registration via the portable user device.
Document processing devices include printers, copiers, scanners and e-mail gateways. More recently, devices employing two or more of these functions are found in office environments. These devices are referred to as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or multifunction devices (MFDs). As used herein, MFPs are understood to comprise printers, alone or in combination with other of the afore-noted functions. It is further understood that any suitable document processing device can be used.
MFPs are often shared by multiple users who must login to devices to use them.
Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:
The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods, systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such.
As noted above, MFPs are frequently shared among multiple users. Users must login to an MFP before they can use it. Login information allows for control of device features, job monitoring and job cost accounting. In environments with multiple, networked MFPs, management and accounting functions may be managed by one or more networked print servers. When a user logs in to an MFP, they are identified and their account information accessed in concert with the print server. Fees for MFP services may be debited from the user's prepaid account or charged to their credit card.
Print Management may be accomplished with a system such as PaperCut or SkyPrint. SkyPrint is used in example embodiments herein, however it is understood that any suitable networked print management system can be used. Example embodiment herein implement portable personal data devices, such as smartphones or tablet computers. While certain examples may include reference to smartphones, it is to be understood that any suitable personal data device can be used.
Currently, in applications such as SkyPrint, users must be preregistered on an administrative (admin) portal to use MFP functions. Companies may use card keys read by an MFP card reader to identify users, unlock MFP functions and communicate cost accounting to the print management system to, for example, debit an account of a user associated with a card.
Example embodiments herein describe a system, including a user interface (UI) and workflow, wherein an MFP user can use an MFP-supplied login encoded image, such as QR code or barcode, displayed on the MFP's front panel to register a new card key to be used at the MFP. While example embodiments herein refer to a QR code, it is to be understood that any scan-able encoded indicia can be used.
Currently, in an app such as SkyPrint, a user must be preregistered on an admin portal to use functionality at the copier. Registration may be accomplished with the issuing of a one-time code to be associated with a new key card. A user is given access to a print server admin portal, suitably from an MFP front panel, to retrieve this one-time access code to enable use of the MFP. The user accesses the web portal, navigates to the access code and returns to the MFP to complete the task of card registration. While this is effective, there are additional steps required which can be disruptive to the user's workflow.
Example embodiments herein detail a UI and workflow wherein if the MFP user attempts to access the copier front panel for the first time with a card key that is not yet registered, an error message will be shown along with a QR code that the user can scan with their mobile device from the MFP display to directly launch the admin portal page to automatically obtain one-time access code to register the card key without disrupting the user's workflow with no need to leave the MFP location.
An error message with a QR code leads to invoking a secure page from the user's secure and trusted mobile device instead of the MFP to complete registration of access card or other login method.
Before using a card key such as an Hughes Identification Device (HID) to login to an MFP that is tied to a print management system, the card must first be registered with the print management system. This is done by logging into the web portal and manually registering the card with the print management server. Specifically, the user gets a onetime registration code from the web portal, and then returns to the copier to enter the one-time registration code and associate it with the card swipe of a newly issued card key.
The user experience is not optimal. In example embodiments herein, the user is able to complete registration at the MFP. Towards this end, this system provides an error message on a newly unregistered card key along with the QR code. The user scans the QR code with their portable data device, such a smartphone or tablet computer, to invoke a web portal where the user has been previously registered. The user gets the one-time registration code on his their device and enters it into the MFP front panel to complete registration without leaving the copier side.
A digital camera in smartphone 116 captures an image of QR code 140 and the smartphone decodes it. The decoded QR code launches a web portal to server 112 from which a one-time code is obtained. Screen 142 is generated by the MFP providing a keypad for entry of the one-time code. Screen 144 illustrates the one-time code after keypad entry which registers the card key to the user and their account, enabling card key login at screen 148. QR code 140, and screens 144 and 148 are detailed in connection with
Turning now to
Processor 208 is also in data communication with input/output interface 222, suitably comprising a user touchscreen. While touchscreens are discussed in example embodiments herein, it is to be appreciated that any suitable user interface, such as keyboards, switches, displays, trackballs or mice may be used.
Processor 208 is also in data communication with a storage interface 224 for reading or writing to a storage 228, suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, cloud-based storage, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Processor 208 is also in data communication with card reader 232 for data exchange with proximity cards, such as card keys.
Processor 208 is also in data communication with a network interface 236 which provides an interface to a network interface controller (NIC) 240, which in turn provides a data path to any suitable wired interface or physical network connection 244, or to a wireless data connection via wireless network interface 248. Example wireless data connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), Lightning, telephone line, or the like.
Processor 208 can also be in data communication with any suitable user input/output (I/O) network interface 248 which provides data communication for interfacing with user peripherals, such as displays, keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like. Processor 208 can also be in communication with hardware monitor 252, such as a page counter, temperature sensor, toner or ink level sensor, paper level sensor, or the like.
Also in data communication with data bus 220 is a document processor interface 256 suitable for data communication with the document rendering system 260, including MFP functional units. In the illustrated example, these units include a scan engine comprising copy hardware 264, a scan engine comprise of scan hardware 268, a print engine comprised of print hardware 272 and a fax engine comprised of fax hardware 276 which together comprise MFP document rendering system 260. It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform.
Turning now to
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit and scope of the inventions.
