Method and apparatus for automatically managing capabilities in a virtual printer group
US7461377B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/1285
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for dynamically managing printers comprises a mechanism for printing from a network of printers that belong to a virtual printer group to meet the user's request for printing. The invention does this by requesting an options and capabilities file from each printer and then generating a virtual printer group, such that when a user wants to print a file, the invention looks for the best suited printer for the user and sends a file to that printer for printing. The invention has the capability to keep track of each printer's printing capabilities dynamically and to communicate to the user about the status of printing and printer location, and of informing a system administrator for manual intervention should the need arise.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.