Patent Application
20060017962
The present invention relates to systems and methods of storing and retrieving printer configuration settings and to the utilization of a radio frequency device to store printer configuration data that may be accessed by host enabling a printer to assume a desired default configuration.
Printers have become commonplace equipment in most workplace and home computing environments. Today, many printers are sophisticated multi-function electronic assemblies with internal memory devices and embedded software algorithms that allow the configuration of printer settings based on the needs of the end user and/or the contemplated use of the individual printer. By storing printer settings in a printer's internal memory a single printer may be custom configured to accommodate differing use requirements such as, for example, default language and paper size settings.
Examples of other print configuration settings which may be stored in a printer's internal memory include destination country, date code, toner cartridge type, power saver timeout, model and/or serial number, distributor or dealer identity, firmware version, date of manufacture, toner cartridge ID, and other system related data.
Typically, and to accommodate modern manufacturing, product inventory and customer order mechanisms, the task of setting default print configuration settings that control startup printer functions is done near the end of the manufacturing cycle after the product has been packaged and made ready for shipment. Oftentimes, it is necessary to unpack the printer assembly, power-up the printer, set or reset default configuration settings and re-pack the assembly prior to shipment. Such practices lead to inefficiencies, unnecessary expense and overall lack of flexibility in the product distribution process.
As such, there is a need for a more efficient and flexible means of setting printer configuration settings to accommodate differing customer requirements. A method of setting print configuration data within the printer assembly that eliminates the need to unpack, power-up, set or reset settings, and re-pack a printer prior to shipment would provide numerous advantages.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:
References in the detailed description refer to like references in the figures unless otherwise indicated.
With reference to
Radio frequency device 12 includes an air interface 16 which provides a signal pathway for communicating with the radio frequency device 12 via the RF antenna 14. Radio frequency device 12 includes memory 18 in which data may be stored. As such, an external RF reader (not shown) may be used to store a plurality of information specific to a multi-function electronic assembly, such as printer 30, in order to make such information available for later use. In this way, the invention provides a way for configuring a multi-function electronic assembly without the expense and inefficiencies associated with unpacking, powering-up the assembly, manually setting the information within the assemblies' internal memory and re-packing the assembly prior to shipment.
The invention may use a radio frequency device 12 in order to store printer configuration settings data within a memory space, such as memory 18 of radio frequency device 12, to allow a printer to assume a desired state of functionality. Examples of the kind of printer configuration settings data that may be stored within memory 18 include destination country, date code, toner cartridge type, power saver timeout, model and/or serial number, distributor or dealer identity, firmware version, date of manufacture, toner cartridge ID, as well as other printer related data.
The data stored in memory 18 of radio frequency device 12 may be written to radio frequency device 12 at any point during the printer's manufacturing and/or product distribution cycle. For example, the order details for a specific printer model may be embedded in the radio frequency device 12 prior to readying the printer for shipment. The details can include the specific distribution channel, destination country, default paper size and a plurality of other particulars relevant to the intended use of the printer. If, for example, the order is changed prior to shipment, the order details may be re-written into the radio frequency device 12 at the manufacturing facility without unpacking the printer to reset its default settings. Likewise, should the printer be returned by the distributor, retailer or end-customer, the order details may be re-recorded in the radio frequency device 12 using an appropriate RF reader. The fact that radio frequency device 12 allows printer configuration settings information to be stored and altered eliminates the costs and inefficiencies associated with unpacking, powering-up and re-packing a printer.
The host 20 can comprise any suitable arrangement of process logic and/or hardware that allow printer 30 to access contents of memory 18. As such host 20 may comprise a host processor. For example, instructions stored in the printer's internal memory subsystem may cause host 20 to query memory 18, obtain data stored therein and download the stored data to the printer's internal memory 24. In this way, printer 30 associated with host 20 may be configured for desired print related functions. As shown, host 20 accesses memory 18 of radio frequency device 12 through signal pathway 22 which provides a direct wired interface to radio frequency device 12. In contrast, with printer configuration system 50 shown in
Radio frequency device 12 may comprise any one of a plurality of readily available commercial RFID components having sufficient memory for storing a plurality of printer configuration settings data. An example of such a component would include the ATMEL® Asset Identification EEPROM AT24RF08C dual access EEPROM with dual-port non-volatile memory and RFID and serial interfaces. It is contemplated that other similar or suitable RF components are or will be available.
As such, according to one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a printer configuration system 10 with a radio frequency device 12 with memory 18 for storing a plurality of printer device parameter data and a signal pathway 22 for communicating with the RF device 12. The system further comprises a host 20 capable of accessing the radio frequency device 12 through the signal pathway 22 for obtaining the printer device parameter data stored in the radio frequency device 12 which is read by the host 20 via the signal pathway 22 and used by a printer 30 associated with the host 20 to configure printer related functions. The signal pathway 22 may comprise either a direct wired connection or, alternatively, an RF reader 40 on the printer 30 may be used to interrogate the radio frequency device 12 via a wireless connection 42.
With reference to
With reference to
The use of a RF device permits the information stored in the device's memory to be written and re-written at any point in the product manufacturing and/or distribution process. Likewise, if the multi-function electronic assembly is equipped with an onboard RF reader, the assembly can write data to the device. At step 110, a decision is made if the information in the device's memory should be revised and/or updated. If so, process flow is directed to step 104 wherein the RF device is interrogated and data written to the device, step 106. Once all desired data is stored in the device's memory, process flow is directed to step 112 wherein power is applied to the assembly following, for example, shipment to an end user. Next, at step 114, a host subsystem within the assembly accesses the RF device's memory to obtain the data stored therein. Finally, at step 116, the assembly enters a configuration state associated with the data obtained from the RF device's memory. In this way, the assembly may be configured using a suitable radio frequency device, such as a commercially available RF device with sufficient memory.
It should be understood that modifications can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. The terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with established doctrines of claim interpretation.
