HTTP enabled computer peripheral

• US 20050268003A1
• Filed: 04/07/2004
• Published: 12/01/2005
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 8,281,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/36
• 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 hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral for augmenting the functionality of an associated computing device, said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral comprising:

an interface module for exchanging communications with said associated computing device, said associated computing device being of an arbitrary form factor;

a data module having hardware adapted to perform at least one of a data input function and a data output function;

a network communications protocol stack module in communication with said interface module and said data module; and

a hypertext transfer protocol layer module in said network communications protocol stack module, said hypertext transfer protocol layer module enabling said computer peripheral to respond to hypertext transfer protocol requests from said associated computing device,

wherein an address of said computer peripheral includes a reference to said associated computing device.

2. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said reference is a network address.

3. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 2 wherein said network address is an Internet protocol address.

4. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said reference is a hypertext transfer protocol localhost reference.

5. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said exchanged communications include messages identified by hypertext transfer port numbers.

6. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said exchanged communications include messages identified by computer peripheral textual identifiers.

7. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 further comprising a transfer control protocol/Internet protocol layer module in said network communications protocol stack module.

8. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 further comprising a user datagram protocol layer module in said network communications protocol stack module.

9. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said associated computing device is a portable data terminal.

10. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said associated computing device is a transaction terminal.

11. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said associated computing device is a cash register.

12. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said associated computing device is a personal data assistant.

13. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral is an image reader.

14. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral is a magnetic stripe card reader.

15. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral is a smart card reader.

16. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral is a RF payment reader.

17. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral is a RFID reader.

18. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral is a receipt printer.

19. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral is a biometric reader.

20. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral is a finger print reader.

21. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 further comprising a decoding module in communication with said data module, said decoding module decoding data collected by said data module.

22. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 further comprising an extensible markup language module for parsing hypertext mark-up language documents to extract hypertext mark-up language commands.

23. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said interface module, said data module, said network communications protocol stack module, and hypertext transfer protocol layer module are implemented in hardware and software.

24. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said associated computing device is located within a first housing and said computer peripheral is located within a second separate housing.

25. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said computer peripheral is integrated within a housing of said associated computing device.

26. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 1 wherein said interface module includes components designed in accordance with a CompactFlash standard.

27. A hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral for augmenting the functionality of an associated computing device, said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral comprising:

an interface module for exchanging communications with said associated computing device, said associated computing device being a personal computer of an arbitrary form factor;

a data module having hardware adapted to perform at least one of a data input function and a data output function;

a network communications protocol stack module in communication with said interface module and said data module; and

a hypertext transfer protocol layer module in said network communications protocol stack module, said hypertext transfer protocol layer module enabling said computer peripheral to respond to hypertext transfer protocol requests from said associated computing device,

wherein functionality provided by said data module is lacking from said associated computing device in the absence of said computer peripheral.

28. A hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral for augmenting the functionality of an associated computing device, said hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral comprising:

an interface module for exchanging communications with said associated computing device, said associated computing device being of an arbitrary form factor;

a data module having hardware adapted to perform at least a computer memory function;

a network communications protocol stack module in communication with said interface module and said data module; and

a hypertext transfer protocol layer module in said network communications protocol stack module, said hypertext transfer protocol layer module enabling said computer peripheral to respond to hypertext transfer protocol requests from said associated computing device,

wherein an address of said computer peripheral includes a reference to said associated computing device.

29. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 28 wherein said reference is a network address.

30. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 29 wherein said network address is an Internet protocol address.

31. The hypertext transfer protocol enabled computer peripheral according to claim 28 wherein said reference is a hypertext transfer protocol localhost reference.

32. 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.

33. The modular data collection system according to claim 32 wherein said first and said second electromechanical connectors are designed according to a compactFlash standard.

34. The modular data collection system according to claim 32 wherein said base unit is a transaction terminal.

35. The modular data collection system according to claim 32 wherein said base unit is a portable data terminal.

36. The modular data collection system according to claim 32 wherein said base unit is a cash register.

37. The modular data collection system according to claim 32 wherein said base unit is a personal data assistant.

38. The modular data collection system according to claim 32 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is an image reader.

39. The modular data collection system according to claim 32 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a smart card reader.

40. The modular data collection system according to claim 32 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a magnetic stripe reader.

41. The modular data collection system according to claim 32 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a biometric reader.

42. The modular data collection system according to claim 32 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a finger print reader.

43. The modular data collection system according to claim 32 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a receipt printer.

44. The modular data collection system according to claim 32 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a RF payment reader.

45. The modular data collection system according to claim 32 wherein said modular data collection peripheral unit is a RFID reader.

46. A system for enabling hypertext transfer protocol communication, said system comprising:

a plurality of computing devices, each of said plurality of computing devices having a display, interface mechanisms, a network interface, and a computer peripheral interface;

a plurality of computer peripherals, each of said plurality of computer peripherals associated with and in communication with one of said plurality of computing devices via said computer peripheral interface and each of said plurality of computer peripherals including a data module having hardware adapted to perform at least one of a data input function and a data output function; and

a central computer in communication with said plurality of computing devices,

wherein said central computer responds to hypertext transfer protocol requests from said plurality of computing devices and said plurality of computer peripherals respond to hypertext transfer protocol requests from said plurality of computing devices and from said central computer.

47. The system according to claim 46 wherein said plurality of computing devices include transaction terminals.

48. The system according to claim 46 wherein said plurality of computing devices include portable data terminals.

49. The system according to claim 46 wherein said plurality of computing devices include personal data assistants.

50. The system according to claim 46 wherein said plurality of computing devices include cash registers.

51. The system according to claim 46 wherein said plurality of computer peripherals include image readers.

52. The system according to claim 46 wherein said plurality of computer peripherals include magnetic stripe readers.

53. The system according to claim 46 wherein said plurality of computer peripherals include RFID readers.

54. The system according to claim 46 wherein said plurality of computer peripherals include RF payment readers.

55. The system according to claim 46 wherein said plurality of computer peripherals include smart card readers.

56. The system according to claim 46 wherein said plurality of computer peripherals include biometric readers.

57. The system according to claim 46 wherein said plurality of computer peripherals include finger print readers.

58. The system according to claim 46 wherein said plurality of computer peripherals include receipt printers.