Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer protocol implementing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-14
2001-03-13
Teska, Kevin J. (Department: 2763)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer protocol implementing
C709S227000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202096
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for device interaction, in particular for passing of information between devices.
The requirement for efficient and successful passage of information between devices is pervasive. For communication between electronic appliances, such as a scanner and a printer, a storage device and a viewing device, or a camcorder and a television set, an application specific protocol is required. In the first two cases, it will also be normal that a computing device such as a personal computer mediates communication. A personal computer requires device specific drivers for each electronic appliance (normally those considered as “peripherals” for a personal computer) to allow this communication to occur.
In the physical world, interaction with physical devices does not require special protocols. A small set of generic instructions are used, and the effect of these interactions is determined by the device interacted with. For example, the interaction of a user with a telephone and a photocopier is (typically) essentially the same: the pressing of a series of buttons. In the telephone, this results in the establishment of a connection with a remote telephone and an open communication channel, whereas in the photocopier the result is the reproduction of a number of images. In each case, the fundamental interaction (pressing buttons) is the same, but the result is very different.
The present invention seeks to achieve the passing of information between devices with the same ease and effectiveness as is achieved in the physical world. In particular, the present invention seeks to enable rich and effective communication to be achieved with generic instructions.
Accordingly, the invention in a first aspect provides a method of passing information between two or more information handling devices, there being a means for communication of information between said information handling devices, wherein each passage of information consists of one or more interactions from an interaction set, none of the interactions of the interaction set being dependent on the function to be carried out on the information by any of the information handling devices.
This is particularly advantageous where each passage of information relates to sharing of a surface between a first device and one or more second devices, wherein the surface is a representation of an internal state of the first device. Preferably, each surface comprises data and a set of formats in which the data can be provided by the first device, and further comprises a property set, the property set defining to which interactions of the set of interactions the first device is adapted to respond.
Preferably, the interaction set comprises interactions relating to transfer of content between a surface in a first device and the corresponding surface in one or more second devices and interactions relating to deletion or modification of surfaces in one or more second devices corresponding to a surface in a first device.
An advantageous development is for each device to possess a surface designated as an identity surface, wherein the identity surface contains information about that device, and wherein means are provided to enable exchange of this surface with other devices when information exchange sessions are established between devices. It is advantageous in this context for specific devices comprise directory means for storage of information from identity surfaces of other devices.
It is also of benefit if job receiving devices capable of processing information according to a device function possess a job receiving surface designated for receiving information for processing from a job sending device. Also beneficial is the possibility that a job receiving device capable of processing information according to a device function possesses a status indicating surface, and is adapted to share the status indicating surface with any other device capable of sending a job to that job receiving device.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a protocol for communication between information handling devices, said protocol comprising interactions from an interaction set, none of the interactions of the interaction set being dependent on a function to be carried out on the information by any of the information handling devices.
Application of the invention enables device independent information exchange. The protocol allows two devices to connect, exchange information, negotiate data types, provide status about their operation, and so on. The invention is also readily implementable to provide a platform independent protocol, and can thus be built into any device which has a potential need to connect to other devices regardless of its function. This could extend from obvious communication and rendering appliances (such as fax machines, printers, whiteboards) through to domestic appliances such as thermostats, washing machines and toasters. The present invention also provides a protocol not dependent on transport type for its application, and can be built upon essentially any bidirectional transport. Embodiments of the invention can employ a single protocol for communication between any appliance, and it is guaranteed in such cases that devices able to handle the same type of information can pass information of some form.
Appropriate use of the invention allows guaranteed exchange of information with existing and future devices. It is also possible for devices to communicate even if they have no knowledge of each other—no element of preprogramming is required, as is the case for host-peripheral environments. Further advantages are that system components can be developed separately (for example, a printer can be developed without consideration of creation of drivers for a personal computer). Moreover, preferred application of the invention is such that product features are defined by the developer, not the protocol: the protocol is merely a pipe through which information is exchanged and has no knowledge of devices or implementations.
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Arnold Patrick Simon
Williams Peter Michael
Hewlett--Packard Company
Teska Kevin J.
Thomson William D.
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