Patent US6337745B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6337745B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Routing print jobs
Assignee: Emtex Software Inc
•
Filing: 1997-09-05
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Granted: 2002-01-08
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Expires: 2017-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A method for open systems printing including routing print jobs automatically from different types of source computers to different types of printers without the source computers selecting printers for each print job. A method for open systems printing including routing print jobs automatically from an arbitrary number of source computers to an arbitrary number of printers without the source computers selecting printers for each print job. A method for printing including controlling the printing of print jobs on high-speed production printers through a graphical user interface. A print server for use with different types of source computers and different types of printers, the print server directs print jobs received from the source computers to the printers without the source computers selecting printers for each print job. A print server for use with an arbitrary number of. similar types of source computers and an arbitrary number of similar types of printers, the print server directs print jobs received from the source computers to the printers without the source computers selecting printers for each print job.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert Aiello, Jr.
- 👤 Clive H. Moss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/12; G06F3/1201; G06F3/1278; G06F3/1285; G06F3/1288; G06F3/1202; G06F3/1203; G06F3/1204; G06F3/1223; G06F3/1236
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A method comprising sending a first multiple pages print job automatically from a source computer to a print server without the source computer having selected a printer for the print job, the source computer being one of multiple source computers of different types connected in a first network; sending the first multiple pages print job from the print server to a selected output manager connected to at least one printer, the selected output manager being one of multiple output managers connected in a second network, each of the output managers being connected to at least one printer included in a plurality of printers, at least some of the printers being of different types; sending the first multiple pages print job from the selected output manager to a first one of the printers; sending a second multiple pages print job automatically from any one of the source computers to the print server without the source computer having selected a printer for the second multiple pages print job; sending the second multiple pages print job from the print server to a selected one of the output managers; and sending the second multiple pages print job from the selected output manager to a second one of the printers, the first multiple pages print job and the second multiple pages print job being printed in parallel on the first and second printers respectively.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
229 words
A method comprising sending a first multiple pages print job automatically from a source computer to a print server without the source computer having selected a printer for the print job, the source computer being one of multiple source computers of different types connected in a first network; sending the first multiple pages print job from the print server to a selected output manager connected to at least one printer, the selected output manager being one of multiple output managers connected in a second network, each of the output managers being connected to at least one printer included in a plurality of printers, at least some of the printers being of different types; sending the first multiple pages print job from the selected output manager to a first one of the printers; sending a second multiple pages print job automatically from any one of the source computers to the print server without the source computer having selected a printer for the second multiple pages print job; sending the second multiple pages print job from the print server to a selected one of the output managers; and sending the second multiple pages print job from the selected output manager to a second one of the printers, the first multiple pages print job and the second multiple pages print job being printed in parallel on the first and second printers respectively.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
204 words
A method comprising: sending a first multiple pages print job automatically from a source computer to a print server without the source computer having selected a printer for the print job, the source computer being one of an arbitrary number of source computers; sending the first multiple pages print job from the print server to a selected output manager connected to at least one printer, the selected output manager being one of multiple output managers, each of the output managers being connected to an arbitrary number of printers; sending the first multiple pages print job from the selected output manager to a first one of the printers; sending a second multiple pages print job automatically from any one of the source computers to the print server without the source computer having selected a printer for the second multiple pages print job; sending the second multiple pages print job from the print server to a selected one of the output managers; and sending the second multiple pages print job from the selected output manager to a second one of the printers, the first multiple pages print job and the second multiple pages print job being printed in parallel on the first and second printers respectively.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
204 words
A method comprising: sending a first multiple pages print job automatically from a source computer to a print server without the source computer having selected a printer for the print job, the source computer being one of an arbitrary number of source computers; sending the first multiple pages print job from the print server to a selected output manager connected to at least one printer, the selected output manager being one of multiple output managers, each of the output managers being connected to an arbitrary number of printers; sending the first multiple pages print job from the selected output manager to a first one of the printers; sending a second multiple pages print job automatically from any one of the source computers to the print server without the source computer having selected a printer for the second multiple pages print job; sending the second multiple pages print job from the print server to a selected one of the output managers; and sending the second multiple pages print job from the selected output manager to a second one of the printers, the first multiple pages print job and the second multiple pages print job being printed in parallel on the first and second printers respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the multiple pages print jobs are sent from the source computers to the print server over a first network and the multiple pages print jobs are sent from the print server to the output managers over a second network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the first network comprises a TCP/IP network and the second network comprises a local area network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 , further comprising: transforming data in the multiple pages print jobs into a format compatible with the printers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the data is transformed by the print server.