Data formatting system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for controlling the generation of an output image on a printer, comprising:
- a printer interface apparatus adapted to be coupled to a computer, the printer interface apparatus comprising;
a communications port for receiving a stream of data from the computer;
a first memory having stored therein at least one format comprising formatting codes for defining an output image on a printer;
a second memory having stored therein first instructions for formatting the stream of data for use with the at least one format;
a processor coupled to the first memory and the second memory, the processor being operative to execute the first instructions in the second memory and to format the stream of data for use with the at least one format in the first memory, thereby generating a stream of formatted data; and
a format generator apparatus operative to be coupled to the printer interface, the processor being operative to receive a new format from the format generator apparatus and operative to store the new format in the first memory.
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Abstract
A data formatting system for formatting an unformatted data stream, and communicating the formatted data stream and a format to a printer output device. The data formatting system includes a format generator which enables user design and creation of formats for downloading to the printer interface apparatus. Newly designed formats can then be utilized with subsequent unformatted data streams to create output images on an output device.
78 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for controlling the generation of an output image on a printer, comprising:
a printer interface apparatus adapted to be coupled to a computer, the printer interface apparatus comprising; a communications port for receiving a stream of data from the computer; a first memory having stored therein at least one format comprising formatting codes for defining an output image on a printer; a second memory having stored therein first instructions for formatting the stream of data for use with the at least one format; a processor coupled to the first memory and the second memory, the processor being operative to execute the first instructions in the second memory and to format the stream of data for use with the at least one format in the first memory, thereby generating a stream of formatted data; and a format generator apparatus operative to be coupled to the printer interface, the processor being operative to receive a new format from the format generator apparatus and operative to store the new format in the first memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A printer interface apparatus for formatting a stream of data, comprising:
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a communications port for receiving a stream of data from one of a plurality of computers; a first memory having stored therein at least one format comprising formatting codes for defining an output image on a printer, the first memory capable of retaining the at least one format upon a loss of power to the printer interface apparatus; a second memory having stored therein first instructions for formatting the stream of data, the second memory capable of retaining the first instructions upon a loss of power to the printer interface apparatus; a processor coupled to the first memory and the second memory, the processor being operative to execute the first instructions in the second memory and to format the stream of data for use with the at least one format in the first memory, thereby generating a stream of formatted data; and the processor being operative to determine from the stream of data a source computer, the source computer being one of the plurality of computers of sending the stream of data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification