Title of Invention

INTERNET PRINT DEVICE FONT DISTRIBUTION METHOD AND WEB SITE

Abstract An Internet print device font distribution method and web site. Font users are visitors to a web site (52) that allows browsing and obtaining of fonts, either individually or in groups. Preferably, purchases are made through the web site, but the method may allow installation of fonts (34, 36, 40) through the web site as a result of other authorizations (31), e.g., an electronic coupon for visitors or a tie-in to other products, services, and web sites. Web site functions include operating system compatibility matching. The web site obtains configuration information to insure compatibility of a font to a visitor's configuration. Software on the web site downloads, installs and configures fonts on the visitor's print device.
Full Text INTERNET PRINT DEVICE FONT
DISTRIBUTION METHOD AND WEB SITE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns print devices. Print device, as
used herein, encompasses printers and other devices including a font based
print function, e.g., multi-function peripherals. The invention is directed to a
distribution method for print device fonts and a web site for print device font
distribution.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Print device fonts are important to users because a font is a
primary component which defines the look of a document. A likely market
exists to distribute print device fonts, but users, to a large extent, continue to
rely upon fonts bundled with a print device when purchased and software
generated fonts which are temporarily downloaded to a print device during a
print job. The former situation restricts font choice, while the latter is
inefficient. Studies show that print device-installed fonts improve performance
by up to twenty percent compared to temporarily downloaded print device
fonts. Performance gains are especially prominent in complicated character
sets, such as Asian character sets.
Three conventional methods largely define the state of the art for
print device-installed font distribution. Print device manufacturers include a
set of fonts in the print device ROM. Once bundled, such fonts are fixed and
may become obsolete as operating system fonts change. In addition, users ate -
often compelled to accept a set of unwanted fonts as a package with a print
device. Additional font packages come in the form of plug-in accessories, e.g.,
font cards. The plug-in accessory method of font distribution shares the same

drawbacks as fixed ROM print fonts. Plug-in accessories also raise hardware
compatibility issues and the distribution issues connected with a hardware
product including, for example, slow distribution, prediction of demand,
maintenance of inventories and installation support.
A third method of font distribution is generally referred to as a
semi-permanent download. A user acquires fonts for the user's operating
system. The user, using an external resource manager program, may then
download selected fonts semi-pErmancmly to storage on the print device
independent of a particular print job. Once downloaded in this manner, the
font appears to be permanent in that it remains available to multiple print jobs,
but may be erased using the external resource manager. HP Resource Manager
is an example of Such a program. The fonts are loaded to a flash memory, a
disk memory, RAM, or similar memory, and become available for use by
subsequent print jobs. Installing the fonts is a complicated process, however,
requiring an installer to convert the font from its native format into a print
device specific format, download it to the print device, and configure the driver
or other software on the operating system to use the newly installed font. The
program which downloads to the print device may be incompatible with certain
fonts and formats. The fonts may also be incompatible with certain print
devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to an Internet print device font
distribution method and web site. Font users are visitors to a web site which
allows browsing and obtaining of fonts, either individually or in groups.
Visitors access the web site via conventional connections with a client
computer and software. Preferably, purchases are made through the web site,
but the method may allow installation of fonts through the web site as a result
of other authorizations, e.g., an electronic coupon for visitors or a tie-in to other

products, services, and web sites. Web site functions include operating system
compatibility matching. The web site obtains configuration information to
insure compatibility of a font to a visitor's configuration. Software on the web
site downloads, installs and configures fonts on the visitor's print device.
In a preferred embodiment, a web storefront is a web site
advertising fonts for sale. The site permits viewing, selection and authorized
installation of fonts from a set of print device-ready fonts. A preferred form of
authorized installation includes a purchase through the web site. Fonts
available on the web site are pre-tested and matched to print device models of
common manufacturers and operating configurations to insure that each font
has a defined set of workable installations. The site accesses, and may display,
a database of configuration and performance information for multiple print
device products. Visitors may be informed of potential estimated performance
gains resulting from the installation of selected fonts. Information about the
visitor's system configuration is obtained, e.g., operating system version, CPU
type and speed, driver versions, print device models, and frequently used
operating fonts. The site may obtain this information automatically by
software which inspects the visitor system, it may obtain the information
through having the visitor complete a form, or it may use a combination of
manual and automatic information gathering. Automatic information gathering
involves software that interacts with the client software/computer of a visitor to
the web site. Purchased fonts are transferred to the visitor's system via
interaction with the client software and computer. Software installs and
configures the fonts onto the visitor's print device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the detailed description and
the drawings, of which;
FIG. 1 is schematic representation of client-web host interactions
conducted according to a font distribution and web site of the invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram for a preferred method of visitor
interaction with a web site of the present invention; and
FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram from a preferred business
method for the distribution of print device fonts through a web site according to
the invention; and
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of software components for
implementing a preferred web site of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The invention provides a print device font distribution method in
which fonts are distributed via the Internet. A novel business model for font
distribution is thus provided, as well as a novel web site. The method and web
site of the invention may be provided by or with the cooperation of a print
device manufacturer or by an independent font provider. Fonts may be
distributed by the invention as a replacement or a supplement to the
conventional methods for print device font installations. Print device
manufacturers might choose to provide fewer pre-installed fonts and rely upon
custom distribution via distribution according to the invention. Distribution by
the invention also may form a potential new e-commerce model for print
device font sales, with fonts being selected, purchased, and installed via a web
site.
Aspects of conventional web site and e-commerce technology,
ranging from the web site interface itself to database software relied upon by

the web site, will be useful in practical embodiments of the invention.
Additional conventional software useful to implementation of the invention
might include, for example, web site financial transaction software and
customer database software. The following description accordingly focuses on
the novel functions of the print device font distribution method and web site of
the invention. Many practical embodiments of the invention making use of
conventional web site software will be apparent to artisans in light of the
following description.
Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary computer system for
implementation of the invention is shown. A client computer 10 includes, at
least, a print application, a web browser, and a print device driver that controls
print jobs to a print device 12. The client 10 and print device 12 might be
stand-alone machines or part of a network with other computers and devices.
Memory in the print device 12 typically includes a set of installed fonts
available to a print application in the client computer 10. The web browser in
the client computer 10 provides Internet access to a universe of web server
computers, including a web host 16 configured according to the invention to
implement a print device font distribution of the invention via a web site of the
invention hosted by the web host 16. Connections made by the client computer
10 are generally represented in FIG. 1, and may include any form of networked
or direct connection to the print device 12 and the web host 16.
Access to the print device font distribution web site hosted by the
web host 16 may be initiated directly by a user of the client computer 10,
automatically or semi-automatically as part of an initial installation or upgrade
to the print device 12, or by software program in the client computer 10. The
web site will guide and assist font selection and installation with an appropriate
set of menus and graphical user interfaces. Such a web site is maintained to
facilitate selection from a set of print device-ready fonts through the client
computer 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a web site hosted by the web host 16 is
visited 18 by a user of a client computer, and the user thereby becomes a visitor
to the web site. This visit may be initiated by an number of actions which
trigger a connection to access the web site via a web browser on the client
computer 10 that addresses the web site on the web host 16. For example, but
without being limited thereto, the web site might be accessed as part of a print
device set-up program, in response to a link on another web site, in the How of
a print application in the client computer 10, or directly by a user of the client
computer 10. Access to the web site might also be triggered by the print device
12 itself in response, for example, to a request for a print job using an
unavailable font. Any such form of access to the web site is treated as a visit to
the web site, with the possibility of a client computer or print device being
treated as a visitor to the web site. Separate web sites, or a web site accessible
through use of multiple URL addresses, might be maintained on the web host
16 and help determine how the web applications on the web host 16 will
interact with the client -of a particular visitor to the web site.
Initial access to the web site might be responded to with none or
any number of preliminary steps to confirm that a particular client computer or
user of the same wishes to view, shop, install or purchase any number of fonts.
Once the main web site on the client computer 10 is then entered, software on
the web host 16 obtains information concerning the print device system
configuration of the client 10 and print device 12 of a visitor. First, software
determines 20 whether an automatic analysis of the system configuration is
possible. If so, software automatically determines 22 the printing system
configuration. The information obtained by the step of automatically
determining the printing system information might include information such as
the operating system type and version, print device driver type, print device
brand, print device model, CPU type, CPU speed, print device driver versions,
frequently used operating fonts and any other information useful in ensuring

that a selected font may be properly installed and utilized by the printing
system configuration of the particular client 10 and print device 12.
The automatic determining of step 22 might be realized by
launching software which obtains said information concerning a visitor's system
automatically. The software could be software which inspects the system
including client 10 and print device 12. Cookies may also be utilized for repeat
visits by a particular client, and the cookie could include some or all of the
necessary information for the step of automatically determining. In such case
the automatic determining of step 22 would first obtain 23 information from a
cookie stored on the client 10. Using the obtained print system configuration
information, another application on the web host 16 can then analyze 24 font
usage by the particular client 10 and print device 12 for performance. Such
analysis can reveal whether currently used fonts are detrimental to performance
and whether performance gains might be realized by installation of an available
font or fonts. Where an automatic analysis is not possible, the web site can
display forms to be filled in by a visitor. The visitor fills in a form 26 including
print system configuration information of the type obtained by the step 22 of
automatically determining the print system configuration information. Some
combination of the step 22 of a visitor filling in a form and the step 22 of
automatically determining can also be used with, for example, part of the form
displayed to the visitor being automatically filled in allowing the user to accept
or correct any information when filling in the form in step 26. The automatic
system configuration step analysis 22 may therefore interact with the form of
step 26.
With information obtained by one or both of steps 22 and 26,
software on the web host can then determine a set of fonts which may be
selected to work based upon the print system configuration information.
Preferably, software accesses a configuration database to determine an
appropriate set of compatible fonts based upon the obtained information

concerning a visitor's system configuration. Basic compatibility information
can be used to recommend 28 fonts for transfer to the visitor. The
recommended fonts are displayed in a suitable manner through the web
browser on the client computer. Recommended fonts are chosen from an
available set of print device ready fonts that are pre-tested and matched to print
device models of common manufacturers and operating configurations. A
more detailed recommendation might include potential performance gains that
might be realized through the installation of available compatible fonts. To
facilitate such a detailed recommendation, the configuration database may
include configuration and performance data for multiple print device pro ducts
and system configurations. Displayed recommendations can then include
displaying potential estimated performance gains resulting from installation of
a particular font.
A visitor is allowed to select only compatible fonts. The visitor
selects fonts 30 for transfer. The web site then authorizes transfer 31 of a
selected one or multiple ones of visitor selected fonts. Both the authorization
and visitor selection may be realized in different ways. With respect to the
visitor selection, selection may comprise human involvement in the context of
an authorization that involves a sale of a print device font and the selection of
fonts from a displayed menu, for example. As one alternative, visitor selection
might be part of program run as part of a print device installation, driver
installation, or upgrade, where the authorization might be a code or other
indicia. Various forms of authorization and font selection with varying levels
of human involvement can thus be used to achieve different models of font
distribution ranging from new print device installations to direct purchase. In
the purchase model of font distribution through the web site on the web host
16, the web site includes or links to a financial services interface and
supporting software for handling electronic purchase transactions. In another
model, an authorization code existing in an installed product, given as a

promotion, or distributed in some other way produces an authorization for
transfer. Yet another possible authorization scheme includes recognizing the
visitor by some means, such as an examination of a cookie or recognition of a
product serial number.
Once a transfer is authorized, selected authorized fonts are then
transferred 32 from the web site and web host 16 to the visitor, for example the
user client 10 of FIG. 1. An installation process from the web site is then
initiated to install the authorized selected font or fonts on the visitor's print
device 12. A check is made from web site software to determine 34 whetheran
automatic installation is possible. If such automatic installation is possible, the
web site software then automatically installs 36 the font or fonts to the visitor's
print device and automatically configures 38 the user's print system to use the
newly installed fonts. Otherwise, the visitor will be prompted to run an install
program 40 from the web site on the web host 16. Alternatively, the visitor can
be prompted to run an install program from the visitor's client computer or the
web host 16. Such interaction may be necessary, for example, if an automatic
install is prevented by virus protection software. Another example involves
display of a window requesting whether to trust content from the web host 16.
A particularly preferred font purchase business method of the
invention uses features of the web site font distribution method of FIG. 2 to
permit purchase of fonts, with the authorization of step 32 taking the form of a
financial transaction such as a web based credit card transaction. Referring to
FIG. 3, the font purchase business method of the invention attracts user visits
44 to a web site maintained for font purchase and distribution. The manner of
attracting visitors could be varied. Common practices for advertising, linking,
and otherwise directing visitors to the web site are acceptable. These practices
might involve web-based techniques or might also utilize more traditional
media, mailings, package inserts or other techniques to promote the web site.

