Abstract: A server for connection to a client via a network, the client being operable to transmit user-input to the server over the network and to receive user-output from the server over the network. The server comprises a network interface for connection to the network; and a processor coupled to the interface. The processor is operable to remotely host execution of an application for the client. The application is for receiving the user-input from the client over the network and for generating the user-output for transmission to the client over the network. The server implements a universal printer driver operable to generate a universal printer file from the application based on a request for a file to be printed that is embedded in the user-input. The server is further operable to transmit the universal printer file over the network. The universal printer file has a format amenable to interpretation by a universal print file reader into a printer file suitable for printing by a printing device.

Abstract: A method for providing extended printer properties to a thin client is described. The method comprises communicating with a print server associated with a printer to scrape or grab an image of an extended printer properties interface for the printer from the print server display. The scraped image is then displayed at the client. User inputs input by a user on the image are then communicated to the print server for application to a print job. Changes to the displayed image, resulting from the user inputs, can be returned to the client. The print job can be transmitted to the print server in portable document format. A print server and a distributed computing network for implementing the method are also described.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus method and system of remote printing is provided. A server connected to a client via a network is operable to host execution of an application for a client, to receive the user-input from the client via the network, and to send user-output to the client via the network. The server receives a print request from the client, which is included in the user-input. The server then generates a universal printer file from the application, based on the print request, and transmits the universal printer file to an electronic mail system for delivery of the universal printer file to a destination specified by the client, for example as an attachment to an email message.

Abstract: A server for connection to a client via a network, the client being operable to transmit user-input to the server over the network and to receive user-output from the server over the network. The server comprises a network interface for connection to the network; and a processor coupled to the interface. The processor is operable to remotely host execution of an application for the client. The application is for receiving the user-input from the client over the network and for generating the user-output for transmission to the client over the network. The server implements a universal printer driver operable to generate a universal printer file from the application based on a request for a file to be printed that is embedded in the user-input. The server is further operable to transmit the universal printer file over the network. The universal printer file has a format amenable to interpretation by a universal print file reader into a printer file suitable for printing by a printing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for printing. In a system embodiment, a printer server interconnects a plurality of clients and printers. The server maintains a printer access policy that defines which of said printers a user can access. When a user logs into one of the clients, the server accesses said printer access policy and forwards a list of printers that the user can access to the client.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with providing a computer printer system which is particularly adapted for printing to a remote printer in a client-server environment. In the practice of the present invention, a universal printer driver is installed on the host server which creates a compressed, transmittable file that can be interpreted and printed by any printing device. This eliminates the need for a myriad of printer drivers being installed on the host server and increases speed and efficiency of print file processing by decreasing the need for bandwidth. The system results in faster, more convenient and more reliable printing to remote printers in a client-server arrangement.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus method and system of remote printing is provided. A server connected to a client via a network is operable to host execution of an application for a client, to receive the user-input from the client via the network, and to send user-output to the client via the network. The server receives a print request from the client, which is included in the user-input. The server then generates a universal printer file from the application, based on the print request, and transmits the universal printer file to an electronic mail system for delivery of the universal printer file to a destination specified by the client, for example as an attachment to an email message.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with providing a computer printer system which is particularly adapted for printing to a remote printer in a client-server environment. In the practice of the present invention, a universal printer driver is installed on the host server which creates a compressed, transmittable file that can be interpreted and printed by any printing device. This eliminates the need for a myriad of printer drivers being installed on the host server and increases speed and efficiency of print file processing by decreasing the need for bandwidth. The system results in faster, more convenient and more reliable printing to remote printers in a client-server arrangement.