Patent ID: 8400645
Filing Date: 2013-03-19
Classification: G06F,H04N

Abstract:
1. A printer comprising: a user interface configured to receive an input from a user for upgrading the printer; a memory configured to store at least one upgrade indicator; a communication interface configured to send billing information to a server based on the input from the user and receive verification from the server authorizing a previously inoperable hardware component to be enabled by changing a state of the at least one upgrade indicator; a first hardware component configured to perform in a first printing process and enabled before the input is received from the user; and a second hardware component configured to perform in a second process and configured to be inoperable before a state of the at least one upgrade indicator is set to a second state enabling the second hardware component; a controller configured to operate the first hardware component and the second hardware component; wherein the controller is configured to set the state of the at least one upgrade indicator to change from a first state corresponding to the second hardware component being inoperable to the second state corresponding to the second hardware component being enabled in response to the verification received from the server, and wherein the controller is configured to set the state of the at least one upgrade at the second state according to a license associated with the second state that enables the second hardware component.