Internet-based push printing over cable network
First Claim
1. A method for push printing of a print job from a remote internet site to a printer attached to a set top box, the set top box being connected via a digital cable network to a cable head end having internet access, said method comprising the steps of:
- receiving the print job at the cable head end from the internet; and
transmitting the print job from the cable head end over the digital cable network to the set top box so as to print the print job from the set top box to the printer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Push printing from internet sources to a set top box through a cable head end connected to the set top box by a digital cable network. Push printing includes printing by unicast (point-to-point) printing from a remote internet source to a specifically designated printer connected to a specifically addressed set top box, multicast (one-to-many) printing from a single remote web source to multiple ones of printers connected to respective set top boxes, and one-to-group printing from a single remote web source to a group of set top boxes defined at the cable head end. Both unicast and multicast printing are accomplished from the remote internet site to a cable head end connected to the internet, with the cable head end transmitting the print job via a digital cable network to subscriber set top boxes. Notification of print status is provided from the set top box back to the cable head end, thereby allowing the cable head end to provide notification of successful printout back to the remote internet site.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for push printing of a print job from a remote internet site to a printer attached to a set top box, the set top box being connected via a digital cable network to a cable head end having internet access, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving the print job at the cable head end from the internet; and
transmitting the print job from the cable head end over the digital cable network to the set top box so as to print the print job from the set top box to the printer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
a program memory for storing process steps executable to perform a method according to any of claims 1 to 11; and
a processor for executing the process steps stored in said program memory.
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13. Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer readable medium, said computer-executable process steps for push printing of a print job from a remote internet site to a printer attached to a set top box which, in turn, is connected via a digital cable network to a cable head end having internet access, said computer-executable process steps comprising process steps executable to perform a method according to any of claims 1 to 11.
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14. A computer-readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps, the computer executable process steps for push printing of a print job from a remote internet site to a printer attached to a set top box which, in turn, is connected via a digital cable network to a cable head end having internet access, said computer-executable process steps executable to perform a method according to any of claims 1 to 11.
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15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the cable head end determines whether or not to reject the print job.
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17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the print job is printed out at the set-top box.
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5. A method for push printing of a print job from a remote internet site to a printer attached to a set top box which, in turn, is connected via a digital cable network to a cable head end having internet access, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving the print job at the cable head end;
determining a destination set top box based on destination information in the print job;
constructing a logical printer corresponding to the printer connected to the destination set top box, the logical printer being created at the cable head end;
creating a confirmation server at the cable head end;
transmitting the print job from the logical printer over the digital cable network to the set top box; and
obtaining printer status via said confirmation server from a corresponding confirmation client created at the set top box. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16)
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18. A method for push printing of a print job from a remote internet site to a printer attached to a set top box, the set top box being connected via a digital network to a broadcasting station having internet access, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving the print job at the broadcasting station from the internet;
the broadcasting station selecting, based on the print job, a transmission mode for the print job, wherein the transmission mode is one of a unicast mode or a multicast mode; and
transmitting, in the selected transmission mode, the print job from the broadcasting station over the digital network to the set top box so as to print the print job at the printer. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification