System and method for controlling computer output devices by utilizing both their static and dynamic attributes
First Claim
1. A method for managing operation of a set of bidirectional output devices coupled to a processing device having an end user interface and to a database storage device, the set of output devices adapted to receive command signals for performing predetermined operations and to generate signals indicative of the condition of selected attributes thereof, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) querying the output devices through the processing device to receive therefrom signals indicative of the current status of their selected static and dynamic attributes;
b) storing the value of each of the signals indicative of the selected attributes of the output devices in the database storage device each time the output devices are queried;
c) accessing selected ones of the signal values stored during said step of storing; and
d) managing operation of the set of output devices in response to the current static and dynamic attributes thereof.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for efficiently utilizing the output devices of a computer system to perform output functions. The output devices are capable of bidirectional communication and are capable of generating information pertaining to static and dynamic attributes of the respective output devices. Responsive to the additional information pertaining to the static and dynamic attributes of the output devices, particular ones of the output devices are allocated to effectuate particular ones of the output functions.
-
Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A method for managing operation of a set of bidirectional output devices coupled to a processing device having an end user interface and to a database storage device, the set of output devices adapted to receive command signals for performing predetermined operations and to generate signals indicative of the condition of selected attributes thereof, said method comprising the steps of:
-
a) querying the output devices through the processing device to receive therefrom signals indicative of the current status of their selected static and dynamic attributes; b) storing the value of each of the signals indicative of the selected attributes of the output devices in the database storage device each time the output devices are queried; c) accessing selected ones of the signal values stored during said step of storing; and d) managing operation of the set of output devices in response to the current static and dynamic attributes thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. In a computer-controlled system having a host computer, an end user interface, and a set of bidirectional output devices, each output device adapted to receive command signals for performing predetermined operations and to generate signals indicative of the condition of selected static and dynamic attributes thereof, a combination with the host computer and end user interface of an apparatus for managing operation of the set of output devices, said apparatus comprising:
-
a) querying means for requesting signals indicative of the current status of all selected static and dynamic attributes of the output devices therefrom; b) storage means for storing the values of the signals indicative of the current status of all selected static and dynamic attributes of each output device therein each time the output devices are queried; c) accessing means for accessing selected ones of the values stored in said storage means responsive to an input request therefor entered by way of the end user interface; and d) circuit means responsive to the current status of all selected static and dynamic attributes of each output device for managing the operation of the set of output devices in response to the current attributes thereof. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
Specification