OUTPUT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OUTPUT WITHOUT AN OUTPUT DRIVER

• US 20110211226A1
• Filed: 05/09/2011
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, William Ho, Liu, Christina Ying
• Granted Patent: US 9,164,718 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/16 Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs coordinating program control therefor G06F9/52; in regulating and control system G05B
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/12 Digital output to print unit , e.g. line printer, chain printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1206 resulting in increased flexibility in input data format or job format or job type
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1226 Discovery of devices having required properties
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1247 by conversion to printer ready format
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/126 Job scheduling, e.g. queuing, determine appropriate device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1292 Mobile client, e.g. wireless printing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3226 Use of secure elements separate from M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 : Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 : Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/00 : Business processing using cryptography postage metering system using cryptography G06Q2250/05
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 : Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2809 : indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network monitoring functionality H04L43/0817; discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services, H04L67/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 : Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 : Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 : Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 : Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 : Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2478 : Telephone terminals specially adapted for non-voice services, e.g. email, internet access centralized arrangements where telephones services are combined H04M7/0024; for recording text messages H04M3/5322; for accessing Internet H04M3/4938
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 : locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

An output device for providing output service to a mobile information apparatus without requiring a device specific output driver installed at the mobile information apparatus. The wireless output device may include an operating system, a wireless communication unit for radio frequency communication, a display screen, and a user interface over the display screen, the output device may include features for installing one or more application software at the output device for expanding the capabilities of the output device, registering the output device with a control point over a network and providing an identification of the output device for enabling one or more mobile information apparatuses to transmit output data to the output device. Subsequent to registering the output device and providing the identification information of the output device, the output device receives output data associated with the identification information from the mobile information apparatus for rendering.

Claims

1. A wireless output device for providing an output service to one or more information apparatuses without requiring a device specific output driver installed at the one or more information apparatuses, the one or more information apparatuses being distinct devices from the wireless output device, the wireless output device internally including:

a marking engine or a display engine for rendering output data,

an output controller for performing one or more functionalities of the wireless output device,

one or more embedded processors,

a memory or storage unit,

an embedded operating system for managing one or more application software,

a wireless communication unit that includes a radio frequency link controller for implementing real-time physical layer protocol processing,

a display screen,

a user interface over said display screen that allows a user to configure and manage the functions of the wireless output device,

wherein, the wireless output device further comprises;

means for establishing a radio frequency wireless communication link over said wireless communication unit;

means for providing one or more security functions for restricting or preventing unwanted access to the output service provided by the wireless output device;

means for installing one or more application software at the wireless output device for updating or modifying the features and capabilities of the wireless output device, the updating or modifying of the features and capabilities of the wireless output device with the one or more application software being facilitated, at least in part, by said embedded operating system included in the wireless output device;

means for registering the wireless output device with a control point for enabling one or more information apparatuses access to the service provided by the wireless output device, the control point being a computing system over a network for maintaining records of one or more output service devices;

means for providing, at the wireless output device, one or more device dependent attributes that includes identification information corresponding to the wireless output device, the identification information corresponding to the wireless output device provided at the wireless output device for sending to the one or more information apparatuses and for enabling the one or more information apparatuses to transmit output data to the wireless output device;

means for receiving, at the wireless communication unit of the wireless output device, the output data from the one or more information apparatuses for rendering, the output data being associated, at least in part, with said one or more device dependent attributes that includes the identification information corresponding to the wireless output device;

means for processing the output data, at said output controller included in the wireless output device, for delivering to said marking engine or said display engine included in the wireless output device for rendering, the processing of the output data includes at least a color correction operation;

means for delivering the processed output data from the output controller to said marking engine or said display engine included in the wireless output device for rendering; and

means for providing a status indicator over the display screen of the wireless output device to the user of the wireless output device;

thereby, the wireless output device provides the output service to the one or more information apparatuses without requiring a device specific output driver installed at the one or more information apparatuses.

2. The wireless output device of claim 1 further comprising:

means for sending or receiving authentication information to or from the wireless communication unit over the radio frequency wireless communication link to an information apparatus of the one or more information apparatuses for authorizing access of a user of the information apparatus or the information apparatus to the output service provided by the wireless output device; and

means for establishing, over the wireless communication unit included in the wireless output device, a restricted radio frequency wireless communication channel for receiving output data from the information apparatus after authentication of the information apparatus or the user of the information apparatus.

