Patent ID: 6976084

Claim:
A method for downloading and printing information stored on a remote print server that is accessible by a modem equipped printer via a POTS telephone line which is shared with a user's voice communications telephone having call waiting service enabled, said method comprising steps of: (A) initiating a connection between the printer and a printing server over a POTS telephone network by dialing a telephone number associated the printer server; (B) at the printer, performing steps of: (1) downloading printing information from the printing server through the connection; and (2) printing the printing information (C) interrupting step (B) (1) if an interrupting signal is detected on the connection between the printing server and the printer including terminating the connection with the print server when an interrupting call waiting signal is detected thereby allowing the user to establish a voice conversation with a party associated with the call waiting signal; (D) following the termination of the voice conversation, automatically re-establishing a connection between the printing server and the printer; and (E) at the printer, resuming download of the printing information from the printing server through the re-established connection.