Bidirectional pre-and post -processor conduit through a bidirectional printing data stream

摘要

A system and method for communicating commands and data to a printer and pre- and post-processors through a link using different protocols. In the exemplary embodiment, UP<3>I finishing instructions for a print file are specified in a MO:DCA Form Definition and processed by a print server on a host computer. Print commands are generated by the host computer and transmitted to a printer using the Intelligent Printer Data Stream (IPDS) Architecture. The processor within the printer receives and processes the UP<3>I pre- and post-processor commands received via the IPDS communications link and generates commands on a separate communications channel according to the Universal Printer Pre- and Post-Processing Interface (UP<3>I) for transmission to the pre- and post-processors. Status reported by the pre- and post-processors according to the UP<3>I(TM) specification are received by the printer and transmitted to the host computer.