Modular and extensible printer device driver and text based method for characterizing printer devices for use therewith
US6825941B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/1254
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A modular Universal Printer Driver is provided which dramatically improves the extensibility of the driver architecture and the support for printer features. This driver operates in conjunction with OEM developed minidrivers which utilize the text based Generic Printer Description (GPD) format of the instant invention. The universal driver allows the GPD text based minidrivers to add and define new features introduced by the printer OEM. The universal driver also allows the GPD minidriver to modify, add, or replace the standard user interface provided by the universal driver. The universal driver and the text based GPD minidrivers are included in a computer system for outputting data to an output device, such as a printer. This system includes an application program which invokes a plurality of graphics device interface functions to control the sending of data to the printer. Within the system, a graphics device interface invokes device driver functions for controlling the outputting of data. The text based minidriver contains a characterization of the output device, and an implementation of device specific device driver functions invoked by the graphic device interface. This text …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.