Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc

Joseph Murdock

Andrew Rodney Ferlitsch

Rabindra Pathak

Daniel Klave

John Thomas

A method is provided for an electronics device user interface (UI) to create a rules-validated service request. Initially, a UI device presents a plurality of selections, and accepts a selection command from a user. A UI application sends the selection command to a rules engine. The rules engine compares the selection command to a rules collection cross-referencing selection commands to allowable selection commands, wherein a rule is defined as a relationship between service parameters. In response to the rules engine validating the selection commands, the UI application sends a service request including the selection commands to a service device, and the service device performs a service defined in the service request. In response to the rules engine invalidating the selection command, the UI device may present an explanation of a rule violation associated with the invalid selection command. An associated system is also provided.

Rules based user interface architecture

An exemplary embodiment of a system and method provides a determination of when a file/document format native to a device such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP) device should be handled natively by the MFP (default behavior) or preprocessed by an external service.

Methods and systems for handling files for MFPs utilizing external services

Methods and systems for facilitating remote access and customization of internally generated printing node status reports. In some embodiments, the methods and systems advantageously facilitate remote access and customization of internally generated printing node status reports by adapting preexisting features that generate local hard copies of printing node status reports in response to locally initiated commands. Such adaptation enables a printing node to receive, process and respond to remotely initiated requests for printing node status reports in a manner that permits remote customization of the style of printing node status reports.

Method and system for remote access and customization of internally generated printing node status report

A method and system for updating a group of network nodes, such as a group of MFPs, with replacement software in a manner that improves network performance and the predictability of a completion time for installation of the replacement software involves throttling distribution of a software update package to avoid resource oversubscription while time-bounding distribution so that installation of the software update on all of the network nodes can be completed by a certain time and, in some embodiments, further involves determining a start time for distribution of the software update package based at least in part on a scheduled installation time selected by a network administrator, which provides a high degree of confidence that installation of the software update across the entire group of network nodes will be completed around a scheduled time (e.g. during 'off hours') notwithstanding the staggered distribution of the software update package.

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Camas, WA, United States of America

Joseph Murdock