Print media supply identification for a copier or printer
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsAnthony Digby, Andrew Perkins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A digital printer retains in memory detailed alphanumeric data describing the contents of its paper trays, as well as describing any unusual features thereof. The alphanumeric data is entered at the local user interface of the printer, and is retained at the printer so it can be accessed by a remote user computer as needed. The alphanumeric data can be subject to search techniques by which a large number of printers can be searched for certain print media or other properties.
Claims14
A method of operating a printer having a remote computer associated therewith, the printer having a user interface, comprising:
- entering, at the user interface, description data relating to the printer, the description data relating to at least one of a contents of a paper tray associated with the printer, a type of marking material associated with the printer, and a finishing capability associated with the printer;
- retaining the description data at the printer;
- and
- the remote computer querying the description data at the printer.
A method of operating a plurality of digital printers via a computer, each printer including at least one paper tray, comprising:
- entering a query into the computer;
- for each printer, obtaining alphanumeric description data from a memory associated with the printer, the description data relating to at least one of a contents of a paper tray associated with the printer, a type of marking material associated with the printer, and a finishing capability associated with the printer;
- and
- displaying at least some of the alphanumeric description data at the computer.
A printing apparatus, comprising.
- printer hardware;
- at least one paper tray;
- a control system operative of the printer hardware, the control system including means for communicating with an external computer over a network;
- a user interface associated with the control system, the user interface including means for a user to enter alphanumeric description data relating to a contents of the paper tray;
- and
- the control system including means for allowing the alphanumeric description data to be read via the external computer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.