Network device discovery and status information distribution using independent information distribution processes
First Claim
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1. A computer network system in which workgroup peripherals are efficiently administered, the computer network system comprising:
- (a) a first general purpose computer including a no-volatile memory and software for storing device status information in a first device status file in the non-volatile memory;
(b) a first intelligent peripheral device associated with the first computer and communicatively coupled to the first computer by a computer network and including software for determining information concerning current device status of the first intelligent peripheral device and communicating to the first computer via the network the current device status information periodically for storage in the first device status file;
(c) a plurality of workstations communicatively coupled to the first computer by the computer network, the workstations including software for requesting the device status information stored in the first device status file, receiving the device status information and displaying the device status information;
the software in the intelligent peripheral device for determining information concerning current device status of the first intelligent peripheral device and communicating to the first computer via the network the current device status information periodically for storage in the first device status file independently of the plurality of workstations;
whereby device status information is efficiently communicated from the first intelligent peripheral device to the workstations.
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Abstract
In a networked system having workstations, file servers and intelligent peripheral devices, the intelligent peripheral devices are capable of determining information concerning their device status and communicating the device status information via a communications line. The file server obtains the device status information from the peripheral device and stores this information as a file readable by the workstations.
184 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer network system in which workgroup peripherals are efficiently administered, the computer network system comprising:
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(a) a first general purpose computer including a no-volatile memory and software for storing device status information in a first device status file in the non-volatile memory; (b) a first intelligent peripheral device associated with the first computer and communicatively coupled to the first computer by a computer network and including software for determining information concerning current device status of the first intelligent peripheral device and communicating to the first computer via the network the current device status information periodically for storage in the first device status file; (c) a plurality of workstations communicatively coupled to the first computer by the computer network, the workstations including software for requesting the device status information stored in the first device status file, receiving the device status information and displaying the device status information; the software in the intelligent peripheral device for determining information concerning current device status of the first intelligent peripheral device and communicating to the first computer via the network the current device status information periodically for storage in the first device status file independently of the plurality of workstations; whereby device status information is efficiently communicated from the first intelligent peripheral device to the workstations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A control unit associated with a hard output device comprising:
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(a) a first communication means for communicating with the hard output device and obtaining device status information from the hard output device; (b) a second communication means for communicating with a file server linked to the control unit via a network, the file server having a non-volatile memory and providing services to a plurality of workstations linked to the file server via the network, the second communications means for relaying device status information with respect to the hard output device to the file server for storage in the non-volatile memory; (c) memory resident software which, independently of the workstations, periodically polls the hard output device for device status information via the first communication means and relays the device status information to the file server via the second communication means; and (d) memory resident software capable of accepting a device discovery request and responding to the device discovery request by periodically polling the hard output device for device status information via the first communication means and relaying the device status information to the file server via the second communication means. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method for providing to at least one workstation on a network status information concerning an intelligent peripheral device on the network, the method comprising:
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in a first phase, performed independently of the at least one workstation; (a) the intelligent peripheral device periodically determining its current device status; (b) the intelligent peripheral device communicating its current device status to a first computer, wherein the first computer includes a non-volatile memory; (c) the first computer storing the device status in a device status file in the non-volatile memory; and in a second phase; the at least one workstation on the network obtaining the contents of the device status file in the first computer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification