Importance

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Abstract

Network-incompatible low-function printers 3A, 3B, . . . incapable of interpreting a high-function language are connected to a high-function printer 2 which can connect to a network 4 and which can interpret a high-function language such as PostScript, in such a way as to be positioned in a downstream location relative to the printer 2, thereby constituting one printer group. The high-function printer 2 examines the performance attributes of the downstream low-function printers 3A, 3B, . . . and stores the thus-examined performance. The printer 2 notifies the performance attributes of the overall printer group to a host provided on the network 4. On the basis of the thus-notified performance, a printer drive provided in the host prepares and displays a user interface screen. Upon receipt of print job data from the host, the high-function printer 2 selects a printer suitable for processing the job from the printer group and transfers the job data to the thus-selected printer.

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First Claim