US 7,321,966 B2 | ||
Machine post-launch configuration and option upgrade | ||
Robert A. Koontz, Webster, N.Y. (US); Christian Redder, Rochester, N.Y. (US); Heiko Rommelmann, Penfield, N.Y. (US); David S. Shuman, Honeoye Falls, N.Y. (US); and Christian G. Midgley, Fairport, N.Y. (US) | ||
Assigned to Xerox Corporation, Norwalk, Conn. (US) | ||
Filed on May 29, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/447,737. | ||
Prior Publication US 2004/0240904 A1, Dec. 02, 2004 | ||
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer. | ||
Int. Cl. G06F 15/177 (2006.01) |
U.S. Cl. 713—1 [713/1; 713/2; 713/100; 392/8; 392/12; 392/24; 392/108; 392/109; 392/111] | 19 Claims |
1. A method for managing machine operation options and configuration comprising:
providing a software operation key separable from the machine, the software operation key further comprising a memory, with
a programmable serial region and an option code;
placing the software operation key into the machine;
reading the programmable serial region of the memory and if found blank, initializing with a machine identification number;
comparing the content of the programmable serial region if not blank with the machine identification number;
reading the memory and placing the option code into the machine; and,
operating the machine in accordance with the option code.
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