Method and system to access software pertinent to an electronic peripheral device based on an address stored in a peripheral device
First Claim
1. A method of accessing information related to a peripheral device, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a network address in a storage of the peripheral device;
(b) when the peripheral device is coupled to a host device, transferring the network address from the peripheral device to the host device; and
(c) enabling communication between the host device and a source indicated by the network address, said communication pertaining to the peripheral device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for obtaining a network address stored in a peripheral device, and accessing a remote device at the network address to obtain information related to the peripheral device. When the peripheral device is connected to a host computer, the stored network address is read by the host computer. The network address is preferably determined by the host computer when a peripheral device, such as a USB device, is initially connected to the host device, or when the host device with a newly connected USB is energized. The network address is then used by the host device to communicate with a remote device so that information pertaining to the peripheral device, such as a device driver for the peripheral device, can be accessed by the host device at the remote device. In addition, the host device can download or automatically execute a program stored at the remote device, download and install an application program relating to use of the peripheral device, display a Web page that includes information pertinent to the peripheral device, download documentation for the peripheral device, access help information, download and install firmware into the peripheral device and/or access other material related to the peripheral device. Access of the remote device can be fully automated or can optionally be implemented only with the permission of the user.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method of accessing information related to a peripheral device, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a network address in a storage of the peripheral device;
(b) when the peripheral device is coupled to a host device, transferring the network address from the peripheral device to the host device; and
(c) enabling communication between the host device and a source indicated by the network address, said communication pertaining to the peripheral device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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23. A system for automatically accessing information related to a peripheral device, comprising:
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(a) a peripheral device in which a network address is stored;
(b) a host device comprising;
(i) a memory in which machine instructions are stored;
(ii) a network interface used to communicate over a network;
(iii) a processor;
(iv) a peripheral interface adapted to communicate with a peripheral device that is operatively connected to the peripheral interface; and
(c) a source of machine-readable material pertaining to the peripheral device, said source being accessible by the host device at the network address stored in the peripheral device, through the network interface, said machine instructions stored in the memory causing the processor to;
(i) transfer the network address from the peripheral device to the host device when the peripheral device is coupled to a host device; and
(ii) enable communication between the host device and the source at the network address, to enable the host device to access the machine-readable material.
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Specification