System and method for additive device policy control of multifunction peripherals

Abstract

A system and method multifunction peripheral policy-based configuration includes a processor and a memory storing a policy data for each of a plurality of multifunction peripheral device configuration policies. A selectable list of the device policies is displayed. A user selects one or more device configuration policies from the list, and the processor tests selected device configuration policies. Policies are identified as single or additive policy types. Selected policies are added when not identified as a single policy type.

1 . A multifunction peripheral policy-based configuration system comprising:
 a processor;   a memory configured to store a policy data for each of a plurality of multifunction peripheral device configuration policies;   a display configured to display a policy list corresponding to a selectable list of the device configuration policies; and   an input configured to receive a user selection of a selected device configuration policy chosen from the list,   wherein the processor is configured to test the selected device configuration policy;   wherein the processor is further configured to identify the selected device configuration policy as a single policy type,   wherein the processor is further configured to add the selected device configuration policy to a policy previously installed on a multifunction peripheral when the selected device configuration policy is not identified as a single policy type; and   wherein the processor is further configured to replace an existing device policy when the selected device configuration policy is identified as a single policy type.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is further configured to reject adding the selected device configuration policy when the selected device configuration policy is identified as a single policy type. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the processor is further configured to generate a user prompt on the display corresponding to identification of the selected device configuration policy as a single policy type, and   wherein the processor is further configured to selectively replace the existing device policy with the selected device configuration policy in accordance with a user response to a generated user prompt.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an input configured to receive a custom device policy into the memory. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is further configured to add the selected device configuration policy to a plurality of multifunction peripherals via a network interface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is further configured to generate a categorized, selectable list of device configuration policies as a subset of the selectable list of the device configuration policies, which subset is comprised of single type policies or multiple type policies in accordance with identification of the selected device configuration policy. 
     
     
         8 . A method of multifunction peripheral policy-based configuration comprising:
 retrieving, from a memory, policy data for each of a plurality of multifunction peripheral device configuration policies;   displaying a policy list corresponding to a selectable list of the device configuration policies on an associated user display;   receiving, via an input, a user selection of a selected device configuration policy chosen from the list;   testing the selected device configuration policy via a processor;   identifying the selected device configuration policy as a single policy type in accordance with the testing;   adding the selected device configuration policy to the multifunction peripheral when the selected device configuration policy is not identified as a single policy type; and   replacing an existing device policy when the selected device configuration policy is identified as a single type.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising rejecting adding the selected device configuration policy when the selected device configuration policy is identified as a single policy type. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 generating a user prompt on the display corresponding to identification of the selected device configuration policy as a single policy type; and 
 selectively replacing the existing device policy with the selected device configuration policy in accordance with a user response to a generated user prompt. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising receiving a custom device policy into the memory. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising adding the selected device configuration policy to a plurality of multifunction peripherals via a network interface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising generating a categorized, selectable list of device configuration policies as subset of the selectable list of the device configuration policies, which subset is comprised of single type policies or multiple type policies in accordance with identification of the selected device configuration policy. 
     
     
         15 . A multifunction peripheral comprising:
 an intelligent controller including a processor and memory, the controller configured for operation of at least one device processing operation,   the memory configured to store a plurality of device policy settings, and   the controller further configured to operate the at least one device processing operation in accordance with at least one active policy setting; and   an input configured to receive selection data corresponding to a new device policy,   wherein the controller is further configured to test the new device configuration policy,   wherein the controller is further configured to determine if the new device configuration policy is a multiple policy type,   wherein the controller is further configured to operate the at least one device processing operation in accordance with the at least one active policy setting and the new device configuration policy when the new device configuration policy is determined to be a multiple policy type;   wherein the controller is further configured to replace the at least one active policy setting with the new device configuration policy when the new device configuration policy is determined to be a single policy type.   
     
     
         16 . The multifunction peripheral of  claim 15  wherein the controller is further configured for operation of a document processing engine in accordance with the active device policy and the new device configuration policy. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The multifunction peripheral of  claim 15  wherein the controller is further configured for operation of a document processing engine in accordance with the new device configuration policy. 
     
     
         19 . The multifunction peripheral of  claim 15  wherein the controller is further configured for operation of device maintenance operations in accordance with the at least one active policy setting and the new device configuration policy. 
     
     
         20 . The multifunction peripheral of  claim 19  wherein the controller is further configured to generate a policy selection list on an associated display prompting an associated user for the selection data.