Title of Invention

FILE FETCHING AND PRINTING CAPABLE NETWORK PRINT SYSTEM

Abstract The present invention relates to a file fetching and printing capable network system wherein the data flow among different sub modules interacting between the different network components in the data network allows only the authorised users to retrieve files through a standard file transfer protocol by issuing request from printer, from a remote server in electronic format and later obtaining the hard copy in a desired format. The request to retrieve the file and the related information can be provided from an interface device (like an alphanumeric keyboard, touch screen etc.) connected to the network print device; After retrieving the file it disconnects from the file server and sub module then signals the file format conversion module to fetch the file from memory, convert it to a printable format and then transfer to the print subsystem for printing. Once successfully printed, the file is deleted from memory.
Full Text

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
This invention relates to the field of Data Communication and printing documents using Network Printers or Network Multifunctional Peripherals (MFP). Further this invention relates to a file fetching and printing capable network print system. More particularly this invention relates to print system capable of fetching files from a remote file server In electronic format through a file transfer protocol and printing it after conversion to printable format,
PRESENT STATE OF ART
Presently printing jobs are initiated from the PC and uses methods like TCP/IP printing, IPX/SPX printing etc. In PC initiated printing, when a print job is submitted, it is communicated to a port monitor residing on the PC, which establishes a connection with the printer and then transfers data to the printer over the network. Once the printer port receives the data, it sends it for printing.
These methods of sending data over the network to the printer use standardized protocols like TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, and DLC. None of the network printers support any standard file transfer protocol as a means of transferring a document over the network to a print system for printing.
LIMITATIONS
Using current network printers and multifunction peripherals, it is not possible to fetch an electronic document from a server by issuing request from the printer itself and then print it. The print request has to be initiated from the PC or device having the document. Also documents stored at a centralized server need to be downloaded to a PC first and then printed.

This present invention proposes to overcome tine limitation of the conventional and the existing print system by allowing users to retrieve and print documents from the network printer or IVIFP using a file transfer protocol.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the primary object of the invention to invent a unique file fetching and printing capable network print system.
It is another object of the invention to invent a method that enables to access and print documents stored in a network device supporting different platforms like Windows, Linux, and Solaris through a standard file transfer protocol.
It is another object of the invention to access files from remote server based on user input initiated from the printer system itself.
It is another object of the invention to invent a method by which the retrieval and printing of documents on the print system can be scheduled by taking time of retrieval as user input.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention proposes a method to retrieve files from file servers by issuing a request from a network print system; the retrieved file in electronic format is then converted to a printable format on the network print device and then sent to the print subsystem to get a hard copy. The request to retrieve the file and the related information can be provided from an interface device (like an alphanumeric keyboard, touch screen etc.) connected to the network print device; The request for retrieval of file and related info can also be initiated from a network enabled personal computer over a data network.

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a file fetching and printing capable network system, comprising a print subsystem for issuing a request and production of final hard copy, the first sub module which includes an interface device with a user interface to accept user requests, the second sub module responsible for connecting to the file server, retrieving the requested file, storing it in memory and finally disconnecting from the file server, the third sub module responsible for converting the retrieved file from electronic format to a printable format and the network interface module for sending and receiving data over the data network through wired or wireless interface.
Accordingly, the present invention further comprises a method of retrieval and printing of a desired document directly from any remote server by issuing a request from print system by using the network system.
The other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the detailed description as follows:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1: represents a block diagram of network architecture of the present invention.
Figure 2: represents a block diagram of various sub modules of the present invention and their links in understanding of the present invention.
Figures 3 to 5: represents the sequential order of operations of the disclosed invention and the data flow charts wherein A, B and C shown in circles represents the continuity of the proposed data flow. These figures are self explanatory in their presentations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a file fetching and printing capable network system wherein the data flow among different sub modules interacting between the different network components in the data network allow only the authorised users to retrieve files by issuing request from printer, from a remote server in electronic format and later obtaining the hard copy in a desired format
Before going into the operations of various sub-modules, it is pertinent to understand the invention first by looking into the details of the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the explanations given under the accompanying drawings however does not limit the scope of the invention,
Refereeing to Figure 1 the MFP/Printer is connected to a data network through a wired or wireless interface. The diagram also shows a remote file server, which stores files in electronic format, a print service provider which can convert files in electronic format to a printable format and a network enabled personal computer which can interface with the print system or MFP, The MFP/Printer retrieves files from the remote file server over the data network. The MFP/ Printer can also access the Print Service Provider over the data network in order to convert a file in some electronic format to a printable format.
Refereeing to Figure 2 the proposed print system scheme comprising the sub modules of the print system and various network components in the data network. The diagram outlines the data flow between different sub modules and
the interaction between the different network components in the data network.
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The print system block comprises the following: -
• A print sub system, which takes files in printable format and produces a hard copy.
• An interface device, which is used, for accepting user requests e.g. alphanumeric keyboard.
• A sub module having two interfaces designated as Intf 1, Intf 2.
Intf 1 accepts user requests as input through the user interface device.

Intf 2 is the interface, which accepts user requests from a Personal Computer over the data network. This sub module enables establishment of connection to the file server, retrieval of requested files, storing the retrieved files in memory and disconnecting from the server.
The retrieval of files from the file server is through a standard File Transfer Protocol. The file server can be any one of the various platforms like Windows, Linux, Solaris etc.
• A document conversion module responsible for converting the retrieved file from the file server in electronic format to a printable format.
• The retrieved documents can also be converted to printable format through print service provider over the data network as shown in the block diagram.
• The network interface module shown in the diagram is an interface meant for sending and receiving data over the network. This module can be connected to the data network through either a wired or a wireless interface.
Figure 3 is a data flow diagram showing how a user request for retrieving a file from the file server is accepted. The user interface device is used to take the user request and file retrieval information like filename and path, server address, user account and password. The user input interface device can be an alphanumeric keyboard or a touch screen or similar interface. Alternatively, the user request and file retrieval information can be input from a personal computer and sent to the print sub system over the data network. As shown in the data flow diagram, the printer display is checked to see whether, there is input from the user interface(s) and if 'Yes', the file retrieval information is fetched.
Figure 4 is a data flow diagram for retrieving the file from the file server. The sub module first checks if the printer is free for printing. If it is not free, it displays an error message and exits from the session. If printer is free, it is locked for the session.
The module then establishes connection with the file server, authenticates using the user supplied account and password and then issues a file retrieve

command to the server.
The module opens a data channel and waits on it for the incoming file from the server. The file data is stored in memory.
This step is continued till complete file is received. Then the print system disconnects with the server.
Figure 5 is a data flow diagram of the printing of the retrieved file after converting it to a printable format.
The file retrieve sub module signals the file format conversion module once the complete file is received on the print system. The file retrieve module passes the memory address where the file is stored. The file format sub module reads the file from memory and decides whether the file format is supported by the print system, i.e. whether the file can be converted to printable format locally or not. If yes, then it further checks whether the file needs to be converted or not. If it has to be converted, it uses software modules to convert it to a printable format and sends the data to the print subsystem for printing. If it can be printed directly, then the file is directly sent to the print subsystem for printing.
In case the file format cannot be converted locally, the file format module connects to the print service provider over the data network. The file is sent to the print service provider, which converts it to a printable format and sends it back to the print system over the data network. The file format convert module then sends the file, converted to a printable format, to the print subsystem for printing.
Once the file is printed successfully, the file is deleted from the system memory. Structure of the Invention:
The invention comprises a network print system connected to a data network through a wired or wireless interface.
The print system comprises of the following sub modules:

