Displaying optimum screens on various types of output terminals using a common application

A program storage medium storing program code readable by a computer, said program code tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform an information processing method to be carried out on an information processing device provided with a plurality of application programs and whereto a plurality of output terminals are connected, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) specifying an output terminal from said output terminals,
• b) defining output information to be output at said specified output terminal and identification information corresponding to said output information;
• c) preparing at least one display format for each type of said output terminals and each screen to be displayed on said output terminals, said display format including said identification information,
• d) selecting a display format based on said specified output terminal and said identification information,
• e) inserting said output information into said selected display format according to said identification information, and
• f) sending said selected display format provided with said output information to said specified output terminal.

An information processing device whereto a plurality of output terminals are connected, said device comprising:

• application programs operated in said device;
• a virtual terminal object interface provided with data related to a specified output terminal of said output terminals, output information to be output at said output terminals, identification information corresponding to said output information, and least one display format for each type of said output terminals and each screen to be displayed on said output terminals, said display format including said identification information, wherein said data related to said specified output terminal and said identification information are used for selecting a display format;
• and
• a driver provided for each one of said output terminals, wherein, in the driver for said specified output terminal, said output information is inserted into said selected display format according to said identification information, and said selected display format provided with said output information is sent to said specified output terminal.

An information processing method to be carried out on an information processing device provided with a plurality of application programs and whereto a plurality of output terminals are connected, said method comprising:

• specifying an output terminal from said output terminals;
• defining output information to be output at said specified output terminal and identification information corresponding to said output information;
• preparing at least one display format for each type of said output terminals and each screen to be displayed on said output terminals, said display format including said identification information to facilitate application program development;
• selecting a display format based on said specified output terminal and said identification information;
• inserting said output information into said selected display format according to said identification information;
• and
• sending said selected display format provided with said output information to said specified output terminal to permit a user of said specified output terminal to continue writing an application program without rewriting portions of the application program.