Method and apparatus for printing image using firmware information provided through barcode

• US 20060114500A1
• Filed: 11/23/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Ha, Jun-hyung
• Application Number:
  US11/284,912
• Publication Number:
  US 20060114500A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/008 Controlling printhead for accurately positioning print image on printing material, e.g. with the intention to control the width of margins
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/009 Detecting type of paper, e.g. by automatic reading of a code that is printed on a paper package or on a paper roll or by sensing the grade of translucency of the paper

Abstract

An image printing method and apparatus are provided for receiving firmware information for controlling a printing mode of a printing medium through a barcode and controlling the printing mode of the printing medium using the received firmware information. The image printing apparatus includes a sensing unit which senses a barcode for providing information on a printing medium and generating a sensing signal, an extracting unit which reads out barcode data from the sensing signal and extracts firmware information corresponding to the printing medium from the barcode data, a printing engine unit which prints an image on the printing medium, and a controlling unit which controls the printing engine unit based on the extracted firmware information.

Claims

1. A firmware information providing apparatus, comprising:

a sensing unit which senses a barcode for providing information on a printing medium and generating a sensing signal;

an extracting unit for reading barcode data from the sensing signal and extracting firmware information corresponding to the printing medium from the barcode data; and

a providing unit for providing the extracted firmware information.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a memory unit which stores firmware for controlling the printing mode of the printing medium; and

a searching unit for searching for firmware corresponding to the extracted firmware information in the memory unit, wherein the providing unit is configured to provide the search result.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the providing unit comprises a display unit.

4. A firmware information updating apparatus, comprising:

a sensing unit which senses a barcode for providing information on a printing medium and generating a sensing signal;

an extracting unit for reading barcode data from the sensing signal and extracting firmware information on the printing medium from the barcode data; and

an updating unit for receiving firmware corresponding to the extracted firmware information through a network and updating the firmware.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

a memory unit for storing firmware for controlling the printing mode of the printing medium; and

a searching unit for searching the memory unit to determine whether firmware corresponding to the extracted firmware information is stored in the memory unit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a user interface unit for inputting a user command for updating the firmware based on the search result of the searching unit.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a display unit for displaying at least one of the extracted firmware information and the firmware updating result.

8. An image printing apparatus, comprising:

a sensing unit which senses a barcode for providing information on a printing medium and generating a sensing signal;

an extracting unit for reading barcode data from the sensing signal and extracting firmware information on the printing medium from the barcode data;

a printing engine unit for printing an image on the printing medium; and

a controlling unit for controlling the printing engine unit based on the extracted firmware information.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

a memory unit which stores firmware for controlling the printing mode of the printing medium;

a searching unit for searching the memory unit to determine whether firmware corresponding to the extracted firmware information is stored in the memory unit; and

an updating unit for receiving firmware corresponding to the extracted firmware information through a network and updating the firmware based on the search result.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a user interface unit through which a user inputs a command for updating the firmware based on the search result of the searching unit.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a display unit for displaying at least one of the extracted firmware information and the firmware updating result.

12. A firmware information providing method, comprising the steps of:

sensing a barcode for providing information on a printing medium and generating a sensing signal;

reading out barcode data from the sensing signal and extracting firmware information on the printing medium from the barcode data; and

providing the extracted firmware information.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

searching for firmware corresponding to the extracted firmware information based on the extracted firmware information; and

providing the search result.

14. A firmware information updating method, comprising the steps of:

sensing a barcode for providing information on a printing medium and generating a sensing signal;

reading out barcode data from the sensing signal and extracting firmware information on the printing medium from the barcode data; and

receiving firmware corresponding to the extracted firmware information through a network and updating the firmware.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of determining whether firmware corresponding to the extracted firmware information exists.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of receiving a user command for updating the firmware based on the determining result.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of displaying at least one of the extracted firmware information and the firmware updating result.

18. An image printing method, comprising the steps of:

sensing a barcode for providing information on a printing medium and generating a sensing signal;

reading out barcode data from the sensing signal and extracting firmware information on the printing medium from the barcode data;

controlling the printing mode of the printing medium based on the extracted firmware information; and

printing an image on the printing medium according to the printing mode.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether firmware corresponding to the extracted firmware information exists; and

receiving firmware corresponding to the extracted firmware information through a network and updating the firmware based on the determining result.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of receiving a user command for updating the firmware based on the determining result.

21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of displaying at least one of the extracted firmware information and the firmware updating result.

22. A computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a computer program for providing firmware information, comprising:

a first set of instructions for controlling a sensing unit to sense a barcode for providing information on a printing medium and generate a sensing signal;

a second set of instructions for controlling an extraction unit to read out barcode data from the sensing signal and extract firmware information on the printing medium from the barcode data; and

a third set of instructions for controlling a providing unit to provide the extracted firmware information.