Patent attributes
A method, system, and computer program product for transmitting print-ready electronic documents to a printer using e-mail as a transport mechanism. Responsive to a user request, a source PC transmits a document in print-ready format, so that there is no need for the printer to run or activate the software application that was used to generate the document. Furthermore, by rendering the document at the source PC, the invention ensures that the user's selected print settings and preferences are preserved. The user need not be concerned with whether the destination printer has the appropriate software or is configured appropriately for the user's document. In alternative embodiments, the user grants permission to print a local document. Subsequently, when a recipient wishes to print the document, the most current version is retrieved from the source PC, so that the printed document reflects any changes that may have been made after the permission was granted.
