Method and apparatus for extending printer memory using a network file system
US6216197A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99957
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A memory extension mechanism for a computer printer or other computer output device. The mechanism allows the computer printer to function with less than the maximum amount of real memory normally required by the computer printer in processing a print job. When the computer printer runs low on the amount of memory available, a portion of real memory of the printer containing infrequently used data is copied through a network to a computer's file system storage. The portion of the real memory containing the infrequently used data is then cleared and made available for other uses by the computer printer. When the piece of memory that was previously copied through the network is subsequently needed, it is copied through the network back into the computer printer's real memory.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.