Internet-based push printing over cable network
US6690481B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/1208
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Push printing from internet sources to a set top box through a cable head end connected to the set top box by a digital cable network. Push printing includes printing by unicast (point-to-point) printing from a remote internet source to a specifically designated printer connected to a specifically addressed set top box, multicast (one-to-many) printing from a single remote web source to multiple ones of printers connected to respective set top boxes, and one-to-group printing from a single remote web source to a group of set top boxes defined at the cable head end. Both unicast and multicast printing are accomplished from the remote internet site to a cable head end connected to the internet, with the cable head end transmitting the print job via a digital cable network to subscriber set top boxes. Notification of print status is provided from the set top box back to the cable head end, thereby allowing the cable head end to provide notification of successful printout back to the remote internet site.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.