3. The wireless output device of claim 1 further comprising means for providing output management functions, at the output controller, that includes one or more of a storing, a queuing, and a spooling, on at least part of the received output data at said memory or storage unit of the wireless output device for rendering, the output management function enabling plural information apparatuses of the one or more information apparatuses to access the output service of the wireless output device at the same time.

4. The wireless output device of claim 1 further comprising means for transmitting, from said wireless communication unit of the wireless output device to the one or more information apparatus, the one or more device dependent attributes that includes identification information corresponding to the wireless output device.

5. The wireless output device of claim 1 in which the means for registering the wireless output device with a control point includes enabling the one or more information apparatuses to discover the wireless output device by the one or more information apparatuses contacting the control point.

6. The wireless output device of claim 1 in which the output device includes one or more of a printing device, a display device, a television, a projection device, and an audio output device.

7. The wireless output device of claim 1 in which the radio frequency communication link includes at least one of a Bluetooth®

communication and a communication link operative in accordance with an IEEE802.11-based standard.

8. A wireless output device method associated with a wireless output device for providing output service to one or more information apparatuses without requiring a device specific output driver installed at the one or more information apparatuses, the one or more information apparatuses being distinct devices from the wireless output device, the wireless output device internally includes:

a marking engine or a display engine for rendering output data,

an output controller for performing one or more functionalities of the wireless output device,

one or more embedded processors,

a memory or storage unit,

an embedded operating system for managing one or more application software,

a wireless communication unit that includes a radio frequency link controller for implementing real-time physical layer protocol processing and an antenna for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals,

a display screen,

a user interface over said display screen that allows a user to configure and manage the functions of the wireless output device,

the wireless output device method comprising;

establishing a radio frequency wireless communication link over said wireless communication unit;

installing one or more application software at the wireless output device for updating or modifying the features and capabilities of the wireless output device, the updating or modifying of the features and capabilities of the wireless output device by the one or more application software being facilitated, at least in part, by said embedded operating system included in the wireless output device;

registering the wireless output device with a control point for enabling the one or more information apparatuses to access the output service provided by the wireless output device, the control point being a computing system over a network for maintaining records of one or more output service devices in the network;

providing, at the wireless output device, one or more device dependent attributes that includes identification information corresponding to the wireless output device, the identification information corresponding to the wireless output device provided at the wireless output device for sending to the one or more information apparatuses and for enabling the one or more information apparatuses to transmit output data to the wireless output device;

receiving, at the wireless communication unit of the wireless output device, the output data from the one or more information apparatuses for rendering, the output data being associated, at least in part, with said one or more device dependent attributes that includes identification information corresponding to the wireless output device;

providing output management function at the output controller that includes one or more of a storing, a queuing, and a spooling, on at least part of the received output data at said memory or storage unit of the wireless output device for rendering, the output management function for enabling plural information apparatuses of the one or more information apparatuses to request output services from the wireless output device at the same time;

processing the output data, at said output controller included in the wireless output device, for delivering to said marking engine or said display engine included in the wireless output device for rendering, the processing of the output data includes at least a color correction operation;

delivering the processed output data to said marking engine or said display engine included in the wireless output device for rendering; and

providing a status indicator over the display screen of the wireless output device to the user of the wireless output device;

thereby, the wireless output device method enables the wireless output device to provide the output service to the one or more information apparatuses without requiring a device specific output driver installed at the one or more information apparatuses.

9. The wireless output method of claim 8 further comprising providing one or more security functions that includes an authentication step for restricting or preventing unwanted access to the output service provided by the wireless output device.

10. The wireless output method of claim 9 wherein the authentication step further comprises:

sending or receiving authentication information to or from the wireless communication unit over the radio frequency wireless communication link to an information apparatus of the one or more information apparatuses for authorizing access of a user of the information apparatus or the information apparatus to the output service provided by the wireless output device; and

establishing, over the wireless communication unit included in the wireless output device, a restricted radio frequency wireless communication channel for receiving output data from the information apparatus after authentication of the information apparatus or the user of the information apparatus.

11. The wireless output method of claim 8 in which registering the wireless output device with a control point includes enabling the one or more information apparatuses to discover the wireless output device upon the one or more information apparatuses contacting the control point.

12. The wireless output method of claim 8 in which the wireless output device includes a printing device.

13. An output controller associated with an output device for providing output service to a mobile wireless information apparatus without requiring a device specific output driver installed at the mobile wireless information apparatus, the output controller having a connection to the output device, and the output controller being an external and a distinct device from the output device, and the mobile wireless information apparatus being a distinct device from the output device and the output controller, the output controller including:

one or more processors,

a memory or storage unit,

at least part of an operating system for managing one or more application software running at the output controller,

a display screen,

a user interface over said display screen that allows a user to configure and manage the functions of the output controller,

wherein, the output controller is configured to;

install one or more software components at the output controller for updating or modifying the features and capabilities of the output controller, the updating or modifying of the features and capabilities of the output controller with the one or more software components being facilitated, at least in part, by the at least part of an operating system included in the output controller;

register, at the output controller, the output device associated with the output controller with a control point for enabling the mobile wireless information apparatus to access the output service provided by the output device via the output controller, and the control point being a computing system over a network for maintaining records of one or more output service devices;

provide, at the output controller, security information and authentication information for enabling the output service provided by output device accessible by the mobile wireless information apparatus;

provide, at the output controller, one or more device dependent attributes that includes identification information related to the output device, the identification information related to the output device provided at the output controller for enabling the information apparatus to transmit output data to the output device via the output controller;

receive, at the output controller, the output data from the mobile wireless information apparatus for rendering, the output data being associated, at least in part, with said one or more device dependent attributes that includes identification information related to the output device;

provide, at the output controller, output management function that includes one or more of a storing, a queuing, and a spooling, on at least part of the received output data at said memory or storage unit of the output controller for rendering, the output management function enabling plural mobile wireless information apparatuses to request output services from the output device at the same time;

conform, at the output controller, the received output data into a format, instruction, or language acceptable for sending to the output device; and

deliver the processed output data from the output controller to the output device for rendering;

thereby, the output controller enables the mobile wireless information apparatus to send the output data to the output service provided by the output device via the output controller without requiring a device specific output driver installed at the mobile wireless information apparatus.

14. The output controller of claim 13 being further configured to provide a status indicator over the display screen of the output controller to the user of the wireless output device.

15. The output controller of claim 13 further includes a wireless communication unit that includes a radio frequency link controller, and the output controller being further configured to establish a radio frequency wireless communication link over said wireless communication unit for receiving output data from the mobile wireless information apparatus.

16. The output controller of claim 13 in which the security information includes at least one of a security key, identification information related to the output device, and identification information related to the output controller.

17. The output controller of claim 13 in which the output service includes a printing service and the output device is a printing device.

18. The output controller of claim 13 in which at least part of the output data includes to video data and the output device is a television.

19. An output controller method associated with an output controller for providing output service to a mobile wireless information apparatus without requiring a device specific output driver installed at the mobile wireless information apparatus, the output controller having a connection to an output device for providing output service, and the output controller being an external and a distinct device from the output device, and the mobile wireless information apparatus being distinct device from the output device and the output controller, the output controller includes:

one or more processors,

a memory or storage unit,

at least part of an operating system for managing one or more application software running at the output controller,

a display screen,

a user interface over said display screen that allows a user to configure and manage the functions of the output controller, the output controller method comprising;

installing one or more software components at the output controller for updating or modifying the features and capabilities of the output controller, the updating or modifying of the features and capabilities of the output controller with the one or more software component being facilitated, at least in part, by the at least part of an operating system included in the output controller;

registering, at the output controller, the output device associated with the output controller with a control point for enabling the mobile wireless information apparatus to access the output service provided by the output device via the output controller, and the control point being a computing system over a network for maintaining records of one or more output service devices;

providing, at the output controller, security information and authentication information for enabling the output service provided by output device accessible by the mobile wireless information apparatus;

providing, at the output controller, one or more device dependent attributes that includes identification information related to the output device, the identification information related to the output device provided at the output controller for enabling the information apparatus to transmit output data to the output device via the output controller;

receiving, at the output controller, the output data from the mobile wireless information apparatus for rendering, the output data being associated, at least in part, with said one or more device dependent attributes that includes identification information related to the output device;

providing, at the output controller, output management function that includes one or more of a storing, a queuing, and a spooling, on at least part of the received output data at said memory or storage unit of the output controller for rendering, the output management function enabling plural mobile wireless information apparatuses to request output services from the output device at the same time;

conforming, at the output controller, the received output data into a format, instruction, or language acceptable for sending to the output device; and

delivering the processed output data from the output controller to the output device for rendering;

thereby, the output controller method enables the mobile wireless information apparatus to send the output data to the output service provided by the output device via the output controller without requiring a device specific output driver installed at the mobile wireless information apparatus.

20. The output controller method of claim 19 further comprising providing, at the output controller, payment information or a subscription for enabling the output service provided by the output device accessible by the mobile wireless information apparatus.