Abstract:
A method for providing computer services is disclosed. The method includes a print server receiving a data file including updates for a printer, parsing the file to acquire one or more update options and defaults for the printer and storing the update options and defaults for the printer in a database.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to the field of computer systems, and in particular, to upgrading printing software products. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Printers are common peripheral devices attached to computers. A printer allows a computer user to make a hard copy of documents that are created in a variety of applications and programs on a computer. To function properly, a channel of communication is established (e.g., via a network connection) between the printer and the computer to enable the printer to receive commands and information from the host computer. 
         [0003]    Once a connection is established between a workstation and the printer, printing software is implemented at a print server to manage a print job from order entry and management through the complete printing process. Periodically, printing software products need to be upgraded to add support for new printer models, set new defaults (e.g., halftones, data streams) and add new options (media sizes, input trays) that vary with each printer model. However, current printing software products require installation upgrades, such as program Temporary fixes (PTF&#39;s), which require re-installing the printing software. Constant software updates result in a waste of time and money. Also, since a software vendor cannot ship settings for every printer model a customer may have, support for many printer models in the software package may be limited. Customers are unhappy with having to install upgrades to support new printer models, and even unhappier that some models are not supported at all. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, a mechanism to efficiently upgrade printing software is desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In one embodiment, a method for providing computer services. The method includes a print server receiving a data file including updates for a printer, parsing the file to acquire one or more update options and defaults for the printer and storing the update options and defaults for the printer in a database. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment discloses a print server including an update services module to import a data file including updates for a printer and to parse the file to acquire one or more update options and defaults for the printer and a database to store the update options and defaults. 
         [0007]    A further embodiment discloses an article of manufacture comprising a machine-readable medium including data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising a print server receiving a data file including updates for a printer, parsing the file to acquire one or more update options and defaults for the printer and storing the update options and defaults for the printer in a database. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained from the following detailed description in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a data processing system network; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment for upgrading printing software; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating another embodiment for upgrading printing software; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a computer system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    A printing software upgrade mechanism is described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the underlying principles of the present invention. 
         [0014]    Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a data processing system network  100 . Network  100  includes a data processing system  102 , which may be either a desktop or a mobile data processing system, coupled via communications link  104  to network  106 . In one embodiment, data processing system  102  is a conventional data processing system including a processor, local memory, nonvolatile storage, and input/output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, trackball, and the like, all in accordance with the known art. In one embodiment, data processing system  102  includes and employs the Windows operating system or a similar operating system and/or network drivers permitting data processing system  102  to communicate with network  106  for the purposes of employing resources within network  106 . 
         [0016]    Network  106  may be a local area network (LAN) or any other network over which print requests may be submitted to a remote printer or print server. Communications link  104  may be in the form of a network adapter, docking station, or the like, and supports communications between data processing system  102  and network  106  employing a network communications protocol such as Ethernet, the AS/400 Network, or the like. 
         [0017]    According to one embodiment, network  106  includes a print server  108  that serves print requests over network  106  received via communications link  110  between print server  108  and network  106 . Print server  108  subsequently transmits the print requests via communications link  110  to one of printers  109  for printing, which are coupled to network  106  via communications links  111 . 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the operating system on data processing system  102  allows a user to select the desired print server  108  and submit requests for service requests to printer  109  via print server  108  over network  106 . In a further embodiment, print server  108  includes a print queue for print jobs requested by remote data processing systems. 
         [0019]    Although described as separate entities, other embodiments may include print server  108  being incorporated in one or more of the printers  109 . However in other embodiments, the print server and printer may be physically separate entities. Therefore, the data processing system network depicted in  FIG. 1  is selected for the purposes of explaining and illustrating the present invention and is not intended to imply architectural limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various additional components may be utilized in conjunction with the present invention. 
         [0020]    According to one embodiment, print server  108  implements a printing software product that manages the printing of documents from data processing system  102  between data processing system  102  and one or more of printers  109 . In other embodiments, the printing software manages printing of documents from multiple data processing systems  102  to the one or more printers  109 . 
         [0021]    According to one embodiment, the printing software product may be implemented using either InfoPrint Manager (IPM) or Infoprint ProcessDirector (IPPD), although other types of printing software may be used instead. In one embodiment, the printing software product includes a graphical user interface (GUI)  120 , a database  130  and an update service module  150 . 
         [0022]    GUI  120  enables a system administrator (or operator) to interact with the printing software product. Database  130  is a structured collection of stored records and/or data. According to one embodiment, objects and values associated with the printing software are stored at database  130 . Exemplary objects include MediaSizes, MediaType, Input Trays, Output Bins, Printer Models, Jobs, Drop down choice (e.g., options for different attributes), etc. 
         [0023]    Update service module  150  is a component that enables the efficient upgrading of the printing software. According to one embodiment, update service module  150  facilitates the addition of new printer models to be added by importing a data file that includes the printer&#39;s defaults and options. In an additional embodiment, the file is an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file that may be imported from a server (e.g., web server) operated by the vendor of the new printer or imported from a web server running within the new printer. In such an embodiment, an operator initiates the download of the XML file to update service module  150 . 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, an XML file can be generated to provide customized options (e.g., custom halftones or custom media sizes) that may be added to existing selections. In this embodiment, the operator implements GUI  120  to create the XML of customized options and to download the XML file to update service module  150 . After import to update service module  150 , the new printer models and customized print options may be selected at GUI  120  and used in the software product. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment for upgrading printing software. At processing block  210 , update services module  150  imports an XML file to print server  108 . At processing block  220 , print server  108  parses the XML file to acquire the print options. In one embodiment, the XML file includes key words that indicate to the printing software operating on print server  108  as to the type of objects that are to be updated and which values to set. 
