Method and apparatus for control lockout and transfer during service for systems controlled by multiple devices
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorStephen Hanna
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A printer, fax machine, copier, scanner, or any other office device used by multiple users from multiple locations is provided with improved apparatus and/or software for locking out all incoming commands from reaching the device's internal controller except for commands coming from a newly-designated primary controller used by the service technician. This lockout can be used with any type of office machine that has it's own internal controller, so it applies equally to all types of office machines and systems generally used in today's office environments.
Claims18
Apparatus comprising:
- a printer controller having a user input and which detects initiation of a service mode;
- and
- a lockout control interface operatively communicating with said controller and responding to said controller detecting initiation of a service mode by disabling user input and enabling control of said controller under service mode control.
In a device having multiple user inputs, a service lockout method for disabling user inputs and for enabling only service inputs, comprising steps of:
- detecting initiation of service mode;
- and responsive thereto,
- disabling all user inputs to said device and
- enabling control of said device from a service interface.
A computer program product comprising a machine-readable medium having machine-executable program steps recorded thereon comprising:
- machine-executable program code for detecting initiation of service mode for a monitored machine having service inputs;
- machine-executable program code for disabling all other user inputs to said monitored machine in response to said detecting of initiation of service mode;
- and
- machine-executable program code for enabling control of said monitored machine from a service interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.