Method and apparatus for control lockout and transfer during service for systems controlled by multiple devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A printer comprising:
- a host interface operable to receive print jobs from a user;
a print controller; and
a service interface operable to monitor for a service mode activation signal from a service technician, and further operable to provide the service mode activation signal to the print controller in response to receiving the service mode activation signal from the service technician,wherein the print controller is operable to disable the host interface to block the reception of the print jobs from the user in response to receiving the service mode activation signal from the service interface, to notify the user that the host interface is disabled, and to enable control of the printer through the service interface by the service technician.
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Abstract
A printer, fax machine, copier, scanner, or any other office device used by multiple users from multiple locations is provided with improved apparatus and/or software for locking out all incoming commands from reaching the device'"'"'s internal controller except for commands coming from a newly-designated primary controller used by the service technician. This lockout can be used with any type of office machine that has it'"'"'s own internal controller, so it applies equally to all types of office machines and systems generally used in today'"'"'s office environments.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A printer comprising:
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a host interface operable to receive print jobs from a user; a print controller; and a service interface operable to monitor for a service mode activation signal from a service technician, and further operable to provide the service mode activation signal to the print controller in response to receiving the service mode activation signal from the service technician, wherein the print controller is operable to disable the host interface to block the reception of the print jobs from the user in response to receiving the service mode activation signal from the service interface, to notify the user that the host interface is disabled, and to enable control of the printer through the service interface by the service technician. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method operable on a print controller of a printer, the method comprising:
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monitoring a host interface of the printer for print jobs from a user; monitoring a service interface of the printer for a service mode activation signal from a service technician; and responsive to receiving the service mode activation signal from the service interface, disabling the host interface to block the reception of the print jobs from the user, notifying the user that the host interface is disabled, and enabling control of the printer through the service interface by the service technician. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer readable medium tangibly embodying programmed instructions which, when executed by a print controller of a printer, are operable for performing a method, the method comprising:
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monitoring a host interface of the printer for print jobs from a user; monitoring a service interface of the printer for a service mode activation signal from a service technician; and responsive to receiving the service mode activation signal from the service interface, disabling the host interface to block the reception of the print jobs from the user, notifying the user that the host interface is disabled, and enabling control of the printer through the service interface. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification