US5828855A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Socket simulation protocol for network printing systems
Assignee: Apple Inc
•
Filing: 1995-06-06
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Granted: 1998-10-27
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Expires: 2015-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A network printing system is provided for allowing a single channel connection to support multiple channel connections when implemented over a direct connect, non-network device. More particularly, a socket simulation protocol (SSP) is incorporated into the printing system for providing multiple data paths for allowing serial based host drivers to interact with the network printer in the same synchronous model as in multiple connection based drivers. SSP enables a normalized interface to the printing system so that various heterogeneous network services protocol/ports may interact in the same way and for also enabling new protocol/ports to be easily extended and integrated into the network printing system.
Inventors
- 👤 Ted W. Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:31
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L69/00; H04L69/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A heterogeneous network printing system comprising: a plurality of host computers; a plurality of heterogeneous network services protocol/ports for connecting said host computers to form a network; a printer connected to the network; and a protocol simulating interface, including a socket simulation protocol, for simulating a multiple channel connection interface between one of said host computers and said printer when a single channel connection is initiated by said one of said host computers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A heterogeneous network printing system comprising: a plurality of host computers; a plurality of heterogeneous network services protocol/ports for connecting said host computers to form a network; a printer connected to the network; and a protocol simulating interface, including a socket simulation protocol, for simulating a multiple channel connection interface between one of said host computers and said printer when a single channel connection is initiated by said one of said host computers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A heterogeneous network printing system according to claim 1, wherein said protocol simulating interface comprises a socket simulating protocol (SSP) for allowing said single channel connections by one of said host computers to interface with said printer in an asynchronous model as used in multiple channel connection host computers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heterogeneous network printing system according to claim 2, wherein said single channel connections comprise direct-connect, non-network-type connections and said multiple connections comprise stream-oriented-protocol-type connections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A heterogeneous network printing system according to claim 2, wherein said protocol simulating interface senses between SSP and non-SSP data and simulates said multiple connection interface when SSP data is sensed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A heterogeneous network printing system according to claim 2, wherein said socket simulating protocol generates SSP packets comprising a SSP sensing mark, a protocol revision bit, a control code, a source socket, a destination socket, a data length field, a header check sum field and data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A heterogeneous network printing system according to claim 5, wherein said SSP sensing mark is used to distinguish transitions between SSP and non-SSP data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A heterogeneous network printing system according to claim 5, wherein said control code defines message functions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A heterogeneous network printing system according to claim 7, wherein said message functions comprise open connection, open connection reply, close connection, data transfer request, data transfer acknowledge, data transfer of file, and end of message functions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A heterogeneous network printing system according to claim 5, wherein said source socket defines a socket number of one of said host computers sending a request.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heterogeneous network printing system according to claim 5, wherein said destination socket defines a socket number of one of said host computers request destination.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A heterogeneous network printing system according to claim 5, wherein said header check sum field differentiates SSP and non-SSP data by generating a long word based on combining said protocol revision bit, said control code, said source socket and said destination socket.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for simulating interfaces in a heterogeneous network printing system comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a plurality of host computers to a printer in a network by a plurality of heterogeneous network services protocol/ports; and (b) using a socket simulation protocol to simulate a multiple connection interface between one of said host computers and said printer when a single channel connection is initiated by said one of said host computers.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for simulating interfaces in a heterogeneous network printing system comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a plurality of host computers to a printer in a network by a plurality of heterogeneous network services protocol/ports; and (b) using a socket simulation protocol to simulate a multiple connection interface between one of said host computers and said printer when a single channel connection is initiated by said one of said host computers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein said step (b) comprises the step of simulating a socket simulating protocol (SSP) which allows said single channel connections by ones of said host computers to interface with said printer in an asynchronous model as used in multiple channel connection host computers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said single channel connections comprise direct-connect, non-network-type connections and said multiple connections comprise stream-oriented-protocol-type connections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of sensing between SSP and non-SSP data and simulating said multiple connection interface when SSP data is sensed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said socket simulating protocol generates SSP packets comprising a SSP sensing mark, a protocol revision bit, a control code, a source socket, a destination socket, a data length field, a header check sum field and data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein said SSP sensing mark is used to distinguish transitions between SSP and non-SSP data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein said control code defines message functions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said message functions comprise open connection, open connection reply, close connection, data transfer request, data transfer acknowledge, data transfer of file, and end of message functions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein said source socket defines a socket number of one of said host computers sending a request.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein said destination socket defines a socket number of one of said host computers request destination.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein said header check sum field differentiates SSP and non-SSP data by generating a long word based on combining said protocol revision bit, said control code, said source socket and said destination socket.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
88 words
A heterogeneous network printing system comprising: a plurality of host computers; a plurality of heterogeneous network service protocols/ports for connecting said host computers to a network; a printer connected to the network; and a protocol simulating interface for simulating a multiple channel connection to said printer when a single channel connection is initiated by one of said host computers, wherein said protocol simulating interface comprises a socket simulating protocol (SSP), and wherein said protocol simulating interface automatically senses between SSP and non-SSP data received from a host computer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
88 words
A heterogeneous network printing system comprising: a plurality of host computers; a plurality of heterogeneous network service protocols/ports for connecting said host computers to a network; a printer connected to the network; and a protocol simulating interface for simulating a multiple channel connection to said printer when a single channel connection is initiated by one of said host computers, wherein said protocol simulating interface comprises a socket simulating protocol (SSP), and wherein said protocol simulating interface automatically senses between SSP and non-SSP data received from a host computer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
48 words
A heterogeneous network printing system according to claim 23, wherein said socket simulating protocol allows a single channel connection initiated by a host computer to be implemented in accordance with an asynchronous model which is used to implement multiple channel connections between said host computers and said printer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heterogeneous network printing system according to claim 23, wherein single channel connections comprise direct-connect, non-network-type connections and said multiple channel connections comprise stream-oriented-protocol-type connections.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
A heterogeneous network printing system according to claim 23, wherein said socket simulating protocol utilizes SSP packets comprising a SSP sensing mark, a protocol revision bit, a control code, a source socket, a destination socket, a data length field, a header check sum field and data.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for implementing a heterogeneous network printing system, comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a plurality of host computers to a printer in a network using a plurality of heterogeneous network service protocols/ports; (b) using a socket simulation protocol (SSP) to simulate a multiple channel connection between a host computer and the printer when a host computer initiates a single channel connection with the printer; and (c) using the SSP to automatically sense between SSP-type and non-SSP-type data sent to the printer from a host computer.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for implementing a heterogeneous network printing system, comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a plurality of host computers to a printer in a network using a plurality of heterogeneous network service protocols/ports; (b) using a socket simulation protocol (SSP) to simulate a multiple channel connection between a host computer and the printer when a host computer initiates a single channel connection with the printer; and (c) using the SSP to automatically sense between SSP-type and non-SSP-type data sent to the printer from a host computer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein the socket simulation protocol allows a single channel connection between a host computer and the printer to be implemented in accordance with an asynchronous model used to implement multiple channel connections between the host computers and the printer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein single channel connections comprise direct-connect, non-network-type connections and said multiple channel connections comprise stream-oriented-protocol-type connections.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein the socket simulation protocol utilizes SSP packets comprising a SSP sensing mark, a protocol revision bit, a control code, a source socket, a destination socket, a data length field, a header check sum field and data.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for conducting communications between components in a computing system, comprising the steps of: initiating a single channel network connection between two components in the computing system; and using a socket simulation protocol (SSP) to transmit information packets over the single channel connection and to thereby simulate a multiple channel network connection between the two components.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for conducting communications between components in a computing system, comprising the steps of: initiating a single channel network connection between two components in the computing system; and using a socket simulation protocol (SSP) to transmit information packets over the single channel connection and to thereby simulate a multiple channel network connection between the two components.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 31, comprising the additional step of: using the SSP to automatically sense between SSP-conforming and non-SSP-conforming data transmitted between the two components.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 31, wherein the socket simulation protocol utilizes SSP information packets comprising a SSP sensing mark, a protocol revision bit, a control code, a source socket, a destination socket, a data length field, a header check sum field and data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 31, wherein one of the two components is a host computer and another of the two components is a peripheral device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 34, wherein the peripheral device is a printer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
111 words
A peripheral device for use in a computer network, comprising: a protocol simulating interface for simulating a multiple channel connection between a host computer and the peripheral device when the host computer initiates a single channel connection between the host computer and the peripheral device, wherein said protocol simulating interface comprises a socket simulating protocol (SSP) which allows the single channel connection between the host computer and the peripheral device to be implemented in accordance with an asynchronous model used to implement multiple channel connections between other host computers and the peripheral device, and wherein said protocol simulating interface automatically senses between SSP and non-SSP data received from the host computer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
111 words
A peripheral device for use in a computer network, comprising: a protocol simulating interface for simulating a multiple channel connection between a host computer and the peripheral device when the host computer initiates a single channel connection between the host computer and the peripheral device, wherein said protocol simulating interface comprises a socket simulating protocol (SSP) which allows the single channel connection between the host computer and the peripheral device to be implemented in accordance with an asynchronous model used to implement multiple channel connections between other host computers and the peripheral device, and wherein said protocol simulating interface automatically senses between SSP and non-SSP data received from the host computer.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
A peripheral device according to claim 36, wherein said peripheral device functions as a printer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-26 | 2002-04-27 | 2002-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-26 | 2006-04-27 | 2006-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-26 | 2010-04-27 | 2010-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |