Patent ID: 6348973
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
In combination:a network for connecting at least three computing resources; a printer coupled to the network and included in the computing resources, the printer including: printer network connection means for transferring data packets to and from the computing resources; printer virtual connection means for receiving a raster image representative of a document from a member of the plurality of computer resources to which a unique virtual connection has been established; and means for printing the document based on the raster image; a raster image processor coupled to the network and included in the computing resources, the raster image processor including: raster image processor network connection means for transferring information to and from the computing resources; means for rendering a series of page description language instructions representative of the document into the raster image; and raster image processor virtual connection means for transmitting a raster image to a printer via the unique virtual connection; and virtual connection maintenance means, for opening, maintaining, and closing unique virtual connections between printer and raster image processor.