USOO6236462B1
(12) United States Patent
(10) Patent N0.:
(45) Date of Patent:
Terasaka
(54) COMPUTER SYSTEM, HOST COMPUTER
AND TERMINAL EQUIPMENT
(75) Inventor: Susumu Terasaka, Kawasaki (JP)
(*)
Notice:
(30)
(51)
(52)
(58)
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Staas & Halsey LLP
ABSTRACT
In a computer system, results of printing to be produced at
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
print settings at the terminal side can be changed from the
host computer, Which has a previeW processing section
a terminal side are predicted at a host computer side, and
emulating the operations system of the terminal equipment,
to enable the printer driver loaded from the terminal equip
Oct. 1, 1998
ment to be run on the host computer and thereby to create a
Foreign Application Priority Data
Oct. 29, 1997
Primary Examiner—Jeffrey Gaffin
Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
(21) Appl. N0.: 09/164,570
(22) Filed:
May 22, 2001
Assistant Examiner—Thanh Y. Tran
(57)
(73) Assignee: Fujitsu Limited, Kawasaki (JP)
US 6,236,462 B1
previeW of material to be printed at the terminal equipment.
(JP) ................................................. .. 9-296910
A desired print previeW is obtained by manually changing
Int. Cl.7 ................................................... .. G06K 15/00
US. Cl. ........................... .. 358/113; 358/112; 712/1
Field of Search ................................ .. 358/113, 1.14,
the print settings, at the time of the desired print previeW,
and Which are stored. A printing processing section queries
the terminal equipment regarding the print settings and, if
358/115, 1.18, 11.3; 400/61; 712/1; 395/700,
the print settings obtained as the result of the querying are
111; 382/274
References Cited
not appropriate, selects appropriate print settings from
among the print settings stored in the print setting storing
U S PATENT DOCUMENTS
section and thereafter sends a print request to the terminal
(56)
'
6,029,238 *
'
Z/ZOOO
equipment.
Furukawa ............................... .. 712/1
* cited by examiner
17 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
HOST COMPUTER
PRINTING
TERMINAL EQUIPMENT
0N
PROCESSING SECTI
PREVIEW
PROCESSING SECTION
éIATOR
COMMUNICATION
LINE
PRINTER DRIVER
PRINT SETTING
STORING SECTION
U.S. Patent
May 22, 2001
Sheet 1 0f 9
mPézmHoF gPjzsHm
205
3E
mHgoz:
m2:
zuzHrwEmwoH?mb zmg zwoHm?b w.zHtm 2w8zH.m5oF
US 6,236,462 B1
U.S. Patent
May 22, 2001
Sheet 3 0f 9
US 6,236,462 B1
Fl 9. 3
1
a
8
PRINT
1
HOST COMPUTER
TO
gm
REQUEST
X
PRINT
REQUEST 12K
PREVIEW
REQUEST
]3A'"\“PREVIEW
RESULT
GACHPEOMNLIUSRTA
/
WYSIWYG SYSTEM
/11
PRINT REQUEST PROCESSING
AND PRINT SETTING
STORING SECTION
PREVIEW CREATING SECTION
UNIX EMULATING ENVIRONMENT
PRINTER
PRINTER PRINTER
DRIVER 1 DRIVER 2 DRIVER 3
UNIX EMULATOR
T3B'~\__WINDOWS 95 EMULATING ENVIRONMENT
PRINTER PRINTER
PRINTER
PREVIEW
DRIVER U DRIVER 5 DRIVER 6
RESULT
WINDOWS 95 EMULATOR
13Q—~\*_WINDOWS-NT EMULATING ENVIRONMENT
PREVIEW
RESULT
PRINTER
PRINTER
PRINTER
DRIVER 7 DRIVER 8 DRIVER 9
WINDOWS-NT EMULATOR
HOST COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM
(
)
9
U.S. Patent
May 22, 2001
Sheet 4 0f 9
US 6,236,462 B1
Fig.4
4“ PERSONAL COMPUTER/WORKSTATION
5 “\
PRINTER DRIVER INFORMATION
CHANGE REQUEST
PRINT REQUEST
PRINTER DRIVER
INFORMATION INQUIRY
PRINTER DRIVER INFORMATION
HOST TERMINAL
PRINTER EMULATOR
"x14
EEPESFEUTEH
WYSIWYG SYSTEM
PRINTER DRIVER FILE
ACQUISITION REQUEST
PRINTER DRIVER FILE
PRINTER DRIVER A
PRINTER DRIVER B
PRINTER DRIVER C
OPERATING SYSTEM
U.S. Patent
May 22, 2001
Sheet 5 0f 9
US 6,236,462 B1
Fig.5
Yes
DRIVER
ALREADY UPLOADED
'?
UPLOAD PRINTER DRIVER “104
1/
SET PRINTER DRIVER
SETTINGS UN HOST COMPUTER
TO MATCH DRIVER
SETTINGS AT TERMINAL
PRINTER EMULATDR SIDE
PREVIEW
N106
N108
1 1O
DESIRED PREVIEW
7
112
S
PREVIEW END
CHANGE SETTINGS
U.S. Patent
May 22, 2001
US 6,236,462 B1
Sheet 6 0f 9
Fig.6
5 PRINT START ;
N202
PRINTER DRIVER
INFORMATION INQUIRY
SELECT MATCHING SETTINGS
’\ 204
DOWNLOAD SETTINGS TO
TERMINAL PRINTER EMULATOR
CHANGE SETTINGS
"\1 208
PRINT
RESTORE SETTINGS x21 2
\
\ PRINT END \
R206
U.S. Patent
May 22, 2001
Sheet 7 0f 9
US 6,236,462 B1
Fig.7
NUMBER OF CHARACTERS PER LINE OF DATA
70
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mm
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xx XX
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67TH LINE
68TH LINE
xx
xx
xx--- x
xx——- x
XX
XX--- X<-1OOTI-I LINE
U.S. Patent
May 22, 2001
Sheet 8 0f 9
F198
NUMBER OF CHARACTERS PER LINE OF DATA
ml.
___
.__
.
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US 6,236,462 B1
U.S. Patent
May 22, 2001
Sheet 9 0f 9
US 6,236,462 B1
F|g.9
2
‘l
S
S
U
U
5%
Eg
HOST
E:
5;
COMPUTER
E531
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PERSONAL COMPUTER
5 '\ TERMINAL PRINTER
EMULATOR
PRINTER DRIVER
PRINTER
US 6,236,462 B1
1
2
COMPUTER SYSTEM, HOST COMPUTER
AND TERMINAL EQUIPMENT
(a) terminal equipment having a host terminal printer emu
lator and a printer driver; (b) a host computer including (1)
a printing processing section for carrying out processing to
cause the terminal equipment to perform printing, (2) a
previeW processing section for emulating an operating sys
tem running at the host terminal printer emulator side, and
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer system
Wherein a print previeW of printed material that a terminal
Will produce, in accordance With form data supplied from a
host computer, is created at the host computer and the print
settings at the time the desired previeW is obtained are
doWnloaded to the terminal equipment.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 9 is a diagram shoWing an example of a netWork
system. In the ?gure, reference numeral 1 is a host computer,
2 is a printer dedicated to the host, 3a is an analyZing section,
thereby enabling the printer driver to be run on the host
10
Preferably, the previeW processing section queries the
host terminal printer emulator about an identi?er identifying
15
3b is a printing section, 4 is a terminal (a personal computer,
Preferably, the print setting storing section stores print
The host computer 1 has its dedicated printer 2. The
dedicated printer 2 includes the analyZing section 3a and the
settings at the time a desired print previeW is obtained.
printing section 3b. The analyZing section 3a analyZes the
form data transferred from the host computer 1, creates print
25
section 3b performs printing in accordance With the supplied
print data.
The terminal 4 and the host computer 1 are connected via
a data line. The terminal 4 is a personal computer, a
Workstation, or the like, and contains therein the host
terminal printer emulator 5 and the printer driver 6. The host
terminal printer emulator 5 is one that replaces the functions
of the host terminal printer 2, hardWare dedicated to the host,
With softWare that runs on the personal computer or
the printer driver currently being used, examines Whether the
printer driver is already loaded, and loads the printer driver
from the terminal equipment if the printer driver is not
loaded yet.
a Workstation, or the like), 5 is a host terminal printer
emulator, 6 is a printer driver, and 7 is a printer.
data (e.g., a sequence of character codes and control codes)
representing the material to be printed, and passes the
created print data to the printing section 3b. The printing
computer, loading the printer driver from the host terminal
printer emulator side, and creating a print previeW of mate
rial to be printed at the terminal equipment side, and (3) a
print setting storing section; and (c) a communication line
connecting the host computer and the terminal equipment.
35
Preferably, the print setting storing section stores a plu
rality of host terminal printer emulator and/or printer driver
print settings, and the printing processing section selects
print settings from among the print settings stored in the
print setting storing section and doWnloads the selected print
settings to the host terminal printer emulator.
Preferably, the previeW creating section emulates a plu
rality of host terminal printer emulator operating systems,
the print setting storing section holds therein a plurality of
host terminal printer emulator and/or printer driver print
settings, and the printing processing section queries the host
terminal printer emulator about the print settings of the host
terminal printer emulator and/or the printer driver and, if the
print settings obtained as the result of the querying are not
computer to be printed using the ordinary office printer 7.
appropriate, selects print settings from among the print
settings stored in the print setting storing section and doWn
loads the selected print settings to the host terminal printer
More speci?cally, When the form data sent from the host
emulator.
Workstation, and thus enables the digital data from the host
computer 1 is received, the host terminal printer emulator 5
creates the print data by analyZing the form data, and passes
the created print data to the printer driver 6. The printer
Preferably, print settings for the host terminal printer
emulator and/or the printer driver are included in form data
to be sent from the host computer to the host terminal printer
emulator.
The effect of the present invention Will be described. The
driver 6 converts the print data into a form that the printer
7 can understand, and passes the thus converted print data to
the printer 7.
In the prior art, at the host computer, there is no knoWing
45
the terminal equipment, and thus enables the printer driver
What print settings the host terminal printer emulator and the
printer driver have; hence, it has not been possible at the host
computer to accurately predict the results of the printing
produced at the terminal. Furthermore, the kinds of print
settings that the host computer can specify to the host
terminal printer emulator and the printer driver are
extremely limited in number, so that the host computer
cannot set all the print parameters that can be changed at the
host terminal printer emulator side.
previeW processing section emulates the operating system of
of the terminal equipment to be run on the host computer.
Then, the printer driver of the terminal equipment is loaded,
55
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
and a print previeW displaying the same image as Will be
printed at the terminal side is created. If the print previeW is
not What is expected, the print settings are changed to obtain
the desired print previeW, and the print settings at that time
are stored in the print setting storing section. The printing
processing section queries the terminal equipment about its
print settings and, if the print settings obtained as the result
of the querying are not appropriate, selects appropriate print
settings from among the print settings stored in the print
setting storing section and doWnloads the selected print
settings to the host terminal printer emulator before sending
The present invention has been devised in vieW of the
above situation, and an object of the invention is to provide
a computer system Wherein provisions are made so that the
results of the printing to be produced at the terminal side can
be accurately predicted at the host computer side, and so that
a print request to the terminal equipment.
the print settings of each individual host terminal printer
Further features and advantages of the present invention
Will be apparent from the folloWing description With refer
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
emulator and printer driver can be made from the host
computer.
To achieve the above object, according to the present
invention, there is provided a computer system comprising:
65
ence to the accompanying draWings, in Which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operating principle
of the present invention;
US 6,236,462 B1
4
3
setting storing request is issued from the general application
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining information transfers
8, the print request processing and print setting storing
between a host and a terminal;
section 11 stores the print settings appended to the request.
When a print request is issued from the general application
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a softWare
con?guration in the host computer;
8, the print request processing and print setting storing
FIG. 4 is a diagram shoWing an example of a softWare
section 11 sends the print request to the terminal 4.
The WYSIWYG system 10 further includes the previeW
con?guration in the terminal;
FIG. 5 is a diagram shoWing an example of a previeW
processing ?oW;
FIG. 6 is a diagram shoWing an example of a printing
processing ?oW;
10
FIG. 7 is a diagram shoWing an example of printing;
FIG. 8 is a diagram shoWing another example of printing;
and
FIG. 9 is a diagram shoWing an example of a netWork.
creating section 12. The previeW creating section 12
includes the UNIX emulating environment 13A, the Win
doWs 95 emulating environment 13B, and the WindoWs-NT
emulating environment 13C.
The UNIX emulating environment 13A emulates host
terminal printer emulators and printer drivers operating on
15
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
the UNIX OS, and includes a UNIX emulator, a host
terminal printer emulator (not shoWn), and printer drivers 1
to 3.
The WindoWs 95 emulating environment 13B emulates
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operating principle
of the present invention. The computer system according to
host terminal printer emulators and printer drivers operating
on the WindoWs 95 OS, and includes a WindoWs 95
the present invention comprises: terminal equipment having
emulator, a host terminal printer emulator (not shoWn), and
a host terminal printer emulator and a printer driver; a host
printer drivers 4 to 6.
The WindoWs-NT emulating environment 13C emulates
computer having a printing processing section for carrying
out processing to cause the terminal equipment to perform
printing, a previeW processing section, and a print setting
storing section; and a communication line connecting the
host computer and the terminal. The previeW processing
host terminal printer emulators and printer drivers operating
25
printer drivers 7 to 9.
When a previeW request is issued from the general
section enables the print driver to be run on the host
computer by emulating the operating system running at the
application 8, the previeW creating section 12 creates a print
previeW of form data by using the emulating environment
corresponding to the terminal speci?ed by the previeW
host terminal printer emulator side, loads the printer driver
from the host terminal printer emulator side, and creates a
print previeW of material to be printed at the host terminal
printer emulator side.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining information transfers
betWeen the host and the terminal. When a printer driver
information change request issued from the host computer 1
is received, the terminal 4 changes the current print settings
of the terminal printer emulator and the printer driver. When
a print request issued from the host computer 1 is received,
request, and returns the created print previeW to the general
application 8. The general application 8 displays the
received print previeW on the display screen.
35
(2) From the contents of the previeW request, the WYSI
WYG system judges that the previeW must be pre
sented in the UNIX emulating environment.
(3) The WYSIWYG system checks to determine Whether
the printer driver necessary for the previeW is already
When a printer driver information inquiry issued from the
host computer is received, the terminal 4 sends to the host
computer 1 the print settings that the host terminal printer
emulator and the printer driver have. When a printer driver
?le acquisition request issued from the host computer 1 is
received, the terminal 4 uploads the printer driver ?le to the
host computer 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram shoWing an example of a softWare
installed on the UNIX emulating environment. If it is
installed, the process proceeds directly to (6) bypassing
(4) and (5), beloW; otherWise, the process proceeds to
(4).
con?guration in the host computer. In the ?gure, reference
numeral 8 is the host computer’s general application, 9 is the
host computer’s operating system, 10 is a WYSIWYG
system, 11 is a print request processing and print setting
storing section, 12 is a previeW creating section, 13A is a
(4) The WYSIWYG system in the host computer com
municates With the host terminal printer emulator in the
UNIX Workstation Where actual printing is to be done,
and the necessary printer driver is uploaded from the
Workstation to the host computer.
UNIX emulating environment, 13B is a WindoWs 95 emu
55
environment.
The softWare programs are loaded from various kinds of
driver on the UNIX emulating environment.
driver.
FIG. 4 is a diagram shoWing an example of a softWare
host computer and then executed Within the main memory.
The host computer 1 contains the general application 8,
the host operating system 9, and the WYSIWYG system 10.
con?guration in the terminal. In the ?gure, reference
numeral 14 is an interface section, 15 is an operating system,
and A to C are printer drivers.
The softWare programs are loaded from various kinds of
WYSIWYG is an acronym for What You See Is What You
Get, Which means that the image that the user sees on the
display screen is the same as What he Will see When it is
The WYSIWYG system 10 includes the print request
processing and print setting storing section 11. When a print
(5) The WYSIWYG system installs the uploaded printer
(6) The print previeW is created using the installed printer
recording media into a main memory (not shoWn) inside the
printed.
An explanation Will be given of hoW the print previeW is
created, for example, in the UNIX emulating environment.
(1) In the host computer, the WYSIWYG system receives
a previeW request from the host computer general
application.
the terminal 4 performs printing.
lating environment, and 13C is a WindoWs-NT emulating
on the WindoWs-NT OS, and includes a WindoWs-NT
emulator, a host terminal printer emulator (not shoWn), and
recording media into a main memory (not shoWn) inside the
65
terminal and then executed Within the main memory.
The terminal 4 contains the host terminal printer emulator
5 and the operating system 15. The host terminal printer
US 6,236,462 B1
6
5
emulator 5 includes the interface section 14. The interface
section 14 is responsible for communications betWeen the
host terminal printer emulator 5 and the WYSIWYG system
in the host computer. The printer drivers A to C are part of
DELETION OF BLANK LINES
On, Off
OCR-B FONT:
Valid or invalid
the operating system 15.
The printer drivers contain print setting information, for
FONT TYPE:
FONT SIZE:
SPOOL TIMER VALUE:
NUMBER OF PAGES PER SPOOL UNIT:
example, as listed beloW.
PAPER SIZE:
The print setting information of the host terminal printer
A4, B4, 10 in.><11 in., etc. (including information on
Width, height, top/bottom/left/right margins, etc.)
10
PRINT ORIENTATION:
specifying the print format is also appended to the form data,
Portrait, Landscape
PAPER FEED METHOD:
Paper cassette 1, Paper cassette 2, Manual feed, Auto
matic sWitching, etc.
15
but this format information is the same as the print setting
information that the host terminal printer emulator has.
HoWever, if there is any format information not carried in
the form data supplied from the host computer, the format
NUMBER OF COPIES TO BE PRINTED:
information is supplemented by the print setting information
RESOLUTION: 240 dpi, 300 dpi, 400 dpi, 600 dpi, etc.
that the host terminal printer emulator has.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a previeW processing
?oW. Prior to the processing of step 102, the folloWing
DOUBLE-SIDED PRINTING:
On, Off
COLOR PRINTING:
processing is performed. When the previeW request from the
general application is received, the WYSIWYG system
On, Off
LEFT/RIGHT REVERSED PRINTING:
sends a printer driver information inquiry to the host termi
nal printer emulator (referred to as TMi) at the terminal
On, Off
BLACK/WHITE REVERSED PRINTING:
emulator is passed from the WYSIWYG system to the host
terminal printer emulator at the terminal side. Information
25
speci?ed by the previeW request. Upon receiving the printer
On, off
driver information inquiry, the host terminal printer emula
ORDER OF OUTPUT:
Prints a document beginning With the ?rst page or the last
page
FONTS:
tor TMi at the terminal sends the printer driver information
to the WYSIWYG system. The printer driver information
Device fonts (printer fonts) or soft fonts (doWnloaded
includes the print settings of the printer driver as Well as the
includes the printer driver name, driver version information,
and print setting information. The print setting information
print settings of the terminal printer emulator. For simplicity,
fonts)
it is assumed here that the host terminal printer emulator
HALFTONE COLOR:
Contrast, Brightness, RGB gamma, etc.
PRINT QUALITY:
35
TMi at the terminal side is running under the UNIX OS.
In step 102, the WYSIWYG system checks to see if the
printer driver (referred to as PDj) speci?ed by the received
printer driver information is contained in the emulating
environment (the UNIX emulating environment) corre
sponding to the host terminal printer emulator at the terminal
Smoothing (ON/OFF)
ENLARGE/REDUCE:
TEXT DATA PROCESSING:
Character code or graphics
to Which inquiry Was sent; if the ansWer is YES, the process
The host terminal printer emulator contains print setting
proceeds to step 106, but if the ansWer is NO, the process
proceeds to step 104.
In step 104, the WYSIWYG system sends a printer driver
?le acquisition request to the host terminal printer emulator
TMi at the terminal. Upon receiving the printer driver ?le
information, for example, as listed beloW.
ALPHANUMERIC AND KANA CONVERSION:
EBCDIC-US, EBCDIC-ASCII, EBCDIC JAPAN, etc.
CHARACTER SPACING:
45
acquisition request, the host terminal printer emulator TMi
CPI
at the terminal sends the printer driver ?le it is using to the
LINE SPACING:
WYSIWYG system.
