Abstract: A method and apparatus which generates a copy of the print data file for a print job and utilizes the copied data file to calculate the amount of marking material required to print the print job while allowing the processing of the print job to proceed without interruption or delay. A print server in a computer or printing system receives print jobs originating at one or more host computers. At the print server the print job data file is copied and a separate task using the copy calculates the amount of marking material required to print the print job proceeds in the print server background in parallel with the conventional processing of the print job. The print job file is converted to a universal file format prior to being transmitted to the print server.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing an incentive to potential consumers who receive e-mail advertisements or other content to render the advertisement on a display or a printer. An advertiser distributes a content packet to one or more consumers. The content packet includes a message and a value that the consumer will receive if the consumer renders the message. The content packet also includes a message identifier for tracking purposes and a bank account identifier that identifies an advertiser bank account. A pre-configured rules module on a consumer device determines if the message will be rendered according to the value assigned to the packet. If the message is rendered, the consumer notifies the advertiser bank that the message was rendered according to instructions contained in the packet, and the value is transferred from the advertiser bank to a consumer account. A sensor on a consumer printer is used to verify that the message was printed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which allows a network administrator to both remotely initially configure one or more network devices 12 and to simultaneously configure a group of network devices remotely, also referred to as batch configuration. Initially, the invention can communicate with newly installed network devices 12 using manufacturer assigned default IP addresses coupled with a device unique hardware address, also known media access control address (MAC address). Once a new device 12 is uniquely identified in this way, a new unique IP address may be assigned by the invention and/or other remotely configurable parameters may be modified.

Abstract: In a computer network system, data packets are transmitted to a designated network port. A port sharing protocol enables multiple applications to listen to the same port. Each interested application attempts to bind to the port. The first application to successfully bind to the port is deemed the “primary” application, and all remaining applications are deemed “secondary” applications. The secondary applications register themselves with the primary application by submitting their IP addresses and a port number of the port. The primary application adds the secondary applications to a distribution list. The primary application listens for incoming packets delivered over the port. When a packet is received, the primary application sends a copy of the packet to each secondary application on the distribution list. The primary and secondary applications are then free to consume the packets for their own purposes.

Abstract: The method of the invention enables remote control of a print queue in a network printer which receives print jobs over the Internet from plural client processors. The network printer includes a server procedure which enables transfer of files from the network printer over the network and a browser procedure which enables retrieval of files from client processors over the network. The method includes the steps of: establishing a queue of received print job identifiers; employing the server procedure to provide a first file to a client processor to enable the client processor to transmit a status request concerning the print queue; receiving a message including the status request and transmitting, in response, a second file with queue data to the client processor, the second file further including queue alteration choices; receiving a response message from the client processor with at least one queue alteration value; and altering the queue accordingly.

Abstract: A network includes plural client processors, a file server and plural printers. Each client processor has memory that stores a printer driver procedure which enables the client processor to interface with at least one printer type. The file server includes memory for storing a most updated printer driver procedure for each printer type coupled to the file server. The file server is responsive to a print request from a client processor to assign a printer to the requesting client processor. The file server then in combination with the client processor determines if a printer driver procedure for the assigned printer in the client processor is identical to a most updated printer driver procedure stored in memory in the file server. If not, the file server enables alteration of the printer driver procedure in the client processor to bring it into coincidence with the most updated print driver procedure.