Remote replication of printer operator panel

In a combination including a host computer, a printer and a communication path between the host computer and the printer, the host computer having an associated first display and associated input device, the printer having an operator panel which includes at least one control device and a second display, the improvement, comprising:

• a first processing circuit at said host computer and a second processing circuit at said printer, said second processing circuit being configured to display current printer status on said second display;
• said first processing circuit being configured to form a replica of the operator panel on the first display and to accept signals from said input device actuated by a first user, said first processing circuit being configured to transmit a first data signal to said second processing circuit via said communication path every time said first user makes an actuation of said input device which results in a change request in the status of said printer;
• said second processing circuit being configured to receive said first data signal and to modify said current printer status so as to have the same effect on said printer as would actuation of said at least one control device of said operator panel;
• and
• said second processing circuit being further configured to receive said change request in said printer status made by said first user via said input device at said host computer and to detect an actuation of said at least one control device which results in a change request in said printer status made by a second user via said at least one control device of said operator panel, and to automatically update said second display with said current printer status after operating upon one of said change request by said first user and said second user and to automatically transmit a second data signal containing said current printer status via said communication path to said first processing circuit without a request therefor being issued by said host computer, thereby updating said first display to reflect any changes in said current printer status made by one of said first user and said second user such that said first display and said second display each depict substantially the same information in substantially real time, wherein said at least one control device of said operator panel is configured to allow actuation by said second user to modify said current printer status during the same time interval that said input device of said host computer is being actuated by said first user to modify said current printer status, and neither said at least one control device nor said input device are locked out from being able to modify said current printer status.