Method and apparatus for automatic upgrade of a product's printer driver
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for automatically updating a printer driver on a computer comprising the steps of:
- (A) contacting a remote network location;
(B) comparing a first version of the printer driver installed on the computer with a second version stored at the remote network location;
(C) downloading and installing the printer driver from the remote location onto the computer if it is a more recent version of the printer driver than one currently installed on the computer; and
(D) uninstalling the version of the printer driver previously stored on the computer.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatically updating a printer driver on a computer. At a designated time or upon a designated event, a program subroutine searches for an updated version of a resident printer driver at a specified remote location. If an updated version is found, the new version is downloaded to the computer and installed. The old version is uninstalled. The subroutine performing the update process may be associated with a printer driver or part of a separate install/upgrade program. The level of user interaction in the upgrade process can be adjusted to fit the preferences of the user.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for automatically updating a printer driver on a computer comprising the steps of:
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(A) contacting a remote network location;
(B) comparing a first version of the printer driver installed on the computer with a second version stored at the remote network location;
(C) downloading and installing the printer driver from the remote location onto the computer if it is a more recent version of the printer driver than one currently installed on the computer; and
(D) uninstalling the version of the printer driver previously stored on the computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer system containing a software module that allows a printer driver stored on the computer system to be automatically updated, in which the software module
(A) contacts a specified remote network location at which a second version of the printer driver is stored; -
(B) determines the version of a printer driver stored at the remote location;
(C) compares the installed version of the printer driver with the version stored at the remote location;
(D) downloads and installs on the computer system the version of the printer driver stored at the remote location if it is a newer version than the version currently installed on the computer system; and
(E) uninstalls the previous version of the printer driver from the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification