System and method for accessing the internet using a portable device by way of an internet-accessible printer

• US 20050146741A1
• Filed: 12/29/2003
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Newby, Charles C., Levy, Andrew B., Collier, Dan L.
• Application Number:
  US10/747,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20050146741A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00464 using browsers, i.e. interfaces based on mark-up languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/34 for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

Representative embodiments provide for a system, comprising a mobile device including a web browser and a printer including a communications bridge. The communications bridge is configured to couple the mobile device in data communication with the Internet, wherein the mobile device is further configured to access the Internet by way of the communications bridge using the web browser. The present invention also provides method including providing a printer including a communications bridge, and coupling the communications bridge in data communication with the Internet. The method also provides establishing data communication between the mobile device and the Internet by way of the communications bridge, and conducting an Internet session using the mobile device by way of the communications bridge.

Claims

1. An Internet-capable printer, comprising:

a communications bridge configured to couple a mobile device in data communication with the Internet.

2. The Internet-capable printer of claim 1, and further comprising a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly couple the mobile device in data communication with the communications bridge.

3. The Internet-capable printer of claim 2, and wherein the wireless transceiver is defined by at least one of an infrared transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, or a Bluetooth™

transceiver.

4. The Internet-capable printer of claim 1, and further comprising a docking station configured to electrically couple the mobile device in data communication with the communications bridge.

5. The Internet-capable printer of claim 4, and wherein the docking station is further configured to electrically couple the mobile device to a power supply of the printer.

6. The Internet-capable printer of claim 1, and wherein the Internet-capable printer is configured to:

receive an electronic document file from the mobile device by way of the communications bridge; and

image one or more sheets of media in accordance with the electronic document file.

7. The Internet-capable printer of claim 1, and wherein the communications bridge is further configured to be coupled in data communication with the Internet by way of at least one of a wired connection, a wireless connection, an IEEE 802.3 wired connection, or an IEEE 802.11b wireless connection.

8. A method for accessing the Internet, comprising:

providing a printer including a communications bridge;

coupling the communications bridge in data communication with the Internet;

establishing data communication between the mobile device and the Internet by way of the communications bridge; and

conducting an Internet session using the mobile device by way of the communications bridge.

9. The method of claim 8, and further comprising:

providing a docking station included with the printer; and

electrically coupling the mobile device in data communication with the communications bridge by way of the docking station.

10. The method of claim 9, and further comprising:

providing a power supply included with the printer; and

electrically coupling the mobile device to the power supply by way of the docking station.

11. The method of claim 8, and further comprising:

providing a wireless transceiver included with the printer; and

wirelessly coupling the mobile device in data communication with the communications bridge by way of the wireless transceiver.

12. The method of claim 8, and wherein:

the mobile device includes a web browser; and

conducting the Internet session is performed using the web browser of the mobile device.

13. The method of claim 8, and further comprising:

sending an electronic document file from the mobile device to the printer; and

imaging one or more sheets of media in accordance with the electronic document file using the printer.

14. A system, comprising:

a mobile device including a web browser; and

a printer including a communications bridge, the communications bridge configured to couple the mobile device in data communication with the Internet, wherein the mobile device is further configured to access the Internet by way of the communications bridge using the web browser.

15. The system of claim 14, and wherein the printer further includes a docking station configured to electrically couple the mobile device in data communication with the communications bridge.

16. The system of claim 15, and wherein:

the printer further includes a power supply; and

the docking station is further configured to electrically couple the mobile device to the power supply.

17. The system of claim 14, and wherein the printer further includes a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly couple the mobile device in data communication with the communications bridge.

18. The system of claim 17, and wherein the wireless transceiver is defined by at least one of an infrared transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, or a Bluetooth™

transceiver.

19. The system of claim 14, and wherein the communications bridge is further configured to be coupled in data communication with the Internet by way of at least one of a wired connection, a wireless connection, an IEEE 802.3 wired connection, or an IEEE 802.11b wireless connection.

20. A printer, comprising:

a processor configured to be coupled in data communication with the Internet; and

a computer-accessible storage media including an executable program code, the executable program code configured to cause the processor to;

couple a mobile device in data communication with the Internet.

21. The printer of claim 20, and wherein:

the printer further comprises a print engine coupled in signal communication with the processor; and

the executable program code is further configured to cause the processor to;

receive an electronic document file from the mobile device; and

cause the print engine to image one or more sheets of media in accordance with the electronic document file.

22. A printer means, comprising:

bridge means for coupling a mobile device in data communication with the Internet; and

at least one of a docking means or a wireless transceiver means for coupling the mobile device in data communication with the bridge means.