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Printer/client network with centrally updated printer drivers and printer status monitoring

  • US 5,580,177 A
  • Filed: 03/29/1994
  • Issued: 12/03/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A network including a file server with plural client processors and plural printers connected to said file server via a network path, said network comprising:

  • memory in each client processor for storing a printer driver procedure that enables communication between said client processor and at least one type printer;

    memory in said file server for storing a library of most-updated printer driver procedures for each specific printer type of said plural printers, each printer driver procedure enabling a client processor to configure an output data stream that is recognized and operated upon by a specific printer type; and

    processor means in said file server, responsive to a print message from a requesting client processor, to enable assignment of a printer of said one type to said requesting client processor, said processor means in combination with said requesting client processor further determining if said printer driver procedure for said printer of said one type stored in said requesting client processor is identical to a printer driver procedure for a printer of said one type stored in memory of said file server and, and in response to non-identical printer driver procedures, causing alteration of said printer driver procedure in said requesting client processor to bring said printer driver procedure into coincidence with said most updated printer driver procedure for the printer of said one type.

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