Abstract: Method and apparatus for altering an executable file stored in a random access memory on a designated interactive network having a local area network interface comprises activating a LAN 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 interactive network board in response to the broadcast inquiry, and to establish communication with the designated interactive network board. The executable file is downloaded into RAM on the designated interactive network board through the local area network interface. A verifying step verifies a checksum value of the executable file against a checksum value in a checksum packet attached to the executable file. In the case that the verifying step is successfully completed, execution of the executable file may be commanded remotely, e.g., across the LAN interface.

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 network communication device has plural different connectors, each connectable to a network, and is capable of automatically selecting between the different connectors for network communication. A selector responsive to a selection signal selects one of the plural connectors, and a plurality of detectors, each associated with a corresponding connector, detects whether its corresponding connector is connected to the network. A processor executes a selection process by outputting a selection signal so as to select, in turn, each of the plural different connectors starting with a first connector, maintaining the state of the selection signal in a case where the detector associated with the selected connector indicates connection to the network, cycling to the next connector in a case where the detector does not indicate connection to the network, and repeating the selection process in a case where said processor has cycled through all of said plural connectors.

Abstract: In an interactive network board, method and apparatus for multi-tasking independently executable programs, makes use of a ROM, disposed on the board, for storing (i) a monitor program, and (ii) first and second independently executable programs. The first and second programs each include a relinquish command. A processor is disposed on the board for downloading the monitor program and the first and second programs from the ROM to a RAM. The processor executes the first program in RAM until the first program relinquishes control. The monitor program then begins execution and stores in the RAM information which indicates the execution state of the first program. The second program then begins execution in RAM until the second program relinquishes control. The monitor program then recommences execution to store in the RAM information which indicates the execution state of the second program.

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: A serial port which transmits a start bit of a serial transmission to a non-maskable interrupt terminal of a microprocessor so as to be certain that the microprocessor responds to serial communication. The serial port includes a microprocessor-writable transmit bit connected to the transmit terminal of the serial port, a microprocessor-readable receive bit connected to the receive terminal of the serial port, and an NMI enable switch connected between the receive terminal and the NMI pin of the microprocessor. In a receive mode, the NMI enable switch which initially is in a conductive state, transmits the start bit of serial transmissions directly to the NMI pin of the microprocessor causing the microprocessor to interrupt on-going processes. The microprocessor disables the NMI enable register and, after waiting for serial transmission periods between transmitted bits, reads all eight data bits received at the receive terminal from the received bit.

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: A fence assembly including posts and rails connected to each other by adjustable connecting members. The connecting member is a swivel bracket which permits adjustment of an end of the fence rail relative a fence post in various directions, e.g., in vertical and horizontal planes. The swivel bracket includes a base member and a body member, and the base member preferably has a flat side configured to be secured against the outer surface of a fence post. The opposite side of the base has a rounded concave depression adapted to receive one end of the bracket body member, the body member having a rounded exterior which fits within said depression. The body member has a hollow chamber therein which is open at a side thereof to receive the end of the rail. The ends of the rail are received in the bracket body chambers through the opening therein and then fixed to the brackets.

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 converting image data from row format into column format and a printer incorporating the same. A conversion circuit, which is responsive to writes to a first address space, is provided for converting the image data from the row format into the column format. A CPU writes the row format image data to the first address space whereupon the conversion circuit converts it to the second format. The CPU then writes image data to a second address space. In accordance with an unwind flag set by the CPU, either the converted image data or the original image data is stored in a memory. After the data has been written to memory, the CPU initiates a DMA transfer of the image data to a printer engine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing an interactive network board having a local area network interface, a Small Computer System Interface, and a test interface comprises supplying power to the interactive board, and performing a power-on self-test program within the interactive board. At the completion of the power-on self-test, a test program is loaded into a RAM on the interactive network board through the test interface, and the test program resident in the RAM is activated. The test program is executed and checkpoint test results are outputted after completion of the test program. A test computer is provided to receive the checkpoint test result and may script additional tests in accordance with checkpoint test results. Preferably, at the completion of the test program, ROM-resident firmware is downloaded into the RAM on the interactive board, and the firmware is loaded from the RAM into a ROM on the interactive network board.

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.

Abstract: A unique, refrigerant-free, insulator for maintaining the temperature of beverages contained in neck ring containers, such as bottles, comprising a unitary outer shell with a bottom opening for receiving the container and a top opening for receiving the container neck ring, an insulating sleeve carried within the shell and a retaining ring surrounding the bottom shell opening for supporting the bottom of the container.