Multi-media printer with removable memory storing printer settings

• US 20080043088A1
• Filed: 07/26/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Codonics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Codonics Incorporated
• Inventors: Miller, Joseph, Botten, Peter, Srnka, Lawrence, Adam, Peter, Kolberg, Michael, Bias, James, Tainer, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,375,737 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/220
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/0075 Low-paper indication, i.e. indicating the state when copy material has been used up nearly or completely
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/0095 Detecting means for copy material, e.g. for detecting or sensing presence of copy material or its leading or trailing end
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/42 Controlling printing material conveyance for accurate alignment of the printing material with the printhead; Print registering
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/485 Means for selecting a type of copy material amongst different types of copy material in the printing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/009 Diverting sheets at a section where at least two sheet conveying paths converge, e.g. by a movable switching guide that blocks access to one conveying path and guides the sheet to another path, e.g. when a sheet conveying direction is reversed after printing on the front of the sheet has been finished and the sheet is guided to a sheet turning path for printing on the back
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/03 driven, e.g. feed rollers separate from platen
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/106 for the sheet output section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/02 Framework
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/38 Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism

Abstract

A hard copy recording device for transferring images to media, the hard copy recording device including an engine, a controller, a first non-volatile memory, and a second non-volatile memory. The engine transfers images to the media in response to control signals. The controller provides the control signals to the engine based upon image data and a first non-volatile memory stores recording device system data accessible by processes executing at the controller. The second non-volatile memory stores a copy of selected portions of the recording device system data, the second non-volatile memory being detachably coupled to the hard copy recording device and capable of being coupled to a second hard copy recording device for downloading the selected portions of the recording device system data to the second hard copy recording device.

Claims

1. A hard copy recording device for transferring images to media, the hard copy recording device comprising:

an engine for transferring images to the media in response to control signals;

a controller for providing the control signals to the engine based upon image data received via a first interface;

a first non-volatile memory storing recording device system data accessible by processes executing at the controller; and

a second non-volatile memory for storing a copy of selected portions of the recording device system data, the second non-volatile memory being detachably connected to the hard copy recording device and capable of being coupled to a second hard copy recording device for downloading the selected portions of the recording device system data to the second hard copy recording device, wherein the second non-volatile memory is not connected to the hard copy recording device at the first interface.

2. The hard copy recording device of claim 1, wherein the recording device system data includes data representative of Postscript keys.

3. The hard copy recording device of claim 1, wherein the recording device system data includes data representative of gamma correction settings.

4. The hard copy recording device of claim 1, wherein the recording device system data includes data representative of a network address associated with the hard copy recording device.

5. The hard copy recording device of claim 4, wherein the network address is a TCP/IP address associated with the printer.

6. The hard copy recording device of claim 1, wherein the recording device system data includes data representative of license keys.

7. The hard copy recording device of claim 1, wherein the first non-volatile memory is located in the controller.

8. The hard copy recording device of claim 1, wherein the second non-volatile memory is a smart card.

9. The hard copy recording device of claim 1, wherein the second non-volatile memory is a removable hard drive.

10. The hard copy recording device of claim 1, wherein the second non-volatile memory is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive.

11. A hard copy recording device for recording an image on a media, the image being formed based on date received at the first interface, the hard copy recording device comprising:

a first non-volatile memory storing specified information regarding settings of the hard copy recording device;

a controller for providing control signals to an engine to record the image on the media utilizing the data received at the first interface and at least a portion of the specified information; and

a removable memory for storing a copy of selected portions of the specified information, the removable memory being detachably connected to the hard copy recording device and capable of being coupled to a second hard copy recording device which copies the selected portions of the specified information to a non-volatile memory in the second hard copy recording device, wherein the removable memory is not connected to the hard copy recording device at the first interface.

12. The hard copy recording device of claim 11, wherein the removable memory is a smart card.

13. The hard copy recording device of claim 11, wherein the first non-volatile memory is located in the controller.

14. The hard copy recording device of claim 11, wherein the selected portions of the specified information is information representative of gamma correction settings.

15. The hard copy recording device of claim 11, wherein the selected portions of the specified information is information representative of a network address associated with the hard copy recording device.

16. The hard copy recording device of claim 11, wherein the selected portions of the specified information is information representative of license keys.

17. The hard copy recording device of claim 11, wherein the selected portions of the specified information is information representative of Postscript settings.

18. The hard copy recording device of claim 11, wherein the selected portions of the specified information includes any combination of including all of information representative of gamma correction settings, a network address, license keys, and Postscript settings.

19. The hard copy recording device of claim 11, wherein the removable memory is a hard drive.

20. The hard copy recording device of claim 11, wherein the removable memory is a (Universal Serial Bus) USB flash drive.