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Thread: Print to fake printer

  1. #1
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    May 2011
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    Print to fake printer

    This might sound a bit awkward.

    Let's imagine a black box computer, which doesn't accept any kind of input (except for keyboard/mouse), and it doesn't let you output anything but video signal (monitor). However it does let you print documents through an usb printer.

    My question: is there any way to attach "whatever device" to the usb printer port so that it replaces the printer, but it's not a printer. Something that stores the printed documents in electronic format. I mean, can I make a "fake printer" using another PC, or a usb stick?

    This is a quite general question, so I don't think more details are needed.

    Thanks.

  2. #2
    wojox is offline I Ubuntu, Therefore, I Am
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    Apr 2009
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    Re: Print to fake printer

    Sure, just write a new driver for your new peripheral.

  3. #3
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    Re: Print to fake printer

    You can 'print to file' (a pdf file) instead of a printer in Ubuntu. So you need not print via USB.

    File -- Print ...
    or
    File -- Preview ... and File -- Print ...

    But in Libre Office it is better to 'Export to pdf' instead of writing pdf files via File -- Print ...

  4. #4
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    May 2011
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    Re: Print to fake printer

    Yes, I can print to a file, however I cannot get the generated pdf out of the black box PC. The only "gate out" of the system is the printing usb port. I was asking in case there was an easier way (I cannot install drivers either).

  5. #5
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    Re: Print to fake printer

    What do you want?

    You have a USB port. Such a port is very general. Normally you can connect any USB device to it (for example a USB pendrive).

    Or are you talking about an old-fashioned serial port. In that case you might be able to use a serial 2 USB adapter. Maybe you also need a powered USB hub, where you can connect a USB pendrive.

  6. #6
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    Re: Print to fake printer

    I would like to "capture" the output from the usb port. The document sent out to the printer should end up in a device that stores it as an electronic document. I cannot do anything inside the computer, so I should do everything outside it.

  7. #7
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    Re: Print to fake printer

    Is this what you want?

    http://www.pclviewer.com/resources/capture/print2usb.html

    You can find more if you search the internet with the search string printer data format

  8. #8
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    Re: Print to fake printer

    Reading this thread sparked a memory of something I first read about back in the 1980s. I think what the OP is looking for is similar in concept to a print spool appliance.
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  9. #9
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    Re: Print to fake printer

    Quote Originally Posted by sudodus View Post
    Is this what you want?

    http://www.pclviewer.com/resources/capture/print2usb.html

    You can find more if you search the internet with the search string printer data format
    Well, yes, it looks like it. I'll check it. Thanks!

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