公开(公告)号：US5611046A

公开(公告)日：1997-03-11

申请号：US978369

申请日：1992-11-18

申请人： William C. Russell ,  Andrew J. Kraslavsky ,  Robert D. Wadsworth ,  Lorraine F. Barrett ,  George A. Kalwitz ,  Tony K. Ip ,  Walter D. Kuver

发明人： William C. Russell ,  Andrew J. Kraslavsky ,  Robert D. Wadsworth ,  Lorraine F. Barrett ,  George A. Kalwitz ,  Tony K. Ip ,  Walter D. Kuver

IPC分类号： B41J29/38 ,  G06F3/12 ,  G06F13/00 ,  G06F13/12

CPC分类号： G06F13/128 ,  G06F3/1204 ,  G06F3/1207 ,  G06F3/1229 ,  G06F3/1259 ,  G06F3/1286 ,  G06F3/1288

摘要： 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. Preferably, the application programs are selectively capable of placing the network board into a plurality of different printer configurations.

摘要翻译： 将打印机连接到局域网的方法和装置包括使用将打印机耦合到LAN的交互网板。 双面打印机接口设置在板上，并将打印数据传送到打印机，并从打印机接收打印机状态数据。 ALAN接口设置在板上用于从LAN接收打印作业信息和打印机状态请求，并将打印机状态信息发送到LAN。 一个ROM被放置在电路板上并存储（i）接收打印作业信息并将打印数据发送到打印机的应用程序，以及（ii）从LAN接收打印机状态请求的状态和控制程序，接收打印机状态 来自打印机的数据，将打印机状态信息发送到LAN，并从LAN接收控制信息并将其传送到打印机。 布置在板上的处理器执行应用程序和状态和控制程序。 优选地，应用程序选择性地能够将网络板放置在多个不同的打印机配置中。

公开(公告)号：US5784622A

公开(公告)日：1998-07-21

申请号：US978380

申请日：1992-11-18

申请人： George A. Kalwitz ,  William C. Russell ,  Lorraine F. Barrett ,  Robert D. Wadsworth ,  Andrew J. Kraslavsky

发明人： George A. Kalwitz ,  William C. Russell ,  Lorraine F. Barrett ,  Robert D. Wadsworth ,  Andrew J. Kraslavsky

IPC分类号： G06F3/12 ,  G06F13/00 ,  H04L29/06 ,  G06F13/14

CPC分类号： H04L29/06

摘要： 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. Preferably, while each server has exclusive control over the peripheral, it checks with other servers to determine whether those other servers have pending requests for use of the peripheral. If there are pending requests, then control over the server can be relinquished at the end of a job, even though there are remaining jobs in the job queues, so as to allow alternate usage of the peripheral by each server. The interactive network board automatically and adaptively determines the frame packet types being used for LAN communication by the respective operating systems by prescanning broadcast requests on the LAN bus for predetermined header information corresponding to each of the operating protocol stacks (or towers) for the servers.

摘要翻译： 交互式网络板的多协议操作的方法和装置，其将外围设备连接到局域网，并且执行第一和第二外围服务器以分别从不同的操作系统维修作业。 第一台服务器检查其操作系统作业队列，并根据第一个协议从操作系统接收作业信息。 第一台服务器占用外围设备的独家控制权，并向第一台服务器控制的其他服务器发出信号。 与第一台服务器协调，第二台服务器检查其操作系统作业队列，并从操作系统接收作业信息。 当第一台服务器放弃对外围设备的控制时，第二台服务器可以占用对外围设备的专用控制，以将其工作信息发送到外设。 优选地，虽然每个服务器具有对外围设备的独占控制，但是它与其他服务器检查以确定这些其他服务器是否具有用于外围设备的待处理请求。 如果有待处理的请求，则即使在作业队列中存在剩余作业，也可以在作业结束时放弃对服务器的控制，以便允许每个服务器对外设进行备用。 交互式网络板自动地并且自适应地确定各个操作系统用于LAN通信的帧分组类型，通过在LAN总线上预处理广播请求来预定对应于服务器的操作协议栈（或塔）的每个操作协议栈（或塔）的报头信息。