LPI
In step 106, the WYSIWYG system sets the print settings
MAXIMUM LINE LENGTH:
of the printer driver PDj contained in the UNIX emulating
Number of characters
environment to match the printer settings of the printer
PAGE LENGTH:
driver PDj at the terminal, and likeWise, sets the print
Number of lines
settings of the host terminal printer emulator TMi contained
TOP MARGIN:
in the UNIX emulating environment to match the print
LEFT MARGIN:
55 settings of the host terminal printer emulator at the terminal.
NUMBER OF LINES TO BE FED AT AUTOMATIC
In step 108, the WYSIWYG system processes the form
LINE FEED:
data appended to the previeW request in the UNIX
NUMBER OF LINES TO BE FED AT AUTOMATIC
environment, and returns the resulting print previeW to the
CARRIAGE RETURN:
general application that originated the request.
EFFECTIVE POSITION OF PAGE BREAK COM
In step 110, the operator of the host computer checks the
MAND:
print previeW to determine Whether it matches the desired
At beginning of line or at any position
printing result. If it does, the operator performs an operation
PRINTING OF BLANK CHARACTERS AFTER PAGE
to store the current print settings in the print setting storing
BREAK COMMAND:
section, and ends the previeW process; otherWise, the pro
On, Off
PRINTING OF UNDEFINED KANJI CODE:
Not displayed or displayed
65
cess proceeds to step 112.
In step 112, the operator performs an operation to modify
the print settings of the print driver PDj and/or the print
US 6,236,462 B1
7
8
settings of the host terminal printer emulator TMi contained
the ?rst page, 67 lines are printed, and the subsequent lines
starting With the 68th line are printed on the second page.
The portions enclosed by the solid lines in FIG. 7 are
actually printed or presented on the previeW screen.
NoW, assume that the printer driver information is
changed to specify the paper siZe A4 (print area of 11.29
in the WYSIWYG system. The process then returns to step
108 Where the previeW is created using the modi?ed print
settings.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a printing processing
?oW. The print request processing and print setting storing
inches><7.87 inches) With landscape print orientation, While
section in the WYSIWYG system has a terminal con?gu
ration table and one print setting table for each terminal. The
terminal con?guration table contains the name of the OS, the
name of the host terminal printer emulator, and the name of
10
the printer driver for each terminal. Each print setting table
contains the optimum print settings for each kind of form.
In step 202, the WYSIWYG system sends a printer driver
information inquiry to the host terminal printer emulator
TMi at the terminal. Upon receiving the inquiry, the host
That is, on the paper, up to 100 characters are printed per
line, and no characters are discarded. Further, the ?rst to
47th lines are printed on the ?rst page, the 48th to 94th lines
15 on the second page, and the 95th to 100th lines on the third
terminal printer emulator TMi at the terminal returns the
page. The portions enclosed by the solid lines in FIG. 8 are
actually printed or presented on the previeW screen.
As is apparent from the above description, the present
invention offers signi?cant advantages as described beloW.
printer driver information.
In step 204, the WYSIWYG system examines the
returned printer driver information to determine if it matches
the form data about to be sent out. If it does not match, the
(a) Paper Wastage is reduced because of reduced possi
WYSIWYG system selects the print settings that match the
bility of print errors.
(b) No strain is imposed on communication traf?c since
form data.
In step 206, the WYSIWYG system sends a printer driver
the processing serves to reduce the number of times the
information change request, With the selected print settings
appended to it, to the host terminal printer emulator TMi at
the terminal.
In step 208, the host terminal printer emulator TMi at the
25
printer driver is loaded.
(c) Paper siZe can be changed for each form even When
printing continuous-form paper using a standard printer
driver.
terminal, upon receiving the printer driver information
change request, changes the print settings of its oWn and/or
the print settings of the printer driver it is using.
(d) Partial printing is easy because the printed page count
matches betWeen the host computer and the host ter
minal printer emulator.
In step 210, the WYSIWYG system sends a print request,
With the form data appended to it, to the host terminal printer
emulator TMi at the terminal. Upon receiving the print
request, the host terminal printer emulator TMi at the
terminal performs printing.
leaving the form data and the information concerning the
printing at the host terminal printer emulator intact.
With the above assumption, if the printing is done in
accordance With the information output from the printer
driver, the print results shoWn in FIG. 8 Will be obtained.
35
In step 212, the WYSIWYG system sends a printer driver
information change request to the host terminal printer
emulator TMi at the terminal to restore the print settings of
the host terminal printer emulator TMi at the terminal and
the print settings of the printer driver of the host terminal
The invention may be embodied in other speci?c forms
Without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be consid
ered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the
scope of the invention being indicated by the appended
claims rather than by the foregoing description and all
changes Which come Within the meaning and range of
equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be
embraced therein.
What is claimed is:
printer emulator TMi. Upon receiving the printer driver
information change request, the host terminal printer emu
1. A computer system comprising:
lator TMi at the terminal restores the print settings of its oWn
terminal equipment having a host terminal printer emu
lator and a printer driver;
a host computer comprising;
a printing processing section carrying out processing to
cause the terminal equipment to perform printing,
and/or the print settings of the printer driver it is using to the
original settings.
45
In FIG. 6, the print settings and the print request are
separately sent to the terminal, but alternatively, the print
settings may be included in the form data appended to the
a previeW processing section;
emulating an operating system running at the host
terminal printer emulator side and enabling the
print request.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a description Will be given
printer driver to be run on the host computer,
beloW of hoW the print results change by changing the
printer driver information, While giving eXamples of the
form data, the printer driver information, the information
concerning the printing at the host terminal printer emulator,
and the information output from the printer driver.
It is assumed here that the form data is print data With 100
lines and 100 characters per line, that the printer driver
information speci?es the paper siZe A4 (print area of 7.87
loading the printer driver from the host terminal
printer emulator side, and
55
creating a print previeW of material to be printed at
the terminal equipment side, and
a print setting storing section; and
a communication line connecting the host computer and
the terminal equipment.
inches><11.29 inches) With portrait print orientation, and that
2. A computer system as claimed in claim 1, Wherein the
the information concerning the printing at the host terminal
printer emulator indicates line spacing of 6 lines per inch and
character spacing of 10 characters per inch.
With the above assumption, if the printing is done in
accordance With the information output from the printer
driver, the print results shoWn in FIG. 7 Will be obtained.
previeW processing section queries the host terminal printer
That is, on the paper, up to 78 characters are printed per line,
and the remaining 22 characters are discarded. Further, on
emulator about an identi?er of the printer driver currently
being used, eXamines Whether the printer driver is already
65
loaded, and loads the printer driver from the terminal
equipment if the printer driver is not loaded yet.
3. A computer system as claimed in claim 1, Wherein the
print setting storing section stores print settings at the time
a desired print previeW is obtained.
US 6,236,462 B1
10
10. A method of processing in a host computer carrying
4. A computer system as claimed in claim 1, Wherein:
out data communication via a communication line With
the print setting storing section stores a plurality of host
terminal equipment having a host terminal printer emulator
terminal printer emulator and/or printer driver print
and a printer driver, said method comprising:
settings; and
5
emulating an operating system at the host terminal printer
the printing processing section selects print settings from
emulator side in order to enable the printer driver to be
among the print settings stored in the print setting
run on the host computer;
storing section and downloads the selected print set
loading the printer driver from the host terminal printer
tings to the host terminal printer emulator.
emulator side;
5. A computer system as claimed in claim 1, Wherein:
previeWing a material to be printed at the terminal equip
the previeW processing section emulates a plurality of
ment by using the loaded printer driver; and
doWnloading, to the host terminal printer emulator side,
print settings at the time a desired print previeW is
host terminal printer emulator operating systems;
the print setting storing section holds therein a plurality of
host terminal printer emulator and/or printer driver
obtained.
11. A recording medium readable by a host computer
print settings; and
carrying out data communication via a communication line
the printing processing section queries the host terminal
printer emulator about the print settings of the host
terminal printer emulator and/or the printer driver and,
With terminal equipment having a host terminal printer
emulator and a printer driver, said recording medium storing
a program for implementing:
a facility emulating an operation system at the host
terminal printer emulator side in order to enable the
printer driver to be run on the host computer;
if the print settings obtained as the result of the que
rying are not appropriate, selects print settings from
among the print settings stored in the print setting
storing section and doWnloads the selected print set
tings to the host terminal printer emulator.
6. Acomputer system as claimed in claim 1, Wherein print
settings for the host terminal printer emulator and/or the
a facility loading the printer driver from the host terminal
printer emulator side;
a facility previeWing a material to be printed at the
terminal equipment by using the loaded printer driver;
printer driver are included in form data to be sent from the
and
a facility doWnloading, to the host terminal printer emu
host computer to the host terminal printer emulator.
