Server providing access to a plurality of functions of a multifunction peripheral in a network

摘要

A network peripheral server is adapted to enable a plurality of clients in a network to access a plurality of functions supported by a multifunction peripheral connected to the network. The server includes a network interface for communicating with the clients on the network according to a predetermined network protocol, a peripheral interface for communicating with the multifunction peripheral via a plurality of peripheral channels corresponding to the plurality of functions supported by the multifunction peripheral, and a gateway communicatively connected between the network interface and the peripheral interface for transferring data between the network interface and the peripheral interface. Also provided in the server is a firmware and or software which is responsive to predetermined instructions from at least one of the plurality of clients for operatively connecting the at least one client with at least one selected one of the plurality of functions supported by the multifunction peripheral via a corresponding one of the plurality of peripheral channels.