Patent ID: 6070000
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A local area network comprising:a LAN circuit;a printing data generating device that generates printing data and is connected to the LAN circuit;a plurality of printing devices connected in cascade and being consecutively numbered from 1 to n where n is an integer, the LAN circuit connecting the printing data generating device to the first printing device of the plurality of printing devices, wherein each of the plurality of printing devices comprises:first communication means for receiving the printing data;memory means for storing the printing data received by the first communication means;second communication means for outputting the printing data stored in the memory means;printing means for printing images based on the printing data received by the first communication means; anddetermining means for determining a state of the printing means whether or not the printing means is in an available condition for printing,wherein the first communication means of an (i+1)th printing device is connected to and communicates with the second communication means of an i-th printing device, and the first communication means of the first printing device is connected to and communicates with the printing data generating device, and wherein if the printing means of the i-th printing device is unavailable, the second communication means of the i-th printing device transmits the printing data to the first communication means of the (i+1)th printing device, i representing any one of integers from 1 to n.