Abstract: A system and method for managing network devices by providing status and configuration information for the networked devices via a handheld device. The system includes a means for identifying and categorizing managed network devices using a handheld device. Once discovered and identified the networked device is monitored for alerts based on a specific category. The networked device also provides basic configuration information that is viewed via the handheld device display.

Abstract: A reprogrammable network communication device which communicates on a network has a reprogrammable read only memory which stores a current program image, a current network information file block containing configuration information for the network communication device, and a software module for reprogramming the reprogrammable read only memory. A random access memory stores a new program image for the reprogrammable read only memory. A processor sends and receives network communications, confirms that the new program image is compatible with the configuration information in the current network information file block, and executes the software reprogramming module so as to reprogram the reprogrammable read only memory with the new program image in a case where compatibility is confirmed.

Abstract: A network device which interfaces between a local area network (LAN) and an image forming apparatus and which can output a log file. The network device includes a LAN interface for receiving image forming jobs and command signals from the LAN, and a peripheral interface for outputting image forming jobs to the image forming apparatus. The network device further includes a storage device that stores a log file of image forming jobs received from the LAN and output to the image forming apparatus. In addition, the network device includes a processor that updates the stored log file based on the image forming jobs received from the LAN and output to the image forming apparatus and detects a triggering condition of outputting the log file. In response to the triggering condition, the processor formats the log file into an image forming job and outputs the formatted log file to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a message to a system administrator of a local area network (LAN) from a front panel of a peripheral device which is interfaced to the LAN via a network interface device having a storage device. A signal representing a message to the system administrator is input on the front panel of the peripheral device and is transmitted to a network interface device. The input signal is detected at the network interface device and, in response to the detection, destination information for messages to the system administrator is retrieved from the storage device. A notification packet is then formed which includes the retrieved destination information, identification information regarding the peripheral device, and the message represented by the input signal, and the notification packet is transmitted to the system administrator using the retrieved destination information.

Abstract: An interactive network device which interfaces a LAN to a peripheral that includes a front panel through which a user can affect status changes to the peripheral. Included in the interactive network device are a LAN interface which interfaces to the LAN and over which peripheral data is communicated, and a peripheral interface which interfaces to the peripheral and over which the peripheral data is communicated and the status of the peripheral data is received. A processor analyzes the status of the peripheral received over the peripheral interface so as to detect a predetermined sequence of status changes in the peripheral and, in response to detection of the predetermined sequence of status changes, (a) generates testpage information containing at least one of network information and interactive network device information and (b) outputs the generated testpage information.

Abstract: A network device which interfaces between a local area network (LAN) and an image forming apparatus and which can output debug information. The network device includes a LAN interface for receiving image forming jobs and command signals from the LAN and a peripheral interface for outputting image forming jobs to the image forming apparatus. The network device further includes a storage device that stores debug information regarding the network device configuration for receiving image forming jobs from the LAN and outputting image forming jobs to the image forming apparatus. In addition, the network device has a processor that detects a triggering condition and, in response to the triggering condition, formats the debug information into an image forming job and outputs the formatted debug information to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for multiprotocol operation of an interactive network board which ties a peripheral to a local area network and which executes first and second peripheral servers for servicing jobs from respectively different operating systems. The first server checks its operating system job queue and receives job information from the operating system according to a first protocol. The first server seizes exclusive control over the peripheral and signals to other servers that the first server has control. In coordination with the first server, the second server checks its operating system job queue and receives job information from the operating system. When the first server relinquishes control over the peripheral, the second server can seize exclusive control over the peripheral so as to send its job information to the peripheral.

Abstract: A method of selecting one time service provider from a plurality of time service providers accessible over a local area network (LAN). The method includes a storing step which stores, in a memory, a list identifying plural time service providers accessible over the LAN, the list identifying plural time service providers in order from a highest priority time service provider to a lowest priority time service provider. A determining step determines, via a LAN interface, a highest priority time service provider which is available in the list identifying plural time service providers, and a selecting step selects, via the LAN interface, the highest priority time service provider which is available in the list identifying plural time service providers.

Abstract: In an interactive network board, method and apparatus for forming an operational configuration of the board coupled to a LAN printer makes use of a RAM and an NVRAM disposed on the board. The NVRAM stores configuration information. Use is made of a PROM, also disposed on the board, for storing a loader module, and a plurality of configuration modules capable of setting the board in a plurality of different operational configurations when predetermined configuration modules are arranged in different combinations. A processor is also disposed on the board for reading the configuration information from the NVRAM to the RAM, and executing the loader module to provide a configuration mask which corresponds to the read configuration information. The processor applies the configuration mask to the configuration module stored in PROM, and selects those configuration modules which correspond to the configuration mask.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for interfacing a peripheral to a local area network with an interactive network board connected to the peripheral via a bi-directional peripheral interface and connectable to the local area network via a local area network interface. The interactive network board executes an access management program such as a socket server to monitor the local area network for communications from a network client directed to a proprietary socket. In response to communications detected by the access management program, the access management program establishes direct communication between the network client and itself and executes commands requested by the network client, such as commands to obtain or to alter the status of the network peripheral, or commands to obtain or to alter the status of the interactive network board itself. The interactive network board may also execute a peripheral server program such as a print server in a multitasking environment with the access management program.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for remotely altering programmable firmware stored in a PROM disposed on a target interactive network board having a local area network interface comprises activating a local area network communication program. The communication program operates to broadcast an inquiry through the local area network for the designated interactive network board, to receive location information of the designated board in response to the broadcast inquiry, and to establish communication with the designated board. A ROM firmware image is downloaded into a RAM on the designated board, preferably through the local area network interface. A verifying step verifies that the ROM firmware image stored in RAM is valid, and the PROM is controlled to erase memory locations, to transfer preservable data from the PROM into predetermined locations within the ROM firmware image stored in RAM, and to load into the PROM the ROM firmware image from the RAM.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for placing a Local Area Network (LAN) printer in a default configuration includes a printer non-volatile memory for storing a default configuration code, and a printer device for rendering print. A Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) is coupled to the printer device, for transmitting print data to the printer device. The SCSI is also coupled to the printer non-volatile memory for transmitting the default configuration code from the printer non-volatile memory. A LAN interface is provided for receiving print data from the LAN, and a RAM is coupled to both the SCSI and the LAN interface, for storing the print data and the default configuration code.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for interfacing a printer to a local area network includes the use of an interactive network board coupling the printer to the LAN. A bi-directional printer interface is disposed on the board and transmits print data to the printer, and receives printer status data from the printer. ALAN interface is disposed on the board for receiving print job information and printer status requests from the LAN, and for transmitting printer status information to the LAN. A ROM is disposed on the board and stores (i) application programs which receive the print job information and transmit the print data to the printer, and (ii) status and control programs which receive the printer status requests from the LAN, receive printer status data from the printer, transmit the printer status information to the LAN, and receive control information from the LAN and transmit it to the printer. A processor disposed on the board executes both the application programs and the status and control programs.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for advertising two network servers from a single network node in a LAN communication system which supports advertising only a single network server from any one node. A surrogate server is configured at the network node to listen for network broadcasts to a proprietary socket and then interleavedly advertises that the services of the first and second network servers (the "client" servers) are available from the node. When a network broadcast request addressed to the proprietary socket is received, the surrogate server responds to the request if directed to one of its clients, thereby permitting direct communication to be established with the designated one of the first or second network servers, for example, over the communication socket which is different from the proprietary socket.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for interfacing a printer to a local area network utilizes a circuit board coupled to the printer. A Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) is disposed on the board for transmitting print data to the printer and for receiving printer status data from the printer. A RAM is also disposed on the board, for storing the print data, the printer status data, and a plurality of application programs. A Local Area Network (LAN) interface is also disposed on the board, for receiving the print data from the LAN, and for transmitting the printer status data to the LAN. A processor is disposed on the board, for executing the plurality of application programs to cause the print data to be transmitted to the printer and the printer status data to be transmitted to the LAN. Preferably, printer control data may also be transmitted over the LAN to control printer functions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for logging status information of a printer using an interactive network board coupled between the printer and a Local Area Network, includes the use of a Small Computer Systems Interface coupled to the board and having a data channel and a status channel, for transmitting print data to the printer over the data channel, transmitting printer status requests to the printer and receiving printer status data from the printer over the status channel. A memory is coupled to the board and is used for storing the received printer status data. A processor is also coupled to the board for adding beginning and end of print job indicia to the print data prior to transmission to the printer, and for causing the printer status requests to be transmitted to and received from the printer at a first predetermined interval (e.g. every minute). Furthermore, the processor calculates, at a second predetermined interval (e.g.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the same functions of a networked printer that can be manually selected from the front panel of the printer, but remotely through an interactive network board connectable to the printer via a bi-directional printer interface and connectable to a local area network via a local area network interface. A printer status request, for example, from an administrator's console, is issued on the local area network and directed to the interactive network board to cause the board to interrogate the printer over the printer interface for the status of the manually selectable functions, and to transfer the status of those manually selectable functions from the board onto the local area network.