Point-and-print in a distributed environment

Patent 5699495 Issued on December 16, 1997. Estimated Expiration Date:

August 26, 2016. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventor

Snipp, David B.

Assignee

Microsoft Corporation

Application

No. 703338 filed on 08/26/1996

US Classes:

358/1.15, Communication358/1.16Memory

Examiners

Primary: Bayerl, Raymond J.
Assistant: Sax, Steven

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Seed and Berry LLP

International Class

G06F 003/14

Abstract

A point-and-print capability is provided within a distributed environment. This point-and-print capability enables a user to select any of a number of available printers within the distributed environment via a user interface and then to have a document printed on the selected printer. The underlying loading of drivers and configuration steps are transparent to the user. This transparency is achieved in part by storing key printer resources, including printer drivers, on print servers that are distributed throughout the environment.