USPatent applicationPatented

Printer and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for printer for deleting print setting information stored in printer

Granted 12 Jul 2022 · 1 office action

Current assignee: BROTHER KOYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA · originally Brother Industries Limited

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Inventors: Hiroyuki Hayashi · Examiner: Thomas D Lee · AU 2677 · TC 2600

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Abstract

A printer may receive first user identification information among one or more user identification information from a first external device via a communication interface of the printer, and receive a first deletion request including first specific information from the first external device via the communication interface. In a case where the first user identification information and the first deletion request are received from the first external device and the first user identification information is stored in a memory of the printer in association with the first print setting information, the printer may delete the first print setting information identified by the first specific information from the memory.

Description

14 parts
›CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-018299, filed on Feb. 5, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

›TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure herein discloses art for deleting print setting information stored in a printer.

›BACKGROUND ART

An image forming system provided with a communication device and a multi-function peripheral (MFP) is known. A print preset according to Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) is registered in the MFP. An administrator can delete the print preset from the MFP.

›SUMMARY

In the image forming system, no consideration is given to a user, who is not the administrator, deleting the print preset registered in the MFP. The disclosure herein provides a printer configured to delete print setting information according to a request of a user different from an administrator.

A printer disclosed herein may comprise: a memory configured to store, for each of one or more user identification information for identifying one or more users different from an administrator of the printer, the user identification information and print setting information in association with each other; a communication interface; and a controller configured to: receive first user identification information among the one or more user identification information from a first external device via the communication interface; receive a first deletion request including first specific information from the first external device via the communication interface, the first deletion request being for requesting deletion of one of the one or more print setting information in the memory, the first specific information being for identifying first print setting information among the one or more print setting information in the memory; and in a case where the first user identification information and the first deletion request are received from the first external device and the first user identification information is stored in the memory in association with the first print setting information, delete the first print setting information identified by the first specific information from the memory.

A control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program for realizing the printer as above are also novel and useful. Further, a communication system comprising the printer and the first external device as above is also novel and useful.

›BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a communication system.

FIG. 2 show respective tables.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a printer process.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a web server process.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a deletion process.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an IPP process.

FIG. 7 shows a sequence diagram of Case A in which printing using preset information is executed.

FIG. 8 shows a sequence diagram of Case B in which preset information is deleted.

FIG. 9 shows a sequence diagram of Case C in which preset information is deleted.

FIG. 10 shows a sequence diagram of Case D in which deletion of preset information is restricted and Case E in which printing using preset information is executed.

FIG. 11 shows a sequence diagram of Case F in which preset information is deleted.

FIG. 12 shows a sequence diagram of Case G in which preset information is re-registered.

FIG. 13 shows examples of a screen displayed on a PC.

FIG. 14 shows examples of a screen displayed on a PC.

›EMBODIMENTS · 1 of 9

(Configuration of Communication System 2 ; FIG. 1 )

As shown in FIG. 1 , a communication system 2 is provided with a printer 10 and a plurality of PCs 100 A to 100 C. The printer 10 and the PCs 100 A to 100 C belong to the same Local Area Network (LAN) 4 and are configured to communicate with each other via the LAN 4 .

(Configuration of Printer 10 )

The printer 10 is a peripheral device (i.e., a peripheral device of the PCs 100 A to 100 C) configured to execute a print function. The printer 10 is further configured to execute a web server function. The web server function is a function of sending webpage data representing a webpage to an external device in response to the external device accessing a web server in the printer 10 . The printer 10 may be a multi-function peripheral configured to execute, in addition to the above functions, a scan function, a FAX function, and/or the like. The printer 10 is provided with an operation unit 12 , a display unit 14 , a print executing unit 16 , a communication interface (hereinbelow, an interface will be denoted “I/F”) 20 , and a controller 30 .

The operation unit 12 is provided with a plurality of keys. A user can input various instructions to the printer 10 by operating the operation unit 12 . The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various types of information. The display unit 14 also functions as a so-called touch screen (i.e., an operation unit). The print executing unit 16 is a print mechanism of an inkjet scheme, a laser scheme, or the like. The communication I/F 20 is connected to the LAN 4 . The communication I/F 20 may be a wireless I/F or a wired I/F.

The controller 30 is provided with a CPU 32 and a memory 34 . The CPU 32 is configured to execute various processes according to a program 36 stored in the memory 34 . The memory 34 is configured of a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The memory 34 stores a user table 38 and a preset table 40 .

(Configurations of PCs 100 A to 100 C)

The PC 100 A is used by an administrator of the printer 10 . The PCs 100 B, 100 C are used by users that are different from the administrator of the printer 10 . The PCs 100 A, 100 B, and 100 C respectively store user names “U 1 ”, “U 2 ”, and “U 3 ” for identifying the users using the respective PCs.

Each of the PCs 100 A to 100 C is provided with an Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) program (not shown) installed from a server on the Internet. Each IPP program is a program for creating an IPP command according to Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and sending the command to the printer 10 . In the present embodiment, the aforementioned server is provided by a business entity different from a vendor of the printer 10 . However, in a variant, the aforementioned server may be provided by the vendor of the printer 10 . Each of the PCs 100 A to 100 C may originally support IPP without installing the IPP program from the server.

(Contents of Tables 38 , 40 ; FIG. 2 )

Next, contents of the user table 38 and the preset table 40 in the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 .

In the user table 38 , for each of one or more users who use the printer 10 , a user name, a password, authority information, a registered preset name, and an excluded preset name are stored in association with each other. The user name, the password, and the authority information are registered by the administrator of the printer 10 . The user name and the password are information used for authentication of each user. The authority information indicates one of “Owner” and “Guest”. “Owner” is information indicating the administrator of the printer 10 , and “Guest” is information indicating a user different from the administrator of the printer 10 , that is, a general user (in other words, individual user). The registered preset name and the excluded preset name are information for identifying preset information to be described later. The registered preset name is a name of preset information that can be used in printing. The excluded preset name is a name of preset information that cannot be used in printing.

In the preset table 40 , one or more preset information are stored. Each preset information includes a preset name and print setting information. The print setting information includes a print condition corresponding to a print setting item “print type” (i.e., “one-sided” or “two-sided”) and another print condition corresponding to a print setting item “number of colors” (i.e., “monochrome” or “color”). In a variant, the print setting information may include other print setting item(s) (e.g., image quality, paper size, paper type, number of print copies, and/or postprocess). Further, the print setting information may not include one of the print setting item “print type” and the print setting item “number of colors”. Preset information PI 1 including a preset name “DPR” is default preset information stored in the preset table 40 in advance. The default preset information can be used by all users, and is undeletable. In a variant, the default preset information may be deletable. For example, the administrator of the printer 10 may be permitted to delete the default preset information. Hereinbelow, preset information including a preset name (e.g., “IPR 1 ” or “IPR 2 ”) that is associated with only one user name in the user table 38 may be termed “individual preset information”, while preset information including a preset name (e.g., “GPR 1 ”) that is associated with two or more user names in the user table 38 may be termed “group preset information”.

(Printer Process; FIG. 3 )

Next, a printer process executed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . The process of FIG. 3 is started when power of the printer 10 is turned on. All of below-described communication executed by the printer 10 are executed via the communication I/F 20 . As such, the phrase “via the communication I/F 20 ” will be omitted hereinbelow.

In S 10 , the CPU 32 monitors receipt of a top screen request from a PC. The top screen request is a command for requesting sending of top screen data for displaying a top screen, and is a GET command according to HTTP. The CPU 32 proceeds to S 12 in a case of receiving the top screen request from a PC (YES in S 10 ).

›EMBODIMENTS · 2 of 9

In S 12 , the CPU 32 executes a web server process ( FIG. 4 ). The web server process is a process for the printer 10 to function as a web server. When S 12 is completed, the CPU 32 returns to S 10 .

At the same time as the monitoring of S 10 , the CPU 32 monitors receipt of an IPP command from a PC in S 20 . The CPU 32 proceeds to S 22 in a case of receiving an IPP command from a PC (YES in S 20 ).

In S 22 , the CPU 32 executes an IPP process ( FIG. 6 ). The IPP process is a process for executing communication according to IPP to register or delete preset information into/from the preset table 40 . When S 22 is completed, the CPU 32 returns to S 10 .

(Web Server Process; FIG. 4 )

Next, the web server process executed in S 12 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . In S 40 , the CPU 32 sends the top screen data for displaying the top screen to the PC. The top screen is a screen for allowing a user to input a user name and a password.

In S 42 , the CPU 32 receives a management screen request including a user name and a password from the PC. The management screen request is a GET command according to HTTP and is sent from the PC in response to a user name and a password being inputted to the top screen.

In S 44 , the CPU 32 executes user authentication using the user name and the password in the management screen request. The CPU 32 determines YES in S 44 and proceeds to S 46 in a case where the combination of the user name and the password in the management screen request is stored in the user table 38 , that is, in a case where the user authentication succeeds. Hereinbelow, the user name for which the user authentication succeeded will be termed “authenticated user name” On the other hand, the CPU 32 determines NO in S 44 and terminates the process of FIG. 4 in a case where the combination of the user name and the password in the management screen request is not stored in the user table 38 , that is, in a case where the user authentication fails.

In S 46 , the CPU 32 sends management screen data for displaying a management screen D 11 to the PC. As shown in FIG. 14 , the screen D 11 includes a preset setting button and a cancel button.

In S 50 , the CPU 32 monitors receipt of a preset setting screen request from the PC. The preset setting screen request is a GET command according to HTTP and is sent from the PC in response to the preset setting button in the management screen D 11 being selected. The CPU 32 proceeds to S 52 in a case where the preset setting screen request is received from the PC (YES in S 50 ). On the other hand, the CPU 32 terminates the process of FIG. 4 in a case where a cancel request is received from the PC (NO in S 50 ). The cancel request is sent from the PC in response to the cancel button in the management screen D 11 being selected.

In S 52 , the CPU 32 sends preset setting screen data for displaying a preset setting screen D 12 (or D 22 or D 32 ) to the PC. As shown in FIG. 14 , the screen D 12 (or D 22 or D 32 ) includes one or more preset names stored in the preset table 40 , a new registration button, and a cancel button. A deletion button or a re-registration button is associated with each of the one or more preset names. The deletion button is a button corresponding to a registered preset name associated with the authenticated user name in the user table 38 , and is a button for deleting preset information including that preset name. The re-registration button is a button corresponding to an excluded preset name associated with the authenticated user name in the user table 38 , and is a button for re-registering that preset name as a registered preset name.

In each of S 60 , S 70 , and S 80 , the CPU 32 monitors receipt of an instruction from the PC. The CPU 32 determines YES in S 60 and proceeds to S 62 in a case of receiving a registration screen request instruction from the PC. The registration screen request instruction is a GET command according to HTTP and is sent from the PC in response to the new registration button in the preset setting screen being selected.

In S 62 , the CPU 32 sends registration screen data for displaying a registration screen to the PC. The registration screen is a screen for input of a preset name and a registration-target user name to be registered and also for setting of print setting information. The registration-target user name may be the same as the authenticated user name or a different user name. Further, the registration-target user name may be two or more user names.

In S 64 , the CPU 32 receives a registration instruction including preset information and a registration-target user name from the PC. The registration instruction is a POST command according to HTTP.

In S 66 , the CPU 32 registers the preset information (i.e., the preset name and the print setting information) included in the registration instruction received in S 64 to the preset table 40 . Further, the CPU 32 registers the preset name of the preset information to the user table 38 as a registered preset name corresponding to the registration-target user name.

In S 68 , the CPU 32 sends to the PC completion notification screen data for displaying a completion notification screen including a message that the registration of the preset information has been completed. When S 68 is completed, the CPU 32 terminates the process of FIG. 4 .

In a case of receiving a deletion instruction including a preset name from the PC, the CPU 32 determines YES in S 70 and proceeds to S 72 . The deletion instruction is a POST command according to HTTP and is sent from the PC in response to the deletion button in the preset setting screen (see the screens D 12 , D 22 , D 32 of FIG. 14 ) being selected.

In S 72 , the CPU 32 executes a deletion process. The deletion process is a process for deleting the preset information included in the deletion instruction from the preset table 40 . When S 72 is completed, the CPU 32 terminates the process of FIG. 4 .

In a case of receiving a re-registration instruction including a preset name from the PC, the CPU 32 determines YES in S 80 and proceeds to S 82 . The re-registration instruction is a POST command according to HTTP and is sent from the PC in response to the re-registration button in the preset setting screen (see the screen D 32 of FIG. 14 ) being selected.

›EMBODIMENTS · 3 of 9

In S 82 , the CPU 32 registers the preset name included in the registration instruction as a registered preset name instead of as an excluded preset name for the information associated with the authenticated user name in the user table 38 .

In S 84 , the CPU 32 sends to the PC completion notification screen data for displaying a completion notification screen including a message that the re-registration of the preset information has been completed. When S 84 is completed, the CPU 32 terminates the process of FIG. 4 .

(Deletion Process; FIG. 5 )

Next, the deletion process executed in S 72 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 . In S 100 , the CPU 32 determines whether or not the preset information including the preset name in the deletion instruction received in S 70 (hereinbelow, this preset information may be termed “deletion-target preset information”) is the default preset information. The CPU 32 proceeds to S 120 in a case where the deletion-target preset information is the default preset information (YES in S 100 ). On the other hand, the CPU 32 proceeds to S 102 in a case where the deletion-target preset information is not the default preset information (NO in S 100 ).

In S 102 , the CPU 32 determines whether or not the authority information associated with the authenticated user name in the user table 38 is “Owner”. In a case where the authority information associated with the authenticated user name is “Owner” (YES in S 102 ), the CPU 32 proceeds to S 104 . On the other hand, in a case where the authority information associated with the authenticated user name is “Guest” (NO in S 102 ), the CPU 32 proceeds to S 110 .

In S 104 , the CPU 32 deletes the deletion-target preset information (i.e., the preset name and the print setting information) from the preset table 40 .

In S 106 , the CPU 32 deletes the preset name of the deletion-target preset information (hereinbelow, this preset name may be termed “deletion-target preset name”) from the user table 38 .

In S 108 , the CPU 32 sends to the PC completion notification screen data for displaying a completion notification screen including a message that the deletion of the preset information has been completed. When S 108 is completed, the CPU 32 terminates the process of FIG. 5 .

In S 110 , the CPU 32 determines whether or not the user having the authenticated user name is a user who is permitted for deletion (which may be termed “deletion-permitted user” hereinbelow). Specifically, the CPU 32 determines that the user having the authenticated user name is a deletion-permitted user in a case where the deletion-target preset name is registered as a registered preset name associated with the authenticated user name in the user table 38 . On the other hand, the CPU 32 determines that the user having the authenticated user name is not a deletion-permitted user in a case where the deletion-target preset name is registered as a registered preset name associated with a user name different from the authenticated user name. The CPU 32 proceeds to S 112 in the case of determining that the user is a deletion-permitted user (YES in S 110 ). On the other hand, the CPU 32 proceeds to S 120 in the case of determining that the user is not a deletion-permitted user (NO in S 110 ).

In S 120 , the CPU 32 sends to the PC error notification screen data for displaying an error notification screen including a message that the deletion of the preset information failed. When S 120 is completed, the CPU 32 terminates the process of FIG. 5 .

In S 112 , the CPU 32 determines whether or not the deletion-target preset information is group preset information. Specifically, the CPU 32 determines that the deletion-target preset information is group preset information in a case where the deletion-target preset name is stored as a registered preset name in association with two or more user names in the user table 38 . On the other hand, the CPU 32 determines that the deletion-target preset information is not group preset information (i.e., that it is individual preset information) in a case where the deletion-target preset name is stored in association with only one user name. The CPU 32 proceeds to S 114 in the case of determining that the deletion-target preset information is the group preset information (YES in S 112 ). On the other hand, the CPU 32 proceeds to S 104 in the case of determining that the deletion-target preset information is not the group preset information (NO in S 112 ).

In S 114 , the CPU 32 determines whether or not the deletion instruction has been received from every user who can use the deletion-target preset information. Firstly, the CPU 32 identifies, in the user table 38 , user names associated with the deletion-target preset name as the registered preset name, other than the authenticated user name. Then, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the deletion-target preset name is stored in the user table 38 as an excluded preset name associated with all the identified user names. The CPU 32 proceeds to S 104 in a case where the deletion-target preset name is stored as an excluded preset name associated with all the identified user names (YES in S 114 ). On the other hand, the CPU 32 proceeds to S 116 in a case where the deletion-target preset name is stored as a registered preset name associated with at least one of the identified user names (NO in S 114 ). In S 106 that takes place after S 104 continued from YES in S 114 , the CPU 32 deletes, from the user table 38 , the deletion-target preset name stored as the registered preset name associated with the authenticated user name and also deletes the deletion-target preset name stored as the excluded preset name associated with the user names other than the authenticated user name.

In S 116 , the CPU 32 deletes the deletion-target preset name registered as an registered preset name associated with the authenticated user name from the user table 38 and registers the deletion-target preset name as an excluded preset name associated with the authenticated user name in the user table 38 .

›EMBODIMENTS · 4 of 9

In S 118 , the CPU 32 sends to the PC incompletion notification screen data for displaying an incompletion notification screen including a message that the deletion of the preset information is incomplete. When S 118 is completed, the CPU 32 terminates the process of FIG. 5 .

(IPP Process; FIG. 6 )

Next, the IPP process executed in S 22 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 . In S 140 , the CPU 32 determines whether or not the IPP command received in S 20 of FIG. 3 is a Get-Printer-Attributes command (hereinbelow termed “GPA”). The GPA is a command that requests the printer 10 to send capability information. The CPU 32 proceeds to S 142 in a case where the IPP command is a GPA (YES in S 140 ). On the other hand, the CPU 32 proceeds to S 170 in a case where the IPP command is not a GPA (NO in S 140 ).

In S 142 , the CPU 32 determines whether or not a user name and a password are included in the GPA. The CPU 32 proceeds to S 144 in a case where a user name and a password are included in the GPA (YES in S 142 ). On the other hand, the CPU 32 proceeds to S 150 in a case where a user name and a password are not included in the GPA (NO in S 142 ). In S 150 , the CPU 32 sends to the PC an authentication information request for displaying an authentication screen on the PC. The authentication screen is a screen for allowing the user to input a user name and a password. When S 150 is completed, the CPU 32 terminates the process of FIG. 6 .

