WO2010064085A1

WO2010064085A1 - A method of operating a printer, an associated printer apparatus and system

Info

Publication number: WO2010064085A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/055060
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leon Griesel; Ettienne Janse Van Rensburg; Louis Jacobus Meyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-03
Filing date: 2008-12-03
Publication date: 2010-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2011-06-03
Also published as: ZA201104875B

Abstract

The invention discloses a method of operating a printer and a method of managing a printer, and an associated printer apparatus (102) and system (100). The method of operating a printer includes receiving by a wireless communication arrangement a wireless instruction message indicative of permitted operational criteria. The method also includes monitoring automatically by a control module installed in the printer at least one operational characteristic of the printer. The method further includes determining whether or not the or each operational characteristic complies with the permitted operational criteria and suspending operation of the printer in response to an operational characteristic violating the permitted operational criteria.

Description

TITLE A method of operating a printer, an associated printer apparatus and system

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to electronic printers and specifically to a method of operating a printer, an associated printer apparatus and system.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The Inventor is aware that many companies use printers in the running of their day-to-day business. In the context of this specification, "printer" includes any electronic printer such as ink-based printers, toner-based printers, photocopier machines, facsimile machines with printing facilities, and the like. Instead of purchasing the printers, many companies elect instead to rent the printers. In such case, the company typically concludes a rental agreement with a vendor or supplier for the rental of a plurality of printers, usually for a specified period at a specified cost. Often, a service agreement is concluded together with the rental agreement for the servicing and maintenance of the printers, and optionally, for the supply of consumables (toner- and ink cartridges, and the like).

A drawback of the above practice is that it can be difficult or intrusive for the vendor to monitor the operation of the printers. It is important that the operation of the printers be monitored so that, on the one hand, the vendor can ensure that the rental agreement is being adhered to and, on the other hand, so that the vendor can provide timely service and maintenance. Also, if the company reneges on the agreement, it can be difficult and/or costly for the vendor to regain control of the printers.

The Inventor desires to overcome or at least alleviate these drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a printer, the method including: receiving by a wireless communication arrangement a wireless instruction message indicative of permitted operational criteria; monitoring automatically by a control module installed in the printer at least one operational characteristic of the printer; determining whether or not the or each operational characteristic complies with the permitted operational criteria; and suspending operation of the printer in response to an operational characteristic violating the permitted operational criteria.

An operational characteristic may include a number of pages printed. Permitted operational criteria may include a page limit or a credit limit. Determining whether or not the or each operational characteristic complies with the permitted operational criteria may include determining whether or not a number of pages printed exceeds the page limit. Instead, or in addition, the determination may include determining whether or not the actual cost of printed pages (for example determined by multiplying the actual number of printed pages with an individual page cost) exceeds the credit limit.

Thus, the method may be applicable to (but not necessarily limited to) prepaid printing. Furthermore, the printing may be controlled or monitored remotely, without the need for a human operator to monitor the printer and without the need for connecting wired cables (such as network cables) for monitoring purposes. Accordingly, the method may make available the option of prepaid printing to companies where previously it was not available. Also, in accordance with the prior art, many companies when renting printers would be obliged to conclude a credit agreement. This may have been a drawback if the particular company had insufficient credit or had a bad credit rating. In accordance with the current invention, a company may be able to rent printers without the need first for a credit check.

The method may include generating and sending by the printer a wireless report message indicative of monitored operational characteristics. In such case, the method may include receiving by the printer a wireless query message, and, in response thereto, sending the report message. Instead, or in addition, the method may include sending by the printer a plurality of report messages at predefined reporting intervals. The intervals may be time intervals, for example once monthly, or the intervals may be page intervals, for example every thousand pages. The messages may be sent across a wireless telecommunications network. In one example embodiment, the telecommunications network may be a GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) network. In such case, at least one, and optionally all, of the messages may be in SMS (Short Message Service) format.

The method may include monitoring a status of a consumable component of the printer and, in response to the consumable component being depleted or being near depletion, generating and sending a wireless alert message.

The invention extends to a method of managing a printer, the method including: receiving a payment message indicative of an amount of payment; and generating and sending a wireless instruction message to the printer, the instruction message including permitted operational criteria which are based, at least partially, on the amount of payment.

Again, at least one, and optionally all, of the messages may be in SMS (Short Message Service) format. Permitted operational criteria may include a page limit or a credit limit.

The method may include generating and sending a wireless query message to the printer. The method may then include receiving from the printer a wireless report message indicative of monitored operational characteristics.

The request message may be sent from a computer server. Instead, or in addition, the request message may be sent from a mobile communication device, such as a mobile telephone. The method may then include authenticating the sender of the request message to ensure that the sender is authorised to receive the response message.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a printer apparatus which includes: a printer; a wireless communication arrangement operable to receive a wireless instruction message indicative of permitted operational criteria; and a control module operatively connected to both the printer and the communication arrangement, the control module being operable to: monitor automatically at least one operational characteristic of the printer; determine whether or not the or each operational characteristic complies with the permitted operational criteria; and suspend operation of the printer in response to an operational characteristic violating the permitted operational criteria.

The wireless communication arrangement may be in the form of a GSM modem. The message(s) may therefore be sent across a GSM network.

The control module may be operable to generate and send, via the wireless communication arrangement, a wireless report message indicative of monitored operational characteristics. The report message may be generated and sent in response to receipt of a query message. Instead, or in addition, the report messages may be generated and sent at predefined intervals. The report message may be sent to a remote computer server and/or to a mobile communication device.

The control module may be operable to monitor a status of a consumable component of the printer and, in response to the consumable component being depleted or being near depletion, to generate and send an alert message.

Accordingly, the invention extends to a system for managing a printer apparatus, the system including: at least one printer apparatus as defined above; and a remote computer server in wireless communication with the printer apparatus.

The computer server may be operable to generate and send the instruction message.

The system may be operable to generate and send to the printer apparatus a query message prompting the printer apparatus to respond with a report message. The computer server may be operable to host a plurality of customer accounts, each account being associated with one or more printer apparatus. The computer server may be operable to receive a payment message indicative of an amount of payment associated with a customer account and to adjust that customer account accordingly. The payment message may initiate or authorise payment. Instead, the payment message may be indicative of a payment which has already been made. The payment message may come from, for example, a mobile communication device of a user or from a financial institution such as a bank.

The computer server may include a database of printer apparatus details including a printer maintenance schedule. The computer server may be operable to interrogate the database to determine when maintenance of one or more printer apparatus is required. The computer server may then be operable to generate and send a maintenance message, for example to the printer apparatus or to a mobile communication device of a user of the printer apparatus.

Accordingly, the system may include at least one mobile communication device in communication with the printer apparatus or with the computer server.

The invention extends yet further to a machine-readable medium which embodies a set of instructions which, when executed by a machine, causes the machine to perform a method as defined above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a system for managing a printer apparatus, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a printer apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a method of operating a printer apparatus; Figure 4 shows a flow diagram of a method of managing a printer apparatus; and Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a portion of the printer apparatus of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the example form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, may be executed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to Figure 1 , reference numeral 100 generally indicates a system for managing a printer apparatus, in accordance with the invention. The system

100 includes at least one printer apparatus 102. In this example, two printer apparatus

102 are illustrated, although it is to be appreciated that the system 100 may manage a multitude of printer apparatus, optionally distributed among a wide geographical area and a plurality of companies. A printer apparatus 102 is described in more detail in Figure 2.

The system 100 further includes a computer server 1 10 remote from the printer apparatus 102 which is networked to the printer apparatus 102 via a telecommunications network which at least partially includes a GSM network 106. The computer server 1 10 therefore includes a communication arrangement (not illustrated), for example in the form of a GSM modem. Instead, or in addition, the computer server 1 10 could include a connection to the Internet, such as a network card.

A database 1 12 is operatively connected to the computer server 1 10. The database 1 12 includes stored thereon a plurality of customer accounts, each customer account being associated with one or more printer apparatus 102. Optionally, the database 1 12 also includes stored thereon printer details associated with at least some of the printer apparatus 102, the printer details including a printer maintenance schedule. The printer maintenance schedule may indicate that a particular printer apparatus 102 requires maintenance after a predefined time, for example three months, and/or after a predefined number of copies, such as 10,000 copies.

The computer server 1 10 may be consolidated into a single device or maybe distributed or networked amongst a plurality of devices. The system 100 also includes at least one mobile telephone 1 14 operatively connected or connectable via the GSM network 106 to the printer apparatus 102 and/or to the computer server 1 10.

Referring now to Figure 2, the printer apparatus 102 is illustrated in more detail and includes a printer 150, a processor 152 and a communication arrangement

156. The printer 150 may be any electronic device capable of printing, and includes, but is not limited to, photocopy machines, toner-based printers (e.g. laser printers), ink- based printers (e.g. inkjet printers, DeskJet printers, etc), fax machines, and the like.

The processor 152 includes a control module 154 which is a conceptual module corresponding to a functional task performed by the processor 152. To this end, the printer apparatus 102 may include a machine-readable medium (not illustrated) having stored thereon a set of instructions which, when executed by the processor 152, directs the operation thereof. The processor 152, and more particularly the control module 154, is in communication with both printer 150 and the communication arrangement 156. The control module 154 is configured to control or direct the operation of the printer 150. First, the control module 154 is operable to monitor automatically at least one operational characteristic of the printer 150. The operational characteristic in this example is a number of pages printed by the printer 150. Another operational characteristic may include how much of a consumable component (such as a toner or ink cartridge) remains, i.e. how near that consumable component is to depletion.

Secondly, the control module 154 is operable to receive and to generate and send wireless messages, via the communication arrangement 156, across the GSM network 106. More particularly, the control module 154 is operable to receive, via the communication arrangement 156 a wireless instruction message indicative of permitted operational criteria, such as a page limit. The control module 154 is then operable to determine whether or not the monitored operational characteristic complies with the permitted operational criteria. Finally, if the monitored characteristic does not comply, the control module 154 is operable to suspend operation of the printer 150. Optionally, the control module 154 may also be configured to monitor a state of a consumable article of the printer 150, such as a toner cartridge, and, in response to the consumable requiring or being close to requiring refilling or replacement, the control module 154 may then generate and send an alert message, for example to the computer server 1 10 or to the mobile telephone 1 14.

The invention will further be described with reference to a practical example and with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4. Figure 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 200 of operating a printer, in accordance with the invention, performed from the perspective of the printer apparatus 102. Conversely, Figure 4 illustrates a method 300 of managing a printer, in accordance with the invention, performed from the perspective of the computer server 1 10 and, optionally, the mobile telephone 1 14. Although the methods 200, 300 are described with reference to the system 100 and the printer apparatus 102, it is to be appreciated that the methods 200, 300 may find application in other systems or apparatus and that the system 100 and printer apparatus 102 may be configured to perform other methods.

A company wishes to install a plurality of printers (e.g. copiers and laser printers) in their office premises. However, the company would not like to extend the capital in purchasing the equipment and would also not like to hire the equipment on credit and therefore opts for a pay-as-you-go option, in accordance with the invention. A plurality of printer apparatus 102 are installed in the office premises. A supplier of the printer apparatus 102 hosts the computer server 1 10 in order to facilitate payment and to provide further services.

A user of the printer apparatus 102 (i.e. a member of the company) wishes to prepay so that he may use the printers 150. Accordingly, the user generates and sends from his mobile telephone 1 14 a wireless payment message indicative of an amount of payment, for example US$100, to the supplier. The payment message itself may authorise payment or it may simply be a notification of a previous payment from a bank account. Accordingly, the computer server 1 10 receives, at block 302, the payment message and the computer server 1 10 reflects, at block 304, this payment in the customer account on the database 1 12. In turn, the computer server 1 10 determines how many prints the payment will allow. For example, if a single print has a cost of U$0.10, the payment will allow for 1000 prints. This amount may be allocated to a single printer apparatus 102 or distributed among a number of printer apparatus 102. Accordingly, the computer server 1 10 generates and sends, at block 306, an instruction message to one or each of the printer apparatus 102, indicative of permitted operational criteria, which in this case would permit the printer apparatus 102 to make 1000 prints. Correspondingly, the printer apparatus 102 receives, at block 202, the instruction message.

The printer apparatus 102 is then operable to print, by means of the printer

150, 1000 prints or pages. All the time the printer apparatus 102 functions, operational characteristics are monitored by the control module 154. In this example, at least a number of pages printed is monitored. Optionally, the control module 154 may also monitor a state of a consumable component, such as a toner cartridge, and generate and send an alert message in response to the consumable being depleted or to being near depletion.

While the printer apparatus 102 has sufficient prepaid credits or prints, a user of the printer 150 may in fact be oblivious to the functionings of the control module 154 and the communication arrangement 156.

The control module 154 continually compares and determines, at block 206, whether or not the operational characteristics comply with the permitted operational criteria. For example, if the printer apparatus 102 is permitted to print 1000 pages and it has printed only 800, it is permitted to continue printing. However, if it does not comply with operational criteria, for example if a user attempts to print pages in excess of 1000 pages, the control module 154 suspends, at block 208, the operation of the printer 150. Thus, while the operation of the printer 150 is suspended, it will no longer be possible for a user to print.

Once this occurs, or optimally before this occurs, the user or operator of the printer apparatus 102 recharges the number of pages or credit limit on the printer apparatus 102. To this end, the printer apparatus 102 may include a display panel which is configured to display a remaining number of pages which may be printed. When the remaining number is low or is zero, it may be recharged by repeating the methods 300, 200 from blocks 302 and 202 respectively.

Optional additional functions are indicated by broken lines in Figure 3 and Figure 4. The system 100 and printer apparatus 102 may include a reporting function. More particularly, if a person wishes to be informed of monitored operational characteristics of a particular printer 150 or printer apparatus 102, a wireless query message can be generated and sent, at block 308, to the printer apparatus 102 which in turn receives, at block 210, the query message. In one embodiment, the query message may be sent from the computer server 1 10 so that a supplier may monitor the status of a particular printer apparatus 102. Thus, the query message may be directed to an individual printer apparatus 102. Instead, or in addition, the message may be generated and sent from a mobile telephone 1 14 so that, for example, an office manager of the premises where the printer apparatus 102 are installed may be kept up- to-date of the operational status of one or more printer apparatus 102.

Accordingly, the control module 154 generates a wireless report message, including an indication of monitored operational characteristics, and sends, at block 212, the report message. The report message is then received, at block 310, by either the computer server 1 10 or the mobile telephone 1 14, depending on the source of the query message.

The computer server 1 10 may also keep printer apparatus details including a printer maintenance schedule stored on the database 1 12. From time-to-time, the computer server 1 10 may interrogate, at block 312, the database 1 12 and the printer maintenance schedule, thereby to determine, at block 314, whether or not maintenance is required. If maintenance is determined to be required, the computer server 1 10 then generates and sends, at block 316, a maintenance message. The maintenance message may be sent to the printer apparatus 102 itself, and/or to the mobile telephone 1 14 of the user of a particular printer apparatus 102, informing the user that the printer apparatus 102 is now due for maintenance.

It should be noted that the processor 152 and associated control module 154 and the communication arrangement 156 may be consolidated into one physical device which may then be retro-fittable to existing printers 150 or maybe factory fitted to new printers. An example of the device is illustrated schematically by reference numeral 350 in Figure 5.

Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic representation of machine in the example form of a computer system 400 within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, may be executed. In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 400 includes a processor 402 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both, a main memory 404 and a static memory 406, which communicate with each other via a bus 408. The computer system 400 may further include a video display unit 410 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 400 also includes an alphanumeric input device 412 (e.g., a keyboard), a user interface (Ul) navigation device 414 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 416, a signal generation device 418 (e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device 420.

The disk drive unit 416 includes a machine-readable medium 422 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions and data structures (e.g., software 424) embodying or utilised by any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The software 424 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 404 and/or within the processor 402 during execution thereof by the computer system 400, the main memory 404 and the processor 402 also constituting machine-readable media.

The software 424 may further be transmitted or received over a network 426 via the network interface device 420 utilising any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols (e.g., HTTP).

While the machine-readable medium 422 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term "machine-readable medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralised or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "machine-readable medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present embodiments, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures utilised by or associated with such a set of instructions. The term "machine-readable medium" shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical and magnetic media, and carrier wave signals.

The printer apparatus 102 and/or the computer server 1 10 may be in the form of, or at least may include some of the components of, the computer system 400.

