System and method for guided printer servicing
First Claim
1. A guided diagnostic and servicing system for a barcode printer, the system comprising:
- a portable electronic device including;
a user interface for displaying information and receiving input from a user;
a camera for taking photographs or video recordings; and
a processor; and
a diagnostic database including data indicative of known printer problems and associated servicing instructions stored in memory communicatively coupled to the portable electronic device;
wherein the portable electronic device is configured to;
obtain a visual image of a barcode printer using the camera;
derive barcode printer diagnostic data from aspects of the image;
compare the barcode printer diagnostic data with the data indicative of known printer problems to identify a potential problem with the barcode printer; and
display servicing instructions associated with the identified potential problem on the user interface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A guided barcode printer diagnostic and servicing system and method includes a software application for a smart phone that simplifies the process of detecting problems with and servicing a malfunctioning barcode printer. Illustrated, audible, and/or written instructions prompt the user to obtain photographs, video recordings, and/or audio samples of the malfunctioning printer. Data processing algorithms extract diagnostic data from the photographs, video recordings, and/or audio samples. The diagnostic data is compared to known printer problem data stored in a database. If a potential problem is identified, a likely repair solution is presented with easy-to-follow servicing instructions. If a potential problem is not identified, additional troubleshooting steps are performed by the user, if needed, until the barcode printer is fixed or it is determined that a skilled service technician is needed.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A guided diagnostic and servicing system for a barcode printer, the system comprising:
-
a portable electronic device including; a user interface for displaying information and receiving input from a user; a camera for taking photographs or video recordings; and a processor; and a diagnostic database including data indicative of known printer problems and associated servicing instructions stored in memory communicatively coupled to the portable electronic device; wherein the portable electronic device is configured to; obtain a visual image of a barcode printer using the camera; derive barcode printer diagnostic data from aspects of the image; compare the barcode printer diagnostic data with the data indicative of known printer problems to identify a potential problem with the barcode printer; and display servicing instructions associated with the identified potential problem on the user interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A computerized method for troubleshooting a printer, the method comprising the steps of:
-
obtaining a photograph of the printer with a mobile computer portable electronic device having a camera and a processor in communication with a database containing data indicative of known printer problems; deriving diagnostic data of the printer from the photograph; comparing the diagnostic data of the printer with the data indicative of known printer problems; and identifying a potential printer problem based on the comparison between the diagnostic data of the printer and the data indicative of known printer problems. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A system for servicing a printer having a plurality of moving parts using a portable electronic mobile computer device, the system comprising:
-
a diagnostic database having known printer problem information matched with likely solutions having servicing instructions; a camera in operative communication with the diagnostic database; and a set of downloadable computer executable instructions to configure the portable electronic device to; display a sequence of printer troubleshooting instructions for the user to perform; derive diagnostic data from an image of the printer obtained with the camera; and transmit the diagnostic data to the diagnostic database; wherein the diagnostic database is configured to identify a most likely solution based on the diagnostic data transmitted from the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification