Remote firmware upgrade via I/O connection
First Claim
1. An imaging device, comprising:
- a communication input for receiving image data and other signals from an external device;
a communication output;
a formatter for converting image data into a printable image as directed by a control program;
a first computer-usable media for storing the control program;
a second computer-usable media having computer-readable instructions stored thereon capable of causing a processor to perform a method, the method comprising;
providing a signal on the communication output of the imaging device indicative of a desire to transfer a control program from an external device to the communication input of the imaging device;
waiting for a control program to be received on the communication input of the imaging device in response to the signal;
delaying conversion of any image data for a predetermined timeout period while waiting for a control program to be received on the communication input of the imaging device; and
transferring a default control program from the second computer-usable media to the first computer-usable media if no control program is received on the communication input prior to expiration of the timeout period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Imaging devices and methods of operating imaging devices that facilitate reducing nonvolatile storage needs of the imaging devices. The imaging devices are adapted to request control programs from external devices. Control programs are received on a communication input of the imaging device and stored on a volatile storage media for use by a processor of the imaging device. The embodiments can also facilitate more reliable updating within a networked system in that updating an image of a control program on one network device can automatically lead to updating of multiple imaging devices, thus eliminating a need to individually update each imaging device. A default control program is used if no control program is received on the communication input within a predetermined timeout period.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An imaging device, comprising:
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a communication input for receiving image data and other signals from an external device; a communication output; a formatter for converting image data into a printable image as directed by a control program; a first computer-usable media for storing the control program; a second computer-usable media having computer-readable instructions stored thereon capable of causing a processor to perform a method, the method comprising; providing a signal on the communication output of the imaging device indicative of a desire to transfer a control program from an external device to the communication input of the imaging device; waiting for a control program to be received on the communication input of the imaging device in response to the signal; delaying conversion of any image data for a predetermined timeout period while waiting for a control program to be received on the communication input of the imaging device; and transferring a default control program from the second computer-usable media to the first computer-usable media if no control program is received on the communication input prior to expiration of the timeout period. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of operating an imaging device, comprising:
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generating a request for a control program upon an initialization of the imaging device, wherein the control program is adapted to convert image data received by the imaging device into a printable image; providing the request on a communication output of the imaging device for receipt by an external device; waiting to receive the control program via a communication input of the imaging device; delaying conversion of any image data received by the imaging device while waiting to receive the control program via the communication input; and using a default control program if no control program is received via the communication input within a predetermined timeout period. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-usable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon capable of causing a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:
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in response to an initialization process, generating a request for a control program from an external device for converting image data into a printable image; providing the request on a communication output of the processor; waiting to receive the control program via a communication input of the processor; delaying conversion of any image data received by the processor while waiting to receive the control program via the communication input; and using a default control program if no control program is received via the communication input within a predetermined timeout period. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification