CLUSTER PRINTING METHOD AND CLUSTER PRINTING SYSTEM

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide automatic distribution processing for simultaneously printing a large quantity of documents. SOLUTION: At a client terminal, the method involves user-selecting a cluster, where each cluster includes a plurality of printers network-connected to the client terminal. Then, the method creates a file set to be printed, where the file set includes a plurality of files. Software applications associated with each file in the file set are automatically opened and each file is converted into a printer-ready formatted document. Finally, the documents are automatically distributed to printers in the selected cluster for concurrent printing. Document finishing options can be selected by a user in response to automatically opening software applications associated with each file, and sent to the printers in the form of document processing instructions. Finishing options may be correlated to printer capabilities, and the documents distributed in response to correlation process. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT