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

Abstract

A first portion of printer firmware of a printer is provided to a computing device. The first portion of printer firmware is operable on the printer as a function of at least one application programming interface. A second portion of printer firmware, which is different from the first portion of printer firmware, is provided to the printer, but not provided to the computing device. A programming code is provided to the computing device. The programming code runs on the computing device and interfaces with the first portion of printer firmware provided to 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 when the computing device and the printer cannot communicate with each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of emulating a printer on a computing device for a customized printing operation, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a first portion of printer firmware to the computing device, wherein the first portion of printer firmware is operable on the printer as a function of at least one application programming 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 provided to the computing device;   providing a programming code to the computing device; and   wherein the programming code runs on the computing device and interfaces with the first portion of printer firmware provided to 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 when the computing device and the printer cannot communicate with each other.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing the programming code to the printer; and   running the programming code on the printer,   wherein the printer running the programming code is emulated by the computing device when the computing device runs the programming code.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the programming code is a label generation software application. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 generating a signal by the computing device so as to cause an electronic computer display to display a virtual label generated by the programming code,   wherein the displayed virtual label has a same appearance as a physical label printed as a function of the printer running the programming code.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 providing an integrated development environment to the computing device; and   configuring the computing device by the integrated development environment for a user to develop the programming code.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the integrated development environment includes a label format section, and the method further comprises:
 configuring the computing device for a user to develop a label format on the label format section.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 providing at least one data source of information for the label; and   configuring the computing device by the integrated development environment for a user to provide the information for the label when the label is generated by the printer.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 providing a program code editor for the integrated development environment; and   configuring the computing device by the integrated development environment for a user to develop the programming code.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the programming code is written in a scripting language, and running the programming code on the printer modifies a portion of the functionality of the printer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying a representation of the printer when the computing device is caused to emulate the printer. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising a printer and a computing device for emulating the printer on the computing device for a customized printing operation, the system comprising:
 at least one application programming interface;   a first portion of printer firmware being configured to be executed on the computing device, wherein the printer firmware is operable on the printer as a function of the at least one application programming 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 provided to the computing device;   a 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 when the computing device and the printer cannot communicate with each other.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the programming code is provided on the printer, and the printer runs the programming code, and
 wherein the printer running the programming code is emulated by the computing device when the computing device runs the programming code.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the programming code is a label generation software application. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the computing device is configured to generate a signal for causing an electronic computer display to display a virtual label generated by the programming code, wherein the displayed virtual label appears the same as a physical label printed as a function of the printer running the programming code. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising an integrated development environment configured to be executed on the computing device, wherein the integrated development environment configures the computing device for a user to develop the programming code. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the integrated development environment includes a label format section that configures the computing device for a user to develop a label format. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one data source of information for the label, wherein the integrated development environment further configures the computing device for a user to provide the information in the label when the label is generated by the printer or by the computing device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a program code editor for the integrated development environment, wherein the integrated development environment provided with the program code editor further configures the computing device for a user to develop the programming code. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the programming code is written in a scripting language, and running the programming code on the printer modifies a portion of the functionality of the printer. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein a representation of the printer is displayed when the computing device is caused to emulate the printer. 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising the steps of:
 receiving from a first computing device an electronic request for 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 provided to 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 provided to 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 when the computing device and the printer cannot communicate with each other;   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.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the customized printer software is written in a scripting language, and running the customized printer software on the printer modifies a portion of the functionality of the printer.