Data processing system and method for permitting a computer to automatically detect a presence of and establish a communications link with a printer

• US 6,493,104 B1
• Filed: 03/31/1999
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Cromer, Daryl Carvis, Locker, Howard, Kern, Eric Richard, Ward, James Peter, Dayan, Richard Alan, Ellison, Brandon Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): MITCHELL, MONICA J
• Application Number:
  US09/281,562
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 710/8, 710/9, 710/52-62, 455/507, 455/517
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• 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 3/1228 Printing driverless or using generic drivers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1236 Connection management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1288 in client-server-printer device configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1292 Mobile client, e.g. wireless printing

Abstract

A data processing system and method are described for permitting a portable computer to automatically detect the presence of a printer within a remote area, and responsive to the detection, automatically establishing a communications link with the printer. The portable computer is physically disconnected from the printer. The portable computer transmits a wireless query signal to the remote area. In response to a printer physically located within the remote area receiving the wireless query signal, the printer transmits a wireless reply signal to the remote area. In response to the portable computer receiving the wireless reply signal, the computer automatically establishes a communications link with the printer so that the computer may utilize the printer to print information. The communications link may be established with a printer for which the computer does not include a printer driver necessary for communicating with the printer.

Claims

1. A method in a data processing system for automatically detecting a presence of a printer within a remote area, and responsive to said detection, automatically establishing a communications link with said printer, said method comprising the steps of:

a computer included within said system transmitting a wireless query signal to said remote area;

in response to a printer physically located within said remote area receiving said wireless query signal, said printer transmitting a wireless reply signal to said remote area;

in response to said computer receiving said wireless reply signal, said computer automatically establishing a communications link with said printer, wherein said computer utilizes said printer to print information;

establishing a wireless interface within said printer for transmitting and receiving wireless signals;

establishing a wireless interface within said computer for transmitting and receiving wireless signals;

in response to said computer receiving said wireless reply signal, said computer determining whether said computer is capable of communication with said printer utilizing a wired network;

in response to a determination that a computer is capable of communication with said printer utilizing said wired network, coupling said computer to said printer utilizing said wired network; and

said computer automatically configuring itselfto communicate with said printer utilizing said wired network.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

in response to a determination that computer is not capable of communicating with said printer utilizing said wired network, said computer remaining disconnected from said printer; and

said computer automatically configuring itself to communicate with said printer utilizing a wireless communications link.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of said computer automatically configuring itself to communicate with said printer without a user of said computer being aware of a network address of said printer.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of said printer transmitting said reply signal including an identification of a printer type of said printer.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of said printer transmitting said reply signal including an identification of a physical location and said network address of said printer.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the steps of:

said computer determining whether said computer includes a software driver for communicating with said printer type;

in response to a determination that said computer does include said driver, coupling said computer to said printer utilizing said wired network; and

said computer utilizing said driver to communicate with said printer utilizing said wired network.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

in response to a determination that said computer does not include said driver, said computer remaining disconnected from said printer; and

said computer utilizing a generic, wireless driver to communicate with said printer utilizing wireless signals.

8. A data processing system for automatically detecting a presence of a printer within a remote area, and responsive to said detection, automatically establishing a communications link with said printer, said computer being physically disconnected from said printer, comprising:

a computer included within said system capable of transmitting a wireless query signal to said remote area;

in response to a printer physically located within said remote area receiving said wireless query signal, said printer capable of transmitting a wireless reply signal to said remote area;

in response to said computer receiving said wireless reply signal, said computer capable of automatically establishing a communications link with said printer, wherein said computer utilizes said printer to print information;

a wireless interface included within said printer for transmitting and receiving wireless signals;

a wireless interface included within said computer for transmitting and receiving wireless signals;

in response to said computer receiving said wireless reply signal, said computer executing code for determining whether said computer is capable of communicating with said printer utilizing a wired network;

in response to a determination that computer is capable of communicating with said printer utilizing said wired network, said computer capable of being coupled to said printer utilizing said wired network; and

said computer executing code for automatically configuring itself to communicate with said printer utilizing said wired network.

9. The system according to claim 8, further comprising:

in response to a determination that computer is not capable of communicating with said printer utilizing said wired network, said computer capable of remaining disconnected from said printer; and

said computer executing code for automatically configuring itself to communicate with said printer utilizing a wireless communications link.

10. The system according to claim 9, further comprising said computer executing code for automatically configuring itself to communicate with said printer without a user of said computer being aware of a network address of said printer.

11. The system according to claim 10, further comprising said printer capable of transmitting said reply signal including an identification of a printer type of said printer.

12. The system according to claim 11, further comprising said printer capable of transmitting said reply signal including an identification of a physical location and said network address of said printer.

13. The system according to claim 12, further comprising:

said computer executing code for determining whether said computer includes a software driver for communicating with said printer type;

in response to a determination that said computer does include said driver, said computer capable of being coupled to said printer utilizing a wired network; and

said computer executing code for utilizing said driver to communicate with said printer utilizing said wired network.

14. The system according to claim 13, further comprising:

in response to a determination that said computer does not include said driver, said computer capable of remaining disconnected from said printer; and

said computer executing code for utilizing a generic, wireless driver to communicate with said printer utilizing wireless signals.

15. A data processing system for automatically detecting a presence of a printer within a remote area, and responsive to said detection, automatically establishing a communications link with said printer, said computer being physically disconnected from said printer, comprising:

said computer including a wireless interface for transmitting and receiving wireless signals;

said printer including a wireless interface for transmitting and receiving wireless signals;

a computer included within said system capable of transmitting a wireless query signal to said remote area;

in response to a printer physically located within said remote area receiving said wireless query signal, said printer capable of transmitting a wireless reply signal to said remote area, said reply signal including an identification of a printer type of said printer, an identification of a physical location, and a network address of said printer;

in response to said computer receiving said wireless reply signal, said computer executing code for determining whether said computer is capable of communicating with said printer utilizing a wired network by determining whether said computer includes a software driver for communicating with a type of printer including said printer;

in response to a determination that said computer does include said driver, said computer capable of being coupled to said printer utilizing a wired network and said computer executing code for utilizing said driver to communicate with said printer utilizing said wired network, said computer executing code for automatically configuring itself to communicate with said printer without a user of said computer being aware of said network address of said printer; and

in response to a determination that said computer does not include said driver, said computer capable of remaining disconnected from said printer and said computer executing code for utilizing a generic, wireless driver to communicate with said printer utilizing wireless signals.