公开(公告)号：US5657448A

公开(公告)日：1997-08-12

申请号：US978286

申请日：1992-11-18

申请人： Robert D. Wadsworth ,  William C. Russell ,  George A. Kalwitz ,  Lorraine F. Barrett ,  Andrew J. Kraslavsky

发明人： Robert D. Wadsworth ,  William C. Russell ,  George A. Kalwitz ,  Lorraine F. Barrett ,  Andrew J. Kraslavsky

IPC分类号： G06F3/12 ,  G06F13/00 ,  H04L29/06 ,  G06F9/06 ,  G06F13/14

CPC分类号： H04L29/06

摘要： 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. The processor then copies the selected configuration modules to the RAM and executes the selected configuration modules in RAM to place the board in an operational configuration which corresponds to the configuration information stored in the NVRAM.

摘要翻译： 在交互式网络板中，用于形成耦合到LAN打印机的板的操作配置的方法和装置利用布置在板上的RAM和NVRAM。 NVRAM存储配置信息。 使用PROM，也设置在板上，用于存储加载器模块，以及多个配置模块，当预定配置模块以不同的组合布置时，能够将板设置成多种不同的操作配置。 处理器也布置在板上用于从NVRAM读取到RAM的配置信息，并且执行加载器模块以提供对应于读配置信息的配置掩码。 处理器将配置掩码应用于存储在PROM中的配置模块，并选择与配置掩码对应的配置模块。 然后处理器将选定的配置模块复制到RAM中，并在RAM中执行所选择的配置模块，以将板放置在与存储在NVRAM中的配置信息相对应的操作配置中。

公开(公告)号：US5613160A

公开(公告)日：1997-03-18

申请号：US978517

申请日：1992-11-18

申请人： Andrew J. Kraslavsky ,  William C. Russell ,  George A. Kalwitz ,  Robert D. Wadsworth ,  Lorraine F. Barrett

发明人： Andrew J. Kraslavsky ,  William C. Russell ,  George A. Kalwitz ,  Robert D. Wadsworth ,  Lorraine F. Barrett

IPC分类号： B41J5/30 ,  B41J29/38 ,  G06F3/12 ,  G06F11/30

CPC分类号： G06F3/1293

摘要： 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. A processor is coupled between the SCSI interface and the LAN interface, for (1) reading the default configuration code from the printer non-volatile memory to the RAM, (2) ordering the print data into a print job block, (3) appending the default configuration code to the print job block, and (4) transmitting the print job block and appended default configuration code to the printer device through the SCSI interface. Then, the printer device (1) renders print in accordance with the received print job block, and (2) before or after the print has been rendered, places itself in a predetermined default configuration in accordance with the appended default configuration code.

摘要翻译： 用于将局域网（LAN）打印机放置在默认配置中的方法和装置包括用于存储默认配置代码的打印机非易失性存储器和用于呈现打印的打印机设备。 小型计算机系统接口（SCSI）耦合到打印机设备，用于将打印数据传送到打印机设备。 SCSI还耦合到打印机非易失性存储器，用于从打印机非易失性存储器发送默认配置代码。 提供LAN接口用于从LAN接收打印数据，并且RAM耦合到SCSI和LAN接口两者，用于存储打印数据和默认配置代码。 处理器耦合在SCSI接口和LAN接口之间，用于（1）从打印机非易失性存储器读取默认配置代码到RAM，（2）将打印数据排序到打印作业块中，（3）附加 打印作业块的默认配置代码，以及（4）通过SCSI接口将打印作业块和附加的默认配置代码发送到打印机设备。 然后，打印机装置（1）根据接收到的打印作业块进行打印，和（2）在打印完成之前或之后，根据附加的默认配置代码将其自身置于预定的默认配置中。

公开(公告)号：US5568612A

公开(公告)日：1996-10-22

申请号：US978499

申请日：1992-11-18

申请人： Lorraine F. Barrett ,  William C. Russell ,  Robert D. Wadsworth ,  Andrew J. Kraslavsky ,  George A. Kalwitz

发明人： Lorraine F. Barrett ,  William C. Russell ,  Robert D. Wadsworth ,  Andrew J. Kraslavsky ,  George A. Kalwitz

IPC分类号： G06F3/12 ,  G06F13/00 ,  H04L12/28 ,  H04L29/06 ,  H04L12/18

CPC分类号： H04L29/06 ,  H04L12/28

摘要： 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.

摘要翻译： 用于从LAN通信系统中的单个网络节点广告两个网络服务器的方法和装置，其支持从任何一个节点仅广播单个网络服务器。 在网络节点处配置代理服务器以监听专用套接字的网络广播，然后交织地宣告第一和第二网络服务器（“客户端”服务器）的服务可从该节点获得。 当接收到寻址到专用套接字的网络广播请求时，代理服务器响应该请求，如果被指向其客户端之一，从而允许与指定的一个第一或第二网络服务器建立直接通信，例如， 通过与专有插座不同的通信插座。

公开(公告)号：US5537626A

公开(公告)日：1996-07-16

申请号：US387626

申请日：1995-02-13

申请人： Andrew J. Kraslavsky ,  William C. Russell ,  George A. Kalwitz ,  Robert D. Wadsworth ,  Lorraine F. Barrett

发明人： Andrew J. Kraslavsky ,  William C. Russell ,  George A. Kalwitz ,  Robert D. Wadsworth ,  Lorraine F. Barrett

IPC分类号： G06F3/12 ,  G06F13/00 ,  G06F13/12 ,  G06F15/02

CPC分类号： G06F3/1293 ,  G06F13/128

摘要： 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.

摘要翻译： 将打印机与局域网接口的方法和装置利用与打印机相连的电路板。 板上布置有小型计算机系统接口（SCSI），用于将打印数据传送到打印机，并从打印机接收打印机状态数据。 板上还设置RAM，用于存储打印数据，打印机状态数据和多个应用程序。 板上还设有局域网（LAN）接口，用于从LAN接收打印数据，并将打印机状态数据发送到LAN。 处理器被布置在板上，用于执行多个应用程序，以使打印数据被发送到打印机和打印机状态数据以发送到LAN。 优选地，打印机控制数据也可以通过LAN传输以控制打印机功能。

公开(公告)号：US5647056A

公开(公告)日：1997-07-08

申请号：US978516

申请日：1992-11-18

申请人： Lorraine F. Barrett ,  William C. Russell ,  Andrew J. Kraslavsky ,  Robert D. Wadsworth ,  George A. Kalwitz

发明人： Lorraine F. Barrett ,  William C. Russell ,  Andrew J. Kraslavsky ,  Robert D. Wadsworth ,  George A. Kalwitz

IPC分类号： G06F3/12 ,  G06F13/00 ,  H04L29/06 ,  G06F13/12

CPC分类号： H04L29/06

摘要： 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.

摘要翻译： 用于通过双向外围接口将外围设备与局域网连接到与外围设备连接的交互网板的方法和装置，并经由局域网接口连接到局域网。 交互式网络板执行诸如套接字服务器之类的访问管理程序，以监视局域网从用于指向专有套接字的网络客户端的通信。 响应于访问管理程序检测到的通信，访问管理程序建立网络客户端与其本身之间的直接通信，并执行网络客户端请求的命令，例如获取或更改网络外设状态的命令，或命令 获取或更改互动网路板本身的状态。 交互式网络板还可以使用访问管理程序在多任务环境中执行诸如打印服务器的外围服务器程序。

公开(公告)号：US5537550A

公开(公告)日：1996-07-16

申请号：US978283

申请日：1992-11-18

申请人： William C. Russell ,  Lorraine F. Barrett ,  Andrew J. Kraslavsky ,  George A. Kalwitz ,  Robert D. Wadsworth

发明人： William C. Russell ,  Lorraine F. Barrett ,  Andrew J. Kraslavsky ,  George A. Kalwitz ,  Robert D. Wadsworth

IPC分类号： G06F3/12 ,  G06F11/34 ,  G06F13/00 ,  G06F11/30 ,  G06F11/32

CPC分类号： G06F3/1288 ,  G06F11/3485 ,  G06F3/1203 ,  G06F3/1229 ,  G06F11/3409

摘要： 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. daily) printer status statistics based on the received printer status data and the beginning and end of job indicia. Finally, the processor stores the calculated printer status statistics in the memory. Preferably, the calculated printer status statistics are then stored in a non-volatile memory in the printer and can be accessed at a later date from a remote location. Also, it is preferable if the printer status statistics are provided at a plurality of levels of resolution, the levels being selectable from the remote location.

摘要翻译： 使用耦合在打印机和局域网之间的交互式网络板来记录打印机的状态信息的方法和装置包括使用耦合到该板的小型计算机系统接口并具有数据信道和状态信道，用于发送 通过数据通道将数据打印到打印机，将打印机状态请求发送到打印机，并通过状态通道从打印机接收打印机状态数据。 存储器耦合到板，并用于存储接收到的打印机状态数据。 处理器还耦合到板，用于在打印机传输之前将打印作业标记的开始和结束添加到打印数据，并且使得打印机状态请求以第一预定间隔发送到打印机和从打印机接收（ 例如每分钟）。 此外，处理器基于所接收的打印机状态数据和作业标记的开始和结束以第二预定间隔（例如每天）计算打印机状态统计。 最后，处理器将计算的打印机状态统计信息存储在存储器中。 优选地，计算的打印机状态统计信息然后被存储在打印机中的非易失性存储器中，并且可以在稍后从远程位置被访问。 此外，优选地，以多个分辨率级别提供打印机状态统计，该等级可从远程位置选择。

公开(公告)号：US5623604A

公开(公告)日：1997-04-22

申请号：US978411

申请日：1992-11-18

申请人： William C. Russell ,  George A. Kalwitz ,  Lorraine F. Barrett

发明人： William C. Russell ,  George A. Kalwitz ,  Lorraine F. Barrett

IPC分类号： G06F3/00 ,  G06F9/06 ,  G06F9/445 ,  G06F11/00 ,  G06F13/00 ,  H04L29/06 ,  G06F13/38 ,  G06F11/22

CPC分类号： H04L29/06 ,  G06F8/60

摘要： 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. After completing the flash operation, the designated board may be re-initialized to execute instructions from the firmware image stored in the PROM.

摘要翻译： 用于远程改变存储在布置在具有局域网接口的目标交互式网络板上的PROM中的可编程固件的方法和装置包括激活局域网通信程序。 通信程序用于通过用于指定交互网络板的局域网广播查询，以响应于广播查询来接收指定板的位置信息，并与指定板建立通信。 ROM固件图像被下载到指定板上的RAM中，优选地通过局域网接口。 验证步骤验证存储在RAM中的ROM固件图像是否有效，并且控制PROM以擦除存储器位置，将保存的数据从PROM传送到存储在RAM中的ROM固件图像内的预定位置，并加载到PROM 来自RAM的ROM固件映像。 完成闪存操作后，可以重新初始化指定的板，以从存储在PROM中的固件映像执行指令。

公开(公告)号：US5530862A

公开(公告)日：1996-06-25

申请号：US978282

申请日：1992-11-18

申请人： Robert D. Wadsworth ,  George A. Kalwitz

发明人： Robert D. Wadsworth ,  George A. Kalwitz

IPC分类号： G06F9/445 ,  G06F9/44 ,  G06F13/00

CPC分类号： G06F9/445

摘要： Method and apparatus for forming a binary image file to be loaded into a PROM installable on an interactive network board includes the use of a memory for storing (i) a configuration file, (ii) a utility program for forming the binary image file, and (iii) a plurality of independently executable application programs for the board. A PROM is used for storing the application programs. A processor reads the configuration file from the memory, and selects a subset of the independently executable application programs from the memory in accordance with the read configuration file. The processor then orders the selected programs in accordance with the read configuration file and writes, into each selected program, data which identifies that program and points to an immediately succeeding program. Finally, the processor loads the ordered programs, with their identification data, into the PROM.

摘要翻译： 用于形成要加载到可安装在交互式网络板上的PROM的二进制图像文件的方法和装置包括使用用于存储（i）配置文件的存储器，（ii）用于形成二进制图像文件的实用程序，以及 （iii）用于该板的多个可独立执行的应用程序。 PROM用于存储应用程序。 处理器从存储器读取配置文件，并根据读取的配置文件从存储器中选择可独立执行的应用程序的子集。 然后，处理器根据读取的配置文件命令所选择的程序，并将每个所选择的程序写入标识该程序的数据，并指向紧随其后的程序。 最后，处理器将有序程序及其识别数据加载到PROM中。