S 144 is the same as S 44 of FIG. 4 except that the user name and the password in the GPA are used. The CPU 32 proceeds to S 146 in a case of determining YES in S 144 , while it proceeds to S 160 in a case of determining NO in S 144 .

In S 146 , the CPU 32 sends capability information to the PC. Firstly, the printer 10 determines whether or not an excluded preset name is stored in the user table 38 in association with the user name in the GPA. In a case where an excluded preset name is not stored in association with the user name in the GPA, the CPU 32 identifies all the preset information stored in the preset table 40 as sending-target preset information to be sent. On the other hand, in a case where an excluded preset name is stored in association with the user name in the GPA, the CPU 32 identifies, from among all the preset information stored in the preset table 40 , preset information that is other than the preset information including the excluded preset name as the sending-target preset information. Then, the CPU 32 sends to the PC capability information that includes all the print conditions which the printer 10 can use (i.e., “one-sided”, “two-sided”, “monochrome”, and “color”) and the identified sending-target preset information. In a variant, the printer 10 may send capability information including all the print conditions which the printer 10 can use, and may send the identified sending-target preset information separately from the capability information. When S 146 is completed, the CPU 32 terminates the process of FIG. 6 .

In S 160 , the CPU 32 sends to the PC authentication error information for displaying an error notification screen including a message that the user authentication failed on the PC. When S 160 is completed, the CPU 32 terminates the process of FIG. 6 .

In S 170 , the CPU 32 determines whether or not the IPP command received in S 20 of FIG. 3 is a Set-Printer-Attributes command (hereinbelow termed “SPA”). The SPA is a command that requests the printer 10 to register or delete preset information. The SPA is sent from the PC after the capability information has been sent to the PC (S 146 ) as a result of the user authentication having succeeded (YES in S 144 ). The SPA includes the user name for which the authentication succeeded. The CPU 32 proceeds to S 172 in a case where the IPP command is an SPA (YES in S 170 ). On the other hand, the CPU 32 proceeds to S 180 in a case where the IPP command is not an SPA (NO in S 170 ). In the case where it is determined NO in S 170 , the IPP command is a Validate-Job command (hereinbelow termed “VJ”) or the like.

In S 172 , the CPU 32 determines whether or not deletion-target preset information is designated by using the preset information in the SPA and the preset information stored in the preset table 40 . Specifically, in a case where there is preset information that is in the preset table 40 but is not in the SPA, the CPU 32 identifies this preset information as deletion-target preset information, determines YES in S 172 , and proceeds to S 174 . On the other hand, in a case where there is preset information that is in the SPA but is not in the preset table 40 , the CPU 32 identifies this preset information as registration-target preset information, determines NO in S 172 , and proceeds to S 176 .

In S 174 , the CPU 32 executes a deletion process. In this deletion process, processes same as S 100 to S 106 and S 110 to S 116 of FIG. 5 are executed except that the user name in the SPA and the deletion-target preset information identified in S 172 are used. Further, in this deletion process, the CPU 32 sends, to the PC after S 106 , deletion completion information for displaying the completion notification screen on the PC. Further, the CPU 32 sends, to the PC after S 116 , incompletion information for display the incompletion notification screen on the PC. Further, after having determined NO in S 100 , the CPU 32 sends to the PC deletion error information for displaying an error notification screen including a message that the deletion of the preset information failed on the PC.

In S 176 , the CPU 32 registers the registration-target preset information in the SPA to the preset table 40 .

In S 178 , the CPU 32 registers to the user table 38 the preset name of the identified registration-target preset information as a registered preset name associated with the user name in the SPA. When S 178 is completed, the CPU 32 terminates the process of FIG. 6 .

In S 180 , the CPU 32 executes various processes according to IPP. When S 180 is completed, the CPU 32 terminates the process of FIG. 6 .

›EMBODIMENTS · 5 of 9

(Specific Cases A to G; FIGS. 7 to 12 )

Specific Cases A to G realized by the processes of FIGS. 3 to 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12 .

(Case A; FIG. 7 )

Case A will be described with reference to FIG. 7 . In Case A, a print process using preset information in the preset table 40 is executed. In an initial state of Case A, four pieces of preset information PH to PI 4 are stored in the preset table 40 of the printer 10 . Further, passwords and pieces of authority information corresponding respectively to user names U 1 , U 2 , and U 3 are stored in the user table 38 of the printer 10 (see FIG. 2 ). Further, in the user table 38 , a registered preset name “DPR” is stored in association with the user name U 1 , registered preset names “DPR”, “IPR 1 ”, “GPR 1 ” are stored in association with the user name U 2 , and registered preset names “DPR”, “IPR 2 ”, “GPR 1 ” are stored in association with the user name U 3 (see FIG. 2 ).

When accepting an operation for displaying a print setting screen in T 10 , the PC 100 B sends a GPA to the printer 10 in T 12 .

When receiving the GPA from the PC 100 B in T 12 (NO in S 10 and YES in S 20 of FIG. 3 , YES in S 140 of FIG. 6 ), the printer 10 determines that a user name and a password are not included in the GPA (NO in S 142 ), and sends an authentication information request to the PC 100 B in T 14 (S 150 ).

When receiving the authentication information request from the printer 10 in T 14 , the PC 100 B displays the authentication screen in T 16 . Then, when accepting an input of the user name U 2 and a password P 2 in T 18 , the PC 100 B sends a GPA including the user name U 2 and the password P 2 to the printer 10 in T 20 .

When receiving the GPA from the PC 100 B in T 20 (NO in S 10 and YES in S 20 of FIG. 3 , YES in S 140 of FIG. 6 ), the printer 10 determines that a user name and a password are included in the GPA (YES in S 142 ), and then in T 22 , it determines that the user authentication succeeds (YES in S 144 ) because the combination of the user name U 2 and the password P 2 in the GPA is stored in the user table 38 . Then, the printer 10 determines that an excluded preset name is not stored in the user table 38 in association with the user name U 2 in the GPA, and thus identifies all the preset information PI 1 to PI 4 stored in the preset table 40 as sending-target preset information. Then, in T 24 , the printer 10 sends to the PC 100 B capability information that includes all the print conditions which the printer 10 can use (i.e., “one-sided”, “two-sided”, “monochrome”, and “color”) and the preset information PH to PI 4 .

When receiving the capability information from the printer 10 in T 24 , the PC 100 B displays a print setting screen D 1 in T 30 . As shown in FIG. 13 , the print setting screen D 1 includes a preset name selection box for selection of a preset name, four checkboxes corresponding to the four print conditions (i.e., “one-sided”, “two-sided”, “monochrome”, and “color”), an OK button, a cancel button, and a preset deletion button. In initial print setting screen D 1 , the preset name “DPR” is displayed in the preset name selection box and the checkboxes corresponding to “one-sided” and “monochrome” are checked. When accepting a selection of the pull-down of the preset selection box in T 32 , the PC 100 B displays a preset name selection image N 1 over the print setting screen D 1 in T 34 . As shown in FIG. 13 , the image N 1 includes a list image of selectable preset names and a new registration image for registration of new preset information. When accepting a selection of the preset name “IPR 1 ” in the preset name selection image N 1 in T 36 , the PC 100 B identifies the preset information PI 3 in the capability information received in T 24 , which includes the preset name “IPR 1 ”. Then, the PC 100 B identifies the print conditions “two-sided” and “monochrome” in the identified preset information PI 3 , and conforms the print setting on the print setting screen D 1 to the identified print conditions in T 38 . Specifically, the PC 100 B unchecks the checkbox corresponding to “one-sided” and checks the checkbox corresponding to “two-sided”. As above, in response to a preset name in the preset name selection image N 1 being selected by the user, the printer 10 can conform the print setting in the print setting screen D 1 to the print setting information of the preset information including the selected preset name. Then, when accepting a selection of the OK button in T 40 , the PC 100 B sends a VJ according to IPP to the printer 10 in T 50 . The VJ command includes the print setting (i.e., “two-sided”, “monochrome”).

When receiving the VJ from the PC 100 B in T 50 , the printer 10 sends a 2000 K to the PC 100 B in T 52 (S 180 ). The 2000 K is not a command defined by IPP but is a command defined by HTTP, and specifically, it is a command indicating that a process had been normally completed.

When receiving the 2000 K from the printer 10 in T 52 , the PC 100 B sends a Create-Job command (hereinbelow termed “CJ”) according to IPP to the printer 10 in T 54 . The CJ includes the print setting (i.e., “two-sided”, “monochrome”).

When receiving the CJ from the PC 100 B in T 54 , the printer 10 creates a unique job ID “J 1 ” in T 56 and sends a 2000 K including the created job ID “J 1 ” to the PC 100 B in T 58 (S 180 ).

When receiving the 2000 K from the printer 10 in T 58 , the PC 100 B sends a Send-Document command (hereinbelow termed “SD”) according to IPP to the printer 10 in T 60 . The SD includes print data and the job ID “J 1 ” included in the received 200OK.

When receiving the SD from the PC 100 B in T 60 , the printer 10 identifies the print setting (i.e., “two-sided”, “monochrome”) corresponding to the job ID “J 1 ” in the SD, and then executes printing according to the print data in the SD and the identified print setting in T 62 (S 180 ). Then, the printer 10 sends a 2000 K to the PC 100 B in T 64 .

(Case B; FIG. 8 )

›EMBODIMENTS · 6 of 9

Case B will be described with reference to FIG. 8 . In Case B, the individual preset information PI 3 in the preset table 40 of the printer 10 is deleted by using communication according to IPP. An initial state of Case B is the same as the initial state of Case A.

T 110 to T 138 are the same as T 10 to T 38 of FIG. 7 . When accepting a selection of the preset deletion button in T 140 , the PC 100 B sends a GPA including the user name U 2 and the password P 2 to the printer 10 in T 150 . T 152 is the same as T 124 . When receiving the capability information from the printer 10 in T 152 , the PC 100 B identifies the preset information PH to PI 4 in the capability information. Then, the PC 100 B identifies the preset name “IPR 1 ” that was displayed in the print setting screen D 1 when the selection of the preset deletion button was accepted, and then identifies the preset information PI 3 including the preset name “IPR 1 ” as the deletion-target preset information from among the preset information PI 1 to PI 4 in the capability information. Then, the PC 100 B excludes the preset information PI 3 from the sending-target preset information, and sends an SPA including the user name U 2 , the password P 2 , and the preset information PH, PI 2 , PI 4 to the printer 10 in T 154 .

When receiving the SPA from the PC 100 B in T 154 (NO in S 10 and YES in S 20 of FIG. 3 , NO in S 140 and YES in S 170 of FIG. 6 ), the printer 10 determines that the preset information PI 3 is in the preset table 40 but is not in the SPA (YES in S 172 ) and identifies the preset information PI 3 as the deletion-target preset information. Then, the printer 10 determines that the preset information PI 3 is not the default preset information (NO in S 100 of FIG. 5 ) and determines that the authority information associated with the user name U 2 included in the SPA is “Guest” in the user table 38 (NO in S 102 ). Then, the printer 10 determines that the preset name “IPR 1 ” of the preset information PI 3 is stored in the user table 38 in association with the user name U 2 included in the SPA (YES in S 110 ), identifies that the preset name “IPR 1 ” is stored in the user table 38 in association with only the user name U 2 , and determines that the preset information PI 3 is the individual preset information (NO in S 112 ). In this case, the printer 10 deletes the preset information PI 3 from the preset table 40 in T 156 (S 104 ), deletes the preset name “IPR 1 ” associated with the user name U 2 from the user table 38 in T 158 (S 106 ), and sends the deletion completion information to the PC 100 B in T 160 .

(Case C; FIG. 9 )

Case C will be described with reference to FIG. 9 . In Case C, the individual preset information PI 4 in the preset table 40 of the printer 10 is deleted by using the web server function of the printer 10 . An initial state of Case C is the state after Case B, that is, three pieces of preset information PI 1 , PI 2 , PI 4 are stored in the preset table 40 .

When accepting an input of an IP address assigned to the printer 10 in T 210 , the PC 100 A sends a top screen request to the printer 10 in T 212 .

When receiving the top screen request from the PC 100 A in T 212 (YES in S 10 of FIG. 3 ), the printer 10 sends the top screen data to the PC 100 A in T 214 (S 40 of FIG. 4 ).

When receiving the top screen data from the printer 10 in T 214 , the PC 100 A displays the top screen in T 216 . When accepting an input of the user name U 1 and a password P 1 in T 218 , the PC 100 A sends a management screen request including the user name U 1 and the password P 1 to the printer 10 in T 220 .

When receiving the management screen request from the PC 100 A in T 220 (S 42 ), the printer 10 determines in T 222 that the user authentication succeeds (YES in S 44 ) because the combination of the user name U 1 and the password P 1 included in the management screen request is stored in the user table 38 . Then, in T 224 , the printer 10 sends the management screen data to the PC 100 A (S 46 ).

When receiving the management screen data from the printer 10 in T 224 , the PC 100 A displays the management screen D 11 (see FIG. 14 ) in T 230 . Then, when accepting a selection of the preset setting button in T 232 , the PC 100 A sends a preset setting screen request to the printer 10 in T 234 .

When receiving the preset setting screen request from the PC 100 A in T 234 (YES in S 50 ), the printer 10 sends the preset setting screen data to the PC 100 A in T 236 (S 52 ).

When receiving the preset setting screen data from the printer 10 in T 236 , the PC 100 A displays the preset setting screen D 12 (see FIG. 14 ) in T 240 . When accepting a selection of the deletion button corresponding to the preset name “IPR 2 ” in T 242 , the PC 100 A sends a deletion instruction including the preset name “IPR 2 ” to the printer 10 in T 250 .

When receiving the deletion instruction from the PC 100 A in T 250 (YES in S 70 ), the printer 10 determines that the preset information PI 4 including the preset name “IPR 2 ” in the deletion instruction is not the default preset information (NO in S 100 of FIG. 5 ) and determines that the authority information associated with the authenticated user name U 1 is “Owner” in the user table 38 (NO in S 102 ). In this case, the printer 10 deletes the preset information PI 4 from the preset table 40 in T 252 (S 104 ), deletes the registered preset name “IPR 2 ” from the user table 38 in T 254 (S 106 ), and sends the completion notification screen data to the PC 100 A in T 256 (S 108 ). As above, the administrator of the printer 10 can delete preset information that is not associated with the user name U 1 of the administrator from the preset table 40 . That is, the administrator of the printer 10 can delete such preset information from the preset table 40 regardless of whether the preset information is associated with the user name U 1 of the administrator or not.

(Case D; FIG. 10 )

Case D will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . In Case D, deletion of the group preset information PI 2 in the preset table 40 of the printer 10 is restricted. An initial state of Case D is the state after Case C, that is, the preset information PI 1 , PI 2 are stored in the preset table 40 of the printer 10 .

›EMBODIMENTS · 7 of 9

T 310 to T 336 are the same as T 210 to T 236 of FIG. 9 except that the communication counterpart is the PC 100 B. In the present case, when accepting an input of the user name U 2 and the password P 2 in T 318 , the PC 100 B sends a management screen request including the user name U 2 and the password P 2 to the printer 10 in T 320 .

The PC 100 B displays the preset setting screen D 22 (see FIG. 14 ) in T 340 . When accepting a selection of the deletion button corresponding to the preset name “GPR 1 ” in T 342 , the PC 100 B sends a deletion instruction including the preset name “GPR 1 ” to the printer 10 in T 350 .

When receiving the deletion instruction from the PC 100 B in T 350 (YES in S 70 of FIG. 4 ), the printer 10 identifies, in the preset table 40 , the preset information PI 2 including the preset name “GPR 1 ” in the deletion instruction. Then, the printer 10 determines that the preset information PI 2 is not the default preset information (NO in S 100 of FIG. 5 ) and determines that the authority information associated with the authenticated user name U 2 in the user table 38 is “Guest” (NO in S 102 ). Then, the printer 10 determines that the preset name “GPR 1 ” of the preset information PI 2 is stored in the user table 38 in association with the authenticated user name U 2 (YES in S 110 ), identifies that the preset name “GPR 1 ” is stored in the user table 38 in association with two user names U 2 , U 3 , and determines that the preset information PI 2 is the group preset information (YES in S 112 ). Then, the printer 10 determines that the preset name “GPR 1 ” is not stored as an excluded preset name associated with the user name U 3 in the user table 38 (NO in S 114 ). In this case, the printer 10 does not delete the preset information PI 2 from the preset table 40 . In T 352 , the printer 10 deletes the preset name “GPR 1 ” registered as a registered preset name associated with the user name U 2 in the user table 38 , registers the preset name “GPR 1 ” as an excluded preset name associated with the user name U 2 (S 116 ), and sends the incompletion notification screen data to the PC 100 B in T 354 (S 118 ).

(Effects of Case D)

As shown in Case B of FIG. 8 , the printer 10 deletes the preset information PI 3 from the preset table 40 when receiving the SPA that does not include the preset information PI 3 from the PC 100 B (T 154 ) in a situation where the preset name “IPR 1 ” of the preset information PI 3 is stored in association with only the user name U 2 in the user table 38 . On the other hand, as shown in Case D of FIG. 10 , the printer 10 does not delete the preset information PI 2 from the preset table 40 when receiving the deletion instruction including the preset name “GPR 1 ” of the preset information PI 2 from the PC 100 B (T 350 ) in a situation where the preset name “GPR 1 ” of the preset information PI 2 is stored in the user table 38 in association with two user names U 2 , U 3 . The preset information PI 3 is used solely by the user who uses the PC 100 B, whereas the preset information PI 2 is used by both the user who uses the PC 100 B and the user who uses the PC 100 C. If the preset information PI 2 is deleted from the preset table 40 in response to the receipt of the deletion instruction including the preset name “GPR 1 ” of the preset information PI 2 from the PC 100 B, the user who uses the PC 100 C can no longer execute printing by using the preset information PI 2 . The above configuration can prevent the preset information PI 2 from being deleted from the preset table 40 in a situation where there is a user who wishes to use the preset information PI 2 .

(Case E; FIG. 10 )

Case E will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . In Case E, a print process according to IPP is executed in a state where the excluded preset name “GPR 1 ” is stored in association with the user name U 2 in the user table 38 of the printer 10 . An initial state of Case E is the state after Case D, that is, the preset name “GPR 1 ” is stored as an excluded preset name associated with the user name U 2 in the user table 38 .

Firstly, processes same as T 10 to T 20 of FIG. 7 are executed between the PC 100 B and the printer 10 . When the user authentication succeeds in T 422 , the printer 10 determines that the excluded preset name “GPR 1 ” is stored in the user table 38 in association with the user name U 2 in the GPA and identifies the preset information PI 1 , which is other than the preset information PI 2 including the excluded preset name “GPR 1 ”, as the sending-target preset information from among the preset information PH, PI 2 stored in the preset table 40 . Then, in T 424 , the printer 10 sends to the PC 100 B capability information that includes all the print conditions which the printer 10 can execute (i.e., “one-sided”, “two-sided”, “monochrome”, “color”) and the preset information PI 1 . T 430 and T 440 are respectively the same as T 30 and T 40 . In T 450 , the PC 100 B sends a VJ including the print setting (i.e., “two-sided”, “monochrome”) to the printer 10 . After this, processes same as T 52 to T 64 are executed between the PC 100 B and the printer 10 .

(Effects of Case E)

As shown in Case E of FIG. 10 , when the excluded preset name “GPR 1 ” is stored in the user table 38 in association with the user name U 2 , the printer 10 sends the capability information that does not include the preset information PI 2 including the preset name “GPR 1 ” to the PC 100 B (T 424 ). The preset information PI 2 including the excluded preset name “GPR 1 ” is information that the user having the user name U 2 had requested deletion for. That is, the user having the user name U 2 does not wish to use the preset information PI 2 . As such, sending of undesired information to the PC 100 B can be prevented.

(Case F; FIG. 11 )

Case F will be described with reference to FIG. 11 . In Case F, the group preset information PI 2 in the user table 38 of the printer 10 is deleted. An initial state of Case F is the same as the initial state of Case E. T 510 to T 550 are the same as T 310 to T 350 of FIG. 10 except that the communication counterpart is the PC 100 C and the user name and the password are different.

›EMBODIMENTS · 8 of 9

When receiving the deletion instruction from the PC 100 C in T 550 (Yes in S 70 of FIG. 4 ), the printer 10 identifies, in the preset table 40 , the preset information PI 2 including the preset name “GPR 1 ” in the deletion instruction. Then, the printer 10 determines that the preset information PI 2 is not the default preset information (NO in S 100 of FIG. 5 ) and determines that the authority information associated with the authenticated user name U 3 in the user table 38 is “Guest” (NO in S 102 ). Then, the printer 10 determines that the preset name “GPR 1 ” of the preset information PI 2 is stored in the user table 38 in association with the authenticated user name U 3 (YES in S 110 ), identifies that the preset name “GPR 1 ” is stored in the user table 38 in association with two user names U 2 , U 3 , and determines that the preset information PI 2 is the group preset information (YES in S 112 ). The printer 10 then determines that the preset name “GPR 1 ” is stored in the user table 38 as an excluded preset name associated with the user name U 2 (YES in S 114 ). In this case, the printer 10 deletes the preset information PI 2 from the preset table 40 in T 552 (S 104 ), deletes the preset name “GPR 1 ” stored as an registered preset name associated with the user name U 3 from the user table 38 and deletes the preset name “GPR 1 ” stored as an excluded preset name associated with the user name U 2 in T 554 (S 106 ), and sends the completion notification screen data to the PC 100 B in T 560 (S 108 ).

(Effects of Case F)

As shown in Case D of FIG. 10 , the printer 10 does not delete the preset information PI 2 from the preset table 40 (T 356 ) even though receiving the user name U 2 and the deletion instruction from the PC 100 B (T 320 , T 350 of FIG. 10 ) in a situation where the preset name “GPR 1 ” of the preset information PI 2 is stored in the user table 38 in association with the two user names U 2 , U 3 . On the other hand, as shown in Case D of FIG. 10 and Case F of FIG. 11 , the printer 10 deletes the preset information PI 2 from the preset table 40 (T 552 ) in a case of receiving the user name U 2 and the deletion instruction from the PC 100 B (T 320 , T 350 of FIG. 10 ) as well as receiving the user name U 3 and the deletion instruction from the PC 100 C (T 520 , T 550 of FIG. 11 ) in the situation where the preset name “GPR 1 ” of the preset information PI 2 is stored in the user table 38 in association with the two user names U 2 , U 3 . The above configuration enables appropriate deletion of the preset information PI 2 of which use is desired by two or more users.

(Case G; FIG. 12 )

Case G will be described with reference to FIG. 12 . In Case G, the preset name “GPR 1 ” included in a registration instruction is registered in the user table 38 as a registered preset name instead of as an excluded preset name for the information associated with the authenticated user name U 2 in the user table 38 . An initial state of Case G is the same as the initial state of Case E. T 610 to T 634 are the same as T 310 to T 334 of FIG. 10 . When receiving the preset setting screen request from the PC 100 B in T 634 , the printer 10 determines that the excluded preset name “GPR 1 ” is stored in the user table 38 in association with the authenticated user name U 2 . In this case, the printer 10 sends to the PC 100 B preset screen data for displaying the preset setting screen D 32 in which the re-registration button corresponds to the preset name “GPR 1 ” in T 636 .

When receiving the preset setting screen data from the printer 10 in T 636 , the PC 100 B displays the preset setting screen D 32 (see FIG. 14 ) in T 640 . When accepting a selection of the re-registration button corresponding to the preset name “GPR 1 ” in T 642 , the PC 100 B sends a re-registration instruction including the preset name “GPR 1 ” to the printer 10 in T 650 .

When receiving the re-registration instruction from the PC 100 B in T 650 (YES in S 80 ), the printer 10 registers the preset name “GPR 1 ” included in the registration instruction as a registered preset name instead of as an excluded preset name for the information associated with the authenticated user name U 2 in the user table 38 in T 654 (S 82 ), and sends the completion notification screen data to the PC 100 B in T 656 (S 84 ).

(Effects of Case G)

As shown in Case G of FIG. 12 , when receiving the re-registration instruction from the PC 100 B (T 650 ), the printer 10 registers the preset name “GPR 1 ” included in the registration instruction as a registered preset name instead of as an excluded preset name for the information associated with the authenticated user name U 2 in the user table 38 (T 654 ). In such a configuration, the user who uses the PC 100 B does not have to perform an operation for newly registering the preset information PI 2 when the user wishes to use the preset information PI 2 . Thus, user convenience can be improved.

(Effects of Present Embodiment)

The printer 10 receives a user name and a deletion instruction (or an SPA) from one of the PCs 100 (S 42 , S 70 of FIG. 4 , S 170 of FIG. 6 ). In a case where the user name is stored in association with preset information in the memory 34 , the printer 10 deletes the preset information from the memory 34 (S 104 of FIG. 5 ), while it does not delete the preset information in a case where the user name is not stored in association with the preset information in the memory 34 . As such, the printer 10 can suitably delete preset information according to a request from a user that is different from the administrator.

(Corresponding Relationships)

The PC 100 B is an example of “first external device”. The user names U 2 and U 3 are examples of “user identification information”. The preset information PI 1 to PI 4 are examples of “print setting information”. The SPA and the deletion instruction are examples of “deletion request”. The preset name in the SPA and the preset name in the deletion instruction are examples of “specific information”. The user name U 2 is an example of “first user identification information”. The preset information PI 2 and PI 3 are examples of “first print setting information”. The SPA in T 154 of FIG. 8 and the deletion instruction in T 350 of FIG. 10 are examples of “first deletion request”. The information included in the SPA in T 154 of FIG. 8 and the information included in the deletion instruction in T 350 of FIG. 10 are examples of “first specific information”. The GPA is an example of “capability information request”. T 140 of FIG. 8 is an example of “first predetermined operation”. The top screen data request is an example of “access request”. The top screen and the top screen data are respectively examples of “acceptance screen” and “acceptance screen data”. T 342 of FIG. 10 is an example of “second predetermined operation”.

›EMBODIMENTS · 9 of 9

The user name U 3 is an example of “second user identification information”. The PC 100 C is an example of “second external device”. The deletion instruction in T 550 of FIG. 11 is an example of “second deletion request”. The information included in the deletion instruction in T 550 of FIG. 11 is an example of “second specific information”. The excluded preset name in the user table 38 in the memory 34 of the printer 10 is an example of “received information”. The re-registration instruction is an example of “third deletion request”. The preset information PI 1 is an example of “default print setting information”. The user name U 1 is an example of “administrator identification information”. The PC 100 A is an example of “third external device”. The deletion instruction in T 250 of FIG. 9 is an example of “fourth deletion request”. The preset information PI 4 is an example of “second print setting information”.

S 42 of FIG. 4 and S 170 of FIG. 6 are examples of “receive first user identification information”. S 70 of FIG. 4 and S 170 of FIG. 6 are examples of “receive a first deletion request”. S 104 of FIG. 5 is an example of “delete the first print setting information”.

(First Variant) In a case of receiving a command including only the deletion-target preset information (i.e., deletion command) instead of the SPA, the printer 10 may delete the preset information included in the command from the preset table 40 . Further, the SPA may include only the deletion-target preset information.

(Second Variant) After T 140 of FIG. 8 , the PC 100 B may extract the preset information PI 1 to PI 4 in the capability information received in T 124 and send to the printer 10 in T 154 an SPA that includes the user name U 2 , the password P 2 , and the preset information PH, PI 2 , PI 4 . In this variant, T 150 and T 152 may be omitted.

(Third Variant) S 174 of FIG. 6 may be omitted. In this variant, “receive first capability information request” and “send the capability information and the first print setting information” may be omitted.

(Fourth Variant) S 70 and S 72 of FIG. 4 may be omitted. In this variant, “receive an access request” and “send acceptance screen data” may be omitted.

(Fifth Variant) S 112 to S 118 of FIG. 5 may be omitted. In this variant, the CPU 32 proceeds to S 104 in the case of determining YES in S 110 of FIG. 5 . In this variant, “receive the second user identification information”, “receive a second deletion request”, “store received information”, “receive second capability information request”, “send the capability information and the first print setting information”, “receive the first user identification information and a third deletion request”, and “delete the received information” may be omitted.

(Sixth Variant) In S 66 of FIG. 4 , the CPU 32 may cause the memory 34 to store the authenticated user name as a registered user name corresponding to the preset information included in the registration instruction. Further, the CPU 32 may cause the memory 34 to store the user name in the SPA as a registered user name corresponding to the registration-target preset information in the SPA in S 176 . In this variant, the CPU 32 may determine whether or not the authenticated user name is stored as a registered user name associated with the deletion-target preset information in S 110 of FIG. 5 . In a case where the authenticated user name is stored as a registered user name associated with the deletion-target preset information, the CPU 32 determines that the user having the authenticated user name is a deletion-permitted user, while it determines that the user having the authenticated user name is not a deletion-permitted user in a case where the authenticated user name is not stored as a registered user name associated with the deletion-target preset information. In this variant, S 112 to S 118 of FIG. 5 may be omitted. According to this variant, the user who registered the deletion-target preset information can delete this preset information regardless of whether the deletion-target preset information is the group preset information or not. Thus, the preset information can suitably be deleted.

(Seventh Variant) After deleting a preset name stored as an excluded preset name from the user table 38 , the printer 10 may not be able to register that preset name as a registered preset name. In this variant, “receive the first user identification information and a third deletion request”, “delete the receipt information” may be omitted.

(Eighth Variant) The printer 10 may send all the preset information stored in the preset table 40 even when preset name(s) of one or more of the preset information is stored as an excluded preset name in the user table 38 .

(Ninth Variant) Each of the PCs 100 A to 100 C may send the management screen request when accepting an input of the IP address assigned to the printer 10 . In this variant, the printer 10 sends authentication screen data to the PC when receiving the preset setting screen request. In another variant, the management screen or the preset setting screen may include an image for inputting a user name and a password. In yet another variant, a screen for inputting a user name and a password may be displayed when the deletion button corresponding to a preset name is selected.

(Tenth Variant) In the above embodiment, the processes executed by the controller 30 are realized by software (i.e., the program 36 ), however, at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

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Classifications

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IPC · International Patent Classification
Section G — Physics
  • G06F3/12

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