In FIG. 3, a preferred method for visitors to shop, view and
obtain fonts is illustrated. Once a visitor visits a web site of the invention, the
visitor is guided 46 through the selection of one or multiple fonts compatible
with the particular visitor's print system configuration. At an appropriate time,
an authorization check 48, as discussed with respect to FIG. 2, is conducted. A
preferred form of authorization is purchase through a financial services
interface presented by the web site. Once payment or other authorization is
obtained, the web site installs 50 an authorized font or set of fonts.
A web site used by the invention, as generally referenced in FIG.
4, is realized by software preferably including a graphical interface 52 with the
capability of generating relevant user interactive interfaces and menus. A set
of system analysis tools 54 serves to facilitate analysis of a visitor's print system
configuration to determine font compatibility and possibly performance. As
discussed above, the analysis tools preferably operate automatically, when
possible, and direct any necessary amount of web site visitor input through the
graphical interface where complete automatic analysis is not possible.
Database tools 56 include relational database structures containing information
relevant to system and font analysis, including, for example, of confirmation
information concerning font types, operating system type and version, print
device driver type, print device brand, print device model, CPU type, CPU
speed, print device driver versions, and print device models. Fonts for
download and installation are stored in a font storage memory 58. The fonts in
memory 58 should be pre-tested and matched to common models of print
device manufacturers and operating configurations. Installation tools
accomplish authorized downloads and installations of fonts from the font
storage memory 58. Authorization, in a preferred embodiment, may come
from financial services tools 62 which provides software to process secure
payment for purchased fints. In other cases, the financial services tools 62
might also provide software to process other forms of authorization, e.g.,

authorization codes and product upgrades based upon model and brand.
General utilities 64 are any necessary or desirable conventional web site tools
such as security tools and tools for linking to other web sites or hosts. The site
may reserve some of the utilities for use by a system administrator while
presenting others to visitors.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described, it should be understood that other modifications,
substitutions and alternatives are apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Such modifications, substitutions and alternatives can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which should be
determined from the appended claims.
Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended
claims.

We claim:
1. A method for distributing and installing print device fonts from a web site, the
method comprising:
maintaining a web site which facilitates selection from a set of print device-ready
fonts;
obtaining information concerning a visitor's system configuration;
receiving selection from a set of fonts;
displaying potential estimated performance gains that may result from the purchase
of a set of fonts other than the set of fonts requested by the visitor, wherein potential
estimated performance gains comprise a characteristic of print job executed with a print
device installed font;
permitting selection, by the visitor, from the set of fonts requested and the set of
fonts other than the set of fonts requested;
authorizing transfer of the set of fonts selected; and
installing the set of fonts selected on a print device corresponding to the visitor.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said web site comprises a graphical user
interface to permit visitors to shop, view and obtain any one or more of said set of print
device ready fonts and said step of authorizing transfer comprises transfer of authorization
utility after obtaining of a selected one or multiple ones of said set of compatible fonts.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said set of print device ready fonts
comprise pre-tested fonts and operating configurations.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising step of accessing a
configuration database to determine said set of compatible fonts based upon information
concerning a visitor's system configuration.

