Client peripheral device-based network resource management method and system

• US 6,330,611 B1
• Filed: 02/18/1998
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Itoh, Hideki, Maruyama, Akeo
• Primary Examiner(s): Barot, Bharat
• Application Number:
  US09/025,461
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200-203, 709/204-206, 709/217-229, 707/10, 710/8, 710/10, 710/15-19, 358/1.1, 358/1-3-, 358/16, 358/1.18
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1203 Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1265 Printing by reference, e.g. retrieving document/image data for a job from a source mentioned in the job
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1288 in client-server-printer device configuration

Abstract

A peripheral device on a network has a client function to retrieve data and or to update data in another network resource. The peripheral device also has its own device dependent functions such as printing, copying, faxing and scanning. The peripheral device outputs data retrieved from another network resource and or inputs new data for updating the data existing in another network resource. The retrieving and updating functions are performed by a client control unit of the peripheral device.

Claims

1. A method of using a resource on a network, a first resource, a second resource, and a printer being connected to the network, comprising the steps of:

a) sending a print command and a data file name of a data file from the first resource to the printer for printing data specified in the print command;

b) receiving the print command and the data file name at the printer;

c) determining by the printer whether or not the data file is available to the printer;

d) generating a data search command at the printer in response to the print command based upon said step c) and sending the data search command to the second resource for requesting the data;

e) receiving the data at the printer from the second resource; and

f) printing the data from the printer.

2. The method of using a resource on a network according to claim 1 wherein said second resource is a database server.

3. The method of using a resource on a network according to claim 1 further comprising an additional step g) between said steps d) and e) of storing the data received in said step d).

4. The method of using a resource on a network according to claim 1 wherein the network is World Wide Web.

5. A method of using a peripheral device on a network, comprising the steps of:

a) automatically initiating a client task at the peripheral device so as to send a data request command and a data file name of a data file;

b) generating at the peripheral device a specific request command based upon the data request command and the data file name;

c) broadcasting from the peripheral device the specific request command to a server in the network for requesting the data;

d) receiving at the peripheral device data requested in said step c) from the server; and

e) performing a predetermined task at the peripheral device based upon the data.

6. The method of using a peripheral device on a network according to claim 5 wherein said step d) further comprising an additional step f) of storing the received data.

7. The method of using a peripheral device on a network according to claim 6 wherein said step f) updates the received data which has been previously stored.

8. The method of using a peripheral device on a network according to claim 5 wherein said predetermined task is performed via device specific instructions.

9. The method of using a peripheral device on a network according to claim 5 wherein said predetermined task includes printing, copying, faxing and displaying.

10. The method of using a peripheral device on a network according to claim 5 further comprising an additional step g) of reporting a receipt of the data request command to a sender of the data request command.

11. The method of using a peripheral device on a network according to claim 5 wherein said predetermined task is programmable.

12. The method of using a peripheral device on a network according to claim 5 wherein the network is World Wide Web.

13. A system for using a resource on a network, comprising:

a first resource on the network for sending a print command and a data file name of a data file for printing data;

a printer on the network for receiving the print command and the data file name, determining whether or not the data file is available to said printer, generating a second command requesting the data file in response to the print command, and sending the second command; and

a third resource on the network for sending the data file to the printer in response to the second command, wherein said printer generates a data search command upon failing to receive the data file, said printer printing the data file according to the print command upon receiving the data file.

14. The system for using a resource on a network according to claim 13 wherein said third resource includes a database server.

15. The system for using a resource on a network according to claim 13 wherein said printer stores the additional data.

16. The system for using a resource on a network according to claim 13 wherein said first resource, said printer and said third resource are on World Wide Web.

17. A system for using a resource on a network, comprising:

a terminal unit on the network for broadcasting a data request command and a data file name of a data file;

a client peripheral device on the network for performing a predetermined task and for generating a specific request command based upon the data request command and the data file name, said client peripheral device automatically initiating a client task and broadcasting the specific request command; and

a server unit on the network for sending response data to said client peripheral device in response to the specific request command, wherein said client peripheral device performs the predetermined task on the response data from said server.

18. The system for using a resource on a network according to claim 17 wherein said client peripheral device further comprises a storage unit for storing the received data.

19. The system for using a resource on a network according to claim 18 wherein said storage unit replaces the received data which has been previously stored.

20. The system for using a resource on a network according to claim 17 wherein said client peripheral device further comprises a command request unit for broadcasting the specific request command on the network.

21. The system for using a resource on a network according to claim 17 wherein said client peripheral device performs a predetermined task based upon device specific instructions.

22. The system for using a resource on a network according to claim 17 wherein said client peripheral device includes a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine and a display.

23. The system for using a resource on a network according to claim 17 wherein said client peripheral device acknowledges a receipt of the data request to said terminal unit.

24. The system for using a resource on a network according to claim 17 wherein said client peripheral device further comprises a programmable memory unit for storing a program for performing the predetermined task.

25. The system for using a resource on a network according to claim 17 wherein said terminal unit, said client peripheral device and said server unit are located on World Wide Web.