METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED HELP INSTRUCTIONS

• US 20130166969A1
• Filed: 12/27/2011
• Published: 06/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Zhang, Jun, Wu, Yuling, Hong, Zhenan, Andrews, David L., Cordery, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US13/337,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20130166969A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0772 Means for error signaling, e.g. using interrupts, exception flags, dedicated error registers

Abstract

A computerized method and system for providing enhanced help messages for equipment operation is described herein. A device having a processor automatically detects an error condition in the device, and determines that the error condition requires operator action. An appropriate message is selected that indicates a required operator action corresponding to the error condition. The message is configured to include a scannable barcode. The scannable barcode includes a website link to a website having more detailed information to assist an operator in performing the operator action. The message is displayed on a screen so that the operator can scan the barcode with his mobile device, and see the more detailed information on how to perform the required operator action. Alternatively, the message is configured as radio frequency data to be transmitted by the equipment using near field communication (NFC) technology to a mobile device having an NFC receiver.

Claims

1. A computerized method for providing enhanced help messages for equipment operation, the method comprising:

automatically detecting an error condition in a device having a processor;

determining, with the processor, that the error condition requires operator action;

selecting, with the processor, a message indicating operator action corresponding to the error condition;

configuring the message to include a scannable barcode, the scannable barcode being generated to include a website link to a website having more detailed information to assist an operator in performing the operator action; and

displaying the message on a screen.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of maintaining a website corresponding to the website link in the scannable barcode, the website having more detailed information relating to the operator action.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the more detailed information includes a set of written instructions relating to the operator action.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the more detailed information includes graphical diagrams pertinent to the operator action.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the more detailed information includes a video including instruction pertinent to the operator action.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein step of providing the scannable barcode further includes providing a product code in the barcode, the product code being utilized by the website to provide information relevant to the product.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein step of providing the scannable barcode further includes providing an error code in the barcode, the error code being utilized by the website to provide information relevant to the error condition.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the scannable barcode is configured as a QR barcode.

9. The method of claim 1 further including a step of configuring the message to include an encoded RF message, the encoded RF message to include the website link to the website having more detailed information to assist the operator in performing the operator action;

and

transmitting the message with an RF transmitter on the equipment.

10. A computerized system for providing enhanced help messages for equipment operation, the system comprising:

a device having a processor, the processor configured to operate to;

automatically detect an error condition in the device;

determine that the error condition requires operator action;

select an error message to provide to an operator;

configure the message to include a scannable barcode, the scannable barcode being generated to include a website link to a website having more detailed information to assist an operator in performing the operator action; and

a screen coupled to the processor and configured for displaying the message provided by the processor.

11. The system of claim 10 further including a website server including a website corresponding to the website link in the scannable barcode, the website having more detailed information relating to the operator action.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the more detailed information includes a set of written instructions relating to the operator action.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the more detailed information includes graphical diagrams pertinent to the operator action.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the more detailed information includes a video including instruction pertinent to the operator action.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to include a product code in the barcode, the website server configured to utilize the product code to provide website information relevant to the product.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to include an error code in the barcode, the website server configured to utilize the error code to provide website information relevant to the error condition.

17. The system of claim 10 wherein the processor is further configured to configure the message to include an encoded RF message, the encoded RF message including the website link to the website having more detailed information to assist the operator in performing the operator action;

and

a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured for transmitting the message.

18. A computerized method for providing enhanced help messages for equipment operation, the method comprising:

automatically detecting an error condition in a device having a processor;

determining, with the processor, that the error condition requires operator action;

selecting, with the processor, a message indicating operator action corresponding to the error condition;

configuring the message to include an encoded RF message, the encoded RF message being generated to include a website link to a website having more detailed information to assist an operator in performing the operator action; and

transmitting the message with an RF transmitter on the equipment.

19. A computerized system for providing enhanced help messages for equipment operation, the system comprising:

a device having a processor, the processor configured to operate to;

automatically detect an error condition in the device;

determine that the error condition requires operator action;

select an error message to provide to an operator;

configure the message to include an encoded RF message, the encoded RF message being generated to include a website link to a website having more detailed information to assist an operator in performing the operator action; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured for transmitting the message.