Transactional printer with wireless communication to host

• US 20040223180A1
• Filed: 05/08/2003
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Transat Technologies
• Original Assignee: Transat Technologies
• Inventors: Brooks, Donald E.
• Application Number:
  US10/434,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20040223180A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1236 Connection management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1279 Controller construction, e.g. aspects of the interface hardware
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1292 Mobile client, e.g. wireless printing
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 5/00 Receipt-giving machines cash registers giving receipts G07G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2258 used with computer equipment

Abstract

A wireless transactional printer is provided. Data and control signals are communicated between the printer and a wireless adapter via a serial port. The serial port also provides power from the printer power supply to power the wireless adapter using a standard serial port connector. In order to provide the wireless communication, the wireless adapter can be provided with a radio module, such as a wireless PCMCIA transceiver. The radio module also receives power from the printer power supply via the serial port connector.

Claims

1. A transactional printer capable of wireless communication with a host, comprising:

a printer housing;

a printer mechanism situated in said housing for printing on a substrate;

a controller for said printer mechanism;

a power supply for said controller and printer mechanism; and

an interface situated in said housing for communicating data and control signals between said controller and a wireless adapter via a serial port;

wherein;

said serial port comprises a connector situated in said housing for carrying said data and control signals between said wireless adapter and said interface;

said connector provides power from said power supply to power said wireless adapter; and

said data and control signals are wirelessly communicated between said wireless adapter and said host.

2. A transactional printer in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a radio module coupled to said wireless adapter for providing said wireless communication, said radio module also being powered by said power supply via said connector.

3. A transactional printer in accordance with claim 2, wherein said radio module comprises a PCMCIA card and said wireless adapter includes a PCMCIA socket for receiving said card.

4. A transactional printer in accordance with claim 1, wherein said serial port is an RS-232 port.

5. A transactional printer in accordance with claim 4, wherein said connector is a DB-9 connector.

6. A transactional printer in accordance with claim 5, wherein said DB-9 connector provides power to said wireless adapter via pin 9.

7. A transactional printer in accordance with claim 1, wherein said printer is a POS printer.

8. A transactional printer in accordance with claim 7 wherein said printer is an ink-jet printer.

9. A transactional printer in accordance with claim 7 wherein said printer is a thermal printer.

10. A method for providing wireless communication between a transactional printer and a host, said printer including a printer mechanism, a controller for controlling said printer mechanism, and a power supply for powering said printer mechanism and said controller, comprising:

providing a serial port connector on said printer, said connector being coupled to said controller via an interface;

connecting a wireless adapter to said serial port connector via a complimentary connector of said wireless adapter;

communicating data and control signals between said host and said controller via said wireless adapter, said serial port connector and said interface; and

providing power from said power supply to said wireless adapter via said serial port connector.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein said serial port connector complies with the RS-232 standard.

12. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein said connector is a DB-9 connector.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein said DB-9 connector provides power to said wireless adapter via pin 9.

14. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein said printer is a POS printer.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein said printer is an ink-jet printer.

16. A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein said printer is a thermal printer.