Patent Publication Number: US-2006017962-A1

Title: Systems and methods of printer customization using radio frequency devices

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates to systems and methods of storing and retrieving printer configuration settings and to the utilization of a radio frequency device to store printer configuration data that may be accessed by host enabling a printer to assume a desired default configuration.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Printers have become commonplace equipment in most workplace and home computing environments. Today, many printers are sophisticated multi-function electronic assemblies with internal memory devices and embedded software algorithms that allow the configuration of printer settings based on the needs of the end user and/or the contemplated use of the individual printer. By storing printer settings in a printer&#39;s internal memory a single printer may be custom configured to accommodate differing use requirements such as, for example, default language and paper size settings.  
      Examples of other print configuration settings which may be stored in a printer&#39;s internal memory include destination country, date code, toner cartridge type, power saver timeout, model and/or serial number, distributor or dealer identity, firmware version, date of manufacture, toner cartridge ID, and other system related data.  
      Typically, and to accommodate modern manufacturing, product inventory and customer order mechanisms, the task of setting default print configuration settings that control startup printer functions is done near the end of the manufacturing cycle after the product has been packaged and made ready for shipment. Oftentimes, it is necessary to unpack the printer assembly, power-up the printer, set or reset default configuration settings and re-pack the assembly prior to shipment. Such practices lead to inefficiencies, unnecessary expense and overall lack of flexibility in the product distribution process.  
      As such, there is a need for a more efficient and flexible means of setting printer configuration settings to accommodate differing customer requirements. A method of setting print configuration data within the printer assembly that eliminates the need to unpack, power-up, set or reset settings, and re-pack a printer prior to shipment would provide numerous advantages. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a printer configuration system according to one embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a printer configuration system according to a second embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a process flow diagram for a method of customizing a printer to achieve a desired printer configuration according to the invention; and  
       FIG. 4  is a process flow diagram for a method of configuring a multi-functional electronic assembly according to the invention. 
    
    
      References in the detailed description refer to like references in the figures unless otherwise indicated.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , two embodiments of a printer configuration system according to the invention are illustrated. In  FIG. 1 , a printer configuration system  10  includes a radio frequency device  12  which may be any component that responds RF signals. In one embodiment, radio frequency device  12  may be any one of a plurality of commercially available RFID tags which are small integrated circuits connected to an antenna and which can respond to an interrogating RF signal with identifying information. Accordingly, radio frequency device  12  is shown connected to an Radio Frequency (RF) antenna  14  which allows the radio frequency device  12  to be interrogated by an external radio frequency reader (not shown) to provide a complete radio frequency system.  
      Radio frequency device  12  includes an air interface  16  which provides a signal pathway for communicating with the radio frequency device  12  via the RF antenna  14 . Radio frequency device  12  includes memory  18  in which data may be stored. As such, an external RF reader (not shown) may be used to store a plurality of information specific to a multi-function electronic assembly, such as printer  30 , in order to make such information available for later use. In this way, the invention provides a way for configuring a multi-function electronic assembly without the expense and inefficiencies associated with unpacking, powering-up the assembly, manually setting the information within the assemblies&#39; internal memory and re-packing the assembly prior to shipment.  
      The invention may use a radio frequency device  12  in order to store printer configuration settings data within a memory space, such as memory  18  of radio frequency device  12 , to allow a printer to assume a desired state of functionality. Examples of the kind of printer configuration settings data that may be stored within memory  18  include destination country, date code, toner cartridge type, power saver timeout, model and/or serial number, distributor or dealer identity, firmware version, date of manufacture, toner cartridge ID, as well as other printer related data.  
      The data stored in memory  18  of radio frequency device  12  may be written to radio frequency device  12  at any point during the printer&#39;s manufacturing and/or product distribution cycle. For example, the order details for a specific printer model may be embedded in the radio frequency device  12  prior to readying the printer for shipment. The details can include the specific distribution channel, destination country, default paper size and a plurality of other particulars relevant to the intended use of the printer. If, for example, the order is changed prior to shipment, the order details may be re-written into the radio frequency device  12  at the manufacturing facility without unpacking the printer to reset its default settings. Likewise, should the printer be returned by the distributor, retailer or end-customer, the order details may be re-recorded in the radio frequency device  12  using an appropriate RF reader. The fact that radio frequency device  12  allows printer configuration settings information to be stored and altered eliminates the costs and inefficiencies associated with unpacking, powering-up and re-packing a printer.  
       FIG. 1  also shows that host  20 , radio frequency device  12  and RF antenna  14  may be affixed directly to the printer  30 . Alternatively, radio frequency device  12  may be attached to the packaging, i.e. box, shipping label, crate, etc. . . . in which printer  30  is shipped, with host  20  predisposed to access the radio frequency device  12 . Other configurations of a suitable RF component, such as radio frequency device  12 , that enable it to be interrogated by an external RF reader (not shown) and accessed by a subsystem of the printer assembly, such as host  20 , to access the contents in memory  18  may be utilized.  
      The host  20  can comprise any suitable arrangement of process logic and/or hardware that allow printer  30  to access contents of memory  18 . As such host  20  may comprise a host processor. For example, instructions stored in the printer&#39;s internal memory subsystem may cause host  20  to query memory  18 , obtain data stored therein and download the stored data to the printer&#39;s internal memory  24 . In this way, printer  30  associated with host  20  may be configured for desired print related functions. As shown, host  20  accesses memory  18  of radio frequency device  12  through signal pathway  22  which provides a direct wired interface to radio frequency device  12 . In contrast, with printer configuration system  50  shown in  FIG. 2 , the printer  30  is equipped with a RF reader  40  to interrogate radio frequency device  12  without requiring a direct wired connection. In addition, using this embodiment the RF reader  40  may be used for other purposes such as, for example, to write printer status information in memory  18  of radio frequency device  12 . Thus, signal pathway  42  may provide an air interface to the radio frequency device  12 .  
      Radio frequency device  12  may comprise any one of a plurality of readily available commercial RFID components having sufficient memory for storing a plurality of printer configuration settings data. An example of such a component would include the ATMEL® Asset Identification EEPROM AT24RF08C dual access EEPROM with dual-port non-volatile memory and RFID and serial interfaces. It is contemplated that other similar or suitable RF components are or will be available.  
      As such, according to one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a printer configuration system  10  with a radio frequency device  12  with memory  18  for storing a plurality of printer device parameter data and a signal pathway  22  for communicating with the RF device  12 . The system further comprises a host  20  capable of accessing the radio frequency device  12  through the signal pathway  22  for obtaining the printer device parameter data stored in the radio frequency device  12  which is read by the host  20  via the signal pathway  22  and used by a printer  30  associated with the host  20  to configure printer related functions. The signal pathway  22  may comprise either a direct wired connection or, alternatively, an RF reader  40  on the printer  30  may be used to interrogate the radio frequency device  12  via a wireless connection  42 .  
      With reference to  FIG. 3 , a process flow diagram for a method of customizing a printer to achieve a desired printer configuration is shown and denoted generally as  80 . Process flow starts at step  82  wherein an external RF reader interrogates a radio frequency device, such as radio frequency device  12 , predisposed about a multi-function electronic assembly, such as printer  30 , in order to write data to the radio frequency device. Next, at step  84 , configuration settings data is transmitted to the RF device and stored in memory associated with the radio frequency device, step  86 . At this point, the multi-function electronic assembly is made ready for shipment by packaging in an appropriate shipment container prior to shipment to its intended destination, i.e., distributor, retailer or end-customer, step  88 . Once received and unpacked, power may be applied to the multi-function electronic assembly, step  90 , and a host within the printer, such as host  20 , can obtain the configuration settings data stored in the radio frequency device, step  92 . Step  92  may be achieved by communicating via a direct wired connection between the host and the radio frequency device or, alternatively, using an RF reader, such as RF reader  40 , providing a wireless interface to the radio frequency device. Finally, at step  94 , the printer assumes a state of functionality associated with the configuration settings data stored in the radio frequency device. For example, the configurations settings data may dictate that a printer shipped to a Spanish speaking country power-up with Spanish as the default language. If so, data written in the radio frequency device could be obtained by a host associated with the multi-function electronic assembly causing the assembly to power-up in Spanish as the default language. Of course, a plurality of other printer configuration functions may be determined by the systems and methods of this invention.  
      With reference to  FIG. 4 , a process flow diagram for a method of configuring a multi-functional electronic assembly, such as a printer, using a radio frequency device such as, for example, a commercially available Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag is shown and denoted generally as  100 . At step  102 , a radio frequency device is attached to a multi-function assembly, such as printer  30 . Step  30  involves attaching the radio frequency device directly to the assembly or, alternatively, to the shipping container in which the assembly is shipped. Next, at step  104 , the radio frequency device is interrogated by, for example, an external RF reader used to communicate with the radio frequency device using an RF antenna. Data, such as printer configuration settings data, is written to the radio frequency device, step  106 , and stored in the device&#39;s memory, step  108 .  
      The use of a RF device permits the information stored in the device&#39;s memory to be written and re-written at any point in the product manufacturing and/or distribution process. Likewise, if the multi-function electronic assembly is equipped with an onboard RF reader, the assembly can write data to the device. At step  110 , a decision is made if the information in the device&#39;s memory should be revised and/or updated. If so, process flow is directed to step  104  wherein the RF device is interrogated and data written to the device, step  106 . Once all desired data is stored in the device&#39;s memory, process flow is directed to step  112  wherein power is applied to the assembly following, for example, shipment to an end user. Next, at step  114 , a host subsystem within the assembly accesses the RF device&#39;s memory to obtain the data stored therein. Finally, at step  116 , the assembly enters a configuration state associated with the data obtained from the RF device&#39;s memory. In this way, the assembly may be configured using a suitable radio frequency device, such as a commercially available RF device with sufficient memory.  
      It should be understood that modifications can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. The terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with established doctrines of claim interpretation.