US 5,636,333 A · Multi-protocol network interface

Abstract

Multiple host computers utilizing multiple network protocols on a network are connected through an interface, or network adapter, to a printer having a printer controller capable of bi-directional communication with the computers on the network. The interface processes print job information and priority information for the printer separately for each network protocol supported. There is a common interface to the network and a common interface to the printer in the network adapter, but each supported protocol processes priority and print job information in a particular protocol separately. Each protocol processing section separately processes the priority information, and the interface to the printer communicates this priority information to the printer in preference to communicating print job information. In this way, no matter which protocol has priority information to be communicated to the printer, and whether this protocol or another protocol is currently sending print job information to the printer, any protocol can communicate priority information to the printer and receive a priority reply.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for communicating priority information in a multi-protocol network of host computers and a printer controller for a printer, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, from a multi-protocol computer network, print job information and priority information in a plurality of network protocols;
providing a plurality of network protocol processing circuits each for processing print job information and priority information received in accordance with a network protocol in the plurality of network protocols different from other network protocols in the plurality of network protocols, each network protocol processing circuit processing priority information separately from print job information;
and
communicating with a printer to communicate priority information from any network protocol processing circuit with the printer regardless of the status of communication of print job information to the printer from any network protocol processing circuit of the plurality of network protocol processing circuits.

1 more element

An interface used in a printing system including a multi-protocol network of host computers and a printer, said interface comprising:

(a) a receiver circuit that is in communication with said multi-protocol network of host computers, said network of host computers being configured to transmit both print job information and priority information in a plurality of network protocols, said receiver circuit being configured to receive said print job information in any of said plurality of network protocols and said priority information in any of said plurality of network protocols;
(b) a plurality of network protocol processing circuits, comprising at least one network protocol processing circuit configured to process said print job information associated with one of said plurality of network protocols on a first channel, and at least one network protocol processing circuit configured to process priority information associated with one of said plurality of network protocols on a second, alternate channel;
said priority information being processed substantially simultaneously via said second, alternate channel while said print job information is being processed via said first channel, said priority information thereby bypassing the print job information without said printer having to first complete a pending print job;
and
(c) a transmitter circuit that is in communication with a printer and with said plurality of network protocol processing circuits, said transmitter circuit being configured to transmit to said printer both (i) said print job information associated with one of said plurality of network protocols, and (ii) said priority information associated with one of said plurality of network protocols, said priority information being transmitted substantially in real time to said printer regardless of the status of any portion of said print job information.

2 more elements

An interface used in a printing system including a multi-protocol network of host computers and a printer, said interface comprising:

(a) a receiver circuit that is in communication with said multi-protocol network of host computers, said network of host computers being configured to transmit both print job information and priority information in a plurality of network protocols, said receiver circuit being configured to receive both said print job information and said priority information in a plurality of network protocols;
(b) a plurality of network protocol processing circuits, each said network protocol processing circuit being configured to process (i) said print job information associated with a single network protocol of one of said plurality of network protocols on a first channel, and (ii) said priority information associated with the same single network protocol on a second, alternate channel, said priority information being processed separately from said print job information;
and
(c) a transmitter circuit that is in communication with said printer and with said plurality of network protocol processing circuits, said transmitter circuit being configured to transmit to said printer (i) said print job information associated with said single network protocol of one of said plurality of network protocols, and (ii) said priority information associated with the same single network protocol, said priority information being transmitted substantially in real time to said printer regardless of the status of any portion of said print job information being transmitted from any of said plurality of network protocol processing circuits.

1 more element

An interface used in a printing system including a multi-protocol network of host computers and a printer, said interface comprising:

(a) a receiver circuit that is in communication with said multi-protocol network of host computers, said network of host computers being configured to transmit both print job information and priority information in a plurality of network protocols, said receiver circuit being configured to receive said print job information in a single network protocol and said priority information in the same said single network protocol;
(b) at least one network protocol processing circuit configured to process said print job information associated with said single network protocol on a first channel, and configured to process priority information associated with said single network protocol on a second, alternate channel;
said priority information being processed substantially simultaneously via said second, alternate channel while said print job information is being processed via said first channel, said priority information thereby bypassing the print job information without said printer having to first complete a pending print job;
and
(c) a transmitter circuit that is in communication with said printer and with said at least one network protocol processing circuit, said transmitter circuit being configured to transmit to said printer both (i) said print job information associated with said single network protocol, and (ii) said priority information associated with said single network protocol, said priority information being transmitted substantially in real time to said printer regardless of the status of any portion of said print job information.

2 more elements

An interface used in a printing system including a multi-protocol network of host computers and a printer, said interface comprising:

(a) a receiver circuit that is in communication with said multi-protocol network of host computers, said network of host computers being configured to transmit both print job information and priority information in a plurality of network protocols, said receiver circuit being configured to receive said print job information in a first network protocol and said priority information in a second network protocol;
(b) a plurality of network protocol processing circuits, comprising a first network protocol processing circuit configured to process said print job information associated with said first network protocol on a first channel, and a second network protocol processing circuit configured to process said priority information associated with said second network protocol on a second, alternate channel;
said second network protocol processing circuit being further configured to process said priority information substantially simultaneously via said second, alternate channel while said first network protocol processing circuit is further configured to process said print job information via said first channel, said priority information thereby bypassing the print job information without said printer having to first complete a pending print job;
and
(c) a transmitter circuit that is in communication with said printer and with said plurality of network protocol processing circuits, said transmitter circuit being configured to transmit to said printer both (i) said print job information associated with said first network protocol, and (ii) said priority information associated with said second network protocol, said priority information being transmitted substantially in real time to said printer regardless of the status of any portion of said print job information.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-protocol network interface

Life of this patent

Multi-protocol network interface

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19