Metadata retrieval for multi-function devices

• US 20090157595A1
• Filed: 12/14/2007
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Gubitz, Erik
• Granted Patent: US 8,527,554 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1293 Printer information exchange with computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for retrieving metadata relating to a multi-function device. In some embodiments, metadata is retrieved using a plurality of identifiers (e.g., hardware identifiers each identifying at least one function performed by the device) received from the device. The plurality of identifiers are arranged into a sequence, and at least one of the identifiers in the sequence is associated with metadata specifying a characteristic of the device. Using the metadata that is retrieved, a client computer may present an graphical user interface displaying information relating to the device.

Claims

1. In a computer system comprising a client computer and a device operable to perform a plurality of functions, a method comprising:

(A) receiving a plurality of identifiers from the device, each of the plurality of identifiers identifying at least one of the plurality of functions performed by the device;

(B) arranging the plurality of identifiers into a sequence;

(C) associating at least one identifier in the sequence with metadata specifying a characteristic of the device in addition to the at least one function identified by the identifier; and

(D) causing information corresponding to the metadata to be displayed to a user of the client computer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein (A)-(D) are performed by the client computer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of identifiers is a hardware identifier assigned by a manufacturer of the device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer system further comprises a server computer in networked communication with the client computer, and wherein (C) further comprises comparing the at least one identifier with metadata stored on the client computer and on the server computer.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein (C) comprises comparing the at least one identifier with metadata stored on the client computer, and then comparing the at least one identifier with metadata stored on the server computer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the specificity with which each of the plurality of identifiers corresponds to the at least one function varies from most specific to least specific, and wherein (B) further comprises arranging the plurality of identifiers into a sequence which ranges from a most specific identifier to a least specific identifier.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of identifiers include identifiers for each of a plurality of functions, the specificity with which the identifiers for each function corresponds to the function varies from most specific to least specific, and wherein (B) further comprises arranging the plurality of identifiers into a sequence which ranges from a most specific identifier for any of the plurality of functions to a least specific identifier for any of the plurality of functions.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the metadata specifies a manufacturer of the device, at least one task relating to configuring the device, and/or at least one function performed by the device.

9. At least one computer-readable medium having instructions encoded thereon which, when executed in a computer system comprising a client computer and a device operable to perform a plurality of functions, perform a method comprising:

(A) receiving, from the device, an identifier which identifies the device;

(B) associating the identifier with metadata specifying at least one characteristic of the device other than a function performed by the device; and

(C) causing information corresponding to the metadata to be displayed to a user of the client computer.

10. The at least one computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the identifier comprises a model identifier and/or an experience identifier.

11. The at least one computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the metadata specifies a manufacturer of the device, at least one task relating to configuring the device, and/or at least one function performed by the device.

12. The at least one computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the computer system further comprises a server computer in networked communication with the client computer, and wherein (B) further comprises comparing the identifier with metadata stored on the client computer and on the server computer.

13. The at least one computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein (B) comprises comparing the identifier with metadata stored on the client computer, and then comparing the identifier with metadata stored on the server computer.

14. The at least one computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions are executed by the client computer.

15. A client computer for use in a computer system comprising the client computer and a device operable to perform a plurality of functions, the client computer comprising:

at least one processor programmed to;

receive information from the device;

determine whether the information comprises either a plurality of identifiers each identifying at least one of the plurality of functions performed by the device, or an identifier which identifies the device; and

if it is determined that the information comprises a plurality of identifiers each identifying at least one of the plurality of functions performed by the device;

arrange the plurality of identifiers into a sequence;

associate at least one identifier in the sequence with metadata specifying a characteristic of the device other than the at least one function identified by the identifier; and

cause information corresponding to the metadata to be displayed to a user; and

if it is determined that the information comprises an identifier which identifies the device;

associate the identifier with metadata specifying at least one characteristic of the device other than a function performed by the device; and

cause information corresponding to the metadata to be displayed to a user of the client computer.

16. The client computer of claim 15, further comprising a storage element for storing the metadata.

17. The client computer of claim 16, wherein the metadata specifies a manufacturer of the device, at least one task relating to configuring the device, and/or at least one function performed by the device.

18. The client computer of claim 16, wherein the computer system further comprises a server computer in networked communication with the client computer, and wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to, if it is determined that the information comprises a plurality of identifiers, compare at least one of the plurality of identifiers with metadata stored in the storage element and on the server computer, and if it is determined that the information comprises an identifier, compare the identifier with metadata stored in the storage element and on the server computer.

19. The client computer of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to cause information relating to at least one task for configuring the device to be displayed to the user.

20. The client computer of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to cause information relating to configuring the client computer to interoperate with the device to be displayed to the user.