System and method for printer emulation on a computing device not being connected to the printer

A system comprising a printer and a computing device for emulating the printer on the computing device, the computing device not being connected to the printer, and the computing device being provided with a first portion of printer firmware and programming code that interfaces with the first portion of printer firmware for a customized printing operation, the system comprising:

• at least one application programming interface configured to be executed on the computing device, a copy of the application program interface being operable on the printer;
• the first portion of printer firmware being configured to be executed on the computing device, the first portion of printer firmware being shared by the computing device and the printer, wherein the printer firmware is operable on the computing device as a function of the at least one application programming interface, a copy of the first portion of printer firmware being operable on the printer as a function of the copy of the application program interface, the first portion of printer firmware being different from a second portion of printer firmware, the second portion of printer firmware being provided to the printer, but not being shared with the computing device;
• the programming code being configured to be executed on the computing device, wherein the programming code runs on the computing device and interfaces with the first portion of printer firmware on the computing device so as to cause the computing device to emulate the printer running the programming code, thereby accurately representing a printer output and the functioning of the printer;
• wherein the computing device and the printer are not connected to each other so that image data cannot be transmitted from the printer to the computing device.

A method of providing customized printer software, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving from a first computing device an electronic request for the customized printer software compatible to be run on a printer that is configured with a first portion of printer firmware and a second portion of printer firmware, the first portion of printer firmware being shared by the printer and a second computing device, wherein the request includes at least one specification related to the customized printer software;
• developing, on the second computing device, the customized printer software, wherein the second computing device is configured with the first portion of printer firmware, the first portion of printer firmware being different from the second portion of printer firmware, the second portion of printer firmware not being shared with the second computing device;
• running the customized printer software on the second computing device so as to verify that the customized printer software satisfies the electronic request;
• emulating the printer running the customized printer software on the second computing device when the customized printer software runs on the second computing device, the emulating occurring as a result of the customized printer software running on the second computing device and interfacing with the first portion of printer firmware on the second computing device, thereby accurately representing a printer output and the functioning of the printer;
• modifying the customized printer software and running the modified customized printer software on the second computing device when the customized printer software is not verified;
• and
• sending the customized printer software to the first computing device when the customized printer software is verified,
• wherein the second computing device and the printer are not connected to each other so that image data cannot be transmitted from the printer to the second computing device.