Title:
APPARATUS AND METHOD TO CONFIGURE A DEVICE, SUCH AS A PRINTER, OVER A NETWORK
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2000043863
Kind Code:
A9
Abstract:
A device such as a printer, includes non-volatile memory storing a communications kernel. Upon startup, a microprocessor executes the communication kernel to prompt a host to download a setup kernel to the device. The microprocessor may verify the downloading using a checksum calculation. The microprocessor may execute the setup kernel to determine the operational characteristics on the device. For example, the microprocessor may interrogate the hardware elements of the device to determine a set of hardware characteristics. The microprocessor may also interrogate the device to determine a set of user selectable setup options and may further interrogate the device or a nonresident register for ownership and access attributes for selected modules and software. The microprocessor may link a number of resident and non-resident library modules, selected based on the operational characteristics. The library modules are dynamically linkable to reconfigure the software as operational characteristics change. The invention employs a dual kernel system, including a minimal communications kernel and a setup kernel to customize the device.
Inventors:
WIKLOF CHRISTOPHER A
AUSTIN PIXIE ANN
BROOKS MIKE T
JARCHOW JAYE A
AUSTIN PIXIE ANN
BROOKS MIKE T
JARCHOW JAYE A
Application Number:
PCT/US2000/001972
Publication Date:
August 09, 2001
Filing Date:
January 26, 2000
Export Citation:
Assignee:
INTERMEC IP CORP (US)
International Classes:
G06F3/12; G06F15/00; G06K1/00; (IPC1-7): G06F3/12
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