System for installation of print driver software

• US 20030236871A1
• Filed: 06/20/2002
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Thurlow, Barry J.
• Application Number:
  US10/176,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20030236871A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/02 using automatic reactions or user delegation, e.g. automatic replies or chatbot-generated messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416

Abstract

What is disclosed is a system and method which enable a user of a networked device to communicate with the device by email and to receive a reply thereto which contains the installation software which assists the user to facilitate device setup and configuration prior to the subsequent operation thereof. The method involves a user first sending or otherwise initiating an email to a remote device such as a printer. In the alternative, the printer device gains access to one or more end user'"'"'s email addresses. Once obtained, the printer device automatically sends a reply email back to the user, preferably with a greeting or other message, with a package attached thereto or otherwise associated therewith containing installation software along with other configuration software and tools. Upon receipt of the installation package from the printing device, the end-user would click on the installation software, or preferably, an installation wizard or other interface program with preset defaults would guide the end-user through installation process. The software would query the end-user'"'"'s computer to understand the computer'"'"'s configuration. The necessary modifications and/or configuration changes to the end-user'"'"'s computer would occur sufficient to allow the end-user to operate the networked remote printer device therefrom. Thereafter, the networked printing device would be ready for use from that user'"'"'s computer.

Claims

1. A method to enable an end-user'"'"'s computer to setup and configure a remote device prior to the subsequent operation thereof and comprising:

a) said end-user entering an email address into said remote device;

b) said remote device receiving said email request and replying to said end-user'"'"'s email with a reply email having installation software associated therewith;

c) said end-user receiving said reply email with said installation configuration software; and

d) running said installation software from said end-user'"'"'s device such that said end-user'"'"'s device is sufficiently configured to thereafter operate said remote device.

2. A method which assists an end-user to facilitate setup and configuration of a remote device having email capability from their personal computer also having email capability and in network communication with said remote device, said method comprising:

a) entering into said remote device an email address of said end-user'"'"'s computer which, upon gaining access to the end-user'"'"'s email address, said remote device sending to that address an email with installation software attached thereto;

b) said end-user receiving said email from said remote device on their personal computer;

c) said end-user accessing the installation software packaged attached thereto;

d) said end-user running said software package; and

e) configuring said computer for subsequent operation of said remote device therefrom.

3. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein the step of entering into said remote device the email address of said end-user'"'"'s computer comprises, in the alternative, the step of providing said remote computer with access to a database wherein said end-user'"'"'s email address can be found.

4. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said step of said remote device sending to that email address an email with the installation software package attached thereto comprises, in the alternative, providing to said end-user a link to a website wherein said installation software can be found.

5. A method as defined in claim 4 further comprising the steps of downloading from said website the installation software and thereafter running said software on their personal computer.

6. A method as defined in claim 4 further comprising the steps of running said installation software without downloading from the website the installation package itself such that the installation software sets up and configures the end-user'"'"'s computer remotely from the web link and not while physically residing on the end-user'"'"'s computer.

7. A method as defined in claim 2 in the instance wherein said installation software provides a convenient wizard interface, further comprising the step of running said installation wizard.