System for an interactive network board remotely configurable by selecting from a plurality of functionality defining software, such as a printer server stored in prom
US5657448A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 1992 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/00
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In an interactive network board, method and apparatus for forming an operational configuration of the board coupled to a LAN printer makes use of a RAM and an NVRAM disposed on the board. The NVRAM stores configuration information. Use is made of a PROM, also disposed on the board, for storing a loader module, and a plurality of configuration modules capable of setting the board in a plurality of different operational configurations when predetermined configuration modules are arranged in different combinations. A processor is also disposed on the board for reading the configuration information from the NVRAM to the RAM, and executing the loader module to provide a configuration mask which corresponds to the read configuration information. The processor applies the configuration mask to the configuration module stored in PROM, and selects those configuration modules which correspond to the configuration mask. The processor then copies the selected configuration modules to the RAM and executes the selected configuration modules in RAM to place the board in an operational configuration which corresponds to the configuration information stored in the NVRAM.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.