Abstract: An implementation of a technology is described herein for facilitating the direction of push scanning from an input peripheral to one or more destinations of multiple of such possible destinations. With this technology, a user of a scanner quickly and easily performs a “push scan” to a primary target computer of one of multiple targets connected to the scanner (directly or via a network). The user selects a primary target (e.g., a computer) of one of multiple targets connected thereto (directly or via a network) and a secondary target (e.g., a file, an application, an email, a fax, etc.) associated with that primary target. Once selected, the user scans a document at the scanner. The scanner notifies the primary target of the scan request and that it is the intended destination. The primary target initiates and controls the scan. When it receives the scanned data, it directs it to the secondary target. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent.

Abstract: First an operating system, along with the host-based printing system, are initialized. The queue processor waits for the host-based printing system to issue a job open command. While waiting for a job open command, other applications may acquire and use the parallel port. Upon receiving a job open command, the queue processor informs the engine monitor to acquire the parallel port resource from the operating system. After the print job is done or canceled, the queue processor checks whether there are any additional print jobs than have been sent since the parallel port was acquired. After all print jobs are completed or canceled, the queue processor informs the engine monitor to release the parallel port resource to the operating system. Once the engine monitor has released the parallel port resource, the queue processor again waits for the next job open command.