Method and apparatus for sharing peripheral devices over a network

A system for sharing peripheral devices over a network, comprising:

• a first computer having at least one peripheral device connected thereto, the first computer being configured to respond as a server computer;
• a second computer networked to the first computer, the second computer being configured to respond as a first client computer and to send a request to use the at least one peripheral device over the network, the request being processed to determine whether the second computer has sharing privileges to the at least one peripheral device, the first computer being configured to grant access to the request of the second computer if the second computer has sharing privileges that enable access to the at least one peripheral device, and, when the second computer has access to the at least one peripheral device, the second computer communicating commands over the network to control the at least one peripheral device that is connected to the first computer;
• a third computer networked to the first and second computers, the third computer being configured to respond as a second client computer and to send a request to use the at least one peripheral device over the network, the request being processed to determine whether the third computer has sharing privileges to the at least one peripheral device, the first computer being configured to grant access to the request of the third computer if the third computer has sharing privileges that enable access to the at least one peripheral device, and, when the third computer has access to the at least one peripheral device, the third computer communicating commands over the network to control the at least one peripheral device that is connected to the first computer;
• and
• a wait queue for storing a use request from one of the second and third computers when the at least one peripheral device is in use, wherein, when a use request is stored in the wait queue, the first computer notifies the computer issuing the use request when the at least one peripheral device becomes available.