Abstract: A remote administrator device is provided outside a firewall that prevents remote devices from accessing, but allows remote devices to send electronic mail messages to a plurality of local network devices. The remote administrator device can send an electronic mail message to a respective one of the plurality of local network devices behind the firewall. The electronic mail message can include instructions for the respective local network device to establish a connection with the remote administrator device through the firewall. Once the connection is established, the remote administrator device can monitor state data received over the connection for the respective local network device.

Abstract: A remote administrator device is provided outside a firewall that prevents remote devices from accessing, but allows remote devices to send electronic mail messages to a plurality of local network devices. The remote administrator device can send an electronic mail message to a respective one of the plurality of local network devices behind the firewall. The electronic mail message can include instructions for the respective local network device to establish a connection with the remote administrator device through the firewall. Once the connection is established, the remote administrator device can monitor state data received over the connection for the respective local network device.

Abstract: Traversing a firewall. A method embodiment includes receiving, from behind the firewall, an electronic mail message with instructions to establish a connection with a device located outside the firewall. A connection is then established through the firewall with the device outside the firewall according to the instructions in the electronic mail message.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to hard imaging devices, hard imaging systems, articles of manufacture, hard imaging device electronic mail processing methods. A hard imaging device includes a communications interface configured to communicate with a communications medium and a communications device, the communications device and the communications medium are communicatively coupled with one another and located external of the hard imaging device, an image engine configured to form hard images using media, processing circuitry configured to control the image engine to form hard images and to communicate with the communication device and an external computer device, and wherein the processing circuitry is configured to track electronic mail communication comprising electronic information received within the hard imaging device and invoke an operation of the hard imaging device.

Abstract: Hard imaging devices, hard imaging systems, articles of manufacture, hard imaging device file system accessing methods, hard imaging device file system sharing methods are described. According to one aspect, a hard imaging device comprises a communications interface configured to communicate with a communications medium external of the hard imaging device, an image engine configured to form hard images using media, a file system configured to store a plurality of electronic files, processing circuitry having a server system configured to communicate with the file system and at least an external management device or a computer device, and wherein communication with at least the external management device or the computer device is performed using a web sharing protocol.

Abstract: Hard imaging systems, articles of manufacture, and hard imaging methods are described. According to one aspect, a hard imaging system includes an image engine configured to form a hard image upon media, processing circuitry configured to access image data corresponding to the hard image, to process the image data to provide raster data, to output the raster data to the image engine, and to encapsulate the raster data, wherein the image engine is configured to form the hard image responsive to the raster data during a first imaging operation, and wherein the encapsulated raster data comprises data which may be utilized to generate the hard image formed by the image engine during a second imaging operation different than the first imaging operation.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and computer programs are provided for remotely monitoring a printer status. In monitoring the printer status, one selects a printer status object from among a list of selectable printer status objects in a remote client in data communication with a printer. Thereafter, an email is generated in the remote client and a status request is written into the email in a printer management language native to the printer. The status request requests a current status of the printer status object in the printer. The email is transmitted to the printer through any firewalls. The printer generates a reply email that provides the desired status information and transmits the reply email to the requester.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to modifying files that are part of file system in a printer or printing device. The file system is related to a database, such that the database is updated when the file system is modified. Changes to the files system are made through a request, modifying the file system based on the request, and updating the database. Individual files make up programs that may be provided by a printer manufacturer or a third party solution provider. When the printer manufacturer or solution provider desires to modify files affecting a program, a query may be made as to the existing files in the database of the particular printer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for remote management of printing devices of various types within an enterprise. Printers that are not as well-equipped for printing device management (e.g. legacy printing devices and low-end printing devices) are taken into account by assigning printing device management elements and functions that are present in more modern higher-end printing devices to one or more host computers. As a result, printing device management tasks can be similarly applied to all types of enterprise printing devices without having to use multiple user interfaces or user processes.

Abstract: A method of controlling usage of printer macros stored in a printer includes detecting a request for use of a first one of the printer macros by a print job. Printer identification information contained in the first printer macro is compared to a printer identifier stored in the printer. Usage of the first printer macro by the printer is controlled based on the comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for print optimization. In one arrangement, a system and a method pertain to determining a source of print data, determining whether a print profile is available for the print data source, and manipulating the print data using the print profile if it is determined that there is a print profile for the print data source.

Abstract: A method of printing a print job includes separating a print job into subsections, and identifying a subsection access level for the subsections of the print job. A requesting party is also provided with an access level that is determined. In one embodiment, the requesting party's access level is placed in a print job by a print driver program of a requesting party. The subsection access level and the requesting party access level are compared, and the subsections of the print job that have a subsection access level meeting the requesting party access level are printed. A system for secure printing of a print job includes a processor, a storage device, a printer, and software operable on the processor to identify subsections of a print job, and identify a subsection access level for the subsections of the print job. The system includes media that includes instructions operable on a processor to identify subsections of a print job, and identify a subsection access level for the subsections of the print job.

Abstract: A system includes a multifunctional peripheral (MFP) and a computer connected to the MFP via a communication link. The MFP includes a scanner for use by walk-up user to scan a page. The computer provides a user interface that enables a user to request a document be printed and then scanned on the MFP.

Abstract: A fax is sent. A user selects a phone number for a fax destination from a database residing on a handheld device. The phone number is sent from the handheld device to a fax machine via wireless communication. A fax transmission is sent by the fax machine to the fax destination.

Abstract: Data is input to a printing device such as a multifunction printer. The data is converted to text data if required. An embedded database driver in the printing device converts the data to a format that is compatible with the database.

Abstract: A printer has access to a remote file system. The printer is configured with a remote file system client module configured to create a logical file system mount to a remote file system. Software, which is configured to operate the printer, is obtained by the printer from the remote file system.

Abstract: A method of controlling usage of fonts stored in a printer includes detecting a request for use of a first one of the fonts by a print job. Printer identification information contained in the first font is compared to a printer identifier stored in the printer. Usage of the first font by the printer is controlled based on the comparison.

Abstract: An optical system for writing on a double-sided medium is disclosed. A beam source is configured to generate a light beam in a first direction relative to a first side of the medium. A steering mechanism is able to direct the light beam in a second direction substantially along the first side, such that the light beam is configured to impinge on a first reflector. The first reflector is able to reflect the light beam in a third direction, such that the light beam is routed outside a substantially opaque annulus of the medium, and is configured to impinge on a second reflector. The second reflector is able to reflect the light beam in a fourth direction substantially opposite the second direction, such that the light beam is configured to impinge on a third reflector. The third reflector is able to reflect the light beam in a fifth direction substantially toward a second side of the medium opposite the first side, such that the light beam strikes the second side of the medium.

Abstract: A media routing control device and method for qualifying media for use with a sheet-fed device includes a sensor configured to detect a characteristic of a media sheet. The device further includes a usable sheet media path and an unusable sheet media path. A sheet-inverting duplexing path inverts the media sheet when necessary and a controller controls the routing of the media sheet along one of the media paths according to the detected characteristic.

Abstract: A process task management system is provided to be used within an operating system environment. The system comprises an executing processes module containing a list of processes currently executing in the operating system environment. A status attribute is included for each process in the list, which represents an execution state of the process and is viewable by a user. A process state checking module is configured to check the execution state of each process when the process is busy, and to set the status attribute for each process to inform the user whether the execution state of the process is busy and performing processing activity.