The Inventor believes that the system 100 and printer apparatus 102 and the methods 200, 300 and accordance with the invention provide for a convenient pay-as- you-go printing solution for a traditional office environment. Additionally, more advanced and flexible reporting and maintenance functions may be provided compared with conventional or prior art printers. The printer apparatus 102 can be installed in an office as though it was a conventional printer and no additional network or communication cables are required to place the printer apparatus 102 in communication with the remote computer server 1 10.

Also, a printer supply company can have a tighter control over the printers which it supplies and, if desired, may be able remotely to shutdown or suspend operation of a printer, for example in response to non-payment or to a credit/page limit being exceeded.

Claims

1 . A method of operating a printer, the method including: receiving by a wireless communication arrangement a wireless instruction message indicative of permitted operational criteria; monitoring automatically by a control module installed in the printer at least one operational characteristic of the printer; determining whether or not the or each operational characteristic complies with the permitted operational criteria; and suspending operation of the printer in response to an operational characteristic violating the permitted operational criteria.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , in which an operational characteristic includes a number of pages printed.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which permitted operational criteria include a page limit or a credit limit.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, in which determining whether or not the or each operational characteristic complies with the permitted operational criteria includes determining whether or not a number of pages printed exceeds the page limit.

5. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which includes generating and sending a wireless report message indicative of monitored operational characteristics.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, which includes receiving a wireless query message, and, in response thereto, sending the report message.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, which includes sending a plurality of report messages at predefined reporting intervals.

8. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the messages are sent across a wireless telecommunications network.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, in which the telecommunications network is a GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) network and in which at least one of the messages are in SMS (Short Message Service) format.

10. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which includes monitoring a status of a consumable component and, in response to the consumable component being depleted or being near depletion, generating and sending a wireless alert message.

1 1 . A method of managing a printer, the method including: receiving a payment message indicative of an amount of payment; and generating and sending a wireless instruction message to the printer, the instruction message including permitted operational criteria which are based, at least partially, on the amount of payment.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1 1 , in which at least one of the messages are in SMS (Short Message Service) format.

13. A method as claimed in claim 1 1 or claim 12, in which permitted operational criteria include a page limit or a credit limit.

14. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 13 inclusive, which includes generating and sending a wireless query message to the printer.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, which includes receiving from the printer a wireless report message indicative of monitored operational characteristics.

16. A printer apparatus which includes: a printer; a wireless communication arrangement operable to receive a wireless instruction message indicative of permitted operational criteria; and a control module operatively connected to both the printer and the communication arrangement, the control module being operable to: monitor automatically at least one operational characteristic of the printer; determine whether or not the or each operational characteristic complies with the permitted operational criteria; and suspend operation of the printer in response to an operational characteristic violating the permitted operational criteria.

17. A printer apparatus as claimed in claim 16, in which the wireless communication arrangement is in the form of a GSM modem.

18. A printer apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, in which the control module is operable to generate and send, via the wireless communication arrangement, a wireless report message indicative of monitored operational characteristics.

19. A printer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 16 to 18 inclusive, in which the control module is operable to monitor a status of a consumable component and, in response to the consumable component being depleted or being near depletion, to generate and send an alert message.

20. A system for managing a printer apparatus, the system including: at least one printer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 16 to 19 inclusive; and a remote computer server in wireless communication with the printer apparatus.

21 . A system as claimed in claim 20, in which the computer server is operable to generate and send the instruction message.

22. A system as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21 , which is operable to generate and send to the printer apparatus a query message prompting the printer apparatus to respond with a report message.

23. A system as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22 inclusive, in which the computer server is operable to host a plurality of customer accounts, each account being associated with one or more printer apparatus.

24. A system as claimed in claim 23, in which the computer server is operable to receive a payment message indicative of an amount of payment associated with a customer account and to adjust that customer account accordingly.

25. A system as claimed in any of claims 20 to 24 inclusive, in which the computer server includes a database of printer apparatus details including a printer maintenance schedule.

26. A system as claimed in any of claims 20 to 25 inclusive, which includes at least one mobile communication device in communication with the printer apparatus.

27. A machine-readable medium which embodies a set of instructions which, when executed by a machine, causes the machine to perform a method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 inclusive.