Mechanism for sharing web based imaging information from a unix terminal computing environment

• US 8,135,864 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2002
• Issued: 03/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Simpson, Shell S., Foster, Ward S., Livingston, Kris R.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAW, PELING ANDY
• Application Number:
  US10/255,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20040073632A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,456 Days
• Field of Search: 715/527, 715/274, 709/248
• US Class Current: 709/248
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

The method of the present invention is capable of providing distributed imaging capability to a user of a computing device within a UNIX printing environment. Document creation, manipulation, editing, and output are provided by the present invention. Document design and image data are associated with the originating user. Generic access instructions cause associated document data to be retrieved or stored in accordance with the present invention. Multiple documents and output devices may be employed to accomplish the requesting user'"'"'s needs. Further, interactive graphical printing configuration and monitoring may be utilized.

Claims

1. A method for printing a target image in a printing environment that includes a client machine, the method comprising:

identifying the target image as data to be accessed in response to an execution by the client machine of at least one generic access instruction that does not identify a location of the target image;

obtaining first web content by way of said client machine, the first web content containing the generic access instruction for causing the target image to be accessed; and

obtaining second web content from a printer incorporating a web server by way of said client machine, the second web content comprising instructions for generating a print dialog box with at least one selectable printing option of the printer and instructions for causing the client machine to transmit a print job generated for the target image to be printed according to the selectable printing option.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying the target image to be accessed comprises associating the target image with a computer user and specifying a default target image associated with said computer user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of any said obtaining includes obtaining through a firewall.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the target image is stored in an independent image format.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said printer incorporating a web server is operating in a UNIX printing environment.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the target image includes saving the target image to a path associated with a user.

5. A system for sharing data in a printing environment comprising:

a client machine;

a target image identified as data to be accessed in response to a generic access instruction that does not identify a location of the target image;

a software extension executable by the client machine and configured access the target image in response to the generic access instruction;

first web content containing the generic access instruction;

second web content having instructions for causing the client machine to display a print dialog box with at least one selectable printing option for a printing device and instructions for causing the client machine to transmit a print job generated for the target image to be printed according to the selectable printing option; and

a printing device configured to output the print job, the printing device including a web server configured to serve the second content.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the generic access instruction of the first web content causes said software extension to access the target image.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the target image represents an image in an independent format.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein said software extension causes the target image to be output by way of said printing device including said web server.