System for installing programmable features on output devices
First Claim
1. A system for installing a programmable feature on a printing means accessible over a communication network using a remote serving means accessible over the communication network, the system comprising:
- a remote server constructing means for constructing a first print job using a feature key that contains encrypted information, which encrypted information includes a printing means address and a programmable feature ID;
a printer receiving means for receiving the first print job and a second print job that each include commands in a printer job language that provides job-level control to application programs;
a printer installing means for programmatically installing a programmable feature using the first print job, the printer installing means for programmatically installing the programmable feature including,a printer storing means for storing a decryption key;
a first print job processing means for processing the first print job by use of the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted information including the printing means address; and
a means for determining whether the printing means address matches an actual printing means address before installing the programmable feature, identified by the decrypted feature ID;
a printer confirming means for confirming installation of the programmable feature with the second print job;
a second print job processing means for processing the second print job to generate a print for confirming installation of the programmable feature; and
wherein said first print job processing means for processing of the first print job further includes means for setting an indicator to enable use of preconfigured instructions for realizing the programmable feature.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A programmable feature such as a software upgrade, updated print driver, new process, etc. is remotely delivered to an output device, such as a printer. First, the customer tenders payment for the feature. Next, the customer is provided with a coupon. The customer subsequently redeems the coupon and receives the requested feature in the form of a feature key in response to redeeming the coupon. The customer uses the feature key to install the feature on the output device. The feature key may be a print job that contains encrypted text. Security measures may be provided to ensure that the coupon and feature key are valid, such as requiring the customer to use a pre-designated decryption key on the feature key before the feature is installed on the output device.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system for installing a programmable feature on a printing means accessible over a communication network using a remote serving means accessible over the communication network, the system comprising:
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a remote server constructing means for constructing a first print job using a feature key that contains encrypted information, which encrypted information includes a printing means address and a programmable feature ID; a printer receiving means for receiving the first print job and a second print job that each include commands in a printer job language that provides job-level control to application programs; a printer installing means for programmatically installing a programmable feature using the first print job, the printer installing means for programmatically installing the programmable feature including, a printer storing means for storing a decryption key; a first print job processing means for processing the first print job by use of the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted information including the printing means address; and a means for determining whether the printing means address matches an actual printing means address before installing the programmable feature, identified by the decrypted feature ID; a printer confirming means for confirming installation of the programmable feature with the second print job; a second print job processing means for processing the second print job to generate a print for confirming installation of the programmable feature; and wherein said first print job processing means for processing of the first print job further includes means for setting an indicator to enable use of preconfigured instructions for realizing the programmable feature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification