An input agent system and a plurality of job-handling agent systems are connected using a network. One external apparatus is connected to each of the job-handling agent systems. Pieces of job information indicative of the processing contents of the external apparatuses are inputted to the input agent...http://www.google.com.au/patents/US6571147?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6571147 - System for and method of managing jobs
