Printer help apparatus and method

• US 20030086109A1
• Filed: 11/08/2001
• Published: 05/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Fitch, Catherine Jo
• Application Number:
  US10/010,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20030086109A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/121 Facilitating exception or error detection and recovery, e.g. fault, media or consumables depleted
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1234 Errors handling and recovery, e.g. reprinting G06F3/1261 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server

Abstract

A printer help apparatus and method includes a printer and a supplemental audio/video control, conformed to display audio/visual information concerning the functioning of the printer, connected to the printer at the printer location. In a further aspect of the invention, the supplemental audio/visual control is conformed to display prerecorded videos, to receive dynamic content for display and to conduct video conferences. In a further aspect of the invention, the printer is connected to a network and at least one computer.

Claims

1. In a computer system of networked computer(s) and printer(s), a help apparatus for printers, the help apparatus comprising:

a) a printer; and

b) a supplemental audio/video control device conformed to display audio/visual information concerning the functioning of said printer connected to said printer at said printer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein element b) is conformed to display prerecorded videos.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein element b) is conformed to receive dynamic content for display.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein element b) is conformed to conduct video conferences.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein element b) is conformed to display prerecorded videos, to receive dynamic content for display and to conduct video conferences.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one computer connected to said printer by a network.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said network comprises the Internet network.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said network comprises an intranet network.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein element a) comprises more than one printer.

10. In a computer system of a plurality of networked computers and at least one distributed printer, a supplemental help apparatus for assisting in the operation of said at least one printer, the apparatus comprising:

a) a plurality of computers;

b) a network connected to said computers;

c) at least one distributed printer connected to said network; and

d) a supplemental audio/visual control means for displaying audio/visual information concerning the functioning of said at least one distributed printer connected to said at least one distributed printer at said at least one distributed printer.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein element b) comprises the Internet network.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein element c) comprises more than one printer.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein element d) is conformed to play prerecorded videos, to receive dynamic content for display, and to conduct video conferences.

14. In a computer system of networked computers and at least one distributed printer, a method of controlling the functioning of the at least one distributed printer, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one distributed printer;

b) connecting a supplemental audio/visual control means for displaying audio/visual information concerning the functioning of said at least one distributed printer to said at least one distributed printer at said at least one distributed printer;

c) receiving functioning information by said supplemental audio/visual control means from said at least one distributed printer concerning the functioning of said at least one distributed printer; and

d) providing a user of said at least one distributed printer, by said supplemental audio/visual control means, with a selection of audio/visual information from which to choose in responding to said functioning information.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of connecting said distributed printer to a network.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of connecting to a network comprises the step of connecting to the Internet network.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein step a) comprises the step of connecting more than one distributed printer to the network.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein step b) further comprises the step of conforming said supplemental audio/visual control means to display prerecorded videos, to receive dynamic content for display and to conduct video conferences.

19. In a system of at least one distributed printer, a computer program product for providing user help in the functioning of said at least one distributed printer, the computer program product comprising:

a) instructions for a supplemental audio/visual control, connected to said at least one distributed printer at said at least one distributed printer, such that said supplemental audio/visual control is conformed to display audio/visual information concerning the functioning of said at least one distributed printer.

20. The computer program product of claim 19 further comprising instructions for said supplemental audio/visual control such that said supplemental audio/visual control is conformed to display prerecorded videos, to receive dynamic content for display and to conduct video conferences.