• An interface device with User Interface (e.g. alphanumeric keyboard, touch screen and the like), used to get user request and file access information.
• Module to connect to file server over data network and retrieve the file in electronic format. This module also accepts user input from the user interface device or over the data network from a PC
• Module to convert the file in electronic format to a printable format.
• Print subsystem to print the retrieved file after conversion to printable format.
• The print system communicates over the data network with a Print Service Provider in order to convert files In electronic format to printable format. This is done when the file cannot be converted to printable format locally on the print system.
Operation of the Invention:
The operation of the proposed print system scheme is as follows:
• The user inputs request for file retrieval information through user interface device like alphanumeric keyboard.
• The user-input request can also be initiated from a PC over the data network.
• The print system sub module connects to the file server whose address is input by the user. The sub module then authenticates with the file server and issues command to retrieve file whose name is supplied by the user through the user interface. A data channel is opened for file access and once file retrieval is over, disconnection from file server takes place. The retrieved file is available in memory of the print system. The sub module then signals the file format conversion module to fetch the file from memory and convert it to printable format. The format conversion module checks whether there is a

need to convert it to printable format. If the file can be directly printed, it is sent to print sub system where hard copy is taken. Otherwise, the file is converted to printable format locally in the print system and then printed. Upon successful completion of printing, the file is deleted from the memory. If the file cannot be converted locally, the file is sent to print service provider over the data network, gets converted and received in the print system for printing of hard copy.
Any standard file transfer protocol (FTP, TFPT etc) is used for transferring of data over the data network. This scheme is platform independent as FTP,TFPT etc. can be used with file servers running on Windows, Linux, Solaris etc.
By having a File transfer server running on the IP enabled MFP/ Printer, it is possible to send a file in electronic format from any PC to the print system for printing. In this case a user logs on to the server on the print system using a guest login (anonymous login), sends the file to the print system, which converts it to a printable format and then prints it. This is an alternate method of network printing from PC clients.
The user input can also be stored on the print system as address book entries. This eliminates the need for the user to enter the server address, user account and password every time he/she wants to retrieve and print a file from that file server.
The retrieval and printing of documents on the print system can be scheduled by taking the time of retrieval as a user input. An internal clock on the print system can be used to trigger the file retrieval and printing process when that time is reached.
The operation of the proposed invention is divided into two basic categories i.e. method for issuing user request and method to retrieve and print the file, which have been explained as follows :
Method for issuing user request:

User uses the interface device to give the file retrieval request. The user enters the file server address, the account name and password for authentication with the server and the file path and name.
Alternatively, the user gives the file retrieval request and the other information from his personal computer and the information are communicated to the print system over a data network.
Method to retrieve and print file:
• The print system sub module connects to the file server whose address is input by the user.
• The sub module then authenticates with the file server and issues command to retrieve the file whose name is supplied by the user.
• The sub module opens a data channel and waits for the file data on that channel.
• Once the complete file is retrieved by this module, it disconnects from the file server.
• This sub module then signals the file format conversion module to take the file from memory and convert it to a printable format.
• The format conversion module checks if the file can be printed directly or needs to be converted to printable format.
• If file can be directly printed, it is sent to the print subsystem which produces a hardcopy of the file and then deletes it from memory, once successfully printed.
• If file format is to be converted, the sub module checks whether the conversion can be done locally through some software module.
• If yes, the file is converted to printable format and then sent to print subsystem for printing. Once successfully printed, the file is deleted from memory.
• If file cannot be converted locally, the format conversion module connects to a print service provider over a data network.
• The file is sent to the print service provider over the data network.
• The print service provider converts the file to a printable format and sends it back to the file convert module of the print system.
• The file in converted format is then sent to the phnt subsystem for printing. Once

successfully printed, the file is deleted from memory.
In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention.
Embodiments of the invention may be implemented by using a programmed general purpose digital computer, by using application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, optical, chemical, biological, quantum or nano-engineered systems, components and mechanisms may be used. In general, the functions of the present invention can be achieved by any means as is known in the art. Distributed, or networked systems, components and circuits can be used. Communication, or transfer, of data may be wired, wireless, or by any other means.
It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention to implement a program or code that can be stored in a machine-readable medium to permit a computer to perform any of the methods described above.
Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless othen/vise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term "or" as used herein is generally intended to mean "and/or" unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be

considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.
As used In the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, "a", "an", and "the" Includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates othenA^lse. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "In" Includes "In" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The foregoing description of Illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what Is described in the Abstract, is not Intended to be exhaustive or to limit the Invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present Invention, as those skilled In the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As Indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of Illustrated embodiments of the present Invention and are to be Included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Thus, while the present Invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are Intended in the foregoing disclosures, and It will be appreciated that in some Instances some features of embodiments of the Invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present Invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

References
RFC 959 (File Transfer Protocol)
US patent 6025931 (Facsimile to E-mail communication system with local interface)
US patent 6020980 (Facsimile delivery to electronic mail)
US patent 6424426 (Fax-to-email and Email-to-fax communication system and method)




WE CLAIM
1. A file fetching and printing capable network system, comprising a print subsystem for issuing a request and production of final hard copy, the first sub module which includes an interface device with a user interface to accept user requests, the second sub module responsible for connecting to the file server, retrieving the requested file, storing it in memory and finally disconnecting from the file server, the third sub module responsible for converting the retrieved file from electronic format to a printable format and the network interface module for sending and receiving data over the data network through wired or wireless interface.
2. The network system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second sub module has two interfaces namely Intf 1 and or Intf 2.
3. The network system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the interface Intf 1 accepts user requests as input using the user interface device.
4. The network system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the interface Intf 2 accepts the user requests sent from a personal computer over the data network.
5. The network system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third sub module
interfaces with a Print Service Provider over the data network in order to convert files
from electronic format to printable format.
6. The network system as claimed in claims 1 to 5 wherein the user interface device is an alphanumeric keyboard or a touch screen etc.
7. The network system as claimed in claims 1 to 6 wherein the print system communicates over the data network with a print service provider in order to convert files in electronic format to printable format when the file cannot be converted to printable format locally on the print system.

8. A method of retrieval and printing of a desired document directly from any remote
server by issuing a request from print system by using the network system as
claimed claims 1 to 7,
9. The method as claimed in the claim 8, wherein the print subsystem deletes the file
from memory after successful completion of printing.
10. The network system as claimed in claims 1 to 9 wherein the print system enables fetching files from remote file server over data network through standard file transfer protocol.
11. The network system as claimed in claims 1 to 10 wherein the retrieval and printing of documents on the print subsystem can be scheduled, wherein the user inputs a particular time, login details and filename, which are used to automatically log in, get the file and print it at the specified time by the MFP/ Printer.
12. The network system as claimed in claims 1 to 11 wherein a PC client uses a file
transfer protocol such as herein described to transfer a file in electronic format over the
data network to a server running on the network print system, which converts it to
printable format and then prints it.
13. A file fetching and printing capable network system is substantially as herein
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
14. A method of retrieval and printing of a desired document directly from any remote
server by issuing a request from print system is substantially as herein described.


Documents:

0987-che-2003-abstract.pdf

0987-che-2003-claims filed.pdf

0987-che-2003-claims granted.pdf

0987-che-2003-correspondnece-others.pdf

0987-che-2003-correspondnece-po.pdf

0987-che-2003-description(complete) filed.pdf

0987-che-2003-description(complete) granted.pdf

0987-che-2003-drawings.pdf

0987-che-2003-form 1.pdf

0987-che-2003-form 19.pdf

0987-che-2003-form 26.pdf


Patent Number 203492
Indian Patent Application Number 987/CHE/2003
PG Journal Number 05/2007
Publication Date 02-Feb-2007
Grant Date 20-Nov-2006
Date of Filing 04-Dec-2003
Name of Patentee M/S. SAMSUNG INDIA SOFTWARE OPERATIONS PRIVATE LIMITED
Applicant Address BAGMANE LAKEVIEW, BLOCK 'B', NO. 66/1, BAGMANE TECH PARK, CV RAMAN NAGAR, BYRASANDRA, BANGALORE 560 093
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 CHOWDARY RAJNEESH BAGMANE LAKEVIEW, BLOCK 'B', NO. 66/1, BAGMANE TECH PARK, CV RAMAN NAGAR, BYRASANDRA, BANGALORE 560 093
2 VERMA ARABINDA BAGMANE LAKEVIEW, BLOCK 'B', NO. 66/1, BAGMANE TECH PARK, CV RAMAN NAGAR, BYRASANDRA, BANGALORE 560 093
PCT International Classification Number G06K 15/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA