Abstract:
A system and method for customized multifunction peripherals includes a document processing controller including a processor and a memory, a scanner, a scanner engine, a printer, a user input and a display. The memory stores electronic customization groups, each corresponding to a unique business type. Each electronic customization group includes electronic files, such as forms, applications, screen backgrounds, company logos, screen positioning information, and labels. The memory also stores device customization data sets, each corresponding to document processing in the multifunction peripheral. Indicia on the display identify each of the customization groups by business type, and the user input receives a selection of a selected customization group. A customizations menu on the display lists available customizations from the selected customization group. A document processing options menu on the display includes document processing options corresponding to a portion of the device customization data sets associated with the selected customization group.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/334,634, filed May 11, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This application relates generally to multifunction peripherals. The application relates more particularly to multifunction peripherals geared to specific needs or constraints of different businesses. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Document processing devices include printers, copiers, scanners and e-mail gateways. More recently, devices employing two or more of these functions are found in office environments. These devices are referred to as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or multifunction devices (MFDs). As used herein, MFP means any of the forgoing. 
         [0004]    MFPs are typically provided with a fixed set of functions that are available to device end users. In addition to printing, copying, scanning and e-mailing, the device may add further options. Copying or printing may involve hole punching or stapling. Printing may be in black and white, or in color. Scanning may be to an image file or to a text-inclusive file via optical character recognition. These, and other options, are typically selectable by device users via a user interface, such as a touchscreen display integrated into an MFP. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In accordance with an example embodiment of the subject application, a system and method for customized multifunction peripherals includes a document processing controller including a processor and a memory storing a plurality of identified electronic customization groups wherein each customization group including a plurality of electronic files, such as forms, applications, screen backgrounds, company logos, screen positioning information, labels and the like, and wherein each customization group corresponds to a unique business type. Further stored in the memory are device customization data sets, each data set corresponding to document processing in the multifunction peripheral. Included is a scanner, a print operational by instructions issued from the controller, a scanner engine operational by instructions issued from the controller, a user input and a display. The processor generates indicia on the display identifying each of the plurality of customization groups by business type and receives user selection data corresponding to a selected identified customization group selected from the indicia. The processor generates, on the display, a customizations menu listing available customizations from the selected identified customization group. The processor generates, on the display, a document processing options menu including document processing options corresponding to a portion of the device customization data sets associated with the selected identified customization group. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  an example embodiment of an MFP network; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an example embodiment of a document rendering system; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an example embodiment for providing a business customizable MFP; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an example embodiment of a screenshot for administrative customization of applications; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an example embodiment of a screenshot for administrative customization of applications; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an example embodiment of a screenshot for administrative customization; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart of an example embodiment of MFP customization relative to available forms. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods, systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such. 
         [0015]    MFPs are increasingly powerful and capable devices. With such increases comes increasing complexity of device-user interaction. There may be a substantial number of menus generated on the MFP display which may be hierarchical with many possible layers. Users must learn to navigate these menus and controls. A typical MFP user interface design will have most frequently used functions at a top, or high level menu. Less popular device functions can be difficult to find, as well as time consuming to locate. Some users are required to navigate complex menu structures to access less popular functions that they use frequently. 
         [0016]    Certain businesses may have particular and frequent need for certain MFP functions which are not needed by other businesses. In these situations, device users may be frequently required to spend considerable time at an MFP user interface to complete their document processing tasks. In businesses with devices that differ from one another, there may be different steps that need to be taken with one device than those required to taken to complete the same job on another device available to them. 
         [0017]    In addition to the forgoing, various businesses often have a set of forms that they use regularly. By way of example, an auto dealership may have forms for vehicle sale, vehicle lease, vehicle rental or vehicle purchase. They may also have forms for credit applications, license plate orders, insurance information, etc. An auto salesperson may have their own forms folder and grab a master of a needed form for photocopying for a customer. This requires additional steps for the salesperson. It also provides room for error or inconsistencies since one salesperson may have a different or outdated version of a form in their forms folder. Additionally, certain forms may need to be completed in duplicate, requiring two copies requiring the salesperson to recall that or make a trip back to the MFP. In addition, certain customer data may be sensitive, and even subject to privacy protection under the law, such as personal information that may appear in a credit application. 
         [0018]    Other professions will have their own MFP device needs that are markedly different than those of other businesses. The legal profession, for example, may need forms for subpoenas, complaints, proof-of-service and invoices. The medical profession may need forms for patient consent, writing of prescriptions, patient information questionnaires or patient insurance information. The legal profession and the medical profession provide examples of businesses that need to maintain very high levels of confidentiality. Failure to do so may comprise a lawyer&#39;s attorney-client privilege. Failure to do so in the medical profession may result in a violation of confidentiality requirements of the U.S. Federal Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), leaving a potential for criminal or civil liability for breaches. Use of improper or outdated forms can result in losses in legal proceedings or patient harm in medical situations. Of course, these can also result in malpractice litigation. 
         [0019]    Example embodiments herein provide a system and method for customization of MFPs by end users or system administrators. Functions specific to a particular business can customized to be more readily accessible on MFP interfaces which may be on a user interface of a device itself, communicated by a networked device via a web interface, or built in whole or in part within a driver, such as a printer driver, that is called on a user device. Certain functions may be made unavailable to device users, such as color printing or color copying to avoid toner or ink expenses. By way of further example, an administrator may also implement mandatory device functions, such as by automatically encrypting all e-mails. The administrator may also provide for a customized interface with the company color scheme and company logo. The administrator may also tailor menu hierarchy to have functions of specific or frequent needs placed in a more readily accessible location. As a further benefit, the MFP stores electronic documents, such as forms or templates, for uniform use by employees. In addition to the forgoing, the subject application includes example embodiments wherein a business obtains an MFP device with pre-stored libraries of forms, controls, menus or the like, which are generically in use by other businesses of the same type. 
         [0020]    By way of example, the MFP suitably arrives to a business pre-populated with settings, menus, or electronic documents specific to different businesses. For example, there may be a default administrator setup choice for “Legal Profession,” which includes legal forms, legal documents, brief templates and blank time slips. It may also include address information for various courts or governmental agencies. Thus, all or some of the law firm&#39;s needs may be setup immediately. The administrator may then add or replace electronic documents, such as by uploading or scanning from paper. They may also add needed device functions not appearing in the standard legal setup. They may also add or modify menu structures, as well as customize colors, fonts, resolution, etc. They may also import their firm logo so that it appears on the user interface. This is suitably done via a portable data device, such as USB drive, CD or DVD, via a network connection or by scanning a paper document bearing the logo. The administrator may also export and replicate this interface on other MFP devices in use by the business. 
         [0021]    In accordance with the subject application,  FIG. 1  illustrates an example embodiment of an MFP network  100  that includes one or more MFPs, illustrated by MFPs  110  and  114 . Network  104  is suitably comprised of a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) which may comprise the global Internet, or any suitable combination thereof. A system administrator or other user can access MFP control via any suitable user interface, such as an integrated user interface  118  or remotely, such as via workstation  122 . While workstation  122  is illustrated as a wired computer, it will be appreciated that any suitable data device, including smartphones, tables, notebook computers, or the like, with network connections that are wireless or wired, may be used. Remote device interfacing is suitably done by accessing an MFP via a network address, such as an internet protocol or IP address. Access may be directly through a web interface, and may include tools such as TOPACCESS from Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. 
         [0022]    MFP  110  is provided with data storage  126  for electronically storing data corresponding to available device function applications, display backgrounds, color pallets, icons, business groupings, etc. 
         [0023]    Additional applications that are available to control MFPs may also be added. They may be physically transported to the MFP via a portable data device such as flash drive  130  or any other suitable data transfer mechanism including BLUETOOTH, near field communication (NFC), optical, CD, DVD, wireless or wired network, etc. Applications may also be purchased from an application store, such as App Store  134 , suitably via network cloud  104 . 
         [0024]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is an example embodiment of a document rendering system  200  suitably comprised within an MFP, such as with MFPs  110  and  114  of  FIG. 1 . Included is controller  201  comprised of one or more processors, such as that illustrated by processor  202 . Each processor is suitably associated with non-volatile memory such as ROM  204 , and random access memory (RAM)  206 , via a data bus  212 . 
         [0025]    Processor  202  is also in data communication with a storage interface  208  for reading or writing to a storage  216 , suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, cloud-based storage, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0026]    Processor  202  is also in data communication with a network interface  210  which provides an interface to a network interface controller (NIC)  214 , which in turn provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection  220 , or to a wireless data connection via wireless network interface  218 . Example wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH  226 , NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), Apple Lightning, telephone line, or the like. 
         [0027]    Processor  202  can also be in data communication with any suitable user input/output (I/O) interface which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as displays, keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like. Hardware monitor  221  suitably provides device event data, working in concert with suitably monitoring systems. By way of further example, monitoring systems may include page counters, sensor output, such as consumable level sensors, temperature sensors, power quality sensors, device error sensors, door open sensors, and the like. Data is suitably stored in one or more device logs, such as in storage  216 . 
         [0028]    Also in data communication with data bus  212  is a document processor interface  222  suitable for data communication with MFP functional units  250 . In the illustrated example, these units include copy hardware  240 , scan hardware  242 , print hardware  244  and fax hardware  246  which together comprise MFP functional hardware  250 . It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart  300  of an example embodiment for providing a business customizable MFP. The process commences at block  304  and proceeds to block  308  wherein an administrator suitably logs into the MFP, either on the MFP user interface or via a remote terminal. A customization menu is displayed to the administrator at block  312  and a list of available business categories displayed at block  316 . The administrator&#39;s selection of an available category is received at block  320 . Next, a group of preset MFP functions, suitably comprised of applications that can be individually selected or selected in groups, is retrieved from storage at block  324  and displayed to the administrator at block  328 . Functions may be retrieved that have been preselected to be associated with a business category or type previously selected by the administrator. If a change is to be made as determined at block  332 , then the administrator&#39;s changes are made at block  336 , saved to the default user interface at block  340 , and a check is made at block  344  if a customized logo is to be added for displaying on the MFP user interface. If no changes to the function list are determined at block  332 , progress goes directly to the logo change check of block  344 . 
         [0030]    If the administrator chooses to add a logo at block  344 , then logo data is imported into the MFP at block  348  by physical media, wireless connection, wired connection or via a network connection. The administrator positions the logo on a display screen or screens at block  352  and the MFPs default user interface updated accordingly at block  356 . A check is then made at block  360  to determine whether a customized background is to be used. Progress to block  360  is direct from block  344  if no customized logo is to be used. 
         [0031]    If a customized background is selected at block  360 , then it is set at block  364  using either already available options on the MFP or imported background data. The default user interface is updated accordingly at block  368  and then a determination as to whether any changes to the MFP user interface color or layout is made at block  376 . Progress is made directly from block  360  to block  376  if no changes to the MFP user interface background are selected. 
         [0032]    If color or layout changes are selected in block  376 , then the modifications are received at block  380  and the default user interface is stored accordingly at block  384 . Next a check as to whether application customization is to be made is completed at block  388 . If no color or layout changes were determined at block  376 , progress is directly to block  388  for the check for customized applications. If customized applications are to be made, this is accomplished at block  392  and the process ends at block  396 . If no application customization is determined at block  388 , the process ends thereafter at block  396 . 
         [0033]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , illustrated is an example embodiment of a screenshot  400  for administrative customization of applications. In this example, the administrator can configure application settings, such as scan quality at  404 , color mode at  408 , output file type at  412 , page scanning at  416  and finishing at  420 . The administrator may choose whether a scan confirmation is to be sent at  424 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example embodiment of a screenshot  500  for administrative customization of applications. In the illustrated example, a list of available applications appears at  504 , which applications can be installed/uninstalled or modified. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example embodiment of a screenshot  600  for further administrative customization. The vertical application (or UI Customization) is designed to contain one or many installed apps. Additionally, the UI is configurable by the administrator. Possible customizations include the following. Customizations suitably include selects from a set of pre-stored background images or an uploading background image at  602 , add a tag line and select a font color at  604 , select among the available (installed) applications and change their order or positions of appearance or add an application tag label at  608 , or add a company logo at  612 . 
         [0036]    Referring next to  FIG. 7 , illustrated is a flowchart  700  of an example embodiment for NFP customization relative to available forms. The process starts at block  702  and proceeds to block  704  wherein a business type is selected from available options by an administrator. A form library associated with a selected business type is retrieved at block  708  and a listing of forms displayed at block  712 . The administrator chooses whether to view a form at block  714 . If so, the administrator selects a form for viewing at block  718  and display the selected form at block  722 . The administrator chooses whether to delete or edit the form at block  724 . If no form is selected for viewing at block  714 , the process progresses directly to block  724 . 
         [0037]    If the administrator chooses to edit or delete a form at block  724 , changes are received at block  728  and saved at block  732  and the process progresses to block  736 . If the administrator did not choose to edit or delete a form at block  724 , the process progresses directly to block  736  If the administrator wishes to review the list again at block  736 , the process returns to block  712 . If not, the administrator chooses whether a new form is desired at block  740 . If no new form is needed, the process terminates at block  744 . If so, a check is made at block  748  as to whether the new form exists on the MFP, such as a form associated with another business library. If not, the new form is either uploaded digitally or scanned on the MFP scanner at block  752 . If the new form is available on the MFP, or if the new form has been uploaded or scanned, the new form is entered into the default library at block  756  and the process returns to block  740  to determine if any other new forms are desired. 
         [0038]    While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit and scope of the inventions.