Computer-printer interface control for bidirectional/undirectional data communications
US5640495A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/1236
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer and printer system in which communication between the computer and printer can be carried out in either a bidirectional mode or a unidirectional mode. As disclosed, the computer operates in a single-threaded multi-tasking environment in which a printer control utility application runs to facilitate bidirectional communication with an attached printer. The application program maintains the computer parallel port in a bidirectional communication and printing mode, but is capable of taking the parallel port out of this mode in order to perform unidirectional printing, either from another application operating in the multi-tasking environment or from a DOS session running in the environment. The printer control utility prevents the mixing of unidirectional and bidirectional print jobs through the parallel port.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.