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the data is transformed by the output managers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 , further comprising, after sending the multiple pages print jobs from the source computers to the print server: storing the multiple pages print jobs in a server spool coupled to the print server.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 , further comprising, before sending the multiple pages print jobs from the print server to the output managers: manipulating data in the multiple pages print jobs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 , further comprising, before sending a multiple pages print job from the print server to the selected output manager: merging at least one other multiple pages print job with the multiple pages print job into a single multiple pages print job.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 , further comprising: printing the multiple pages print jobs on paper.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 , further comprising: sending the multiple pages print jobs to an electronic mail system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 , further comprising: recording the multiple pages print jobs on microfiche.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 , further comprising: recording the multiple pages print jobs on laser disk.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 further comprising sending individual reports from the print server to the output managers connected to the printers, wherein each of the multiple pages print jobs includes at least two reports.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 , further comprising, after sending the multiple pages print jobs from the source computers to the print server: bringing the source computers down for maintenance while printing the multiple pages print jobs.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
224 words
A method comprising sending a first print job including at least two reports automatically from a source computer to a print server, the source computer being one of multiple source computers of different types connected in a first network; sending individual reports included in the first print job from the print server to a selected output manager connected to at least one printer, the selected output manager being one of multiple output managers connected in a second network, each of the output managers being connected to at least one printer included in a plurality of printers, at least some of the printers being of different types; sending the individual reports included in the first print job from the selected output manager to a first one of the printers; sending a second print job including at least two reports automatically from any one of the source computers to the print server; sending individual reports included in the second print job from the print server to a selected one of the output managers; and sending the individual reports included in the second print job from the selected output manager to a second one of the printers, the individual reports included in the first print job and the individual reports included in the second print job being printed in parallel on the first and second printers respectively.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
224 words
A method comprising sending a first print job including at least two reports automatically from a source computer to a print server, the source computer being one of multiple source computers of different types connected in a first network; sending individual reports included in the first print job from the print server to a selected output manager connected to at least one printer, the selected output manager being one of multiple output managers connected in a second network, each of the output managers being connected to at least one printer included in a plurality of printers, at least some of the printers being of different types; sending the individual reports included in the first print job from the selected output manager to a first one of the printers; sending a second print job including at least two reports automatically from any one of the source computers to the print server; sending individual reports included in the second print job from the print server to a selected one of the output managers; and sending the individual reports included in the second print job from the selected output manager to a second one of the printers, the individual reports included in the first print job and the individual reports included in the second print job being printed in parallel on the first and second printers respectively.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
199 words
A method comprising: sending a first print job including at least two reports automatically from a source computer to a print server, the source computer being one of an arbitrarm number of source computers; sending individual reports included in the first print job from the print server to a selected output manager connected to at least one printer, The selected output manager being one of multiple output managers, each of the output managers being connected to an arbitrary number of printers; sending the individual reports included in the first print job from the selected output manager to a first one of the printers; sending a second print job including at least two reports automatically from any one of the source computers to the print server; sending individual reports included in the second print job from the print server to a selected one of the output managers; and sending the individual reports included in the second print job from the selected output manager to a second one of the printers, the individual reports included in the first print job and the individual reports included in the second print job being printed in parallel on the first and second printers respectively.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
199 words
A method comprising: sending a first print job including at least two reports automatically from a source computer to a print server, the source computer being one of an arbitrarm number of source computers; sending individual reports included in the first print job from the print server to a selected output manager connected to at least one printer, The selected output manager being one of multiple output managers, each of the output managers being connected to an arbitrary number of printers; sending the individual reports included in the first print job from the selected output manager to a first one of the printers; sending a second print job including at least two reports automatically from any one of the source computers to the print server; sending individual reports included in the second print job from the print server to a selected one of the output managers; and sending the individual reports included in the second print job from the selected output manager to a second one of the printers, the individual reports included in the first print job and the individual reports included in the second print job being printed in parallel on the first and second printers respectively.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17 or 18 further comprising enabling an operator of the print server to control printing operations for each of the individual reports.
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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) | 2005-01-07 | 2005-07-09 | 2006-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-01-07 | 2009-07-09 | 2010-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-01-07 | 2013-07-09 | 2014-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |