Importance

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Abstract

A print model is provided that supports job submission to either physical or logical printer objects while preserving job defaulting, validation, and scheduling. According to one aspect of the present invention physical printers, e.g., objects representing the capabilities of associated output devices, may be the target of print job submissions. When a print job is received at a physical printer, an association is created between the print job and the physical printer. Then, the print job is routed from the physical printer to a predetermined logical printer, e.g., an object representing an abstract set of job and output device capabilities. According to another aspect of the present invention, an improved print server includes multiple physical printer objects that may serve as targets of print job submissions. The physical printer objects each correspond to an associated output device and each include an attribute that identifies a logical printer object, if any, through which print jobs may flow to the physical printer object. Additionally, each physical printer object is configured to create an association between print jobs submitted to the physical printer object and the physical printer object. Furthermore, each physical printer object is configured to transfer the print jobs to the logical printer object identified by the attribute. The print server also includes one or more logical printer objects. The logical printer objects are coupled to the physical printer objects and are configured to schedule the print jobs on the physical printer objects with which the print jobs are associated.

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First Claim