7. A method of previeWing on a host computer a material
to be printed at terminal equipment having a host terminal
printer emulator and a printer driver, said method compris
3O
ing:
lator side, print settings at the time a desired print
previeW is obtained.
12. A terminal equipment, having a host terminal printer
emulator and a printer driver, carrying out data communi
emulating an operating system at the host terminal printer
cation via a communication line With a host computer,
comprising:
emulator side, and thereby enabling the printer driver to
be run on the host computer;
loading the printer driver from the host terminal printer
emulator side; and
creating, by using the loaded printer driver, a print pre
35
printer driver;
a unit uploading a printer driver ?le to the host computer;
and
a unit changing current print settings upon receiving a
printer driver information change request as a result of
vieW of material to be printed at the terminal equipment
side.
8. A recording medium readable by a host computer for
previeWing a material to be printed at terminal equipment
having a host terminal printer emulator and a printer driver,
said recording medium storing a program for implementing:
an emulation facility emulating an operating system at the
a print previeW processing in the host computer.
13. A method of processing in terminal equipment having
a host terminal printer emulator and a printer driver, and
carrying out data communication via a communication line
With a host computer, said method comprising:
host terminal printer emulator side, and thereby
sending, to the host computer, current print settings con
tained in the host terminal printer emulator and the
enabling the printer driver to be run on the host
computer;
printer driver;
a loading facility loading the printer driver from the host
terminal printer emulator side; and
a creation facility creating, by using the loaded printer
uploading a printer driver ?le to the host computer; and
changing the current print settings upon receiving a
printer driver information change request as a result of
driver, a print previeW of a material to be printed at the
a print previeW processing in the host computer.
14. A recording medium readable by terminal equipment
terminal equipment side.
9. A host computer carrying out data communications via
a communication line With terminal equipment having a host
terminal printer emulator and a printer driver, comprising:
a unit emulating an operating system at the host terminal
printer emulator side in order to enable the printer
driver to be run on the host computer;
a unit loading the printer driver from the host terminal
printer emulator side;
a unit previeWing a material to be printed at the terminal
equipment by using the loaded printer driver; and
a unit doWnloading, to the host terminal printer emulator
a unit sending, to the host computer, current print settings
contained in the host terminal printer emulator and the
55
having a host terminal printer emulator and a printer driver,
and carrying out data communication via a communication
line With a host computer, said recording medium storing a
program for implementing:
a facility sending, to the host computer, current print
settings contained in the host terminal printer emulator
and the printer driver;
a facility uploading a printer driver ?le to the host
computer; and
a facility changing the current print settings upon receiv
side, print settings at the time a desired print previeW is
ing a printer driver information change request as a
result of a print previeW processing in the host com
obtained.
puter.
US 6,236,462 B1
11
12
loading the printer driver from the host terminal printer
emulator side;
15. A recording medium readable by a host computer for
previewing a material to be printed at terminal equipment,
having a host terminal printer emulator and a printer driver,
previeWing a material to be printed at the terminal equip
by:
ment by using the loaded printer driver; and
doWnloading, to the host terminal printer emulator side,
print settings at the time a desired print previeW is
emulating an operating system at the host terminal printer
emulator side, and thereby enabling the printer driver to
be run on the host computer;
obtained.
17. A recording medium readable by terminal equipment,
loading the printer driver from the host terminal printer
having a host terminal printer emulator and a printer driver,
emulator side; and
creating, by using the loaded printer driver, a print pre 0 carrying out data communication via a communication line
With a host computer by:
vieW of a material to be printed at the terminal equip
sending, to the host computer, print settings that the host
terminal printer emulator and the printer driver have;
ment side.
16. A recording medium readable by a host computer
carrying out data communication via a communication line
With terminal equipment having a host terminal printer
emulator and a printer driver, by:
emulating an operation system at the host terminal printer
15
uploading a printer driver ?le to the host computer; and
changing the print settings upon receiving a printer driver
information change request as a result of a print pre
vieW processing in the host computer.
emulator side in order to enable the printer driver to be
run on the host computer;
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