Abstract: A method of passing information between two or more information handling devices is described. Such information handling devices might be a printer 342, a personal computer 343, or a scanner 344. Means for communication of information between information handling devices in the form of a network 341 and network connection means 345 exist. The information transmitted comprises a data format hierarchy, wherein a device intended to receive transmitted data evaluates the data format hierarchy and determines the format in which the data is then received thereby. Advantageously, the receiving device determines the format in which the data is then received by a response to the transmitting device comprising a path through the data format hierarchy, and all data formats comprise one or more of a plurality of data format types, and wherein for each data format type, there exists a data format receivable by all information handling devices supporting that data format type.