Patent ID: 8542390
Filing Date: 2013-09-24
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A print relay system capable of connecting to an image forming apparatus and a print service system, wherein the print service system is provided by a first vendor that releases a unique specification for executing data communication between the print service system and the image forming apparatus, the print relay system comprising: a receiving unit configured to acquire, in response to the print service system receiving a printing instruction input by a user via a client, data from the print service system according to a first specification, which is the unique specification of the first vendor that also is for data communication between the print service system and a relay virtual printer; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the data acquired by the receiving unit from the relay virtual printer to the image forming apparatus according to a second specification for executing data communication between the relay virtual printer and the image forming apparatus, wherein the second specification is released by a second vendor that provides the print relay system and is other than the first vendor, wherein the receiving unit is a first receiving unit, the print relay system further comprising a generation unit configured to generate, in response to receiving information indicating that the first vendor changed the unique specification, a newly generated second receiving unit that is configured to acquire, in response to the print service system receiving a printing instruction input by a user via a client, data from the print service system according to the changed unique specification and to replace the receiving unit with the newly generated second receiving unit to communicate with the print service system.