External storage for imaging devices

A method of operating a imaging device, comprising:

• detecting coupling of an external storage medium to the imaging device;
• performing an authentication process upon detecting the coupling of the external storage medium;
• and
• disabling storage of print job data to an internal storage medium of the imaging device in response to authenticating an external storage medium.

A method of operating a imaging device, comprising:

• detecting an external storage medium coupled to the imaging device;
• determining if identification information of an external storage medium is contained on an internal storage medium of the imaging device;
• if identification information is contained on the internal storage medium:
• reading the identification information from the internal storage medium;
• determining if the identification information from the internal storage medium matches identification information of the external storage medium;
• enabling functionality of the imaging device if a match is determined;
• and
• disabling at least some functionality of the imaging device if a match is not determined;
• and
• if identification information is not contained on the internal storage medium:
• performing an authentication process on the external storage medium;
• disabling storage of print job data to the internal storage medium in response to authenticating the external storage medium;
• and
• storing identification information for the external storage medium to the internal storage medium in response to authenticating the external storage medium.

A storage medium, comprising:

• a plurality of physical storage locations;
• and
• a controller configured to provide access to the plurality of physical storage locations;
• wherein identification information is stored in a portion of the plurality of physical storage locations;
• wherein the identification information has a data structure configured to cause a processor of an imaging device to disable storage of print job data to an internal storage medium of the imaging device in response to coupling the storage medium to the imaging device.