Java printer with a printer control interface in a form of a web page

• US 7,701,606 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2006
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Lee, Kanghoon
• Primary Examiner(s): Garcia; Gabriel I
• Application Number:
  US11/492,103
• Publication Number:
  US 20060262350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,365 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.1, 358/1.8, 358/1.9, 358/1.12, 358/1.13, 358/1.15, 358/400, 358/402, 358/448, 358/474
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1253 Configuration of print job parameters, e.g. using UI at the client
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1255 Settings incompatibility, e.g. constraints, user requirements vs. device capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1287 via internet
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0011 characterised by a particular command or data flow, e.g. Page Description Language, configuration commands

Abstract

A method of communicating with a printer, including: receiving, at the printer, a request for a printer control interface from a remote computer; sending, from the printer, the printer control interface to the remote computer, wherein the printer control interface is in a form of a web page; receiving, at the printer, printer control information from the computer, said printer control information being set using the printer control interface; and updating a memory of the printer based on the printer control information.

Claims

1. A method of communicating with a printer, comprising:

receiving, with a communication interface of the printer, a request for a printer control interface from a remote computer;

sending, with the communication interface of the printer, the printer control interface to the remote computer, wherein the printer control interface is in a form of a Web page;

receiving, with the communication interface of the printer, printer control information from the computer, said printer control information being set using the printer control interface; and

updating a memory of the printer based on the printer control information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said printer control information comprises one of:

a printer control parameter; and

a printer command.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the printer control information in the memory of the printer based on an identification of the computer.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the printer control information in the memory of the printer based on an Internet address of the computer.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the printer control information in a database of the printer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sending the printer control interface comprises:

sending the printer control interface using a client-server protocol.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sending the printer control interface to a computer comprises:

sending a printer control interface which includes a hypertext markup language document.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving printer control information from the computer comprises:

receiving a set configuration command.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving printer control information from the computer comprises:

receiving a set paper size command.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing information about the printer to the computer via a hypertext link.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

downloading a font to the printer via an http link.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a printer control information from the computer comprises:

receiving a print queue command.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving printer control information from the computer comprises:

receiving a change pagination command.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying the printer control interface on the computer using a web browser.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a document to the printer for printing.

16. A system for communicating with a printer, comprising:

means for receiving a request for a printer control interface;

means for sending the printer control interface to a computer, wherein the printer control interface is in a form of a Web page;

means for receiving printer control information from the computer, said printer control information being set using the printer control interface; and

means for updating a memory of the printer based on the printer control information.

17. A method of communicating with a printer, comprising:

receiving a request for a printer control interface at the printer;

sending the printer control interface from the printer, wherein the printer control interface is in a form of a Web pace;

receiving printer control information at the printer, said printer control information being set using the printer control interface; and

updating a memory of the printer based on the printer control information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said printer control information comprises one of:

a printer control parameter; and

a printer command.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

storing the printer control information in the memory of the printer based on an identification of a source of said request for a printer control information.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

storing the printer control information in the memory of the printer based on an Internet address of a source of said request for a printer control information.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

storing the printer control information in a database of the printer.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of sending the printer control interface comprises:

sending the printer control interface using a client-server protocol.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of sending the printer control interface comprises:

sending a printer control interface which includes a hypertext markup language document.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of receiving printer control information comprises:

receiving a set configuration command.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of receiving printer control information comprises:

receiving a set paper size command.

26. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing information about the printer via a hypertext link.

27. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

downloading a font to the printer via an http link.

28. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of receiving a printer control information comprises:

receiving a print queue command.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of receiving printer control information comprises:

receiving a change pagination command.

30. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

sending a document to the printer for printing.

31. A system for communicating with a printer, comprising:

means for receiving a request for a printer control interface;

means for sending the printer control interface from the printer, wherein the printer control interface is in a form of a Web page;

means for receiving printer control information at the printer, said printer control information being set using the printer control interface; and

means for updating a memory of the printer based on the printer control information.