Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

George H Douglas

William B McCormick

Stephen V Dennis

Brett C Gerlach

Patrick Lee

A host computer and printer and method of operation wherein the data file describing a document is processed in a manner that creates a frame of data to be transmitted from the host computer to the printer. The data frame contains a data stream which is wrapped in a create font command wrapper so that the printer will be able to process the data frame in some manner. If the printer is operating in a first mode and cannot process the actual stream data, the frame wrapper will allow the printer to process the wrapper and ignore the data stream. If the printer is operating in a second mode and can process the actual data stream, the printer ignores the wrapper and processes the data. The printer will print a message to the user if the printer cannot process the actual data stream. The message informs the user of the printer's inability to process the data stream.

System and method for font wrapping printer data

A host computer and printer and method of operation wherein the printer is able to switch between two modes of operation. When the printer is powered up, it initializes its internal data registers and printer memory, followed by a check to see if additional firmware, in the form of a cartridge or the like, is added to the printer. If additional firmware is present, the printer turns operational command over to the additional firmware. The present invention, residing in the additional firmware, stores a complete image of the printer state, internal registers, and memory in a location that cannot be accessed by either mode of operation. The present invention compresses the data so that the complete image of the printer state, internal registers, and memory occupies approximately eight KBytes of memory. The storage location may be part of the printer memory itself, or any other suitable location. The additional firmware then returns operational control to the original firmware within the printer thus allowing the printer to operate in the first mode of operation. The host computer may cause the printer to switch to the second mode of operation by simply overwriting the internal data registers and printer memory, except for the portion of printer memory that is used to store the compressed image of the initial printer state. The printer may be switched back to the first mode of operation by expanding the compressed image to restore the printer to its initial state. From the perspective of the printer, it has just completed initialization. Thus, the printer may be easily and quickly switched modes of operation.

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Theodore, AL, United States of America

George H Douglas