6. The method as claimed claim 1, wherein said configuration database comprises
configuration and performance data for one or more print device products.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said information concerning a visitor's
system configuration comprises of one or more of an operating system version, CPU type,
CPU speed, print device versions, print device models; and frequently used fonts.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein obtaining said information concerning a
visitor's system configuration comprises receiving information through a form completed
by a visitor.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein obtaining said information concerning a
visitor's system configuration comprises receiving information through a form completed
by a visitor.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of installing comprises
launching software which configures the fonts onto the visitor's print device.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising step of determining whether
fonts currently used by the visitor system are detrimental to performance of the visitor
system.
12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the step of displaying potential
estimated performance gains, at least one of an estimated increase in display resolution and
printer resolution is displayed.
13. A method for distributing print device fonts as claimed in claim 1, the method
comprising:
receiving information corresponding to a visitor accessing a web site, the web site
providing a selection of fonts for purchase by the visitor;

receiving information, corresponding to the visitor designating one or more of the
fonts for purchase;
determining a visitor's system configuration;
displaying potential estimated performance gains, based upon the visitor's system
configuration, resulting from installation of one or more fonts other than the one or more of
the fonts designated, wherein potential estimated performance gains comprise a
characteristic of a print job;
receiving information corresponding to the visitor selecting for purchase one or
more of the fonts designated or one or more of the fonts other than the fonts designated;
and from the web site, in response to a purchase by the visitor, installing said selected one
or more of the fonts on a print device of the visitor.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising determining whether fonts
currently used by the visitor system are detrimental to performance of the visitor system.
15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein, in displaying potential estimated
performance gains, at least one of an estimated increase in display resolution and printer
resolution is displayed.
16. A system configured to operate a web site for distributing print device fonts, the
web site being accessible over the internet, the system comprising:

a) a client computer; and
b) a web server coupled to the client computer, wherein the web server hosts
the web site;
wherein, the client computer permits a visitor to select fonts compatible with that
visitor's system configuration for purchase from the web site,
wherein, the client computer displays potential estimated performance gain which
may result from installation of a font not among the select fronts previously
selected by the visitor, wherein potential estimated performance gains comprise a
characteristic of a print job,

wherein, the client computer determines whether to authorize installation of a
selected one or selected multiple compatible fonts, and wherein, the client computer
installs said selected one or selected multiple compatible fonts on a visitor's print
device in response to the logic configured to determine.
17. The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the web site displays graphical
interfaces to guide a visitor through selecting one or multiple compatible fonts.
18. The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the web site displays a selected one or
selected multiple compatible fonts.
19. The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the web site displays a selected one or
selected multiple compatible fonts.
20. The system as claimed in claim 16, the web site determines whether fonts currently
used by the visitor system are detrimental to performance of the visitor system.
21. The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one of an estimated increase in
display resolution and printer resolution is displayed.

Dated this the 12th day of March, 2002

An Internet print device font distribution method and web site.
Font users are visitors to a web site (52) that allows browsing and obtaining of
fonts, either individually or in groups. Preferably, purchases are made through
the web site, but the method may allow installation of fonts (34, 36, 40)
through the web site as a result of other authorizations (31), e.g., an electronic
coupon for visitors or a tie-in to other products, services, and web sites. Web
site functions include operating system compatibility matching. The web site
obtains configuration information to insure compatibility of a font to a visitor's
configuration. Software on the web site downloads, installs and configures
fonts on the visitor's print device.

Documents:

141-CAL-2002-(22-03-2012)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

141-CAL-2002-(22-03-2012)-PA-CERTIFIED COPIES.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-abstract.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-claims.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-correspondence.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-description (complete).pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-drawings.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-examination report.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-form 1.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-form 13.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-form 18.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-form 2.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-form 26.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-form 3.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-form 5.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-others.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-specification.pdf

141-cal-2002-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf


Patent Number 230352
Indian Patent Application Number 141/CAL/2002
PG Journal Number 09/2009
Publication Date 27-Feb-2009
Grant Date 25-Feb-2009
Date of Filing 12-Mar-2002
Name of Patentee HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
Applicant Address 3000 HANOVER ST.PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 STEVEN JOHNSON 2540 N.CONSTANCE PL EAGLE,ID 83616
2 SHANE R. KONSELLA 4816 N.HIGH COUNTRY WAY STAR.ID 83669
3 KWESI E. ABRAHAM 4939 N.CONTOUR WAY BOISE ID 83703
4 ARTI SHUKLA 509 W.STATE ST.EAGLE ID 83616
PCT International Classification Number G06F 3/12 G06K15/02
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 09/815,647 2001-03-23 U.S.A.