Methods and systems for imaging device job configuration management

• US 8,115,945 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2005
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Plewnia, Boguslaw Ludwik
• Primary Examiner(s): Haskins, Twyler
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, LENNIN R
• Application Number:
  US11/218,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20060080123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,358 Days
• Field of Search: 358 111- 118, 399/82, 707/100, 709/229
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00464 using browsers, i.e. interfaces based on mark-up languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00503 Customising to a particular machine or model, machine function or application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0075 by a user operated remote control device, e.g. receiving instructions from a user via a computer terminal or mobile telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

Some aspects of the present invention relate to a method whereby an image device may communicate its job configuration properties to a remote computing device, which may then communicate with the imaging device to modify those configuration properties for a particular imaging job. Some aspects relate to methods whereby job configuration properties are transmitted to a remote application that generates an optimized job definition list that defines an imaging job based on the values of the job configuration properties.

Claims

1. A method for imaging device job configuration management, said method comprising:

identifying user account information for a user of an account, wherein said user account information identifies a plurality of settable values for properties on an imaging device (IDev), wherein said settable values are available to be set by said user of said account within a scope defined in said user account information;

sending a request for a list of job configuration properties (JCPs) from an application to said IDev, wherein said request is a markup language simple object access protocol (SOAP) message and wherein said list of JCPs comprises a list of said plurality of settable values;

receiving said request for said list of JCPs from said application at said IDev;

compiling an IDev-dependent list of JCPs settable by said user based on said user account information;

sending said IDev-dependent list of JCPs from said IDev to said application;

receiving said IDev-dependent list of JCPs at said application;

sending a request, from said application to said IDev, for current values of said JCPs on said IDev-dependent list of JCPs;

receiving, at said application, said current values of said JCPs;

determining, with said application and based on said current values, which JCPs need to be modified to configure said IDev for an imaging job;

constructing, with said application, an Optimized Job Definition List (OJDL) that defines an imaging job using said list of JCPs, wherein said OJDL contains only commands to change said current values of said JCPs that are incompatible with said imaging job.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said list of JCPs comprises rules for creating a job definition list.

3. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising checking said OJDL for errors and faults at said IDev.

4. A method as described in claim 3 wherein said checking further comprises parsing said OJDL for definitions that are unknown and/or out of scope.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said sending said list of job configuration properties (JCPs) is a SOAP response.

6. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said sending said OJDL to said IDev from said application is in the format of a SOAP message.

7. A method for imaging device job configuration management, said method comprising:

sending a request for a current value of a job configuration property (JCP) from an application to an IDev, wherein said JCP represents a settable parameter by which said IDev may be configured to execute an imaging job;

receiving said request for a current value of a job configuration property (JCP) from said application at said IDev;

sending said current value of a job configuration property (JCP) from said IDev to said application;

receiving said current value of a job configuration property (JCP) from said IDev at said application;

identifying a print job and the JCP settings required to execute said print job;

constructing an Optimized Job Definition List (OJDL) fully defining said print job using said current value of a job configuration property (JCP) at said application, wherein said OJDL only contains commands related to said current value when said current value is not currently configured for a print job as reported from said IDev.

8. A method as described in claim 7 further comprising identifying a user and wherein said sending and receiving said JCP is dependent upon a user scope of rights.

9. A method as described in claim 7 wherein said JCP comprises rules for creating a job definition list.

10. A method as described in claim 7 further comprising checking said OJDL for faults at said IDev.

11. A method as described in claim 7 wherein said request for a current value of a job configuration property (JCP) is a SOAP request.

12. A method as described in claim 7 wherein said sending said current value of a job configuration property (JCP) is a SOAP response.

13. A method as described in claim 8 wherein said sending said OJDL to said IDev from said application is in the format of a SOAP message.

14. A system for imaging device job configuration management, said system comprising:

a) an imaging device (IDev), wherein said IDev is configurable to execute an imaging job via job configuration properties (JCPs) with settable values and wherein a scope of said settable values of said JCPs varies according to a user account restriction, said IDev comprising;

i) an IDev receiver for receiving a request for a JCP-and for receiving a user account identification; and

ii) an IDev sender for sending said JCP and a current value of said JCP to said application when said user account restriction permits said sending;

b) an application, said application comprising;

i) an application sender for sending a request for a job configuration property (JCP) to an imaging device (IDev);

ii) an application receiver for receiving said JCP and said current value from said IDev; and

iii) a constructor for constructing an Optimized Job Definition List (OJDL) that defines an imaging job using said JCP and that takes into account said current value thereby avoiding commands related to said current value when said current value is compatible with said imaging job.

15. A system as described in claim 14 wherein said JCP comprises rules for creating a job definition list.