| 摘要 |
A computer network 1 comprises first, second, and third computer systems 3, 5, 7 connected to first, second, and third print devices 9, 11, 13 by means of a network 15. Each computer system 3, 5, 7 comprises at least one application program capable of generating print data for output to one or more of the print devices 9, 11, 13. The print data is output from each application program and stored on a on a print spooler (not shown) forming part of each computer system 3, 5, 7. Each print device 9, 11, 13 comprises a daemon 23 and a local memory 19, the data control module being configured to monitor, via the network 15, print data relating to a print job stored on a computer system, the print data including job timing information relating to the preferred time at which the print job is to be processed. The daemon 23 is also configured to retrieve a copy of the print data as soon as the data link becomes available to transfer the print data, and to store the print data on the local memory 19, the retrieval and storage operations being performed prior to the time specified in the job timing information. Accordingly, each print device 9, 11, 13 maintains a local storage of print data, the print data being retrieved and stored prior to the time specified in the job timing information at a time when the data link between the print device and a computer to which it is connected is capable of allowing the transfer, i.e. when the network traffic is low.
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