Printer having remote transmission capabilities

• US 20060290971A1
• Filed: 06/22/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: McQuillan, Seamus
• Granted Patent: US 7,692,809 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/121 Facilitating exception or error detection and recovery, e.g. fault, media or consumables depleted
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1229 Printer resources management or printer maintenance, e.g. device status, power levels
• 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 includes a printing module, a system status module, and a transmitter. The transmitter is in communication with the system status module. The transmitter is adapted to transmit a signal in response to a code generated by the system status module. A method for providing a code to an operator of a printer includes communicating a fault or warning code to a transmitter of the printer and transmitting a signal that corresponds to the code via an RF, an IR or an ultrasonic transmission.

Claims

1. In a printer, a method for remotely providing a signal to an operator of the printer, the method comprising:

communicating a fault or warning code to a transmitter of the printer; and

transmitting a signal that corresponds to the code via an RF, an IR or an ultrasonic transmission.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting an identification signal for the printer.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising translating the code into a voice signal or a signal indexing a voice message.

4. In a printer, a method for remotely interacting with the printer, the method comprising:

translating a fault or warning code that has been generated by the printer into a first signal;

wirelessly transmitting the first signal; and

wirelessly receiving a second signal.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising performing an operation in response to the second signal.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first signal comprises a voice signal.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the first signal comprises a signal indexing a voice message.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the second signal comprises a voice signal.

9. The method of claim 4, further comprising wirelessly transmitting a third signal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the third signal comprises a printer identification.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the third signal comprises a print job identification.

12. A printer comprising:

a printing module;

a system status module;

a transmitter in communication with the system status module, the transmitter being adapted to transmit a signal in response to a code generated by the system status module.

13. The printer of claim 12, wherein the system status module is configured to detect at least one of a status from a group comprising a low paper warning, a paper jam, a low toner warning, a low staple warning and an output tray full condition.

14. The printer of claim 12, further comprising a receiver in communication with the system status module, the receiver being configured to receive a signal and communicate with the system status module.

15. The printer of claim 14, wherein the receiver is configured to receive an audible signal.

16. The printer of claim 14, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a voice signal or a signal indexing a voice message.

17. The printer of claim 12, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a signal indexing a voice message.

18. The printer of claim 12, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a voice signal.

19. The printer of claim 12, further comprising a processor, the processor including a printer identification.

20. The printer of claim 19, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the printer identification.