US 2014/0132980 A1 · NETWORKED PRINTING SYSTEMS

Abstract

A system and method provide a la carte reproduction services wherein a printing system is capable of performing multiple operational printing modes, but is configured, in a normal operational printing state, to perform a subset of the multiple operational printing modes. The printing system includes a user interface to enable a user to select an operational printing mode. The printing system, in response to a user selecting an operational printing mode not included in subset of the multiple operational printing modes, communicates with a printer service provider server to request authorization to perform the user selected operational printing mode. The printer service provider server requests predetermined information from the printing system, and, upon processing and verification of information received from the printing system, configures the printing system to perform the selected operational printing mode.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A system for providing a la carte reproduction services, comprising:

a reproduction system;
said reproduction system including a printing system, said printing system being capable of performing multiple operational printing modes;
said printing system being configured, in a normal operational printing state, to perform a subset of the multiple operational printing modes;
and
a printer service provider server operatively connected to said printing system;
said printing system including a user interface to enable a user to select an operational printing mode;
said printing system, in response to a user selecting an operational printing mode not included in subset of the multiple operational printing modes, communicating with said printer service provider server to request authorization to perform the user selected operational printing mode;
said printer service provider server requesting predetermined information from said printing system;
said printer service provider server, upon processing and verification of information received from said printing system, configuring said printing system to perform the selected operational printing mode.

6 more elements

A method for providing a la carte reproduction services, comprising:

providing a reproduction system, the reproduction system including a printing system, the printing system being capable of performing multiple operational printing modes;
configuring the printing system, in a normal operational printing state, to perform a subset of the multiple operational printing modes;
providing a printer service provider server operatively connected to the printing system;
enabling a user to select an operational printing mode through a user interface associated with the printing system;
the printing system communicating, in response to a user selecting an operational printing mode not included in subset of the multiple operational printing modes, with the printer service provider server to request authorization to perform the user selected operational printing mode;
the printer service provider server requesting predetermined information from the printing system;
the printer service provider server configuring, upon processing and verification of information received from said printing system, the printing system to perform the selected operational printing mode.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Networked printing systems

Life of this patent

Networked printing systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34