Patent ID: 8610921
Filing Date: 2013-12-17
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A processor implemented method for identifying printers from among a plurality of network accessible printers based on printer state information, wherein the printer state comprises a plurality of sub-states, and the method comprises the processor implemented steps of: receiving an email message, wherein the e-mail message comprises at least one of a query or status command with search criteria pertaining to at least one printer sub-state or a command for printing documents; parsing the received email message and determining whether the received email message comprises the query with search criteria pertaining to at least one printer sub-state or the status command; when it is determined that the received email message comprises the query or the status command with search criteria pertaining to at least one printer sub-state: querying a database based on the search criteria pertaining to the at least one printer sub-state to obtain a set of printers that satisfy the search criteria, wherein the database comprises information that correlates printer identification information with corresponding printer sub-state information of the plurality of network accessible printers, and responding to the received e-mail message, wherein the e-mail response comprises identification information about printers in the set of printers that satisfy the search criteria; and when it is determined that the received email message does not comprise the query or the status command with search criteria pertaining to at least one printer sub-state, determining whether the received email message comprises the print command.