Patent ID: 6348972
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A network print system having plural hosts that have a function to generate print data, plural printers that carry out printing on the basis of specified print data, and a communication network that connects the plural printers and the plural hosts so that the printers and the hosts communicate with one another, wherein the printing is executed by a single or plural users using optional printers on the basis of print data generated at the hosts, the network print system comprising:each of the plural printers including: means for selecting one of the plural hosts in which print data is generated; means for requesting to the selected host, via the communication network, to transmit the print data from the selected host to the printer; and means for printing a document based on the print data transmitted from the selected host; each of the plural hosts including: means for storing plural print data generated by the users; means for setting respective owners of the plural print data stored in the storing means on the basis of identification data allotted per each of the plural users; means for determining whether or not a person who has requested the print data to be transmitted is the owner of the print data set by the setting means; and means for transmitting the print data stored in the storing means to the printer on the basis of the determination that the person requesting the transmission of the print data is the owner of the print data.