         [0026]    At processing block  230 , database  130  is updated with the new objects and values. In a further embodiment, the XML file may also be used to indicate the removal of objects or values from the database. Upon subsequent queries of database  130 , GUI  120  will find the new objects and values and use them to populate its tables and drop downs. Once the update is complete, a user is capable of observing the changes without restarting the printing software. 
         [0027]    According to one embodiment, printer  109  includes one or more XML settings files that are installed on printer  109  upon initial configuration. Further, GUI  120  may include a button to import printer settings, where selection of the button by a user downloads the file from printer  109 . In one embodiment, the file is downloaded via a file transport protocol (FTP). However in other embodiments, the file may be downloaded using other file transfer mechanisms (e.g., the World Wide Web via Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Intelligent Printer Data Stream (IPDS), etc.). 
         [0028]    According to one embodiment, the delivery and installation of the upgrade file may occur automatically, dispensing with the requirement of an operator selecting the install button.  FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment for automatically upgrading printing software. At processing block  310 , print server  108  detects a new printer  109  coupled to network  106 . In one embodiment, print server  108  detects a new printer  109  via Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). However in other embodiments print server  108  may detect a new printer  109  via other mechanisms, such as Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), or having the new printer  109  selected as a destination for installation or printing. 
         [0029]    Upon detecting the new printer  109 , update services module  150  automatically imports the file from printer  109  via network  106 , processing block  320 . At processing block  330 , print server  108  parses the XML file to obtain the print options. At processing block  340 , database  130  is updated with the new objects and values. 
         [0030]    According to one embodiment, each printer  109  includes variable configurations (e.g., optional input trays and finishers) that provide a file that is customized to the printer  109  configuration. In a further embodiment, each printer  109  would track each print server  108  that has requested the file be downloaded. Therefore, when the printer configuration changes in a manner that would change the data that would be reported (e.g. a new optional input tray was installed), printer  109  subsequently notifies all print servers  108  that received the obsolete data. At this point, the print server  108  automatically requests an updated file. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment, print server  108  may provide an operator a prompt requesting authorization to download the file. In such an embodiment, the file is downloaded if the operator provides the authorization. In still another embodiment, printer  109  transmits the file via a print job submission method (e.g., as hot folder or Line Printer Remote (LPR) protocols). 
         [0032]    Subsequently, print server  108  automatically imports the file, or supplies a prompt to the operator at data processing system  102 . The prompt may include options as to whether the file is to be downloaded “now”, “later”, or “never”. If the operator selects “never”, the file is deleted. If “later”, the file is saved and either a notification is posted of a pending update, or there is a menu that lists all pending update(s). 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates a computer system  400  on which data processing system  102  and/or server  108  may be implemented. Computer system  400  includes a system bus  420  for communicating information, and a processor  410  coupled to bus  420  for processing information. 
         [0034]    Computer system  400  further comprises a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device  425  (referred to herein as main memory), coupled to bus  420  for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor  410 . Main memory  425  also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions by processor  410 . Computer system  400  also may include a read only memory (ROM) and or other static storage device  426  coupled to bus  420  for storing static information and instructions used by processor  410 . 
         [0035]    A data storage device  425  such as a magnetic disk or optical disc and its corresponding drive may also be coupled to computer system  400  for storing information and instructions. Computer system  400  can also be coupled to a second I/O bus  450  via an I/O interface  430 . A plurality of I/O devices may be coupled to I/O bus  450 , including a display device  424 , an input device (e.g., an alphanumeric input device  423  and or a cursor control device  422 ). The communication device  421  is for accessing other computers (servers or clients) via external data network  170 . The communication device  421  may comprise a modem, a network interface card, or other well-known interface device, such as those used for coupling to Ethernet, token ring, or other types of networks. 
         [0036]    The above-described mechanism enables a system user to import only the printer models and customized options the user is interested in without the risk of installing a new version of the product, or cluttering their GUI selections with a lot of options they never use. Thus, time and expense are saved by only generating and installing one file to support a new printer model. 
         [0037]    Embodiments of the invention may include various steps as set forth above. The steps may be embodied in machine-executable instructions. The instructions can be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor to perform certain steps. Alternatively, these steps may be performed by specific hardware components that contain hardwired logic for performing the steps, or by any combination of programmed computer components and custom hardware components. 
         [0038]    Elements of the present invention may also be provided as a machine-readable medium for storing the machine-executable instructions. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, propagation media or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. For example, the present invention may be downloaded as a computer program which may be transferred from a remote computer (e.g., a server) to a requesting computer (e.g., a client) by way of data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem or network connection). 
         [0039]    Whereas many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description, it is to be understood that any particular embodiment shown and described by way of illustration is in no way intended to be considered limiting. Therefore, references to details of various embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which in themselves recite only those features regarded as essential to the invention.