Control of software via bundling

• US 20030149917A1
• Filed: 02/07/2002
• Published: 08/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Boldon, John Leland, Smith, William Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,158,248 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/38
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/123 Software or firmware update, e.g. device firmware management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1288 in client-server-printer device configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation

Abstract

A method of revising multi-component software in a multifunctional printer, including revising at least one software component of the multi-component software, qualifying the multi-component software, bundling the multi-component software as a software bundle; and loading the software bundle on to a multifunctional printer. Additional methods and/or devices are also included.

Claims

1. A method of revising multi-component software in a multifunctional printer, comprising:

revising at least one software component of the multi-component software;

qualifying the multi-component software;

bundling the multi-component software as a software bundle; and

loading the software bundle on to a multifunctional printer.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising placing the bundle on a server.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the server comprises the multifunctional printer.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the software bundle comprises a single file.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the file has an extension associated with software bundles.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the multi-component software comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of print media software and print finishing software.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising executing administrative software to assist in the loading.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the multifunctional printer comprises a smart print cartridge.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting information related to the revision prior to, during and/or after the loading.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising completing a pending task prior to the loading.

11. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions to load a software bundle on to a multifunctional printer.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 further comprising instructions to initialize a multifunctional printer.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 further comprising instructions to transmit information related to loading a software bundle on a multifunctional printer.

14. A method of revising multi-component software in a multifunctional printer, comprising loading multi-component software on to a multifunctional printer in the form of a software bundle.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising placing the bundle on a server.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the server comprises the multifunctional printer.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the software bundle comprises a single file.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the file has an extension associated with software bundles.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the multi-component software comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of print media software and print finishing software.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising executing administrative software to assist in the loading.

21. The method of claim 14 wherein the multifunctional printer comprises a smart print cartridge.

22. The method of claim 14 further comprising transmitting information related to the revision prior to, during and/or after the loading.

23. The method of claim 14 further comprising completing a pending task prior to the loading.

24. A method of revising multi-component software in a multifunctional device, comprising:

revising at least one software component of the multi-component software;

qualifying the multi-component software;

bundling the multi-component software as a software bundle; and

loading the software bundle on to a multifunctional device.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising placing the bundle on a server.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the server comprises the multifunctional device.

27. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions to load a software bundle on to a multifunctional device.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 27 further comprising instructions to initialize a multifunctional device.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 27 further comprising instructions to transmit information related to loading a software bundle on a multifunctional device.

30. A multifunctional printer comprising:

an input for receiving a software bundle wherein the software bundle includes software components for at least two printer parts; and

a processor configured to distinguish each of the software components included in the software bundle.

31. The multifunctional printer of claim 30 wherein the input receives the software bundle via a network.

32. The multifunctional printer of claim 30 further comprising a Web browser.

33. The multifunctional printer of claim 30 wherein one of the at least two printer parts comprises a scanner.

34. The multifunctional printer of claim 30 wherein one of the at least two printer parts comprises a stacker.

35. The multifunctional printer of claim 30 wherein the processor is configured to recognize a file extension associated with a software bundle.

36. A multifunctional printer having multi-component software, comprising:

revision means for revising at least one software component of the multi-component software;

qualification means for qualifying the multi-component software;

bundle means for bundling the multi-component software as a software bundle; and

load means for loading the software bundle on to a multifunctional printer.