Methods and apparatus for providing printer drivers to a user
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a server configured to be coupled in data communication with a network, the server including a computer-accessible database of one or more data records, each of the one or more data records including;
a printer type identification;
one or more substitute printer driver identifications associated with the printer type identification; and
one or more compatibility ratings associated with the printer type identification and a particular one of the one or more substitute printer driver identifications.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a computer-accessible storage media including a database of one or more data files, each including a printer type identification, one or more substitute printer driver identifications associated with the printer type identification, and one or more compatibility ratings associated with the printer type identification and a particular one of the one or more substitute printer driver identifications. A method of the present invention includes the steps of accessing a database, displaying a database listing including a printer type identification, one or more substitute printer driver identifications associated with the printer type identification, and one or more compatibility ratings associated with the printer type identification and a particular one of the substitute printer driver identifications. The method further includes issuing a selection command, and establishing an operational association between a substitute printer driver and a printer in accordance with the selection command.
-
Citations
34 Claims
-
1. A system, comprising:
a server configured to be coupled in data communication with a network, the server including a computer-accessible database of one or more data records, each of the one or more data records including;
a printer type identification;
one or more substitute printer driver identifications associated with the printer type identification; and
one or more compatibility ratings associated with the printer type identification and a particular one of the one or more substitute printer driver identifications. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
13. A method of data communication, comprising:
-
downloading an electronic message referencing one or more associated electronic documents;
issuing a print command including a reference to the electronic message, a selection of at least one of the one or more associated electronic documents, at least one credential, and a printer type reference;
converting the at least one selected electronic document into a print ready data file using a substitute printer driver corresponding to the printer type reference; and
imaging the at least one printer ready data file on sheet media using a printer corresponding to the printer type reference. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of managing a system, comprising:
-
receiving an error message indicative of an operational problem with a printer driver of the system;
accessing a computer-accessible database including one or more data records;
displaying a listing corresponding to the contents of the one or more data records, each data record including a printer type identification, one or more substitute printer driver identifications associated with the printer type identification, and one or more compatibility ratings associated with the printer type identification and a particular one of the substitute printer driver identifications;
issuing a selection command corresponding to a particular one of the displayed substitute printer driver identifications; and
establishing an operational association between a substitute printer driver and a printer of the system in accordance with the selection command. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method of maintaining a database, comprising:
-
browsing an Internet website hosting a network-accessible database, the network-accessible database including one or more data records;
determining that a particular known printer type identification, an associated substitute printer driver identification, and a compatibility rating associated with the printer type identification and the substitute printer driver identification, are not present within the one or more data records of the network-accessible database;
entering the particular known printer type identification, the associated substitute printer driver identification, and the associated compatibility rating into a feedback form of the Internet website; and
amending the network-accessible database in accordance with the particular known printer type identification, the associated substitute printer driver identification, and the associated compatibility rating, entered into the feedback form. - View Dependent Claims (22)
-
-
23. A method of managing a database, comprising:
-
issuing an update command to a server, the server including a computer-accessible database;
accessing a predetermined network-accessible database in response to the update command;
downloading at least one data record from the network-accessible database, the at least one data record including a printer type identification, one or more substitute printer drivers associated with the printer type identification, and one or more compatibility ratings associated with the printer type identification and a particular one of the one or more substitute printer driver identifications; and
amending at least one data record of the computer-accessible database of the server in accordance with the at least one downloaded data record. - View Dependent Claims (24)
-
-
25. An apparatus, comprising:
a computer-readable storage media including an executable program code, the executable program code configured to cause a processor of a server to selectively;
provide an electronic listing corresponding to one or more data records of a database of the server in response to a listing command input, each of the one or more data records including a printer type identification, one or more substitute printer driver identifications associated with the printer type identification, and one or more compatibility ratings associated with the printer type identification and a particular one of the one or more substitute printer driver identifications; and
establish an operational association between a substitute printer driver of the server and a printer coupled in data communication with the server in response to a selection command input. - View Dependent Claims (26)
-
27. A data system, comprising:
-
means for imaging sheet media;
means for displaying contents of one or more data records, each data record including a printer type identification, one or more substitute printer driver identifications associated with the printer type identification, and one or more compatibility ratings associated with the printer type identification and a particular one of the substitute printer driver identifications;
means for establishing an operational association between the means for imaging sheet media and a substitute printer driver means; and
means for amending a database means in accordance with the at least one data record downloaded from a predetermined remote means.
-
-
28. An apparatus, comprising:
a computer-accessible storage media including a database of one or more data files, each of the one or more data files including;
a printer type identification;
one or more substitute printer driver identifications associated with the printer type identification; and
one or more compatibility ratings associated with the printer type identification and a particular one of the one or more substitute printer driver identifications. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
-
31. A method of maintaining a database, comprising:
-
browsing an Internet website hosting a network-accessible database, the network-accessible database including one or more data records;
determining that a particular known compatibility rating associated with a printer type identification and an associated substitute printer driver identification within the one or more data records of the network-accessible database is inaccurate;
entering information related to the particular known compatibility rating into a feedback form of the Internet website; and
amending the network-accessible database in accordance with the information entered into the feedback form. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
-
-
34. An apparatus, comprising:
a mobile device configured to be coupled in wireless data communication with a network, the mobile device further configured to;
selectively download an electronic message by way of the network in response to a user input, the electronic message referencing one or more associated electronic documents not downloaded to the mobile device;
receive an input corresponding to a user selection of one or more of the associated electronic documents; and
issue a wireless print command to a device of the network in response to the input, the print command including a reference to the electronic message, a reference to the one or more user selected electronic documents, at least one credential, and a printer type reference.
Specification