RECONNECTING A HOST COMPUTER WITH A NETWORKED PRINTER HAVING A DYNAMIC NETWORK ADDRESS
First Claim
1. In a system including one or more host computers and one or more printers connected to a network, a method for reconnecting a first one of the printers to a first one of the host computers, comprising:
- (a) manually causing the first printer to generate a reconnection event containing a network address of the first printer, the network address having been dynamically assigned to the first printer and stored in a memory of the first printer;
(b) the first printer sending the reconnection event over the network to be transmitted to the one or more host computers;
(c) the first host computer receiving the reconnection event and extracting the network address of the first printer; and
(d) the first host computer reconnecting to the first printer using the extracted network address of the first printer.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for reconnecting a host computer with a networked printer having a dynamic network address without manually entering the printer'"'"'s network address. In a first method, when a user presses a reconnect button on the printer, the printer broadcasts a reconnection event containing the printer'"'"'s network address over the network. The host receives the event, extracts the network address and reconnects the printer accordingly. In a second method, the host obtains the network addresses of candidate printers, displays a list of them on a UI, and sends a flash signal to the candidate printers to cause them to generate an alarm one by one. The user observes the desired printer and correlates its alarm with the timing of the flash signals sent by the host. Based on the observation, the user selects one of the candidate printers on the UI and the host reconnects it.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. In a system including one or more host computers and one or more printers connected to a network, a method for reconnecting a first one of the printers to a first one of the host computers, comprising:
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(a) manually causing the first printer to generate a reconnection event containing a network address of the first printer, the network address having been dynamically assigned to the first printer and stored in a memory of the first printer; (b) the first printer sending the reconnection event over the network to be transmitted to the one or more host computers; (c) the first host computer receiving the reconnection event and extracting the network address of the first printer; and (d) the first host computer reconnecting to the first printer using the extracted network address of the first printer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. In a system including one or more host computers and one or more printers connected to a network, a method for reconnecting a first one of the printers to a first one of the host computers, comprising:
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(a) the first host computer obtaining a plurality of candidate printers with their network addresses, the candidate printers including the first printer; (b) the first host computer displaying a list of the candidate printers on a user interface; (c) the first host computer sending flash signals to the candidate printers one by one; (d) the first printer generating an alarm in response to receiving a flash signal from the host computer; (e) a user correlating the alarm of the first printer with a timing of the flash signals sent by the host computer; (f) the user selecting one of the candidate printers on the user interface based on the observation; and (g) the host computer reconnecting to the selected printer. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A printer, comprising:
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a processor; a memory for storing an IP a network address of the printer, the network address having been dynamically assigned to the printer; a manual input device connected to the processor; and a network interface for connecting the printer to a network; wherein the processor is programmed to generate a reconnection event in response to an input from the manual input device and transmitting the reconnection event to a network via the network interface, the reconnection event containing a network address of the printer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embedded therein for controlling a host computer, the computer readable program code configured to cause the host computer to execute a process for reconnecting a printer, the host computer and the printer being connected to a network, the printer capable of transmitting a reconnection event over the network, the reconnection event containing a network address of the printer, the process comprising:
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receiving the reconnection event from the printer via the network; extracting the network address of the printer from the reconnection event; and reconnecting to the printer using the extracted network address of the printer. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embedded therein for controlling a host computer, the computer readable program code configured to cause the host computer to execute a process for reconnecting a printer, the host computer and the printer being connected to a network, the process comprising:
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(a) obtaining a plurality of candidate printers with their network addresses, the candidate printers including the first printer; (b) displaying a list of the candidate printers on a user interface; (c) sending flash signals to candidate printers one by one; (d) receiving a selection by a user indicating one of the candidate printers; and (e) reconnecting to the selected candidate printer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification