[cups] Acquire paper and tray info

[Paul Mitchell]

Hello,
  I'm attempting to print to a Konica Minolta bizhub printer, from Windows, 
using CUPS as the spooler.  This, in itself, is not so difficult as I can 
easily send text (from say, notepad) to the CUPS printer via IPP.

The reason I am trying this is because the default software that the 
vendor has supplied us with has started failing and acting wonky. This 
software, when working, allows us to place jobs on hold, move them between 
printers, and acquire tray and paper (form definitions) from said printer.

The problem I'm having is that while CUPS can accomplish the first two of 
these requirements (holding jobs, moving them between printers) it seems 
to have no ability to import a set of FORMS from the printer.

Form definitions are defined in the PPD file, however, I'm declaring this 
printer a "raw" printer so as to be able to process PJL statements. Thus, 
I bypass using the Minolta-PagePro_1250E-Postscript.ppd file.

Is there some method for querying a printer and exporting definitions, or 
creating Form definitions for a "raw" device?  I can't believe I'm the 
first person who has run into this problem.  Obviously, since Windows 
drivers are able to querry the printer, there must be some API somewhere 
which defines how to do this?

Any advice (save buy a commercial product!) is appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul Mitchell
==============================================================================
         Paul Mitchell
 	ITS Systems
         email: pmitchel at email.unc.edu
 	location: 440 Franklin, cubby 1512, CB#1150
 	desk phone: 919 445-0063
==============================================================================