US Patent 7161700 Print data providing service through network

When there is a request for provision of print data from a client 200, server 120 requests client 200 for printer characteristics information representing print characteristics of a printer 210. When client 200 transmits printer characteristics information to server 120, server 120 sets a print data generating process condition in accordance with the printer characteristics information. A server 120 then generates, in accordance with the set print data generating process condition, print data for use by printer 210, and transmits it to client 200. Client 200 transfers the print data provided from server 120 as-is to printer 210 and causes it to execute printing.