Methods and systems for providing access to remote, descriptor-related data at an imaging device

• US 20060080129A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yamamura, Shinichi, Reddy, Amarender Reddy Kethi
• Granted Patent: US 8,120,798 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/502 relating to the structure of the control menu, e.g. pop-up menus, help screens
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5075 Remote control machines, e.g. by a host
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00109 Remote control of apparatus, e.g. by a host
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/41 where a single sign-on provides access to a plurality of computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32561 using a programmed control device, e.g. a microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0075 by a user operated remote control device, e.g. receiving instructions from a user via a computer terminal or mobile telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3221 of a job number or identification, e.g. communication number

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for providing access to remote, descriptor-related data at an imaging device user interface.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a provider with an imaging device, said method comprising:

a) receiving input data at an imaging device (IDev), said input data comprising a descriptor;

b) sending said descriptor to a remote computing device (RCD);

c) accessing a provider resource, with said RCD, said resource comprising provider data correlated with descriptors;

d) identifying, with said provider resource, provider data for at least one provider correlated with said descriptor;

e) sending said provider data from said RCD to said IDev; and

f) outputting said provider data at said IDev.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said descriptor comprises an IDev descriptor.

3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said descriptor comprises an IDev malfunction descriptor.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said descriptor comprises an IDev supply status descriptor.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said descriptor comprises a descriptor related to a device other than said IDev.

6. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said descriptor comprises a descriptor related to a restaurant.

7. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said descriptor comprises a descriptor related to a food item, said provider is a restaurant and said provider data comprises a menu for said restaurant.

8. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said receiving input data comprises an automatic notification when an IDev supply reaches a specified level.

9. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said receiving input data comprises an automatic notification when an IDev part malfunctions.

10. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said receiving input data comprises an automatic notification when an IDev part has reached a predetermined age or usage mark.

11. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said receiving input data comprises manual input at an IDev user interface.

12. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said provider data comprises provider location data.

13. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said provider data comprises provider price data.

14. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising compiling a comparative report with said provider data when provider data is identified for more than one provider.

15. A method for compiling a provider order with an imaging device, said method comprising:

a) receiving input data at an imaging device (IDev), said input data comprising a device descriptor;

b) sending said descriptor to a remote computing device (RCD);

c) accessing a provider resource, with said RCD, said resource comprising provider data correlated with descriptors;

d) identifying, with said provider resource, provider data for at least one provider correlated with said descriptor;

e) comparing said provider data, based on predetermined rules, when said provider data is identified for more than one provider;

f) selecting a preferred provider;

g) compiling an order for said provider; and

h) sending said order to a recipient.

16. A method as described in claim 15 wherein said wherein said recipient is said provider.

17. A method as described in claim 15 wherein said selecting a preferred provider is based on price.

18. A method as described in claim 15 wherein said selecting a preferred provider is based on provider location.

19. A method as described in claim 15 wherein said selecting a preferred provider is based on provider quality.

20. An apparatus for selecting a provider with an imaging device, said apparatus comprising:

a) a receiver for receiving input data at an imaging device (IDev), said input data comprising a descriptor;

b) a descriptor sender for sending said descriptor to a remote computing device (RCD);

c) an accessor for accessing a provider resource, with said RCD, said resource comprising provider data correlated with descriptors;

d) an identifier for identifying, with said provider resource, provider data for at least one provider correlated with said descriptor; and

e) a provider data sender for sending said provider data from said RCD to said IDev.