Abstract: A method of implementing a universal print driver in the Windows® V4 print architecture is provided. The method includes monitoring an event log to detect one or more trigger events relating to a printer instance of a connected printing device; upon detection of a trigger event, scheduled poll interval expiration, and/or an on-demand request, comparing a print driver currently associated with the printer instance to an actual model of the connected printing device and determining whether the print driver needs to be switched from an old printing device model to the connected printing device model. If the print driver needs to be switched, then mapping data is used to automatically look up a name of a printing device model entry corresponding to the connected printing device model in an INF file, among other things.

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: Methods and systems for permitting a rendering device, such as a printer, to be automatically configured at the time of device driver installation, regardless of the means utilized to install the driver are disclosed. In general, a device driver (e.g., a printer driver) is associated with the rendering device. The device driver includes a driver default configuration. The driver default configuration can be initially set in the rendering device via an embedded network server (e.g., an embedded web server) in the rendering device. The driver installer can then query the driver default configuration as set on the rendering device. The driver can then be automatically adjusted prior to the installation of the driver, in response to querying the driver default configuration by the driver installer. The rendering device can be implemented as a printer, a scanner, a multi-function device, a photocopy machine, and the like.

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 device, such as a printer, can be connected to one or more computer systems along multiple communication media. In response to a message from one of the computer systems, the device generates a report. The report is generated in a manner that is independent of the communication medium over which the message is transported. The report is packaged for transport, and then transmitted along the appropriate communication medium back to the computer system.

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: Methods and systems for permitting a rendering device, such as a printer, to be automatically configured at the time of device driver installation, regardless of the means utilized to install the driver are disclosed. In general, a device driver (e.g., a printer driver) is associated with the rendering device. The device driver includes a driver default configuration. The driver default configuration can be initially set in the rendering device via an embedded network server (e.g., an embedded web server) in the rendering device. The driver installer can then query the driver default configuration as set on the rendering device. The driver can then be automatically adjusted prior to the installation of the driver, in response to querying the driver default configuration by the driver installer. The rendering device can be implemented as a printer, a scanner, a multi-function device, a photocopy machine, and the like.

Abstract: Methods and systems for configuring and installing a rendering device in communication with a computer network that includes one or more clients and one or more servers are disclosed. In general, a driver associated with a rendering device can be installed and configured based on driver data and associated information maintained with a central repository within the computer network. Such a methodology requires minimum user intervention. A user can select a rendering device for installation, which triggers automatic installation of the rendering device based on the best-possible rendering device installation mechanisms available. The appropriate driver and installation settings can then be downloaded and selected. The administrator controls which rendering device installation mechanisms are allowed on the computer network and which are not.

Abstract: A system for scanning including a scan capable device and a controller for broadcasting a scan related message in response to a user input and for identifying for the user scan destinations that responded to the scan related message.

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 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 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 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 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.