US6148346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic device driver
Assignee: Peerless Systems Imaging Products Inc
•
Filing: 1996-06-20
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Granted: 2000-11-14
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Expires: 2016-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A data communication system for allowing communication between various devices and various operating systems across various types of networking systems. The data communication system includes an host computer system 10 with a display device 15 and a processor 17 for generating signals for the display device, at least one peripheral device 56, and a dynamic device driver 42 for allowing two-way communication between the peripheral device and the host computer system. The dynamic device driver includes an operating system specific portion 33, configured for the operating system of the host computer system, and an operating system independent device driver portion 34, configured for the peripheral device. The operating system includes a linking mechanism 19 for allowing two-way communication between the operating system specific portion and the operating system independent device driver portion, thus allowing two-way communication between the processor and the peripheral device.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon L. Hanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F13/00; G06F13/10; G06F13/102; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4411; G06F9/4413; G06F9/4415; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/038; G06F2203/0382; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for controlling peripheral devices coupled to a host computer system having an operating system with a translation layer and a processor, wherein each peripheral device has an associated address and the host computer system is coupled to each peripheral device via a connection selected from the group of a direct connection, a local area network connection, and a public data network connection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a peripheral device job at the host computer system; assigning an address of a peripheral device at the host computer system to the generated peripheral device job; selecting, at the host computer system, a peripheral device coupled to the host computer according to the generated peripheral device job and the assigned address; retrieving, at the host computer system, at least one peripheral device driver associated with the selected peripheral device according to the generated peripheral device job, wherein the at least one peripheral device driver is noninterpreted computer code that is independent of the host computer system's operating system and processor; interpreting the retrieved at least one peripheral device driver; and controlling, at the host computer system, the peripheral device according to the interpreted at least one peripheral device driver through user commands initiated in the operating system of the host computer system and filtered through the translation layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for controlling peripheral devices coupled to a host computer system having an operating system with a translation layer and a processor, wherein each peripheral device has an associated address and the host computer system is coupled to each peripheral device via a connection selected from the group of a direct connection, a local area network connection, and a public data network connection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a peripheral device job at the host computer system; assigning an address of a peripheral device at the host computer system to the generated peripheral device job; selecting, at the host computer system, a peripheral device coupled to the host computer according to the generated peripheral device job and the assigned address; retrieving, at the host computer system, at least one peripheral device driver associated with the selected peripheral device according to the generated peripheral device job, wherein the at least one peripheral device driver is noninterpreted computer code that is independent of the host computer system's operating system and processor; interpreting the retrieved at least one peripheral device driver; and controlling, at the host computer system, the peripheral device according to the interpreted at least one peripheral device driver through user commands initiated in the operating system of the host computer system and filtered through the translation layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of retrieving retrieves the peripheral device driver from a stored location in the host computer system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of retrieving retrieves the peripheral device driver from a stored location in the peripheral device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the host computer system is coupled to at least one independent server via a connection selected from the group of a direct connection, local area network connection, and public data network connection and the step of retrieving retrieves the at least one peripheral device driver from a stored location in the at least one independent server.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is any server equipped device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a printer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a scanner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is high density storage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a facsimile device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the noninterpreted peripheral device driver is independent of the host computer system's operating system and processor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device driver includes a graphical user interface (GUI) for entering of user initiated controlling commands.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the GUI of the peripheral device driver displays the status of the peripheral device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the GUI of the peripheral device driver displays a list of predefined user-selectable options for the selected peripheral device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
101 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the GUI of the peripheral device driver displays an administrative maintenance menu, wherein said administrative maintenance menu allows a user to perform at least one of the following functions: connect additional peripheral devices; limit user access to specific peripheral devices; install fonts from various predefined font servers connected to the operating system; install a proxy connection; display the most recent users of the selected peripheral device and predetermined details of the most recent user peripheral device episodes; set default peripheral device handling options; set default global peripheral device parameter options and set default imaging options.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
225 words
A system for controlling peripheral devices coupled to a host computer system having an operating system with a translation layer and a processor, wherein each peripheral device has an associated address and the host computer system is coupled to each peripheral device via a connection selected from the group of a direct connection, a local area network connection, and a public data network connection, said system comprising: a means for generating a peripheral device job at the host computer system; a means for assigning an address of a peripheral device, at the host computer system, to the generated peripheral device job; a means for selecting, at the host computer system, a peripheral device coupled to the host computer according to the generated peripheral device job and the assigned address; a means for retrieving, at the host computer system, at least one peripheral device driver associated with the selected peripheral device according to the generated peripheral device job, wherein the at least one peripheral device driver is noninterpreted computer code that is independent of the host computer system's operating system and processor; a means for interpreting the retrieved at least one peripheral device driver; and a means for controlling, at the host computer system, the peripheral device according to user initiated controlling commands in the operating system and the interpreted at least one peripheral device driver.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
225 words
A system for controlling peripheral devices coupled to a host computer system having an operating system with a translation layer and a processor, wherein each peripheral device has an associated address and the host computer system is coupled to each peripheral device via a connection selected from the group of a direct connection, a local area network connection, and a public data network connection, said system comprising: a means for generating a peripheral device job at the host computer system; a means for assigning an address of a peripheral device, at the host computer system, to the generated peripheral device job; a means for selecting, at the host computer system, a peripheral device coupled to the host computer according to the generated peripheral device job and the assigned address; a means for retrieving, at the host computer system, at least one peripheral device driver associated with the selected peripheral device according to the generated peripheral device job, wherein the at least one peripheral device driver is noninterpreted computer code that is independent of the host computer system's operating system and processor; a means for interpreting the retrieved at least one peripheral device driver; and a means for controlling, at the host computer system, the peripheral device according to user initiated controlling commands in the operating system and the interpreted at least one peripheral device driver.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the means of retrieving retrieves the peripheral device driver from a stored location in the host computer system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the means of retrieving retrieves the peripheral device driver from a stored location in the peripheral device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the host computer system is coupled to an independent server via a connection selected from the group of a direct connection, local area network connection, and public data network connection and the means of retrieving retrieves the at least one peripheral device driver from a stored location in an independent server.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the peripheral device is any server equipped device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the peripheral device is a printer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the peripheral device is a scanner.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the peripheral device is high density storage.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the peripheral device is a facsimile device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the noninterpreted peripheral device driver are independent of the host computer system's operating system and processor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one peripheral device driver includes a graphical user interface (GUI) for entering of user initiated controlling commands.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 25, wherein the GUI of the peripheral device driver displays the status of the peripheral device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 25, wherein the GUI of the peripheral device driver displays a list of predefined user-selectable options for the selected peripheral device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
101 words
The system of claim 25, wherein the GUI of the peripheral device driver displays an administrative maintenance menu, wherein said administrative maintenance menu allows a user to perform at least one of the following functions: connect additional peripheral devices; limit user access to specific peripheral devices; install fonts from various predefined font servers connected to the operating system; install a proxy connection; display the most recent users of the selected peripheral device and predetermined details of the most recent user peripheral device episodes; set default peripheral device handling options; set default global peripheral device parameter options and set default imaging options.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for controlling peripheral devices coupled to a host computer system having an operating system with a translation layer and a processor, wherein each peripheral device has an associated address and the host computer system is coupled to each peripheral device via a connection selected from the group of a direct connection, a local area network connection, and a public data network connection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a peripheral device job, at the host computer system; selecting, at the host computer system, a peripheral device coupled to the host computer according to the generated peripheral device job and the associated address; retrieving, at the host computer system, at least one peripheral device driver associated with the selected peripheral device according to the generated peripheral device job, wherein the at least one peripheral device driver is noncompiled computer code that is independent of the first computer controlled device's operating system and processor; compiling the retrieved at least one peripheral device driver; and controlling, at the host computer system, the peripheral device according to the compiled at least one peripheral device driver through user commands initiated in the operating system of the host computer system and filtered through the translation layer.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for controlling peripheral devices coupled to a host computer system having an operating system with a translation layer and a processor, wherein each peripheral device has an associated address and the host computer system is coupled to each peripheral device via a connection selected from the group of a direct connection, a local area network connection, and a public data network connection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a peripheral device job, at the host computer system; selecting, at the host computer system, a peripheral device coupled to the host computer according to the generated peripheral device job and the associated address; retrieving, at the host computer system, at least one peripheral device driver associated with the selected peripheral device according to the generated peripheral device job, wherein the at least one peripheral device driver is noncompiled computer code that is independent of the first computer controlled device's operating system and processor; compiling the retrieved at least one peripheral device driver; and controlling, at the host computer system, the peripheral device according to the compiled at least one peripheral device driver through user commands initiated in the operating system of the host computer system and filtered through the translation layer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 29, wherein the step of compiling is performing just-in-time compiling to maintain processor and operating system independence for the peripheral device driver.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
223 words
The method for controlling communication between at least two coupled computer controlled devices having addresses with at least one computer controlled device having an operating system with a translation layer, wherein the computer controlled devices are coupled via a connection selected from the group of a direct connection, a local area network connection, and a public data network connection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a computer controlled device job at a first computer controlled device; assigning an address of a second computer controlled device to the generated computer controlled device job; selecting, at the first computer controlled device, the second computer controlled device according to the assigned address; retrieving, at the first computer controlled device, a computer controlled device driver of the selected second computer controlled device according to the generated computer controlled device job, wherein the computer controlled device driver is stored in a location other than the first computer controlled device and is noninterpreted computer code that is independent of the first computer controlled device's operating system and processor; interpreting the retrieved computer controlled device driver; and controlling, at the first computer controlled device, the second computer controlled device according to the interpreted computer controlled device driver through the operating system of the first computer controlled device and filtered through the translation layer of the first computer controlled device.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
223 words
The method for controlling communication between at least two coupled computer controlled devices having addresses with at least one computer controlled device having an operating system with a translation layer, wherein the computer controlled devices are coupled via a connection selected from the group of a direct connection, a local area network connection, and a public data network connection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a computer controlled device job at a first computer controlled device; assigning an address of a second computer controlled device to the generated computer controlled device job; selecting, at the first computer controlled device, the second computer controlled device according to the assigned address; retrieving, at the first computer controlled device, a computer controlled device driver of the selected second computer controlled device according to the generated computer controlled device job, wherein the computer controlled device driver is stored in a location other than the first computer controlled device and is noninterpreted computer code that is independent of the first computer controlled device's operating system and processor; interpreting the retrieved computer controlled device driver; and controlling, at the first computer controlled device, the second computer controlled device according to the interpreted computer controlled device driver through the operating system of the first computer controlled device and filtered through the translation layer of the first computer controlled device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 31, wherein the computer controlled devices are facsimile device.
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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) | 2003-11-14 | 2004-05-15 | 2004-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-14 | 2008-05-15 | 2008-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-14 | 2012-05-15 | 2012-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |