System and method for controlling operation of a printer by using an external memory

Abstract

Provided is printer operation control system and method for a printer having diverse print functions by using an external memory. The external memory is used to store information on the availability of each print function. A reader is provided for reading the information on the availability of each print function stored in the external memory. Further, a function setting unit is provided for setting up the operability of software for each print function based on the information read in the reader. Even further, a controller is provided for controlling the operation of the printer based on the operability of each software set up in the function setting unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling operation of a printer having diverse print functions by using an external memory, comprising:
 an external memory for storing information on an availability of each print function;   a reader for reading information on the availability of each print function stored in the external memory;   a function setting unit for setting up operability of a software for each print function based on the information read in the reader; and   a controller for controlling the operation of the printer based on the operability of each software set up in the function setting unit.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the external memory further stores information on one of a plurality of authentication levels for the external memory, each of the plurality of authentication levels allowing a different number of available print functions. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the one of a plurality of authentication levels is a master authentication level that allows use of all print functions and generation of external memories of lower authentication levels with limited print functions. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the information on an availability of each print function is only information on available print functions among the diverse print functions. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the information on an availability of each print function comprises an authentication level of the external memory and a table comprising a list of all print functions with an associated authentication level for each listed print function. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the external memory is a flash memory which is at least one of a MEMORY STICK, SECURE DIGITAL (SD) CARD, MULTIMEDIA CARD (MMC), MICRODRIVE (MD), COMPACT FLASH, and a SMART MEDIA CARD. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the printer includes a setup slot for mounting the external memory. whether the setup slot is located inside the printer so as to prevent the external memory from being easily manipulated Or the setup slot is located on the outside of the printer. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is also for determining whether the external memory is mounted or not during initial operation of the printer. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the printer includes a display for showing an operational state of the printer, and the controller displays a message on the display requesting to mount the external memory when the controller determines that during the initial operation of the printer the external memory is not mounted. 
     
     
         10 . A method for controlling operation of a printer having diverse print functions by using an external memory, comprising the steps of:
 a) preparing the external memory with stored information on an availability of each print function;   b) reading information on the availability of each print function stored in the external memory;   c) setting up operability of a software for each print function based on the read information; and   d) controlling an operation of the printer based on the operability of each software.   
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein step a) further comprises the step of: a1) preparing the external memory with stored information on one of a plurality of authentication levels for the external memory, each of the plurality of authentication levels allowing a different number of available print functions. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the one of a plurality of authentication levels in step a1) is a master authentication level that allows use of all print functions and generation of external memories of lower authentication levels with limited print functions. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the stored information on an availability of each print function in step a) is only information on available print functions among the diverse print functions. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the stored information on an availability of each print function in step a) comprises an authentication level of the external memory and a table comprising a list of all print functions with an associated authentication level for each listed print function. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 e) sensing whether the external memory is mounted or not during the initial operation of the printer; and   f) if the external memory is not mounted, requesting on a display that the external memory be mounted.