Patent ID: 6178003
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: G06F,G06K

Abstract:
An apparatus for transmitting a printer control file for controlling a printing operation, comprising:a printer having a windows printer drive and a logic controller, said printer for receiving a printer control file and printing data from a host computer, the logic controller of said printer for manipulating and changing the printing data during a printing operation and a control operation in accordance with the printer control file, the printer control file containing and keeping control data in accordance with a printer control system for controlling said printing operation of said printer by running said control operation using said windows printer drive for information that is contained in a non-volatile memory of a printer without using a non-volatile memory for said printer, the control data including a print identifier indicating a type of printing, a page counter indicating a number of pages of printing, an ink level, vertical alignment information indicating a vertical alignment, and horizontal alignment information indicating a horizontal alignment; anda host computer comprising:a memory for storing the printer control file, said memory having block formations compatible with non-volatile memory devices;a monitor for displaying windows data for the windows printer drive, the windows data containing information concerning a type of paper used in the printing operation, a selection of color used in the printing operation, the ink level, and a quality of print into used in the printing operation;a display controller for controlling and amending the windows data;a central processing unit to check whether the printer control file has been amended, to command said memory of said host computer to store the printer control file in said memory of said host computer and to store in said memory of said host computer an amended printer control file as the printer control file when the printer control file has been amended, to check whether a transmission of the printer control file to said printer has been completed, to read the printer control file when the transmission of the printer control file to said printer has not been completed, to transmit the printer control file to said printer, and to transmit the printing data to said printer;an input and output interface for transmitting the printer control file to said printer when a printing command is transmitted from said host computer to said printer;an input unit having keys for permitting a user to enter data to amend the windows data and to control said display controller in response to selective manipulation of at least one of said keys; andan auxiliary storage unit to store computer data manipulable into the printing data.