HTTP enabled computer peripheral
First Claim
1. A hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral for augmenting the functionality of an associated computing device, said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral comprising:
- an interface module for exchanging communications with said associated computing device, said associated computing device being of an arbitrary form factor;
a data module having hardware adapted to perform at least one of a data input function and a data output function;
a network communications protocol stack module in communication with said interface module and said data module; and
a hypertext transfer protocol layer module in said network communications protocol stack module, said hypertext transfer protocol layer module enabling said computer peripheral to respond to hypertext transfer protocol requests from said associated computing device, wherein an address of said computer peripheral includes a reference to said associated computing device.
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Abstract
The invention features a system and method for programming, integrating, and controlling the operation of computer peripherals. In brief overview, a computer peripheral is provided with a network communications protocol stack that includes a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) layer. The HTTP layer permits the computer peripheral to function as a thin web server. As such, the computer peripheral is able to respond to HTTP requests. In one embodiment, a HTTP enabled computer peripheral augments the functionality of a computing device. According to this embodiment, the HTTP enabled computer peripheral includes an interface module, a data module, and a network communications protocol stack module including a HTTP layer module. In addition the address of the HTTP enabled computer peripheral includes a reference to the computing device.
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Citations
58 Claims
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1. A hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral for augmenting the functionality of an associated computing device, said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral comprising:
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an interface module for exchanging communications with said associated computing device, said associated computing device being of an arbitrary form factor;
a data module having hardware adapted to perform at least one of a data input function and a data output function;
a network communications protocol stack module in communication with said interface module and said data module; and
a hypertext transfer protocol layer module in said network communications protocol stack module, said hypertext transfer protocol layer module enabling said computer peripheral to respond to hypertext transfer protocol requests from said associated computing device, wherein an address of said computer peripheral includes a reference to said associated computing 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, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral for augmenting the functionality of an associated computing device, said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral comprising:
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an interface module for exchanging communications with said associated computing device, said associated computing device being a personal computer of an arbitrary form factor;
a data module having hardware adapted to perform at least one of a data input function and a data output function;
a network communications protocol stack module in communication with said interface module and said data module; and
a hypertext transfer protocol layer module in said network communications protocol stack module, said hypertext transfer protocol layer module enabling said computer peripheral to respond to hypertext transfer protocol requests from said associated computing device, wherein functionality provided by said data module is lacking from said associated computing device in the absence of said computer peripheral.
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28. A hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral for augmenting the functionality of an associated computing device, said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral comprising:
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an interface module for exchanging communications with said associated computing device, said associated computing device being of an arbitrary form factor;
a data module having hardware adapted to perform at least a computer memory function;
a network communications protocol stack module in communication with said interface module and said data module; and
a hypertext transfer protocol layer module in said network communications protocol stack module, said hypertext transfer protocol layer module enabling said computer peripheral to respond to hypertext transfer protocol requests from said associated computing device, wherein an address of said computer peripheral includes a reference to said associated computing device. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A modular data collection system, said system comprising:
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a base unit having a processor, a memory, and a first electromechanical connector, said base unit contained within a first housing; and
a modular data collection peripheral unit in communication with said base unit, said modular data collection peripheral unit having a processor, a second electromechanical connector and a software module, said software module allowing said modular data collection peripheral unit to respond to hypertext transfer protocol requests and said modular data collection peripheral unit contained within a second housing, wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is detachably attachable to said base unit by said first electromechanical connector connecting to said second electromechanical connector. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A system for enabling hypertext transfer protocol communication, said system comprising:
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a plurality of computing devices, each of said plurality of computing devices having a display, interface mechanisms, a network interface, and a computer peripheral interface;
a plurality of computer peripherals, each of said plurality of computer peripherals associated with and in communication with one of said plurality of computing devices via said computer peripheral interface and each of said plurality of computer peripherals including a data module having hardware adapted to perform at least one of a data input function and a data output function; and
a central computer in communication with said plurality of computing devices, wherein said central computer responds to hypertext transfer protocol requests from said plurality of computing devices and said plurality of computer peripherals respond to hypertext transfer protocol requests from said plurality of computing devices and from said central computer. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification