Inventors:
Joel H. Gyllenskog - Boise ID
Assignee:
Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA
International Classification:
G06F 1500
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for coordinating a mode of communication between a host module and a receiving module wherein a specific data string is selected which, when sent to a receiving module, specifically a printer, requests the printer to convert to a packetized data command format. If the printer is capable of communicating in a packetized format the printer converts accordingly and transmits the appropriate response to the computer. If, on the other hand, the printer is not capable of communicating in a packetized format and does not recognize the specific data string, the specific data string will be ignored by the printer as null characters.