US6301012B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic configuration of a network printer
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
•
Filing: 1998-04-24
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Granted: 2001-10-09
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Expires: 2018-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A method of configuring a peripheral device on a network without user intervention includes a server node receiving identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network and, if the peripheral device is a new device on the network or a driver for the peripheral device is not registered on the server node, the server node self-installing the driver for the peripheral device. As such, newly connected peripheral devices are automatically seen on a network and a driver for the peripheral device is automatically configured on a print server without any user intervention. Additionally, a communication port and queue for the device are also automatically created. Moreover, device configurations are dynamically and automatically updated on the print server for consistent, accurate network information.
Inventors
- 👤 Craig R. White
- 👤 Shivaun Albright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:05
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/12; G06F3/1201; G06F3/1223; G06F3/1224; G06F3/1225; G06F3/1202; G06F3/1203; G06F3/1204; G06F3/1278; G06F3/1285; G06F3/1288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of enabling a peripheral device on a network without user intervention, the network having a server node connected thereto, the method comprising: (a) the server node receiving identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network; and, (b) upon detecting the received identification data, the server node self-installing a driver on itself for the peripheral device if the driver is not already installed on the server node.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of enabling a peripheral device on a network without user intervention, the network having a server node connected thereto, the method comprising: (a) the server node receiving identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network; and, (b) upon detecting the received identification data, the server node self-installing a driver on itself for the peripheral device if the driver is not already installed on the server node.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the peripheral device is selected from a printing device, digital copying device, or facsimile device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of self-installing the driver includes accessing a driver file for the peripheral device and registering the driver file with the server node.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 3 wherein accessing the driver file includes accessing a storage device identified from a memory location in the server node, the storage device being identified as a source from which the server node was network enabled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the peripheral device is a printer and wherein the step of self-installing the driver includes registering the peripheral device with a spooling system associated with the server node.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further including, upon detecting the received identification data, the server node self-creating a communication line to the peripheral device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the communication line includes a communication port and a job queue for the peripheral device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 further including the server node self-establishing a network share status for the communication line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the identification data is received by the peripheral device having broadcast the identification data over the network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 further including the server node self-modifying to embody changed configuration parameters of the peripheral device as identified from the received identification data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps for enabling a peripheral device on a network having a server node connected thereto, including: (a) the server node receiving identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network; and, (b) upon detecting the received identification data, the server node self-installing a driver on itself for the peripheral device if the driver is not already installed on the server node.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps for enabling a peripheral device on a network having a server node connected thereto, including: (a) the server node receiving identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network; and, (b) upon detecting the received identification data, the server node self-installing a driver on itself for the peripheral device if the driver is not already installed on the server node.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
67 words
An system for enabling a peripheral device on a network without user intervention, the network having a server node connected thereto, the apparatus comprising: (a) means for enabling the server node to receive identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network; and, (b) means for enabling the server node to self-install a driver on itself for the peripheral device upon detecting the received identification data.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
67 words
An system for enabling a peripheral device on a network without user intervention, the network having a server node connected thereto, the apparatus comprising: (a) means for enabling the server node to receive identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network; and, (b) means for enabling the server node to self-install a driver on itself for the peripheral device upon detecting the received identification data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the peripheral device is selected from a printing device, digital copying device, or facsimile device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for enabling the server node to self-install the driver includes means for accessing a driver file for the peripheral device and registering the driver file with the server node.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for accessing the driver file includes accessing a storage device identified from a memory location in the server node, the storage device being identified as a source from which the server node was network enabled.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the peripheral device is a printer and wherein the means for enabling the server node to self-install a driver includes means for registering the peripheral device with a spooling system associated with the server node.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further including means for enabling the server node to self-create a communication line to the peripheral device upon detecting the received identification data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 17 , further including means for enabling the server node to self-establish a network share status for the communication line.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the identification data is received by the peripheral device having broadcast the identification data over the network.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further including means for enabling the server node to self-modify to embody changed configuration parameters of the peripheral device as identified from the received identification data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
90 words
A server node configured to enable a peripheral device on a network without user intervention, the server node comprising: (a) a processor coupled to a memory; (b) instructions stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor to receive identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network; and, (c) further instructions stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor to install a driver for the peripheral device onto the server node in response to the identification data and without user intervention.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
90 words
A server node configured to enable a peripheral device on a network without user intervention, the server node comprising: (a) a processor coupled to a memory; (b) instructions stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor to receive identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network; and, (c) further instructions stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor to install a driver for the peripheral device onto the server node in response to the identification data and without user intervention.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
102 words
A server node configured to enable a peripheral device on a network without user intervention, the server node comprising: (a) executable instructions stored in a memory of the server node and configured to receive identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network; and, (b) further executable instructions stored in the memory and configured to access and install a driver for the peripheral device onto the server node in response to the identification data and without user intervention, wherein the driver is accessed from a storage device that is identified as a source from which the server node was network enabled.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
102 words
A server node configured to enable a peripheral device on a network without user intervention, the server node comprising: (a) executable instructions stored in a memory of the server node and configured to receive identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network; and, (b) further executable instructions stored in the memory and configured to access and install a driver for the peripheral device onto the server node in response to the identification data and without user intervention, wherein the driver is accessed from a storage device that is identified as a source from which the server node was network enabled.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
66 words
A network system comprising: (a) a server node; (b) a peripheral device coupled to the server node via a network; and, (c) instructions stored on the server node configured to: (i) receive identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network; and, (ii) automatically install a driver for the peripheral device onto the server node in response to the identification data and without user intervention.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
66 words
A network system comprising: (a) a server node; (b) a peripheral device coupled to the server node via a network; and, (c) instructions stored on the server node configured to: (i) receive identification data for identifying the peripheral device on the network; and, (ii) automatically install a driver for the peripheral device onto the server node in response to the identification data and without user intervention.
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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) | 2004-10-08 | 2005-04-09 | 2005-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-08 | 2009-04-09 | 2009-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-08 | 2013-04-09 | 2013-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |