Patent ID: 6577407
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A primary printer connected to a network connection system for printing print data received from a network device connected to the network connection system and for providing the print data to one of a plurality of secondary printers, each of which is connected to and in direct communication with the primary printer for receiving the print data, the primary printer comprising:a network interface unit for receiving the print data from the network device; a primary print engine; a processor for receiving the print data received from the network interface unit, and for transmitting the print data to the primary print engine or to one of the plurality of secondary printers based on a print job request originating in the network device which designates a specific one of the printers; and a primary non-network interface unit connecting the processor to each one of the plurality of secondary printers for transmitting the print data directly to the specific one of the plurality of secondary printers designated for printing by the processor.