Method and system to print via email
US6993562B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W8/26
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method that enables users operating originating devices, such as PC's, laptop computers, PDA's, pocket PC's, cell phones, etc., to print documents, images, etc. by sending the content to be printed via an e-mail message. The e-mail message is sent to a virtual printer e-mail address hosted by an e-mail server. The e-mail message is retrieved by a “driverless” print server (DPS) system, separated into a main file and attachment files, and printed on a printer to which the virtual printer e-mail address corresponds. The DPS system utilizes a table driven mechanism to determine appropriate applications to laod and process and handle various printer events generated by various software applications pertaining to the documents desired to be printed by operators of the originating devices. The system and method enable documents and the like to be printed without requiring a printer device driver corresponding to the target printer to be loaded on the originating device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.