Data processing system and method for permitting a computer to automatically detect a presence of and establish a communications link with a printer

A data processing system for automatically detecting a presence of a printer within a remote area, and responsive to said detection, automatically establishing a communications link with said printer, said computer being physically disconnected from said printer, comprising:

• a computer included within said system capable of transmitting a wireless query signal to said remote area;
• in response to a printer physically located within said remote area receiving said wireless query signal, said printer capable of transmitting a wireless reply signal to said remote area;
• in response to said computer receiving said wireless reply signal, said computer capable of automatically establishing a communications link with said printer, wherein said computer utilizes said printer to print information;
• a wireless interface included within said printer for transmitting and receiving wireless signals;
• a wireless interface included within said computer for transmitting and receiving wireless signals;
• in response to said computer receiving said wireless reply signal, said computer executing code for determining whether said computer is capable of communicating with said printer utilizing a wired network;
• in response to a determination that computer is capable of communicating with said printer utilizing said wired network, said computer capable of being coupled to said printer utilizing said wired network;
• and
• said computer executing code for automatically configuring itself to communicate with said printer utilizing said wired network.

A data processing system for automatically detecting a presence of a printer within a remote area, and responsive to said detection, automatically establishing a communications link with said printer, said computer being physically disconnected from said printer, comprising:

• said computer including a wireless interface for transmitting and receiving wireless signals;
• said printer including a wireless interface for transmitting and receiving wireless signals;
• a computer included within said system capable of transmitting a wireless query signal to said remote area;
• in response to a printer physically located within said remote area receiving said wireless query signal, said printer capable of transmitting a wireless reply signal to said remote area, said reply signal including an identification of a printer type of said printer, an identification of a physical location, and a network address of said printer;
• in response to said computer receiving said wireless reply signal, said computer executing code for determining whether said computer is capable of communicating with said printer utilizing a wired network by determining whether said computer includes a software driver for communicating with a type of printer including said printer;
• in response to a determination that said computer does include said driver, said computer capable of being coupled to said printer utilizing a wired network and said computer executing code for utilizing said driver to communicate with said printer utilizing said wired network, said computer executing code for automatically configuring itself to communicate with said printer without a user of said computer being aware of said network address of said printer;
• and
• in response to a determination that said computer does not include said driver, said computer capable of remaining disconnected from said printer and said computer executing code for utilizing a generic, wireless driver to communicate with said printer utilizing wireless signals.