Printer with internal document data construction

A document printing system for generating a printed document in a predetermined document format, wherein said document printing system comprises:

• an external data stream input port for receiving an external data stream comprised of a plurality of data fields defining data to be printed in conjunction with said printed document;
• a host computer programmed to generate said plurality of data fields within said external data stream, wherein said external data stream is coupled to said host computer such that content of said external data stream is defined by said plurality of data fields;
• a document printer including said external data stream input port such that said content of said external data stream is received at said external data stream input port, wherein said document printer further comprises
• (i) a printer housing,
• (ii) a user interface operative to initiate transmission of a format command along a first data path, wherein said format command represents a predetermined selection of data fields in said external data stream and a predetermined printed document format,
• (iii) an internal printer controller positioned within said printer housing, wherein
• said internal printer controller is arranged to be in communication with said user interface along said first data path,
• said external data stream input port is arranged to be in communication with said internal printer controller along a second data path,
• said second data path is arranged to be distinct from said first data path, and
• said external data stream input port is arranged to be distinct from said user interface,
• (iv) a document construction module in communication with said internal printer controller, wherein said document construction module includes a plurality of document formats stored therein in the form of respective stored document format files, and wherein said internal printer controller is programmed to
• designate one of said document formats stored in said document construction module according to said format command entered at said user interface and transmitted along said first data path,
• search for predetermined ones of said plurality of data fields within said external data stream,
• extract said predetermined ones of said plurality of data fields from said external data stream to yield an extracted set of data fields, wherein said predetermined data fields are extracted according to said document format designated by said internal printer controller in response to said format command entered at said user interface and transmitted along said first data path, and
• convert said extracted set of data fields to document data,
• (vi) a peripheral communications port distinct from said external data stream input port, and
• (vii) a document data printing mechanism responsive to said internal printer controller and operative to print said document data converted from said extracted set of data fields in said designated document format;
• and
• a file transfer device coupled to said peripheral communications port and operative to download files from said file transfer device to said document construction module.

A document printer comprising:

• a printer housing;
• a user interface coupled to a first data path;
• an internal printer controller positioned within said printer housing, wherein said internal printer controller is in communication with said user interface along said first data path;
• an external data stream input port operative to receive an external data stream including automatic document selection data, wherein said external data stream input port is in communication with said internal printer controller along a second data path;
• a document construction module in communication with said internal printer controller, wherein said internal printer controller is programmed to
• identify automatic document selection data stored in said document construction module corresponding to said automatic document selection data within said external data stream received at said external data stream input port,
• designate a document format according to said identified automatic document selection data,
• search for appropriate data fields within said external data stream,
• extract said appropriate data fields from said external data stream according to the identity of said designated document format, and
• convert said extracted data fields to document data by integrating or merging the extracted data fields with a designated document format file;
• and
• a document data printing mechanism responsive to said internal printer controller and operative to print said document data in said designated document format.

A document printing system for generating a printed document in a predetermined document format, wherein said document printing system comprises:

• an external data stream input port for receiving an external data stream comprised of a plurality of data fields defining data to be printed in conjunction with said printed document;
• a peripheral device programmed to generate said plurality of data fields within said external data stream, wherein said external data stream is coupled to said peripheral device such that content of said external data stream is defined by said plurality of data fields;
• and
• a document printer including said external data stream input port such that said content of said external data stream is received at said external data stream input port, wherein said document printer further comprises
• (i) a printer housing,
• (ii) a user interface operative to initiate transmission of a format command along a first data path, wherein said format command represents a predetermined selection of data fields in said external data stream and a predetermined printed document format,
• (iii) an internal printer controller positioned within said printer housing, wherein
• said internal printer controller is arranged to be in communication with said user interface along said first data path,
• said external data stream input port is arranged to be in communication with said internal printer controller along a second data path,
• said second data path is arranged to be distinct from said first data path, and
• said external data stream input port is arranged to be distinct from said user interface,
• (iv) a document construction module in communication with said internal printer controller, wherein said document construction module includes a plurality of document formats stored therein in the form of respective stored document format files, and wherein said internal printer controller is programmed to
• designate one of said document formats stored in said document construction module according to said format command entered at said user interface and transmitted along said first data path,
• search for predetermined ones of said plurality of data fields within said external data stream,
• extract said predetermined ones of said plurality of data fields from said external data stream to yield an extracted set of data fields, wherein said predetermined data fields are extracted according to said document format designated by said internal printer controller in response to said format command entered at said user interface and transmitted along said first data path, and
• convert said extracted set of data fields to document data, and
• (vi) a document data printing mechanism responsive to said internal printer controller and operative to print said document data converted from said extracted set of data fields in said designated document format.

A document printing system for generating a printed document in a predetermined document format, wherein said document printing system comprises:

• an external data stream input port for receiving an external data stream comprised of a plurality of data fields defining data to be printed in conjunction with said printed document;
• a peripheral device programmed to generate said plurality of data fields within said external data stream, wherein said external data stream is coupled to said peripheral device such that content of said external data stream is defined by said plurality of data fields;
• a document printer including said external data stream input port such that said content of said external data stream is received at said external data stream input port, wherein said document printer further comprises
• (i) a printer housing,
• (ii) a user interface operative to initiate transmission of a format command along a first data path, wherein said format command represents a predetermined selection of data fields in said external data stream and a predetermined printed document format,
• (iii) an internal printer controller positioned within said printer housing, wherein
• said internal printer controller is arranged to be in communication with said user interface along said first data path,
• said external data stream input port is arranged to be in communication with said internal printer controller along a second data path,
• said second data path is arranged to be distinct from said first data path, and
• said external data stream input port is arranged to be distinct from said user interface,
• (iv) a document construction module in communication with said internal printer controller, wherein said document construction module includes a plurality of document formats stored therein in the form of respective stored document format files, and wherein said internal printer controller is programmed to
• designate one of said document formats stored in said document construction module according to said format command entered at said user interface and transmitted along said first data path,
• search for predetermined ones of said plurality of data fields within said external data stream,
• extract said predetermined ones of said plurality of data fields from said external data stream to yield an extracted set of data fields, wherein said predetermined data fields are extracted according to said document format designated by said internal printer controller in response to said format command entered at said user interface and transmitted along said first data path, and
• convert said extracted set of data fields to document data,
• (vi) a peripheral communications port distinct from said external data stream input port, and
• (vii) a document data printing mechanism responsive to said internal printer controller and operative to print said document data converted from said extracted set of data fields in said designated document format;
• and
• a file transfer device coupled to said peripheral communications port and operative to download files from said file transfer device to said document construction module.