System and method for printer driver management in an enterprise network

• US 9,519,450 B1
• Filed: 02/05/2013
• Issued: 12/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Open Invention Network LLC
• Original Assignee: Open Invention Network LLC
• Inventors: Feeser, Colin Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Sarpong, Akwasi M
• Application Number:
  US13/759,418
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 358/1.18, 714/25, 714/35, 714/38, 382/232, 705/261
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3668 Software testing software testing in telephone exchanges H04M3/242, testing of hardware G06F11/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1225 Software update, e.g. print driver, modules, plug-ins, fonts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1256 User feedback, e.g. print preview, test print, proofing, pre-flight checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1296 Printer job scheduling or printer resource handling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00344 with a management, maintenance, service or repair apparatus monitoring H04N1/00002

Abstract

A method, system and program product for printer driver management in an enterprise network. Each requested printer driver is tested in a controlled environment to determine if the driver is compatible with at least one other driver in a set of drivers. The tested printer driver is conditioned for inclusion in a central repository that stores a plurality of sets of versioned drivers, if the printer driver is determined to be compatible. The tested driver and at least one associated file are packaged and stored in the central repository. The tested driver and associated file are deployed to at least one server hosting a distributed file share. The tested driver and associated file are downloaded to at least one print server. Driver files are touched with a date and time stamp so that workstations will automatically download updated printer drivers from the print server.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

Testing, by a printer driver test server, each requested printer driver using a window to test a current version and a new version in a controlled environment to determine whether the driver is compatible with at least one other driver in a set of drivers;

after printer driver testing is completed, collecting files to build a deliverables folder and generating a Print Driver Update initialization file with the tested printer drivers, and transmitting, from the printer driver test server, the tested printer drivers for storage at a centralized printer driver update server for deployment on at least one server hosting a distributed file share, wherein the tested print drivers are provided with a later date and time stamp than those on the at least one server hosting the distributed file share;

wherein the testing of each requested printer driver comprises;

testing installation of the printer driver,

confirming that all files required for installation of the printer driver have been captured,

creating a test queue on a workstation in the controlled environment,

generating a test print on a printer in the controlled environment,

deploying the tested driver and associated file to the at least one server hosting the distributed file share, and

downloading the tested driver and associated file to at least one print server, and

the window identifies each of the requested printer drivers to test, the current version, and the new version.

2. The method for printer driver management of claim 1, further comprising:

generating an altered date and time stamp for at least one file associated with the tested driver to ensure that updated driver files are automatically downloaded from the print server.

3. The method for printer driver management of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

conditioning the tested printer driver for inclusion in the centralized printer driver update server that stores a plurality of sets of versioned drivers when the tested printer drive is determined to be compatible;

storing the tested driver and at least one associated file in the centralized printer driver update server; and

determining whether the requested printer driver exists in the centralized printer driver update server.

4. The method for printer driver management of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether a new version exists for the requested printer driver.

5. The method for printer driver management of claim 1, further comprising:

downloading the requested printer driver to a server in the controlled environment.

6. The method for printer driver management of claim 1, further comprising:

preparing the printer driver for testing by creating a folder for the printer driver to be tested and editing an information file associated with the printer driver.

7. The method for printer driver management of claim 1, wherein the testing of the printer driver comprises driver installation and compatibility testing and driver function testing.

8. The method for printer driver management of claim 7, wherein the testing of the driver installation and compatibility comprises at least one of checking for a previous installation of the printer driver and archiving the printer driver installation files.

9. The method for printer driver management of claim 7, wherein the testing of the driver function comprises generating a test print on a printer in the controlled environment.

10. The method for printer driver management of claim 2, further comprising:

packaging the printer driver and associated file for storage in the centralized printer driver update server.

11. The method for printer driver management of claim 9, further comprising:

determining whether the printer driver functions appropriately with a different version of the associated file.

12. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product configured to cause a processor to:

test each requested printer driver at a printer driver test server using a window to test a current version and a new version in a controlled environment to determine whether the driver is compatible with at least one other driver in a set of drivers; and

after printer driver testing is completed, collect files to build a deliverables folder and generate a Print Driver Update initialization file with the tested printer drivers, and, transmit, from the printer driver test server, the tested printer drivers for storage at a centralized printer driver update server for deployment on at least one server hosting a distributed file share, wherein the tested print drivers are provided with a later date and time stamp than those on the at least one server hosting the distributed file share;

wherein the testing of each of the requested printer drivers being tested comprises;

testing installation of the printer driver,

confirming that all files required for installation of the printer driver have been captured,

creating a test queue on a workstation in the controlled environment,

generating a test print on a printer in the controlled environment,

deploying the tested driver and associated file to the at least one server hosting the distributed file share, and

downloading the tested driver and associated file to at least one print server, and

the window identifies each of the requested printer drivers to test, the current version, and the new version.

13. The computer program product for printer driver management of claim 12, wherein the computer program product is further configured to cause the processor to generate an altered date and time stamp for at least one file associated with the tested driver to ensure that updated driver files are automatically downloaded from the print server.

14. The computer program product for printer driver management of claim 12, wherein the computer program product is further configured to cause the processor to perform at least one of:

determine whether the requested printer driver exists in the centralized printer driver update server;

condition the tested printer driver for inclusion in the centralized printer driver update server that stores a plurality of sets of versioned drivers, when the tested printer driver determined to be compatible; and

store the tested driver and at least one associated file in the centralized printer driver update server.

15. The computer program product for printer driver management of claim 12, wherein the computer program product is further configured to cause the processor to determine whether a new version exists for the requested printer driver.

16. The computer program product for printer driver management of claim 12, wherein the computer program product is further configured to cause the processor to download the requested printer driver to a server in the controlled environment.

17. The computer program product for printer driver management of claim 12, wherein the computer program product is further configured to cause the processor to prepare the printer driver for testing by creating a folder for the printer driver to be tested and editing an information file associated with the printer driver.

18. The computer program product for printer driver management of claim 12, wherein the computer program product is further configured to cause the processor to test the printer driver comprise driver installation and compatibility testing and driver function testing.

19. The computer program product for printer driver management of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is further configured to cause the processor to test driver installation and compatibility include at least one of program instructions that check for a previous installation of the printer driver and archive the printer driver installation files.

20. The computer program product for printer driver management of claim 18, wherein the computer program product is further configured to cause the processor to test driver function comprises access and manipulate printer driver settings.

21. The computer program product for printer driver management of claim 12, wherein the computer program product is further configured to cause the processor to package the printer driver and associated file for storage in the centralized printer driver update server.

22. The computer program product for printer driver management of claim 20, wherein the computer program product is further configured to cause the processor to determine whether the printer driver functions appropriately with a different version of the associated file.

23. A system comprising:

a test server configured to;

test each requested printer driver using a window to test a current version and a new version in a controlled environment, wherein the window identifies each of the requested printer drivers to test, the current version, and the new version, and

after printer driver testing is completed, collect files to build a deliverables folder and generating a Print Driver Update initialization file with the tested printer drivers, and transmit the tested printer drivers for storage at a centralized printer driver update server for deployment on at least one server hosting a distributed file share, wherein the tested print drivers are provided with a later date and time stamp than those on the at least one server hosting the distributed file share;

wherein the testing of each of the requested printer drivers being tested comprises;

testing installation of the printer driver,

confirming whether all files required for printer driver installation have been captured,

creating a test queue on a workstation in the controlled environment, and

generating a test print on a printer in the controlled environment;

a plurality of print servers;

a printer driver test component configured to test the requested printer driver on the test server and condition the printer driver for inclusion in the centralized printer driver update server; and

a printer tools component configured to manage a deployment of the requested printer driver and an associated file to the plurality of print servers.

24. The system for printer driver management of claim 23, further comprising:

at least one server configured to host a distributed file share and store the printer driver and associated file for distribution to at least one print server.

25. The system for printer driver management of claim 23, further comprising:

a component configured to generate an altered date and time stamp for the file associated with the tested driver to ensure that updated driver files are automatically downloaded from the print server.

26. The system for printer driver management of claim 23, wherein the printer driver test component comprises a module configured to prepare the printer driver for testing when a folder for the printer driver is created to be tested and an information file associated with the printer driver is edited.

27. The system for printer driver management of claim 23, wherein the printer driver test component comprises a module configured to test driver installation and compatibility, and a module configured to test driver function.

28. The system for printer driver management of claim 27, wherein the module that is configured to test driver installation and compatibility is further configured to perform at least one of checking for a previous installation of the printer driver and archiving the printer driver installation files.

29. The system for printer driver management of claim 27, wherein the module that is configured to test driver function is further configured to access and manipulate printer driver settings.

30. The system for printer driver management of claim 23, wherein the printer tools component is configured to package the printer driver and associated file for storage in the centralized printer driver update server.

31. The system for printer driver management of claim 23, wherein the printer driver test component is further configured to determine whether the printer driver functions appropriately with a different version of the associated file.