Patent ID: 6785015
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer system peripheral comprising:a. a network interface; b. a print engine; and c. a processor that controls the print engine in response to data received via the interface, that receives an emailed request via the interface, that evaluates a condition for controlling access to a status of the peripheral, and that sends an emailed response via the interface, wherein: (1) the emailed request comprises indicia of a subscription for the status of the peripheral and indicia for satisfying the condition for controlling access to the status, the request comprising a first message and a second message including indicia of a selected alternative; (2) the emailed response comprises a respective value of the status; (3) the processor, in response to the first message, provides a menu of alternatives; and (4) the processor, in response to the second message, determines the subscription in accordance with an alternative of the menu that corresponds to the indicia of the selected alternative.