Unique printer pass code system and method
US7099026B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K15/005
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A unique printer pass code system and method provide the ability to remotely generate a unique pass code for printers operating under the system and method. A printer is configured to independently verify that a submitted pass code is the correct pass code for that printer. The pass code may be generated based upon a unique character string or other characteristic resident within the printer. The unique character string may comprise a serial number programmed into a printer controller during manufacturing of the printer. The unique character string is accessed and passed through a mathematical manipulation algorithm which transforms the character string into a pass code. The pass code may be a truncated result of the mathematical manipulations. One version of the algorithm may be remote to the printer for generating the pass code and a second version may be resident within the printer for validating submitted pass codes. In one application, customer service representatives receive the serial number from customers desiring to enable a dormant feature of the printer and enter the serial number into a computer program. The program mathematically manipulates and truncates the serial nu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.