Methods and printing system for peer-to-peer output management

A printing system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed on the processor, configures the printing system to
• connect a second printing controller of a second printing device to a first printing controller of a first printing device to form a peer-to-peer network;
• generate a printing device information data file including printing device information for the first printing device and printing device information for the second printing device;
• store the printing device information data file at the first printing controller of the first printing device and the second printing controller of the second printing device;
• detect a change in the printing device information by the first printing controller of the first printing device to modify a printing operation for a plurality of subsequent print jobs within the peer-to-peer network;
• send an instruction from the first printing controller of the first printing device to the second printing controller of the second printing device regarding the change in the printing device information;
• and
• update the printing device information data file at the second printing controller of the second printing device in response to the change indicated by the instruction received from the first printing controller of the first printing device to modify the printing operation for the plurality of subsequent print jobs at the second printing device,
• wherein the printing device information includes printing device resource information for the respective first printing device and second printing device, and
• wherein the printing device resource information includes a first paper catalog stored at the first printing controller and a second paper catalog stored at the second printing controller, and toner levels or ink levels available at the respective first printing device and second printing device.

A method for managing printing operations, the method comprising:

• forming a peer-to-peer network of a plurality of printing devices, wherein the plurality of printing devices includes a first printing device having a first printing controller and a second printing device having a second printing controller;
• generating a printing device information data file including printing device information for the first printing device and printing device information for the second printing device;
• storing the printing device information data file at the first printing controller of the first printing device and the second printing controller of the second printing device;
• detecting a change in the printing device information data file by the first printing controller of the first printing device to modify a printing operation for a plurality of subsequent print jobs within the peer-to-peer network, wherein the change relates to a component within the first printing controller or a resource used by the first printing device;
• sending an instruction from the first printing controller of the first printing device to the second printing controller of the second printing device regarding the change in the printing device information;
• and
• updating the printing device information data file at the second printing controller of the second printing device to take advantage of the change indicated by the instruction received from the first printing controller of the first printing device to modify the printing operation for the plurality of subsequent print jobs at the second printing device,
• wherein the printing device information includes printing device resource information for the respective first printing device and second printing device, and
• wherein the printing device resource information includes a first paper catalog stored at the first printing controller and a second paper catalog stored at the second printing controller, and toner levels or ink levels available at the respective first printing device and second printing device.