WO2017038118A1

WO2017038118A1 - Emulation device and emulation program

Info

Publication number: WO2017038118A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/055785
Authority: WO
Inventors: 知弥落合; オーウェンローレンス
Original assignee: スター精密株式会社
Priority date: 2015-08-31
Filing date: 2016-02-26
Publication date: 2017-03-09
Also published as: JP2017049654A

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to allow carrying out, efficiently and with fewer work-hours, development of emulation programs which are required when changing combinations of host devices and printers to be connected. Provided is an emulation device, comprising: a first conversion unit 31 which converts source command data which is generated with a printer driver 12 of a host device into interim command data which is formed from a printer-independent specific command architecture; and a second conversion unit 32 which converts the interim command data which is generated by the first conversion unit 31 to target command data which is formed from a command architecture which corresponds to a printer to be connected to the host device. Thus, it is possible to separately and efficiently carry out the development of an emulation program which corresponds to the first conversion unit 31 and the development of an emulation program which corresponds to the second conversion unit 32.

Description

Emulation device and emulation program

The present invention relates to an emulation device and an emulation program for converting a command system of print data output from a host device to a printer.

Conventionally, a system for printing a document or an image edited by an application of a host device from a printer is often used. In general, a document or an image is stored as a file in a format specific to an application, and is converted into print data in a format that can be interpreted by a printer via a printer driver that operates on an operating system.

An emulator (emulation driver) may be used for conversion to this print data. Emulation means converting a command system supported by the host device into a command system that can be interpreted by the printer among various command systems that define the meaning of data. In general, one emulator is created to convert a command system targeting a specific type of printer. Therefore, when changing the printer connected to the host device, it is necessary to change the description of the emulation according to the changed printer.

Conventionally, when the printer connected to the host device is changed, the same print output as that of the printer before the change can be obtained in the printer after the change without changing the specifications and settings on the application side of the host device. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the printing system described in Patent Document 1, when the printer A connected to the host device in which the printer driver of the printer A is installed is changed to another printer B, a language monitor program and a print data conversion program are added to the host device. install. Using these programs, the print data corresponding to the printer A generated by the printer driver is once converted into intermediate data (raster image data), and then the intermediate data is further converted into print data corresponding to the printer B. Like to do.

According to the printing system described in Patent Document 1, print data corresponding to printer A is converted to print data corresponding to printer B by an additionally installed language monitor program and print data conversion program (hereinafter referred to as emulation programs). Therefore, the print output similar to that of the printer A before the change can be reproduced in the printer B after the change without changing the application side of the host device.

Japanese Patent No. 4627683

However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that a large number of emulation programs are required depending on the number of types of printers connected to the host device. For example, when the printer connected to the host device is changed from the printer A to the printer C, it is necessary to separately create an emulation program for converting the print data corresponding to the printer A into the print data corresponding to the printer C. When the printer D is connected to the host device, an emulation program for converting print data corresponding to the printer A into print data corresponding to the printer D is required.

Further, for example, when a printer driver corresponding to printer B is installed in the host device, printer B → printer A, printer B → printer C, printer B → printer, depending on the type of printer connected to the host device. It is necessary to create many emulation programs such as D,. As described above, there are many emulation programs to be created, and there is a problem that much time and cost are required for development.

The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and it is possible to efficiently develop an emulation program required when changing the combination of a host device to be connected and a printer with less man-hours. The aim is to be able to do it.

In order to solve the above-described problem, in the present invention, a first conversion unit that converts original command data generated by a host device into intermediate command data having a specific command system independent of a printer, A second conversion unit that converts intermediate command data generated by the first conversion unit into target command data having a command system corresponding to a printer connected to the host device.

According to the present invention configured as described above, development of an emulation program corresponding to the first conversion unit for converting original command data into intermediate command data, and conversion of intermediate command data into target command data The development of the emulation program corresponding to the second conversion unit can be performed separately. Moreover, since the intermediate command data consists of a specific command system that does not depend on the printer, when developing an emulation program corresponding to the first conversion unit, the second conversion unit is completely unaware. Also good. Similarly, when developing an emulation program corresponding to the second conversion unit, the first conversion unit need not be conscious of at all.

A first conversion unit created corresponding to a command system (original command data) of a certain printer X and a second conversion unit created corresponding to a command system (target command data) of a certain printer Y If applied in any combination with the conversion unit, command data corresponding to the printer X can be converted into command data corresponding to the printer Y. At this time, even if the combination of conversion from the command data corresponding to the printer X to the command data corresponding to the printer Y is new, at least one of the emulation programs of the first conversion unit and the second conversion unit is a different combination. If already created, there is no need to newly create the created emulation program.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the combination of the host device to be connected and the printer is changed (when changing the printer connected to the host device or changing the host device connected to the printer). The required emulation program can be developed efficiently with less man-hours.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall schematic configuration of a printing system including an emulation apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the printing system by this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the rough operation example by the various programs which the host apparatus by this embodiment memorize | stores, and the said various programs. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example with which the emulator of this embodiment is provided. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of the operation | movement by a 1st conversion part. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of the operation | movement by a 2nd conversion part. It is a figure for demonstrating the other specific example of the operation | movement by a 2nd conversion part.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall schematic configuration of a printing system including an emulation apparatus according to the present embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes a host device 10 and a printer 20.

The host apparatus 10 and the printer 20 are connected by a serial interface or a wired interface cable such as Ethernet (registered trademark). Alternatively, the host device 10 and the printer 20 may be connected via a wireless communication network such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1A, the host device 10 includes the emulation device of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1B, the interface card 20A may be configured to be detachable from the printer 20, and the interface card 20A may have the function of the emulation device according to the present embodiment. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the interface card 10 </ b> A may be configured to be detachable from the host device 10, and the interface card 10 </ b> A may have the function of the emulation device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration when the printing system is configured as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the host device 10 includes a CPU 101, an I / F 102, a display unit 103 such as a liquid crystal display, an input unit 104 such as a touch panel, a ROM 105, a RAM 106, and a hard disk 107 as its hardware configuration. The CPU 101 controls the operation of the host device 10 according to a program stored in the hard disk 107. In particular, in this embodiment, the CPU 101 converts data such as documents and images generated by the application program into print data of a command system that can be understood by the printer 20, and converts the converted print data from the I / F 102 to the printer 20. Output.

The printer 20 includes a CPU 201, an I / F 202, a printing unit 203, a ROM 204, and a RAM 205 as hardware configurations. The CPU 201 controls the operation of the printer 20 according to a program stored in the ROM 204 or RAM 205. In particular, in this embodiment, print data sent from the host device 10 is received by the I / F 202, and printing is executed by the printing unit 203 in accordance with a command indicated by the print data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing various programs stored in the hard disk 107 of the host device 10 and an outline operation example by the various programs. As shown in FIG. 3, the hard disk 107 of the host device 10 stores an application program (hereinafter simply referred to as an application) 11, a printer driver 12, an emulation program (hereinafter referred to as an emulator) 13, and a port driver 14.

When the printing system is configured as shown in FIG. 1B, the host device 10 includes the application 11, the printer driver 12, and the port driver 14, and the interface card 20A inserted in the printer 20 includes the emulator 13. To do. In this case, the print data generated by the printer driver 12 is transmitted to the printer 20 via the port driver 14 and supplied to the emulator 13.

When the printing system is configured as shown in FIG. 1C, for example, the host device 10 includes the application 11, the printer driver 12, and the port driver 14, and the interface card 10A inserted into the host device 10 sets the emulator 13. It is possible to provide a configuration. Alternatively, the host device 10 may include the application 11 and the port driver 14, and the interface card 10A may include the printer driver 12 and the emulator 13. Alternatively, the port driver 14 may also be provided in the interface card 10A.

When the printing system is configured as shown in FIG. 1A, the host device 10 including the emulator 13 corresponds to the emulation device of the present invention. Further, when the printing system is configured as shown in FIG. 1C and the host device 10 includes the emulator 13, the host device 10 corresponds to the emulation device of the present invention.

In these cases, the host device 10 can be constructed as an emulation device by recording the emulator 13 (the emulation program of the present invention) on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and causing the host device 10 to read the program. Is possible. As a recording medium for recording the emulation program, a flexible disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a DVD, a nonvolatile memory card, and the like can be used in addition to the CD-ROM. The emulation program may be downloaded to the host device 10 via a network such as the Internet.

On the other hand, when the interface card 20A includes the emulator 13 in the configuration of FIG. 1B or when the interface card 10A includes the emulator 13 in the configuration of FIG. 1C, the

interface cards

10A and 20A This corresponds to the emulation device of the present invention. In this case, the emulator 13 (the emulation program of the present invention) is installed in advance in the

interface cards

10A and 20A, for example. In the case of the configuration of FIG. 1C, the emulation program downloaded to the host device 10 via a recording medium or a network such as the Internet may be recorded in the interface card 10A.

In this embodiment, a POS application is used as an example of the application 11 and a receipt image is printed. In this case, the application 11 generates a receipt image and outputs a print instruction to the printer driver 12 together with the receipt image. The printer driver 12 corresponds to a printer 20 of a certain model, and generates and outputs print data composed of command data based on a command system that can be understood by the printer 20. Note that a command system of print data generated by the printer driver 12 is referred to as a “first command system”.

That is, the printer driver 12 converts the receipt image supplied from the application 11 into print data (command data depending on the device) based on the first command system corresponding to the model of the printer 20. Specifically, in accordance with the first command system, the printer driver 12 uses command data for forming a receipt image on a paper medium in the printer 20 or command data for controlling the printing unit 203 of the printer 20 (for example, Command data for instructing feeding or cutting of a paper medium.

The print data generated by the printer driver 12 is supplied to the emulator 13. The emulator 13 converts the print data (original command data) supplied from the printer driver 12 into print data (target command data) having an arbitrary command system. Here, the arbitrary command system may be the first command system or the other second command system.

In this embodiment, the emulator 13 once converts the original command data composed of the first command system into intermediate command data composed of a command system independent of the device (printer 20). Then, the emulator 13 further converts the converted intermediate command data into target command data having the first command system or the second command system.

When the printer 20 corresponding to the printer driver 12 is connected to the host device 10, the emulator 13 first converts the original command data supplied from the printer driver 12 into intermediate command data, It is converted into target command data consisting of one command system.

On the other hand, when the printer 20 connected to the host apparatus 10 is changed, the emulator 13 once converts the original command data supplied from the printer driver 12 into intermediate command data, and then changes the printer 20 to the changed printer 20. The target command data consisting of the corresponding second command system is converted. In this case, it is necessary to prepare the emulator 13 corresponding to the printer 20 after the change. In the present embodiment, the new emulator 13 can be developed efficiently. Details thereof will be described later.

The print data (target command data) generated by the emulator 13 is transmitted to the printer 20 via the port driver 14. At this time, the port driver 14 transmits the target command data generated by the emulator 13 to the printer 20 via the port specified by the application 11.

As described above, when the printer 20 corresponding to the printer driver 12 is connected to the host device 10, both the original command data and the target command data are in the first command system. Even in this case, the following advantages can be obtained by outputting the command data via the emulator 13 without directly outputting the command data from the printer driver 12 to the printer 20.

First, a wide variety of printer connections are possible. That is, by introducing the mechanism of the emulator 13, various emulation-compatible printers including printers having the same command system can be freely connected. Second, compatibility between printers of the same command system can be ensured. For example, even if a printer with the same command system is used, if the command specification is changed, command conversion is required if the printer corresponding to the old specification command is replaced with the printer corresponding to the new specification command. By using the emulator 13, the replacement can be easily performed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example provided in the emulator 13 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the emulator 13 of the present embodiment includes a first conversion unit 31 and a second conversion unit 32 as its functional configuration. Both the first conversion unit 31 and the second conversion unit 32 have a functional configuration realized by a modularized program.

The emulator 13 has a platform 30 on which module programs corresponding to the first conversion unit 31 and the second conversion unit 32 can be registered and mounted, and each module program is registered or deleted in the platform 30 by plug-in. It is configured to be able to. The printer driver 12 and the port driver 14 may also be configured as a module program, and may be configured to be registered or deleted by plug-in on the same platform 30 as the emulator 13.

The first conversion unit 31 includes original command data that is generated by the printer driver 12 and includes the first command system (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as original data), and includes a specific command system that does not depend on the printer 20. It is converted into intermediate command data (hereinafter abbreviated as intermediate data). Here, the first conversion unit 31 generates intermediate command data by sequentially converting each of a plurality of commands included in the original command data into commands represented by a specific command system. To do.

Further, the second conversion unit 32 converts the intermediate command data generated by the first conversion unit 31 into target command data (hereinafter referred to as target command data) having a command system corresponding to the printer 20 connected to the host device 10. (May be abbreviated as data). Here, the second conversion unit 32 sequentially converts each of a plurality of commands included in the intermediate command data into a command represented by a command system corresponding to the printer 20, thereby obtaining a target command. Generate data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the operation by the first converter 31. FIG. 5A shows an example of original data (command data depending on the device) composed of the first command system generated by the printer driver 12. FIG. 5B shows an example of intermediate data (command data that does not depend on a device) composed of a specific command system converted by the first conversion unit 31.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the original data is
<ESC> @ <ESC> i22Title <ESC> i00 <CR><LF> Hello World <CR><LF><ESC> d2, and a plurality of commands are arranged in order.

Here, the function of each command is as follows.
-<ESC> @: Printer initialization-<ESC> i22: 3x vertical and 3x horizontal enlarged character designation The number following i specifies the vertical magnification, for example "0" = 1x “3” = 4 times can be specified. Further, the subsequent number designates the magnification in the horizontal direction. For example, “0” = 1 times to “3” = 4 times can be designated.
-Title: Character string to be printed In this example, the character string of "Title" is enlarged and printed three times in length and three times in width.
・ <ESC> i00: Specify the enlarged characters of 1 × vertical and 1 × horizontal ・ <CR><LF>: Print line feed ・ Hello World: Character string to be printed In this example, the character string of “Hello World” is 1 time vertically Thus, printing is performed with a normal size of 1 × horizontal.
・ <CR><LF>: Print line feed ・ <ESC> d2: Paper feed and cut This means that the paper is fed to the cutter position and cut.

Each command of the original data shown above is converted by the first conversion unit 31 into each command of the intermediate data shown in FIG. Each command of the converted intermediate data has the same function as each command of the original data, but the expression format is different. As shown in FIG. 5B, each command of the intermediate data is composed of a combination of data “type” representing the command type and data “value” representing the parameter value. The expression format by this specific command system is not dependent on the device. The correspondence between each command of the original data and each command of the intermediate data is as follows.

・ <ESC> @
→ type: initialize value:
・ <ESC> i22
→ type: magnify height value: 2
type ： magnify width value ： 2
In the intermediate data, the vertical magnification and the horizontal magnification are described separately as separate commands.
・ Title
→ type: text value: Title
・ <ESC> i00
→ type: magnify height value: 0
type ： magnify width value ： 0
・ <CR><LF>
→ newline value: 0
・ Hello World
→ type: text value: Hello World
・ <CR><LF>
→ newline value: 0
・ <ESC> d2
→ type: feed value: cutter
type: cut value: 100%
In the intermediate data, feed and cut are described separately as separate commands.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the operation by the second conversion unit 32. FIG. 6A shows intermediate data (same as that shown in FIG. 5B) composed of a specific command system generated by the first conversion unit 31. FIG. 6B shows an example of target data converted by the second conversion unit 32. FIG. 6B shows the same first command system as the original data as an example of the command system of the target data.

For example, when the printer driver 12 corresponding to the model of the printer 20 is installed in the host device 10 and the printer 20 is connected to the host device 10 as it is, the original data consisting of the first command system is intermediate. Once converted into data, it is further converted into target data consisting of a first command system. In this case, the correspondence between each command of intermediate data and each command of target data is as follows.

・ Type: initialize value:
→ <ESC> @: Printer initialization ・ type: magnify height value: 2
→ <ESC> h2: 3 times the enlarged character designation ・ type: magnify width value: 2
→ <ESC> w2: 3 times horizontal expanded character specification type: text value: Title
→ Title: Character string to be printed ・ type: magnify height value: 0
→ <ESC> h0: Specify the enlarged character of 1x length ・ type: magnify width value: 0
→ <ESC> w0: 1x horizontal expanded character designation ・ newline value: 0
→ <CR><LF>: Print line feed ・ type: text value: Hello World
-> Hello World: Character string to print-newline value: 0
→ <CR><LF>: Print line feed ・ type: feed value: cutter
→ <ESC> j: Feeds the paper to the cutter position ・ type: cut value: 100%
→ <ESC> d0: Cut the paper

The original command data shown in FIG. 5 (a) and the target command data shown in FIG. 6 (b) are both based on the first command system, but the contents of some commands have changed. Yes. This is because, when converting from the original data to the intermediate data, one command is divided into two, and then when converting from the intermediate data to the target data, the two commands divided as described above are respectively This is because it has been converted to the original data command system. Although the commands are partially different, the printing result is exactly the same regardless of which command data is used for printing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another specific example of the operation by the second conversion unit 32. FIG. 7A shows intermediate data (same as that shown in FIG. 5B) composed of a specific command system generated by the first conversion unit 31. FIG. 7B shows an example of target data converted by the second conversion unit 32. FIG. 7B shows a second command system (HTML format command system) different from the first command system as an example of the target data.

For example, when the printer 20 to be connected is changed in the host device 10 in which the printer driver 12 corresponding to the first command system is installed, the module program of the second conversion unit 32 corresponding to the changed printer 20 Is registered in the platform 30 by a plug-in to replace the second conversion unit 32. Then, the intermediate data converted by the first conversion unit 31 originally registered in the platform 30 is converted into the second command system (HTML format command system) by the second conversion unit 32 newly registered as described above. ). In this case, the correspondence between each command of intermediate data and each command of target data is as follows.

・ Type: initialize value:
→ <html><body>: Printer initialization ・ type: magnify height value: 2
type ： magnify width value ： 2
-><H1>: Title specification It recognizes the format of the title start by two commands related to the expansion character specification of the intermediate data, and generates a tag of <h1>.
-Type: text value: Title
→ Title: Character string to be printed ・ type: magnify height value: 0
type ： magnify width value ： 0
→ </ h1>: Canceling title designation Two commands related to the designation of enlarged characters in intermediate data are recognized as the title end format, and a tag </ h1> is generated.
・ Newline value: 0
→ <p>: Print line feed ・ type: text value: Hello World
-> Hello World: Character string to print-newline value: 0
→ </ p>: Print line feed ・ type: feed value: cutter
type: cut value: 100%
→ </ body></html>
Recognize the end of the document with feed and cut, and generate a </ body></html> tag.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, development of a module program corresponding to the first conversion unit 31 that converts original data into intermediate data, and the second conversion unit that converts intermediate data into target data. It is possible to separately perform development of a module program corresponding to 32. In addition, since the intermediate command data consists of a specific command system that does not depend on the printer 20, when developing a module program corresponding to the first conversion unit 31, the second conversion unit 32 is completely conscious. You don't have to. Similarly, when developing a module program corresponding to the second conversion unit 32, the first conversion unit 31 need not be conscious of at all.

Then, the first conversion unit 31 created corresponding to the command system of the original data and the second conversion unit 32 created corresponding to the command system of the target data are arbitrarily registered and registered in the platform 30 Then, the original command data based on the first command system can be converted into the target command data corresponding to the second command system.

At this time, even if the combination of the conversion from the first command system to the second command system is new, the module program of the first conversion unit 31 corresponding to the first command system or the second command system If the module program of the second conversion unit 32 corresponding to is already created in another combination, there is no need to newly create a module program corresponding to the first conversion unit 31 or the second conversion unit 32. .

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the printer 20 connected to the host device 10 is changed, a module program corresponding to the second conversion unit 32 may be newly registered in the platform 30. The module program of the conversion unit 31 can be used as it is.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, when the host device 10 connected to the printer 20 is changed, that is, in the host device 10 in which the printer driver 12 corresponding to a command system different from the first command system is installed. When the printer 20 is connected, a module program corresponding to the first conversion unit 31 may be newly registered in the platform 30, and the module program of the second conversion unit 32 can be used as it is.

Furthermore, when the combination of the host device 10 and the printer 20 to be connected is changed, if the combination is new, it has conventionally been necessary to newly develop an emulation program related to the new combination. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, even if the combination of the first command system and the second command system is new, the module of the first conversion unit 31 corresponding to the first command system If the program and the module program of the second conversion unit 32 corresponding to the second command system have been created individually, they need only be registered in the platform 30 by combining them, and new development of the emulation program is completely possible. It is unnecessary.

From the above, according to the present embodiment, the development of an emulation program necessary for changing the printer 20 connected to the host device 10 or changing the host device 10 connected to the printer 20 is further improved. It becomes possible to carry out efficiently with less man-hours.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which intermediate command data is described by a combination of data “type” representing a command type and data “value” representing a parameter value has been described. However, the expression format is limited to this. Not. In short, any command system that can express the contents of a command according to a predetermined rule in an expression format that does not depend on a specific device can be applied.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, the case where the printer 20 connected to the host device 10 is changed or the case where the host device 10 connected to the printer 20 is changed is taken as an example, and the first conversion unit 31 or the second conversion is performed. Although the example which changes and applies the part 32 was demonstrated, it is not limited to such a case. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where the command system to be used is switched in the printer 20 that can handle a plurality of command systems. Further, the present invention can be applied to a case where the printer driver 12 to be used is switched in the host device 10 in which the printer driver 12 corresponding to a plurality of command systems is installed.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the first conversion unit 31 or the second conversion unit 32 registered in the platform 30 is replaced is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first conversion unit 31 corresponding to a plurality of types of command systems may be registered in the platform 30, and any one may be arbitrarily selected and applied. Similarly, the second conversion unit 32 corresponding to a plurality of types of command systems may be registered in the platform 30, and any one may be arbitrarily selected and applied.

In the above embodiment, an extremely simple example in which text characters are printed in FIGS. 5 to 7 has been described, but the printing example is not limited to this. For example, in addition to text characters, it is also possible to print a document in which constituent elements such as predetermined images and barcodes are inserted. In this case, the template in the intermediate data is described as follows, for example. Here, the value of “value” is an address indicating the storage location of the template image.
type: template1 value: Address

Further, when there is a field to be inserted and printed in the template, it can be described as follows, for example.
type: template1 value: Address
type: field1 value: MILK
type: field2 value: $ 8.99
In this example, this means that printing is performed by inserting values of “MILK” and “$ 8.99” into two fields in the template represented by “template1”.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the application 11 installed in the host device 10 is a POS application and the printer 20 prints a receipt image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, any application 11 can be applied, and any printer 20 can be applied.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which printing is performed on a paper medium by the printer 20 in accordance with target command data converted by the second conversion unit 32, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the print output image may be output to a PDF (Portable Document Format) file. In this case, the second command system corresponding to the target command data is a command system for outputting a print image to a PDF file.

In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the emulator 13 is provided separately from the printer driver 12 installed in the host device 10 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the emulator 13 may be built in the printer driver 12.

In addition, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or the main features thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Host apparatus 10A Interface card 11 Application 12 Printer driver 13 Emulator 14 Port driver 20 Printer 30 Platform 31 1st conversion part 32 2nd conversion part

Claims

A first conversion unit that converts original command data generated by the host device into intermediate command data having a specific command system independent of the printer;
A second conversion unit that converts the intermediate command data generated by the first conversion unit into target command data having a command system corresponding to a printer connected to the host device. A featured emulation device.
It has a platform on which a module program corresponding to the first conversion unit and a module program corresponding to the second conversion unit can be registered and mounted, and the module program can be registered in or deleted from the platform by a plug-in The emulation device according to claim 1, wherein the emulation device is configured.
The first conversion unit generates the intermediate command data by sequentially converting each of a plurality of commands included in the original command data into a command represented by the specific command system. The emulation device according to claim 1, wherein:
The second conversion unit sequentially converts each of a plurality of commands included in the intermediate command data into a command represented by a command system corresponding to a printer connected to the host device. 4. The emulation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the command data for the purpose is generated.
First conversion means for converting original command data generated by the host device into intermediate command data having a specific command system independent of the printer, and the intermediate command generated by the first conversion means A computer-readable emulation program for causing a computer to function as second conversion means for converting data into target command data having a command system corresponding to a printer connected to the host device.