Remote feature delivery for output devices

• US 20020161649A1
• Filed: 06/07/2002
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Weller, Scott Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 8,909,554 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/44 Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/608 Secure printing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/12 Usage or charge determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

A programmable feature is remotely delivered to an output device, such as a printer. The delivery of the feature is initiated by the customer tendering payment for the feature. The customer is provided with a coupon and the coupon is subsequently redeemed. The customer receives a feature key in response to redeeming the coupon. The feature key is used to install the feature on the output device of the customer. The feature key may be a print job that contains encrypted text. Security measures may be provided to ensure that the coupon and feature key are valid.

Claims

1. A method of providing a programmable feature for installation on an output device, comprising the steps of:

providing a coupon for installation of the programmable feature, wherein the coupon contains information, including identifying information that identifies the programmable feature;

receiving at least a portion of the information contained on the coupon at a redemption center; and

in response to receiving the portion of the information contained on the coupon, forwarding a package from the redemption center to a destination for installing the programmable feature on the output device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the package is a print job containing instructions for installing the programmable feature.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the output device is a printer.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the output device is a reproducing apparatus.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the information received at the redemption center includes the identifying information.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the coupon contains content representing proof of purchase of the programmable feature.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of verifying that the information received at the redemption center is valid before forwarding the package.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the package is forwarded electronically over a communication pathway.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein at least some of the information on the coupon is encrypted and is received at the redemption center.

10. An output device, comprising:

an interface for receiving a feature key for installing a programmable feature on the output device, wherein the feature key contains encrypted information;

a storage holding a decryption key; and

a processor for processing the feature key to install the programmable feature, wherein the processing entails using the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted information in the feature key.

11. The output device of claim 10 wherein the output device is a printer.

12. The output device of claim 10 wherein the interface receives the feature key as a print job.

13. The output device of claim 10 wherein the output device is preconfigured to contain instructions that are executable by the processor for realizing the programmable feature and wherein the output device contains an indicator of whether instructions are to be used, said indication being set to indicate that the instructions are to be used after the processor has processed the feature key.

14. The output device of claim 13 wherein prior to the processor processing the feature key, the indication is set to indicate that the instructions are not to be used.

15. The output device of claim 10 wherein the feature key contains data that identifies the programmable feature and identifies an output device.

16. The output device of claim 15 wherein the output device further comprises an identifier that identifies the output device and wherein the processor compares the identifier with the data that identifies an output device to ensure that the programmable feature is installed where intended.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of receiving payment for installation of the programmable feature.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the coupon is forwarded electronically to the customer.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the encrypted data forms a coupon identification (ID).

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the order fulfillment facility is a computer system.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein the order fulfillment facility generates the coupon.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein the coupon is generated prior to receiving the request.

17. In an order fulfillment facility, a method, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request from a customer for a coupon, said coupon being redeemable to install a programmable feature on an output device;

obtaining the coupon, wherein the coupon contains encrypted data that includes a description for the programmable feature; and

forwarding the coupon to the customer.