Patent ID: 7253915

Claim:
A computer implemented method for creating a locally managed instance of a printer on a host computer which communicates print data to the printer over a peer-to-peer network, comprising the steps of: selecting an option of the host computer to create a locally managed instance of the printer on the host computer, wherein the locally managed instance provides a user with the capability of changing a configuration of the printer at the host computer; the user inputting an identifier of the printer, including a communication address of the printer, to be installed on the host computer; in response to the user inputting the identifier including the communication address of the printer, the host computer obtaining printer type information via a network by communicating with the printer using the input identifier, and determining the printer type from the obtained printer type information; based on the determined printer type information, the host computer automatically obtaining printer configuration information and print driver information; the host computer automatically configuring the printer and installing a print driver for the printer based on the obtained printer configuration information and print driver information; and the host computer creating the locally managed instance of the printer on the host computer and setting up the host computer by using the obtained printer configuration information and print driver information, wherein the locally managed instance provides a user with the capability of changing the configuration of the local printer at the host computer.