Method and apparatus for automatic installation of shared printers over a network

• US 6,424,424 B1
• Filed: 01/19/1999
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Lomas, James W., McMillan, Harold T., Wiley, Steve R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carter, Tia A
• Application Number:
  US09/233,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20020097421A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 358/1.14, 358/1.16, 358/1.13, 709/327, 709/228, 709/203, 709/216, 709/217, 709/218, 709/220, 707/10
• US Class Current: 358/1.14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1225 Software update, e.g. print driver, modules, plug-ins, fonts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1231 Device related settings, e.g. IP address, Name, Identification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1288 in client-server-printer device configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation

Abstract

The method of the invention enables installation of a network printer onto a client processor and employs a server for managing printer installations. Initially, the server receives a printer identifier message from the network printer and then creates an executable installation program using identifier information from the printer identifier message. Thereafter, the server transmits an e-mail message to the client processor, which e-mail message includes an executable printer driver installation program. Upon receipt of the e-mail message, the client processor recognizes the executable installation program and, upon installation thereof, to utilize the network printer.

Claims

1. A method for enabling installation, via a network, of a network printer onto a client processor, said network including a printer server for managing printer installations, said printer server including a memory for registering printers served thereby, said printer server performing the method comprising the steps of:

a) recognizing a connection to said network of said network printer, and in response, issuing onto said network a service locator protocol message, including said printer identifier information, said printer server receiving said service locator protocol message and storing in said memory said printer identifier information;

b) recognizing that a printer identifier of a network printer has been added to said memory;

c) creating an executable installation program, using printer identifier information from said printer identifier; and

d) transmitting an e-mail message to said client processor, said e-mail message including said executable installation program, whereby, upon receipt of said e-mail message, said client processor is enabled to recognize said executable installation program and, upon installation thereof, to utilize said network printer via said network.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said printer server, in step d) attaches said executable installation program as an attachment to said e-mail message.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step c) further comprises:

accessing a shell installation program and employing said printer identifier information to alter said shell installation program to said executable installation program.

10. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said printer server, in step d) attaches said executable installation program as an attachment to said e-mail message.

4. A memory media for controlling a printer server to enable installation of a network printer onto a client processor, via a network interconnection, said printer server including a memory for registering network printers served thereby, said memory media comprising:

a) means for recognizing a connection to said network of said network printer, and in response, issuing onto said network a service locator protocol message, including said printer identifier information, said printer server receiving said service locator protocol message and storing in said memory said printer identifier information;

b) means for controlling said printer server to recognize that printer identifier information of a network printer has been added to said memory;

c) means for controlling said printer server to create an executable installation program, using said printer identifier information; and

d) means for controlling said printer server to transmit an e-mail message to said client processor, said e-mail message including said executable installation program, whereby, upon receipt of said e-mail message, said client processor is enabled to recognize said executable installation program and, upon installation thereof, to utilize said network printer via said network.

5. The memory media as recited in claim 4, wherein said means d) attaches said executable installation program as an attachment to said e-mail message.

6. The memory media as recited in claim 4, wherein means c) accesses a shell installation program and employs said printer identifier information to alter said shell installation program to said executable installation program.

11. The memory media as recited in claim 6, wherein said means d) attaches said executable installation program as an attachment to said e-mail message.

7. A printer server for enabling installation of a network printer onto a client processor, said printer server including a processor and a memory for registering printers served thereby, and further comprising:

a) recognizing means for the network printer to recognize a connection to said network of said network printer, and in response, issuing onto said network a service locator protocol message, including said printer identifier information which is received and recognized by said monitoring means;

b) monitoring means for enabling said processor to recognize that printer identifier information regarding a network printer has been added to said memory;

c) a printer/client installation procedure for controlling said processor to create an executable installation program, using said printer identifier information; and

d) means for transmitting an e-mail message to said client processor, said e-mail message including said executable installation program, whereby, upon receipt of said e-mail message, said client processor is enabled to recognize said executable installation program and, upon installation thereof, to utilize said network printer via said network.

8. The printer server as recited in claim 7, wherein said means d) attaches said executable installation program as an attachment to said e-mail message.

9. The printer server as recited in claim 7, wherein said printer/client installation procedure accesses a shell installation program and employs said printer identifier information to alter said shell installation program to said executable installation program.

12. The printer server as recited in claim 9, wherein said means d) attaches said executable installation program as an attachment to said e-mail message.

13. A processor-readable media, containing processor-executable instructions for enabling installation, via a network, of a network printer onto a client processor, said network including a printer server for managing printer installations, said printer server including a memory for registering printers served thereby, wherein said processor-executable instructions:

a) recognize a connection to said network of said network printer, and in response, issuing onto said network a service locator protocol message, including said printer identifier information, said printer server receiving said service locator protocol message and storing in said memory said printer identifier information;

b) recognize that a printer identifier of a network printer has been added to said memory;

c) create an executable installation program, using printer identifier information from said printer identifier; and

d) transmit an e-mail message to said client processor, said e-mail message including said executable installation program, whereby, upon receipt of said e-mail message, said client processor is enabled to recognize said executable installation program and, upon installation thereof, to utilize said network printer via said network.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein said printer server, in step d) attaches said executable installation program as an attachment to said e-mail message.

15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein step c) further comprises:

accessing a shell installation program and employing said printer identifier information to alter said shell installation program to said executable installation program.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein said printer server, in step d) attaches said executable installation program as an attachment to said e-mail message.