Printing device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A local area network comprising:
- a LAN circuit;
a printing data generating device that generates printing data and is connected to the LAN circuit;
a plurality of printing devices connected in cascade and being consecutively numbered from 1 to n where n is an integer, the LAN circuit connecting the printing data generating device to the first printing device of the plurality of printing devices, wherein each of the plurality of printing devices comprises;
first communication means for receiving the printing data;
memory means for storing the printing data received by the first communication means;
second communication means for outputting the printing data stored in the memory means;
printing means for printing images based on the printing data received by the first communication means; and
determining means for determining a state of the printing means whether or not the printing means is in an available condition for printing,wherein the first communication means of an (i+1)th printing device is connected to and communicates with the second communication means of an i-th printing device, and the first communication means of the first printing device is connected to and communicates with the printing data generating device, and wherein if the printing means of the i-th printing device is unavailable, the second communication means of the i-th printing device transmits the printing data to the first communication means of the (i+1)th printing device, i representing any one of integers from 1 to n.
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Abstract
A plurality of personal computers 12 and a first printer 20 is connected to the LAN circuit 10. A plurality of printers 20a-20x is connected to the first printer 20 in a series. If it is possible, the printer 20 prints received printing data. However, if it is not possible, the printing data is transmitted to the second printer 20a. Therefore, if at least one of the printers 20-20x is in the available condition for printing, the printing data can be printed. That is, even if the printer 20 cannot perform the printing operation, overall printing work will not be backed up.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A local area network comprising:
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a LAN circuit; a printing data generating device that generates printing data and is connected to the LAN circuit; a plurality of printing devices connected in cascade and being consecutively numbered from 1 to n where n is an integer, the LAN circuit connecting the printing data generating device to the first printing device of the plurality of printing devices, wherein each of the plurality of printing devices comprises; first communication means for receiving the printing data; memory means for storing the printing data received by the first communication means; second communication means for outputting the printing data stored in the memory means; printing means for printing images based on the printing data received by the first communication means; and determining means for determining a state of the printing means whether or not the printing means is in an available condition for printing, wherein the first communication means of an (i+1)th printing device is connected to and communicates with the second communication means of an i-th printing device, and the first communication means of the first printing device is connected to and communicates with the printing data generating device, and wherein if the printing means of the i-th printing device is unavailable, the second communication means of the i-th printing device transmits the printing data to the first communication means of the (i+1)th printing device, i representing any one of integers from 1 to n. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A printing system comprising:
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a LAN circuit; a printing data generating device that generates printing data and is connected to the LAN circuit; a plurality of printing devices connected in cascade and being consecutively numbered from 1 to n where n is an integer, the LAN circuit connecting the printing data generating device to the first printing device of the plurality of printing devices, wherein each of the plurality of printing devices comprises; first communication means for receiving the printing data; memory means for storing the printing data received by the first communication means; second communication means for outputting the printing data stored in the memory means; printing means for printing images based on the printing data received by the first communication means; and determining means for determining a state of the printing means whether or not the printing means is in an available condition for printing, wherein the first communication means of an (i+1)th printing device is connected to and communicates with the second communication means of an i-th printing device, and the first communication means of the first printing device is connected to and communicates with the printing data generating device, and wherein if the printing means of the i-th printing device is unavailable, the second communication means of the i-th printing device transmits the printing data to the first communication means of an (i+1)th printing device, i representing any one of integers from 1 to n. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification