Remote network printing

A method of operating a remote printing system comprising the steps of:

• transmitting from a job sending component, a print job comprising one or more print files and an indicator of one or more job receivers to a remote printing server;
• receiving at a remote printing server, print jobs from one or more job sending components;
• storing said print jobs;
• receiving at said server, notification of acceptance of at least a portion of a print job from one or more of said one or more job receivers;
• receiving at a job receiving component associated with a job receiver, any of said at least portions of print jobs accepted by said associated job receiver;
• and
• transmitting said accepted portions to a printer for printing.

A remote printing server comprising:

• a first receiver for receiving print jobs comprising one or more print files and an indicator of one or more job receivers from one or more job sending components;
• means for causing said print jobs to be stored;
• a second receiver for receiving notification of acceptance of at least a portion of a print job from one or more of said one or more job receivers;
• and
• a transmitter for transmitting said at least portions of print jobs accepted by said associated job receiver to a job receiving component associated with a job receiver.

A computer program product comprising computer program code stored on a computer readable storage medium for, when executed on a computer, operating a remote printing server, the product comprising:

• computer program means for receiving print jobs comprising one or more print files and an indicator of one or more job receivers from one or more job sending components;
• computer program means for causing said print jobs to be stored;
• computer program means for receiving notification of acceptance of at least a portion of a print job from one or more of said one or more job receivers;
• and
• computer program means for transmitting said at least portions of print jobs accepted by said associated job receiver to a job receiving component associated with a job receiver.

A computer program product comprising computer program code stored on a computer readable storage medium for, when executed on a computer, receiving print jobs in a remote printing system, the product comprising:

• computer program means for associating an instance of the product with a job receiver identified in a print job;
• computer program means for connecting to a remote printing server and receiving any of at least portions of print jobs accepted by said associated job receiver;
• and
• computer program means for transmitting said accepted portions to a printer for printing.

A method of operating a remote printing system comprising the steps of:

• transmitting from a content generating party to a remote printing server, a print job comprising one or more print files generated from said content;
• receiving at a remote printing server, print jobs from one or more content generating parties;
• storing said print jobs;
• receiving at said server, notification of acceptance of at least a portion of a print job from one or more remote parties who are to act on said content;
• receiving at a job receiving component associated with a remote party, any of said at least portions of print jobs accepted by said associated remote party;
• and
• transmitting said accepted portions to a printer for printing.