Programmable printer function keys
OwnerJohn Moffattinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A printing device has a programmable function key that can be reprogrammed with user-defined functionality. A key sequence may be entered to start the recording of a functional sequence. The functional sequence is assigned to the programmable function key so that when the programmable function key is activated, the functional sequence is executed.
Claims26
A printer comprising:
- a function key having an assigned functional sequence that is changeable in response to an input functional sequence to create an updated functional sequence;
- memory that is capable of storing an indication of the updated functional sequence;
- and
- a controller coupled to the function key and the memory, the controller adapted to control operation of the printer such that the updated functional sequence is performed upon detection of an activation of the function key.
A method of operating a printer, the method comprising:
- recording a function sequence;
- assigning the recorded function sequence to a function key of the printer, wherein the function key is programmable by a user/operator of the printer;
- and
- performing the recorded function sequence by the printer in response to activation of the programmable function key.
A method of operating a printer, the method comprising:
- starting a function key sequence recording session;
- receiving a function key input sequence;
- selecting the programmable function key to which the received function key input sequence is assigned;
- and
- storing the received key function input sequence in memory such that activation of the programmable function key results in the received key function input sequence being performed.
A method for updating a programmable function key in a printer having memory, the method comprising:
- receiving a functional sequence;
- assigning the functional sequence to the programmable function key;
- and
- storing in memory an indication of the functional sequence with an indication of the programmable function key.
A method for updating a plurality of programmable function keys in a printer having memory comprising firmware and a controller that executes the firmware, the method comprising:
- receiving a functional sequence over a network connection;
- selecting a first programmable function key of the plurality of programmable function keys to which the functional sequence is assigned;
- assigning the functional sequence to the first programmable function key;
- and
- updating the firmware with the functional sequence such that the controller executes the functional sequence when the first programmable function key is activated.
A printer comprising:
- means for controlling the printer;
- memory that stores firmware executable by the means for controlling;
- a plurality of programmable function keys coupled to the means for controlling;
- means for receiving a functional sequence;
- means for assigning the functional sequence to a first programmable function key of the plurality of programmable function keys;
- and
- means for updating the firmware with the functional sequence such that the means for controlling executes the functional sequence upon activation of the first programmable function key.
A printer, comprising:
- means for receiving a user-defined functional sequence;
- means for assigning the received user-defined functional sequence to a programmable function key of the imaging device;
- and
- means for executing the received user-defined function sequence in response to an activation of the programmable function key.
A method for updating a programmable function key of a plurality of function keys in a printer having memory and a controller, the memory comprising firmware that is executable by the controller for controlling operation of the printer, the method comprising:
- starting a function key sequence recording session in response to a received input of at least one function key;
- receiving a function key input sequence from an activation of a first set of function keys of the plurality of function keys;
- assigning the received function key input sequence to the programmable function key;
- and
- updating the firmware with the received function key input sequence such that activation of the programmable function key results in the received function key input sequence being executed.
A printer comprising:
- a plurality of function keys having at least one programmable function key adapted to receive a functional sequence;
- memory adapted to store the functional sequence;
- and
- a controller coupled to the plurality of functional keys and the memory, the controller adapted to control operation of the printer such that a functional sequence recording session is started and stopped upon activation of a first subset of the plurality of function keys, the controller also adapted to receive the functional sequence that is entered during the recording session by activation of a second subset of the plurality of function keys, the controller is further adapted to execute the assigned functional sequence upon detection of an activation of its associated programmable function key.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.