US5768516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Network management apparatus and control method thereof
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1995-04-18
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Granted: 1998-06-16
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Expires: 2015-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A network management apparatus and a method for controlling thereof according to the present invention, which can save a user managing output units connected onto a network. Practically, printing data and condition information are transmitted to the network management apparatus from each computer connected onto the network. According to the received condition information, the network management apparatus searches for a printer which meets conditions represented by the condition information. Thereafter, the network management apparatus transmits the printing data to the printer searched for.
Inventors
- 👤 Kiyohisa Sugishima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:03
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/12; G06F3/1201; G06F3/1202; G06F3/1203; G06F3/1204; G06F3/1223; G06F3/1224; G06F3/1226; G06F3/1237; G06F3/126; G06F3/1278; G06F3/1285; G06F3/1288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A network management apparatus for managing printing operations of printers connected to a network, comprising: means for receiving, from a printing data output device connected to the network, a printing request including printing data and condition information representing printing conditions; means for selecting one of the printers connected to the network which can perform a printing operation under printing conditions represented by the received condition information; and means for causing the selected printer to perform a printing operation based on the printing data from the printing data output device; wherein the selecting means selects a monochrome printer which prints monochrome data when the received condition information represents monochrome printing, the selecting means selects a color printer which prints color data when the received condition information represents color printing, and, when the monochrome printer cannot perform the printing operation and the received condition information represents monochrome printing, the selecting means selects a color printer and said means for causing causes the selected color printer to print the printing data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A network management apparatus for managing printing operations of printers connected to a network, comprising: means for receiving, from a printing data output device connected to the network, a printing request including printing data and condition information representing printing conditions; means for selecting one of the printers connected to the network which can perform a printing operation under printing conditions represented by the received condition information; and means for causing the selected printer to perform a printing operation based on the printing data from the printing data output device; wherein the selecting means selects a monochrome printer which prints monochrome data when the received condition information represents monochrome printing, the selecting means selects a color printer which prints color data when the received condition information represents color printing, and, when the monochrome printer cannot perform the printing operation and the received condition information represents monochrome printing, the selecting means selects a color printer and said means for causing causes the selected color printer to print the printing data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The network management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing function information representing printing functions of the printers connected to the network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The network management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selecting means selects one of the printers by referring to the stored function information.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of managing printing operations of printers connected to a network, comprising the steps of: receiving, from a printing data output device connected to the network, a printing request including printing data and condition information representing printing conditions; selecting one of the printers connected to the network which can perform a printing operation under printing conditions represented by the received condition information; and causing the selected printer to perform a printing operation based on the printing data from the printing data output device; wherein a monochrome printer which prints monochrome data is selected when monochrome printing is represented by the received condition information, a color printer which prints color data is selected when color printing is represented by the received condition information, and, when the monochrome printer cannot perform the printing operation and monochrome printing is represented by the received condition information, a color printer is selected and the selected color printer prints the printing data.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of managing printing operations of printers connected to a network, comprising the steps of: receiving, from a printing data output device connected to the network, a printing request including printing data and condition information representing printing conditions; selecting one of the printers connected to the network which can perform a printing operation under printing conditions represented by the received condition information; and causing the selected printer to perform a printing operation based on the printing data from the printing data output device; wherein a monochrome printer which prints monochrome data is selected when monochrome printing is represented by the received condition information, a color printer which prints color data is selected when color printing is represented by the received condition information, and, when the monochrome printer cannot perform the printing operation and monochrome printing is represented by the received condition information, a color printer is selected and the selected color printer prints the printing data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 4, further comprising a storing step of storing function information representing printing functions of the printers connected to the network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein, in the selecting step, one of the printers is selected by referring to the stored function information.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-15 | 2001-12-15 | 2002-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-15 | 2005-12-15 | 2006-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-15 | 2009-12-15 | 2010-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |