Dynamically updating a printer driver
First Claim
1. A method for automatically updating a printer driver after printing is initiated without requiring user initiation of an update comprising:
- providing all functional code required for performing printer driver specific functions as dynamically linkable objects accessible by a main entry object of a printer driver, wherein the main entry object lacks functional code for performing printer driver specific functions;
initiating a request to the main entry object to render a print job, wherein the printer driver comprises the main entry object but lacks functional code required to process the print job at the time the request to render the print job is initiated to the main entry object;
performing the following steps, using the main entry object, after the request to render the print job is initiated;
contacting a printer driver source to determine whether any updated dynamically linkable objects are available and, if one or more updated dynamically linkable objects is available, downloading and installing the one or more updated dynamically linkable objects; and
dynamically linking any downloaded updated dynamically linkable objects and any remaining dynamically linkable objects not updated to the main entry object to provide a fully-functional dynamic printer driver;
using the fully-functional dynamic printer driver to render the print job; and
using the main entry object to dynamically unlink the dynamically linkable objects linked to the main entry object upon completion of the print job.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for dynamically installing or updating a printer driver on a computer device without requiring a user to initiate the installation or update. In a system that includes a computer device, a printer device and a printer driver source, a print job is initiated and a connection with a printer driver source is established. A request is made for information relating to the performance of an automatic update of a dynamic printer driver. A determination is made as to whether or not an update is available. If the update is available, a determination is optionally obtained relating to whether or not the system may proceed in performing the automatic and dynamic update. The update includes obtaining dynamically linkable object components and linking the object components with a main entry object to form a dynamic printer drive that may be used to execute the print job.
43 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for automatically updating a printer driver after printing is initiated without requiring user initiation of an update comprising:
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providing all functional code required for performing printer driver specific functions as dynamically linkable objects accessible by a main entry object of a printer driver, wherein the main entry object lacks functional code for performing printer driver specific functions; initiating a request to the main entry object to render a print job, wherein the printer driver comprises the main entry object but lacks functional code required to process the print job at the time the request to render the print job is initiated to the main entry object; performing the following steps, using the main entry object, after the request to render the print job is initiated; contacting a printer driver source to determine whether any updated dynamically linkable objects are available and, if one or more updated dynamically linkable objects is available, downloading and installing the one or more updated dynamically linkable objects; and dynamically linking any downloaded updated dynamically linkable objects and any remaining dynamically linkable objects not updated to the main entry object to provide a fully-functional dynamic printer driver; using the fully-functional dynamic printer driver to render the print job; and using the main entry object to dynamically unlink the dynamically linkable objects linked to the main entry object upon completion of the print job. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A computer program product for implementing within a computer system a method for automatically updating a printer driver after printing is initiated without requiring user initiation of an update, the computer program product comprising
a computer readable medium for providing computer program code means utilized to implement the method, wherein the computer program code means is comprised of executable code for implementing the steps of: -
providing all functional code required for performing printer driver specific functions as dynamically linkable objects accessible by a main entry object of a printer driver, wherein the main entry object lacks functional code for performing printer driver specific functions; initiating a request to the main entry object to render a print job, wherein the printer driver comprises the main entry object but lacks functional code required to process the print job at the time the request to render the print job is initiated to the main entry object; performing the following steps, using the main entry object, after the request to render the print job is initiated; contacting a printer driver source to determine whether any updated dynamically linkable objects are available and, if one or more updated dynamically linkable objects is available, downloading and installing the one or more updated dynamically linkable objects; and dynamically linking any downloaded updated dynamically linkable objects and any remaining dynamically linkable objects not updated to the main entry object to provide a fully-functional dynamic printer driver; using the fully-functional dynamic printer driver to render the print job; and using the main entry object to dynamically unlink the dynamically linkable objects linked to the main entry object upon completion of the print job. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A system configured to automatically update a printer driver after printing is initiated without requiring user initiation of an update, the system comprising:
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a printer device in communication with a computer device; a printer driver source in communication with the computer device having one or more dynamically linkable objects containing functional code required to perform printer driver specific functions; a dynamic printer driver of the computer device that is configured to render a print job that has been initiated, wherein the dynamic printer driver comprises a main entry object lacking functional code required to perform printer driver specific functions and wherein the dynamic printer driver also lacks functional code required to perform printer driver specific functions at the time the request to render the print job is initiated to the printer driver; whereby, after initiation of the print job to the dynamic printer driver, the main entry object is configured to; contact the printer driver source to determine whether any updated dynamically linkable objects are available and, if one or more updated dynamically linkable objects is available, downloading and installing the one or more updated dynamically linkable objects; dynamically link any downloaded updated dynamically linkable objects and any remaining dynamically linkable objects not updated to the main entry object to provide full functionality to the dynamic printer driver; render the print job; and dynamically unlink the dynamically linkable objects linked to the main entry object upon completion of the print job. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification