Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Position or velocity determined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-30
2003-05-13
Evans, Arthur G. (Department: 2622)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Position or velocity determined
C358S001130
Reexamination Certificate
active
06563600
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to copying or printing apparatus, such as xerographic or ink-jet printers and copiers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the office-equipment market, such as for printers and copiers, a common business model is to manufacture a single base “platform” in hardware, and then use the software controls over the hardware to provide a set of distinctly different products. For instance, with reference to digital xerographic “laser printers,” a basic hardware platform capable of outputting 40 pages per minute (ppm) can be slowed down to output pages at 30 ppm or even 20 ppm, purely by altering the control software which operates the identical hardware. Typical techniques for slowing down a basic hardware platform include simply running the various electric motors at slower speeds, or deliberately skipping an operational cycle (not feeding a print sheet, and withholding image data) for one or more of a given number of hardware cycles. The advantages of this business model include the desirability of selling different speed-rated machines at different prices, and also the ability to speed up a slowed-down machine (such as by loading in new software) should an existing customer decide he wants a faster machine. Also, in a remanufacturing environment, it is useful to be able to minimize the number of hardware configurations that must be processed.
A technical challenge in providing office equipment of a single basic hardware platform at various speeds is to provide some security that the operating speed of a particular machine (such as at a customer site) will not be altered, such as to be speeded up, in an unauthorized or improper manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus and a method of operating a printing apparatus. A control system operative of the printing apparatus is capable of operating the printing apparatus at a first speed and a second speed. A password is communicated to the control system, the password causing the control system to operate the printing apparatus at a selected one of the first speed and the second speed. A hardware switch is capable of being in one of a first state and a second state. The control system polls a state of the hardware switch, and operates the printing apparatus at the selected one of the first speed and the second speed only if the hardware switch is in a predetermined state consistent with the selected speed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5312193 (1994-05-01), Kringe et al.
patent: 5923345 (1999-07-01), Imai
Evans Arthur G.
Hutter R.
Xerox Corporation
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