HTTP enabled computer peripheral

• US 8,281,030 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2004
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Wang, Ynjiun, Gomez, Garrison
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Philip B
• Application Number:
  US10/819,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20050268003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,100 Days
• Field of Search: 709/220, 709/221, 709/238, 709/203, 709223-224
• US Class Current: 709/238
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4541 Directories for service discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]

Abstract

The invention features a system and method for programming, integrating, and controlling the operation of computer peripherals. In brief overview, a computer peripheral is provided with a network communications protocol stack that includes a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) layer. The HTTP layer permits the computer peripheral to function as a thin web server. As such, the computer peripheral is able to respond to HTTP requests. In one embodiment, a HTTP enabled computer peripheral augments the functionality of a computing device. According to this embodiment, the HTTP enabled computer peripheral includes an interface module, a data module, and a network communications protocol stack module including a HTTP layer module. In addition the address of the HTTP enabled computer peripheral includes a reference to the computing device.

Claims

1. A modular data collection system, said system comprising:

a base unit having a processor, a memory, and a first electromechanical connector, said base unit contained within a first housing; and

a modular data collection peripheral unit in communication with said base unit, said modular data collection peripheral unit having a processor, a second electromechanical connector and a software module, said software module allowing said modular data collection peripheral unit to respond to hypertext transfer protocol requests and said modular data collection peripheral unit contained within a second housing,

wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is detachably attachable to said base unit by said first electromechanical connector connecting to said second electromechanical connector;

wherein the base unit includes routing information that can direct routing of data to the modular data collection peripheral unit;

wherein the modular data collection system is operative so that the routing information is responsive to the attached or detached status of the modular data collection peripheral unit.

2. The modular data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said first and said second electromechanical connectors are designed according to a compactFlash standard.

3. The modular data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said base unit is a transaction terminal.

4. The modular data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said base unit is a portable data terminal.

5. The modular data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said base unit is a cash register.

6. The modular data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said base unit is a personal data assistant.

7. The modular data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is an image reader.

8. The modular data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a smart card reader.

9. The modular data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a magnetic stripe reader.

10. The modular data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a biometric reader.

11. The modular data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a fingerprint reader.

12. The modular data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a receipt printer.

13. The modular data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a RF payment reader.

14. The modular data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a RFID reader.

15. The modular data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the system is operative so that the routing information is updated responsively to the modular data collection peripheral unit being attached to the base unit.

16. A modular data collection system, said system comprising:

a base unit having a processor, a memory, and a first electromechanical connector, said base unit contained within a first housing; and

a modular data collection peripheral unit in communication with said base unit, said modular data collection peripheral unit having a processor, a second electromechanical connector and a software module, said software module allowing said modular data collection peripheral unit to respond to hypertext transfer protocol requests and said modular data collection peripheral unit contained within a second housing,

wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is detachably attachable to said base unit by said first electromechanical connector connecting to said second electromechanical connector;

wherein the modular data collection system is configured so that when the modular data collection peripheral unit is attached to the base unit, the modular data collection peripheral unit is in a fixed position relative to the base unit.

17. The modular data collection system according to claim 16, wherein said first and said second electromechanical connectors are designed according to a CompactFlash standard.

18. The modular data collection system according to claim 16, wherein said base unit is a transaction terminal.

19. The modular data collection system according to claim 16, wherein said base unit is a portable data terminal.

20. The modular data collection system according to claim 16, wherein said base unit is a cash register.

21. The modular data collection system according to claim 16, wherein said base unit is a personal data assistant.

22. The modular data collection system according to claim 16, wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is an image reader.

23. The modular data collection system according to claim 16, wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a smart card reader.

24. The modular data collection system according to claim 16, wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a magnetic stripe reader.

25. The modular data collection system according to claim 16, wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a biometric reader.

26. The modular data collection system according to claim 16, wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a fingerprint reader.

27. The modular data collection system according to claim 16, wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a receipt printer.

28. The modular data collection system according to claim 16, wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a RF payment reader.

29. The modular data collection system according to claim 16, wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a RFID reader.