Integrated server platform for the autonomous provisioning of device services

• US 7,644,145 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2003
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Majandro LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Rockwell, Ronald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Srivastava, Vivek
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pollack, Melvin H
• Application Number:
  US10/686,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20040128375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,273 Days
• Field of Search: 709/229, 709/203, 709/206, 709/223, 709/224, 709/250, 358/1.15, 705/26, 705/28, 705/29
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A provisioning services platform automatically and remotely regulates service subscription and supplies replenishment. The platform comprises a provisioning server running a service consumer interface, an entity management module comprising information on machines usable with the platform such as electroreprographic marking machines, a policy and preferences module, and an order processing module, among others. The provisioned services include automated meter reads, automated supplies ordering, productivity reporting, assisted user self-help, remote diagnostics, and prognostics, among others.

Claims

1. A provisioning services computer hardware platform for a printing system comprising:

a common device model agent module disposed within two or more printing system devices configured to print an image on a media substrate, the DMA module including;

a first DMA application program for monitoring printing device events and prescribing corresponding actions;

a second DMA application program for performing dynamic updates of executable printing device services; and

a service manager application program for selectively executing the first and second DMA application programs and facilitating interactive communication with a provisioning server,

the provisioning server including a processor configured to communicate with the device model agent associated with one or more printing system devices, the provisioning server comprising;

a service consumer interface module configured to communicate with the DMA;

an entity management module configured to store printing information associated with a plurality of printing system devices compatible with the platform;

a policy and preferences module configured to provide service deployment configuration parameters for one or more printing system devices;

an order processing module configured to process service deployment orders from service sponsors and the policy and preferences module;

a registration module configured to provide security for the platform;

a service definition module configured to store definitional information on services provisioned by the platform;

a service developer interface module configured to interface with service developers for developing, distributing and updating services provisioned by the platform; and

a service participant interface module configured to interface with users of the platform and configured to communicate service lifecycle and service transaction information to one or more other modules,

wherein the provisioning server is configured to receive service subscription and supply requests selectively subscribed to and initiated from the DMA and execute the development of services and supplies replenishment to one or more printing system devices associated with the DMA, the DMA module is configured to receive service component subscription information provided by a user and the provisioning server is configured to process the subscription information selectively provided by the user and provision the printing device service applications based on the subscription information selectively provided by the user.

2. The platform of claim 1 further comprising a common provisioning model based on a shared user service lifecycle.

3. The platform of claim 1 wherein the service consumer interface is configured to interact with external users and external devices and is configured to substantially isolate other provisioning server modules from different protocols used by devices and users.

4. The platform of claim 1 wherein the entity management module comprises a repository of entity information localized and substantially isolated from the other modules of the provisioning server.

5. The platform of claim 4 wherein the entity information comprises information on users of the platform.

6. The platform of claim 4 wherein the entity information comprises information on entity preferences with regard to the platform.

7. The platform of claim 1 wherein the entity management module is a point of contact with systems outside the provisioning server.

8. The platform of claim 1 wherein the entity management module provides a user interface for access to local and network based information.

9. The platform of claim 1 wherein the registration module maintains security of the provisioning server.

10. The platform of claim 1 wherein the registration module comprises an authorization module configured to selectively allow users with proper privileges to execute transactions with the provisioning server.

11. The platform of claim 1 wherein the registration module is configured to register users of the provisioning server in conjunction with the entity management module.

12. The platform of claim 1 wherein the registration module is configured to work with the service consumer interface and order processing modules to substantially isolate security related artifacts of transactions.

13. The platform of claim 1 wherein the service definitions module maintains definitional information on services provisioned by the provisioning server.

14. The platform of claim 13 wherein the definitional information includes version information.

15. The platform of claim 13 wherein the definitional information includes file composition.

16. The platform of claim 13 wherein the definitional information includes service interrelationships.

17. The platform of claim 13 wherein the definitional information includes what devices can use the services.

18. The platform of claim 1 wherein the service developer interface module supports service developers in at least one of development, distribution, and update of services.

19. The platform of claim 1 wherein the service participant interface module interfaces with users.

20. The platform of claim 1 wherein the service participant interface module directs service lifecycle information to appropriate resources.

21. The platform of claim 1 wherein the service participant interface module directs service transaction information to appropriate resources.