Automated output of user guide
First Claim
1. An interface card for a device with image output capabilities, comprising:
- a connector for connecting to the device;
a controller for sending a predetermined signal to the device, receiving a request from the device for an executable program, and sending data for output of an image of a quick-start guide from the interface card to the device through the connector in response to the request for the executable program, wherein the quick-start guide identifies installation and configuration instructions.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interface card for a device with image output capabilities. The interface card includes a connector for connecting to the device and a controller. The controller sends data for output of an image of a quick-start guide from the interface card to the device through the connector. The controller sends the data once without error and does not send the data to the device again unless the interface card is reset with respect to whether the data has been sent. In the preferred embodiment, the interface card further includes a non-volatile memory, and the controller stores an indication that the data has been sent without error in the non-volatile memory in a case that the data has been sent without error. The controller uses the indication to determine if the data has been sent once without error, and the interface card is reset with respect to whether the data has been sent by resetting the indication. Examples of interface cards according to the invention include, but are not limited to, CD-ROM and DVD cards for computer systems with displays and/or printers, display interface cards, and network interface cards for printers.
22 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An interface card for a device with image output capabilities, comprising:
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a connector for connecting to the device;
a controller for sending a predetermined signal to the device, receiving a request from the device for an executable program, and sending data for output of an image of a quick-start guide from the interface card to the device through the connector in response to the request for the executable program, wherein the quick-start guide identifies installation and configuration instructions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for outputting a quick-start guide, said method comprising the steps of:
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sending a signal to a computer system that ordinarily would be sent when a memory medium has been inserted into a memory medium drive, wherein the signal is sent when no memory medium is inserted into the memory medium drive;
intercepting a request from the computer system for a filename for an executable program;
sending the filename for the executable program to the computer system in response to the request for the filename;
intercepting a request from the computer system for the executable program; and
sending the executable program to the computer system in response to the request for the executable program, wherein when the computer system executes the executable program, the executable program causes the computer system to output an image of the quick-start guide, wherein the quick-start guide identifies installation and configuration instructions. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for outputting a quick-start guide, said apparatus comprising:
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a program memory for storing process steps executable to;
(1) send a signal to a computer system that ordinarily would be sent when a memory medium has been inserted into a memory medium drive, wherein the signal is sent when no memory medium is inserted into the memory medium drive;
(2) intercept a request from the computer system for a filename for an executable program;
(3) send the filename for the executable program to the computer system in response to the request for the filename;
(4) intercept a request from the computer system for the executable program; and
(5) send the executable program to the computer system in response to the request for the executable program, wherein when the computer system executes the executable program, the executable program causes the computer system to output an image of the quick-start guide, and wherein the quick-start guide identifies installation and configuration instructions; and
a processor for executing the process steps stored in said program memory.
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Specification