Data structure for printer description file

A method for configuring a printer driver software module within a computer system having a memory area, said printer driver software module for providing a data interface between application software modules within said computer system and at least one of a plurality of printers, said method comprising the steps of:

• accessing a universal printer data structure definition that supports a plurality of operating systems, said universal printer data structure containing a plurality of data elements for storing printer-specific information relating to one of a plurality of different printers, including a predetermined plurality of data elements for storing information related to an identification of a printer, a printer language to be used for said printer, identification of physical features and hardware makeup of said printer, including type of printer engine and printer memory of said printer, and capabilities of said printer for supporting fonts, user interfaces and recording media, each said data element comprising a start tag, an end tag and data disposed between said start tag and said end tag, said data elements being arranged in a predetermined fixed hierarchy and being specified in compliance with an extensible markup language, and said universal printer data structure being extensible for the inclusion of additional printer-specific data elements;
• creating a printer-specific data structure that supports a plurality of operating systems by storing information related to a printer within said data elements of said universal printer data structure definition;
• storing said printer-specific data structure within said memory area for processing by said printer driver software module;
• and
• executing an initialization process for said printer driver software module, said initialization process including the processing of said printer-specific data structure whereby said data elements are passed to said printer driver software module to configure said printer driver software module for providing a data interface between said application software modules and said printer.

Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer-executable process steps to configure a printer driver software module within a computer system having a memory area, said printer driver software module for providing a data interface between application software modules within said computer system and at least one of a plurality of printers, said computer-executable process steps comprising:

• code to access a universal printer data structure definition that supports a plurality of operating systems, said universal printer data structure containing a plurality of data elements for storing printer-specific information relating to one of a plurality of different printers, including a predetermined plurality of data elements for storing information related to an identification of a printer, a printer language to be used for said printer, identification of physical features and hardware makeup of said printer, including type of printer engine and printer memory of said printer, and capabilities of said printer for supporting fonts, user interfaces and recording media, each said data element comprising a start tag, an end tag and data disposed between said start tag and said end tag, said data elements being arranged in a predetermined fixed hierarchy and being specified in compliance with an extensible markup language, and said universal printer data structure being extensible for the inclusion of additional printer-specific data elements addition of printer-specific data elements;
• code to create a printer-specific data structure that supports a plurality of operating systems by storing information related to a printer within said data elements of said universal printer data structure definition;
• code to store said printer-specific data structure within said memory area for processing by said printer driver software module;
• and
• code to execute an initialization process for said printer driver software module, said initialization process including the processing of said printer-specific data structure whereby said data elements are passed to said printer driver software module to configure said printer driver software module for providing a data interface between said application software modules and said printer.

A computer-readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps, the computer-executable process steps to configure a printer driver software module within a computer system having a memory area, said printer driver software module for providing a data interface between application software modules within said computer system and at least one of a plurality of printers, said computer-executable process steps comprising:

• an accessing step to access a universal printer data structure definition that supports a plurality of operating systems, said universal printer data structure containing a plurality of data elements for storing printer-specific information relating to one of a plurality of different printers, including a predetermined plurality of data elements for storing information related to an identification of a printer, a printer language to be used for said printer, identification of physical features and hardware makeup of said printer, including type of printer engine and printer memory of said printer, and capabilities of said printer for supporting fonts, user interfaces and recording media, each said data element comprising a start tag, an end tag and data disposed between said start tag and said end tag, said data elements being arranged in a predetermined fixed hierarchy and being specified in compliance with an extensible markup language, and said universal printer data structure being extensible for the inclusion of additional printer-specific data elements;
• a creating step to create a printer-specific data structure that supports a plurality of operating systems by storing information related to a printer within said data elements of said universal printer data structure definition;
• a storing step to store said printer-specific data structure within said memory area for processing by said printer driver software module;
• and
• an executing step to execute an initialization process for said printer driver software module, said initialization process including the processing of said printer-specific data structure whereby said data elements are passed to said printer driver software module to configure said printer driver software module for providing a data interface between said application software modules and said printer.

A computer device for configuring a printer driver software module within said computer device, said printer driver software module for providing a data interface between application software modules within said computer device and a printer connected to said computer device, computer device comprising

• a memory area;
• and
• a processor that (i) accesses a universal printer data structure definition that supports a plurality of operating systems, said universal printer data structure containing a plurality of data elements for storing printer-specific information relating to one of a plurality of different printers, including a predetermined plurality of data elements for storing information related to an identification of a printer, a printer language to be used for said printer, identification of physical features and hardware makeup of said printer, including type of printer engine and printer memory of said printer, and capabilities of said printer for supporting fonts, user interfaces and recording media, each said data element comprising a start tag, an end tag and data disposed between said start tag and said end tag, said data elements being arranged in a predetermined fixed hierarchy and being specified in compliance with an extensible markup language, and said universal printer data structure being extensible for the inclusion of additional printer-specific data elements, (ii) creates a printer-specific data structure that supports a plurality of operating systems by storing information related to a printer within said data elements of said universal printer data structure definition, (iii) stores said printer-specific data structure within said memory area for processing by said printer driver software module, and (iv) executes an initialization process for said printer driver software module, said initialization process including the processing of said printer-specific data structure whereby said data elements are passed to said printer driver software module to configure said printer driver software module for providing a data interface between said application software modules and said printer.