Apparatus which transmits a check signal to determine whether a printer is capable of bidirectional data transmission and remotely setting the printer operating environment accordingly

A printing system comprising:

• a printer in which a printer setting information is set wherein the printer setting information includes a predetermined number of printer setting items and defines an operating environment of the printer, the printer being operated according to the printer setting information;
• a host computer having display means and a parallel data transmission interface, said host computer being connected to said printer through the parallel data transmission interface;
• and
• a printer setting device comprising:
• transmission means for transmitting a bidirectional transmission check signal to said printer to investigate whether or not said printer is capable of performing bidirectional data transmission between said printer and said host computer, said printer transmitting a response signal in response to the bidirectional transmission check signal;
• reception means for receiving the response signal from said printer;
• determination means for determining whether or not bidirectional data transmission is possible therebetween based on the response signal received by said reception means;
• first setting means operable when said determination means determines that bidirectional data transmission therebetween is possible, for receiving from said printer the printer setting information set in said printer, for displaying the printer setting information received from said printer on said display means, and for replacing the printer setting information with desired printer setting information;
• and
• second setting means operable when said determination means determines that bidirectional data transmission is not possible, for displaying predetermined default setting information of said printer on said display means.

A printing system comprising:

• a printer in which a printer setting information is set wherein the printer setting information includes a predetermined number of printer setting items and defines an operating environment of the printer, the printer being operated according to the printer setting information;
• an external device having a parallel data transmission interface through which said printer is connected, said external device comprising:
• display means;
• and
• control means having functions to transmit a bidirectional transmission check signal to said printer to investigate whether or not said printer is capable of performing bidirectional data transmission between said printer and said external device;
• to receive a response signal in response to the bidirectional transmission check signal from said printer;
• to determine whether or not bidirectional data transmission is possible therebetween based on the response signal;
• to receive, when bidirectional data transmission therebetween is possible, from said printer the printer setting information set in said printer;
• to display the printer setting information received from said printer on said display means;
• and to display, when bidirectional data transmission therebetween is not possible, predetermined default setting information of said printer on said display means.