Patent ID: 7562136
Filing Date: 2009-07-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of communicating with a shared imaging apparatus connected to a computer network, wherein communication over said network is facilitated through use of network packets, said method comprising the steps of: providing said shared imaging apparatus with networking hardware; providing said shared imaging apparatus with imaging apparatus firmware; defining a data channel associated with said networking hardware; instructing said networking hardware to accept information on said data channel from a user that owns said data channel; processing automatic Internet Protocol (IP) address negotiation network packets with said imaging apparatus firmware when said data channel is not owned; and processing second types of network packets, different from said automatic IP address negotiation network packets, by said networking hardware of said shared imaging apparatus when said data channel is owned, wherein when said data channel is not owned, then determining whether to place said shared imaging apparatus in an automatic IP address negotiation state, and if said shared imaging apparatus is placed in said automatic IP address negotiation state, then attempting to automatically assign an IP address to said shared imaging apparatus.