Device agent for distributed processing and printing

A first image processing device connected to a network, comprising hardware components, including at least a processor, memory and a network controller, comprising:

• means for determining whether a second device of second devices on the network includes an agent compatible with receiving a portion of a print job and transmitting a processed portion of a print job back to the first device;
• means for transmitting, in response to determining the second device does not include an agent compatible with receiving a portion of a print job and transmitting a processed portion of a print job back to the first device, a compatible agent from the first device to the second device so that the second device is to include an agent compatible with receiving a portion of a print job and transmitting a processed portion of a print job back to the first device;
• means for receiving a print job from a user device;
• means for dividing the print job into a plurality of portions of the print job;
• means for transmitting the portions to a plurality of second networked image processing devices to be processed by the second devices;
• means for receiving the processed portions from the second devices;
• and
• means for assembling the processed portions into an assembled print job.

A method of a second image processing device connected to a first image processing device through a network, comprising:

• receiving a query from the first device, the query inquiring as to whether the second device is compatible with receiving a portion of a print job and transmitting a processed portion of a print job back to the first device;
• when the query is transmitted to the second device and (1) the second device transmits a compatibility acknowledgement back to the first device that the second device is not compatible or (2) the second device does not transmit a compatibility acknowledgement within a predetermined amount of time, receiving an agent compatible with receiving a portion of a print job and transmitting a processed portion of a print job back to the first device;
• transmitting a compatibility acknowledgement to the first device that the second device includes the agent;
• receiving a portion a print job from the first device;
• processing the portion;
• and
• transmitting the processed portion back to the first device.