| Approach for implementing locked printing on printing devices -> Monitor Keywords |
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Approach for implementing locked printing on printing devicesRelated Patent Categories: Typewriting Machines, Including Control Of Format By Programmed-control-systemApproach for implementing locked printing on printing devices description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070177920, Approach for implementing locked printing on printing devices. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to locked printing on printing devices. BACKGROUND [0002] The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, the approaches described in this section may not be prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. [0003] Some printing devices are configured with a feature known as "locked printing" to provide control over the printing of electronic documents. When a printing device is configured with a locked printing feature and print data is sent to the printing device, a printed version of an electronic document reflected in the print data is not generated until a password is verified at the printing device. Typically a user enters a password through an operation panel on the printing device. The printing device verifies the password and if the password is successfully verified, allows a printed version of the electronic document reflected in the print data to be generated, i.e., printed. [0004] One of the problems with convention locked printing approaches is that setting up the locked printing feature requires that an administrator manually configure a printing device through the operation panel of the printing device. This process is tedious and time consuming and makes implementing locked printing on large deployments of printing devices expensive and time consuming, because of the human resources required. [0005] Based on the foregoing, there is a need for an approach for configuring locked printing on printing devices that does not suffer from limitations of prior approaches. SUMMARY [0006] An approach is provided for implementing locked printing on a printing device. The printing device includes a user interface, such as an operation panel, configured to display information and accept user input. The printing device includes a locked print process that is configured to examine print data received by the printing device and determine whether locked printing is to be used for the print data. The locked print process is also configured to cause the print data to be stored on the printing device if locked printing is to be used for the print data. The locked print process is further configured to verify password data entered via the user interface and if the password data is successfully verified, then allow the print data to be processed and a printed version of the electronic document reflected in the print data to be generated. The locked print process may also be configured to perform a variety of other functions, as described in more detail hereinafter. These functions are described in more detail hereinafter. The printing device also includes a Web server that provides a Web-based user interface to allow a user, such as an administrator, to specify configuration data that defines one or more functions performed by the locked print process. The approach provides a flexible and user-friendly user interface that allows an administrator to customize workflows to suite a particular implementation. [0007] According to one aspect of the invention, a printing device comprises a user interface, a locked print process and a Web server. The user interface is configured to display information and accept user input. The locked print process is configured to examine print data received by the printing device to determine whether password data must be verified at the printing device before a printed version of an electronic document reflected in the print data can be generated and if password data must be verified at the printing device before a printed version of an electronic document reflected in the print data can be generated, then cause the print data to be stored on the printing device. The locked print process is also configured to verify password data entered via the user interface and if the password data is successfully verified, then allow the printed version of the electronic document reflected in the print data to be generated. The Web server is configured to generate one or more Web pages and cause the one or more Web pages to be provided to a client device, wherein processing of the one or more Web pages at the client device allows a user to enter configuration data that defines one or more functions performed by the locked print process, and receive the configuration data from the client device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] In the figures of the accompanying drawings like reference numerals refer to similar elements. [0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that depicts an arrangement 100 for implementing locked printing on a printing device according to an embodiment of the invention. [0010] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting an approach for implementing locked printing on a printing device. [0011] FIG. 3 depicts an example user interface generated by printer driver after the user has selected a print option from application. [0012] FIG. 4 depicts a printer properties configuration screen that is displayed in response to a user selecting the "properties" button in FIG. 3 [0013] FIG. 5 depicts a locked printing details screen that allows a user to enter a user identification (ID) and password data in the form of a password. [0014] FIG. 6 includes options for accessing a printing device, including performing locked printing functions. [0015] FIG. 7 depicts an example user interface screen that allows a user to select a user ID. [0016] FIG. 8 depicts an example user interface screen for querying a user for a password associated with a user ID. [0017] FIG. 9 depicts a user interface screen querying a user for another password if the password entered is not the correct password for the particular user ID. [0018] FIG. 10 depicts an example list of print data or print jobs that are associated with a user ID/password pair. [0019] FIG. 11 depicts a user interface screen that queries a user to confirm the deletion of print data before the print data is deleted from printing device. [0020] FIG. 12 depicts an example user interface screen that includes a "remote print" option. Continue reading about Approach for implementing locked printing on printing devices... Full patent description for Approach for implementing locked printing on printing devices Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Approach for implementing locked printing on printing devices patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Approach for implementing locked printing on printing devices or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Image forming apparatus, data processing method thereof, and computer-readable recording medium storing program of the method Next Patent Application: Staggered keyboard for a portable device Industry Class: Typewriting machines ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Approach for implementing locked printing on printing devices patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.13891 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers 174 |
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