Abstract: A system for interfacing a universal print driver with a print device after the universal print driver is deployed. The system includes a universal print driver interfaced with a network and at least one associated print device. A repository stores a set of device compatibility packs (DCPs) for each of the at least one associated print device interfaced with the universal print driver. The universal print driver is adapted to search the repository for a DCP if the associated print device is unsupported by the print driver.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods of controlling operation of a printer, apparatus and computer-readable medium. The embodiments control operation of a printer by receiving a print command for printing from a user, and displaying a print user interface including selectable document settings and context based restrictions. Context based restrictions allows a system administrator to flexibly manage users access to a device features and capabilities. A variety of restrictions can be specified including time-based, capacity-based, and application-based. This invention also prevents the user from submitting a job with a restricted feature. Advantages are a clear, understandable presentation of restrictions to the user so the user knows what features the user cannot access.

Abstract: A system for interfacing a universal print driver with a print device after the universal print driver is deployed. The system includes a universal print driver interfaced with a network and at least one associated print device. A repository stores a set of device compatibility packs (DCPs) for each of the at least one associated print device interfaced with the universal print driver. The universal print driver is adapted to search the repository for a DCP if the associated print device is unsupported by the print driver.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods of controlling operation of a printer, apparatus and computer-readable medium. The embodiments control operation of a printer by receiving a print command for printing from a user, and displaying a print user interface including selectable document settings and context based restrictions. Context based restrictions allows a system administrator to flexibly manage users access to a device features and capabilities. A variety of restrictions can be specified including time-based, capacity-based, and application-based. This invention also prevents the user from submitting a job with a restricted feature. Advantages are a clear, understandable presentation of restrictions to the user so the user knows what features the user cannot access.

Abstract: A system for installing a printer driver for a printer connected on a network includes a printer driver for the printer; an installer, located on a host device connected on the network, responsive to activation, for listening for the printer's identification, and responsive to receipt of the printer's identification, for installing the printer driver on the host device; and a beacon, located at the printer, responsive to an input, for broadcasting the printer's identification on the network.

Abstract: A system for print-time printer selection, includes a printer driver installed on a host device, for controlling a plurality of different printer types, for listening for a printer's identification, and responsive to receipt of a printer identification identifying the printer as one of the plurality of printer types, for sending a print job to the identified printer; and a beacon, located at the printer, responsive to a user's activation of the beacon at the printer, for broadcasting the printer's identification to the host device.

Abstract: A single printer driver controls operation of a plurality printers on a network. The driver includes a user interface, a controller/logic analyzer and a communications port. The user interface displays a composite of printer features of the plurality of printers in a host device on the network, receives a user request for a print job and user-selected properties from the composite of printer features for the print job. The controller/logic analyzer, responsive to the request for a print job, the user-selected print job properties and the printer features of the plurality of printers, selects which printer is to be used for the print job according to predetermined criteria. The communications port routes the print job and selected print job properties to the selected printer.

Abstract: A USB printer driver includes a generic driver for generating a print job in a page description language for each of a plurality of different printer types; a detector for detecting any USB enabled printers connected to a USB port on a host device; means, responsive to detection of a USB enabled printer connected to the USB port on the host device, for retrieving the detected USB enabled printer's device name; means, responsive to the printer's device name, for generating a print path between the host device and the detected USB enabled printer; and a spooler for sending the print job to the detected USB enabled printer using the print path.

Abstract: A system includes a printer having at least one container for storing a consumable and a monitor for monitoring the status of the consumable in the at least one container; a host device for sending a print job to the printer, wherein the host device includes a display; and a printer driver for controlling operation of the printer from the host device, for querying the printer for consumable status information, and for providing a user interface in the host device display; wherein the printer driver, responsive to the print job, queries the printer for consumable status information and displays the status of the consumable in the at least one container in the printer in the user interface.

Abstract: A system for installing a printer driver for a printer connected on a network includes a printer driver for the printer; an installer, located on a host device connected on the network, responsive to activation, for listening for the printer's identification, and responsive to receipt of the printer's identification, for installing the printer driver on the host device; and a beacon, located at the printer, responsive to an input, for broadcasting the printer's identification on the network.