Patent Application
20210099590
This application relates generally to reconfiguring multiple devices having different characteristics via a network connection. The application relates more particularly to distributing a new user interface configuration to multiple multifunction peripherals, with each user interface configuration being tailored to specific properties of a targeted device, such as its firmware version or its touchscreen size.
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.
Multifunction peripherals are complex devices that may be periodically configured or reconfigured. Certain reconfigurations can be difficult or problematic, such as configurations that are dependent on individual device characteristics of many MFPs that are in concurrent use by a business. Such reconfigurations may require dispatching a technician to a premises wherein they manually reconfigure each MFP, one at a time.
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 must be configured or reconfigured on a periodic basis. Reconfiguration may include changing device settings, adding or updating software, including software applications, or reconfiguring a device user interface. Rather than deploying a technician to each device, reconfiguration may be accomplished by use of an application deployment tool running on a networked computer, which application deployment tool allows MFPs to be reconfigured via a network connection.
In a particular example, a business develops a custom MFP user interface that it wants to distribute and install to all of its devices, providing a uniform, custom user interface across the business. User interfaces are created by software, such as software to generate images and receive input on an MFP. There may be situations where various MFPs have different configurations, making rollout of a custom interface difficult. For example, different MFPs may have different firmware versions or different touchscreen sizes. There may also be relationships between firmware versions and touchscreen sizes. Due to such restrictions, when an MFP with new screen size and/or a new version of firmware is released, user interface configuration must be updated accordingly.
The subject application includes example embodiments wherein a single installation package can be deployed which accommodates configuration of MFPs with differing configurations. An application deployment tool automatically determines a correct configuration, such as a user interface configuration (user interface configuration), for a single package deployment for intelligent reconfiguration of multiple MFPs based on individual device configurations, such as firmware versions or touchscreen sizes.
In a particular example embodiment, an administrator uploads all user interface configuration base binaries, such as those that support different MFP screen sizes or different firmware versions, into one repository. An export configuration function suitably referred to as a single package creation module, stores all user interface configuration base binaries associated with MFPs and creates one user interface configuration for each user interface configuration base binary based on selected configuration settings. The creating module then compiles a metadata file to describe each user interface configuration, which metadata file describes a supported screen size, group of supporting firmware, hash value, version information, and the like. The single package is deployed to an application deployment tool device, including correlated metadata files and user interface configuration binaries.
Once the application deployment tool receives a single package, it reads the metadata file for validation. Then a discovery process is initiated at the application deployment tool device and it retrieves each target MFP's screen size and firmware version by sending an SNMP query. The application deployment tool selects all user interface configurations which support the target MFP's screen size from single package first, then it checks each user interface configuration support firmware version. The application deployment tool selects the matching user interface configuration binary using the logic validation of the lowest firmware difference against the available MFP's firmware version. Thus, the system creates one single package with multiple user interface configurations which support different MFP screen sizes and different firmware.
In accordance with the subject application,
Server 116 includes storage for a user interface configuration base binary repository 128, comprised of a plurality of device base binaries, such as base binaries 132, 134 and 136. Different base binaries support different MFP characteristics, such as screen sizes or firmware versions. Each base binary is associated with a customized configuration 140, such as a customized user interface to be distributed to multiple MFPs. This association generates a plurality of user interface configuration modules, such as modules 144, 146 and 148, with each module adapted for installation on an MFP compatible with its associated base binary. Such association is accomplished via user interface creating module 152. Each user interface configuration module is associated with metadata that describes it, such as describing its associated screen size or firmware version. In the illustrated example, user interface configuration 144′ is associated with metadata 158, user interface configuration 146′ is associated with metadata 162 and user interface configuration 148′ is associated with metadata 166. All user interface configurations and their associated metadata form a single package 170 for deployment to MFPs via application development tool 124 running on administrative computer 120.
As will be detailed further below, application development tool 124 identifies networked MFPs and determines characteristics or configurations of identified MFPs, such as firmware version and touchscreen size. Such determination is suitably accomplished by an SNMP query to each identified MFP. Application development tool 124 matches each MFP's configuration information with metadata of the user interface modules and determines which is compatible for each MFP targeted for configuration. The appropriate user interface module is then sent to each targeted MFP for installation.
Turning now to
Processor 202 is also in data communication with a storage interface 208 for reading or writing data with storage 216, 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 202 is also in data communication with a network interface 210 which provides an interface to a network interface controller (NIC) 214, which in turn provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection 220, or to a wireless data connection via a wireless network interface, such as WiFi 218. Example wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, 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 202 is also in data communication with a hardware monitor 221, suitably amassing state data from subassemblies, sensors, digital thermometers, or the like, and suitably including digital state date including device codes, such as device error codes. Processor 202 can also be in data communication a document processor interface 222, with BLUETOOTH interface 226 and NFC interface 228 via data path 212.
Processor 202 can also be in data communication with any suitable user input/output (I/O) interface (not shown) which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as displays, keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like.
Document processor interface 222 is suitable for data communication with MFP functional units 250. In the illustrate example, these units include a copy engine, suitably comprised of copy hardware 240, a scan engine, suitably comprised of scan hardware 242, a print engine, suitably comprised of print hardware 244 and a fax engine, suitably comprised of fax hardware 246. These subsystems together comprise MFP functional hardware 250. It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform.
Turning now to
Processor 304 is also in data communication with a storage interface 306 for reading or writing to a data storage system 308, suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Processor 304 is also in data communication with a network interface controller (NIC) 330, which provides a data path to any suitable network or device connection, such as a suitable wireless data connection via wireless network interface 338. A suitable data connection to an MFP or server is via a data network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide arear network (WAN), which may comprise the Internet, or any suitable combination thereof. A digital data connection is also suitably directly with an MFP or server, such as via BLUETOOTH, optical data transfer, Wi-Fi direct, or the like.
Processor 304 is also in data communication with a user input/output (I/O) interface 340 which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as touch screen display 344 via display generator 346, as well as keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like. It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform.
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.
