Transact Technologies, Inc.

Ncr Corporation

Richard S Quaif

Donald E Brooks

Bart C Shuldman

John D Hays

A peripheral such as a printer is controlled to receive data from different data ports. A first port receives data formatted according to a first protocol. A second port receives data formatted according to a second protocol. A first processor is associated with the peripheral. A second processor is associated with the second port. A switch is adapted to receive (i) first data from the first port and (ii) second data from the second port after processing by the second processor. The switch is controlled in response to a message received via the second port to couple either the first data or second data to the first processor for use in controlling the peripheral. New firmware can be downloaded to the peripheral via the second port in response to the message. The message can be communicated to the first processor via a separate port at the first processor and a memory shared with the second processor.

Method and apparatus for controlling a peripheral via different data ports

A peripheral such as a printer is controlled to receive data from different data ports. A first port receives data formatted according to a first protocol. A second port receives data formatted according to a second protocol. A first processor is associated with the peripheral. A second processor is associated with the second port. A switch is adapted to receive (i) first data from the first port and (ii) second data from the second port after processing by the second processor. The switch is controlled in response to a command received via the second port to couple either the first data or second data to the first processor for use in controlling the peripheral. New firmware can be downloaded to the peripheral via the second port in response to the command. The command can be communicated to the first processor via a separate port at the first processor and a memory shared with the second processor.

Methods are disclosed for driving a printer to print highly secure vouchers and less secure coupons. The printer can reside, for example, in a wagering terminal (e.g., slot machine), ticket machine, point-of-sale terminal or the like. A first driver receives, e.g., from a primary controller, data indicative of voucher information to be printed. A second driver receives, e.g., from a secondary controller, data indicative of coupon information to be printed. A processor responsive to the first and second drivers generates printer commands in a standard printer format so that the same printer can be used to print vouchers and coupons. Coupons do not have to be processed by the secure (and usually proprietary) hardware and/or software provided by the terminal manufacturer for printing vouchers.

Methods for voucher and coupon printing

An interface is disclosed for driving a printer to print highly secure vouchers and less secure coupons. The printer can reside, for example, in a wagering terminal (e.g., slot machine), ticket machine, point-of-sale terminal or the like. A first driver receives, e.g., from a local controller, data indicative of voucher information to be printed. A second driver receives, e.g., from a central system controller, data indicative of coupon information to be printed. A processor responsive to the first and second drivers generates printer commands in a standard printer format so that the same printer can be used to print vouchers and coupons. Coupons do not have to be processed by the secure (and usually proprietary) hardware and/or software provided by the terminal manufacturer for printing vouchers.

Interface for voucher and coupon printing

A matrix printer impact energy control is disclosed wherein the impact energy supplied to the drive solenoids of matrix print heads is maintained substantially constant notwithstanding variations in the printer power supply output. The hammer power supply voltage is monitored and coupled, together with a derived reference voltage to a summing amplifier which is then pulse width modulated to produce a pulsed hammer drive output having constant print energy. The print energy may be increased to provide multiple copy printing capability. A single impact energy control circuit controls all of the print hammer of each print head. Synchronization of the pulse width modulator is provided by a variable frequency clock from which the pulse width modulator trigger frequency is derived.

Matrix print head impact energy control

A matrix printer hammer repetition rate control is disclosed for varying the print hammer repetition rate in accordance with printing speed, thereby maintaining constant width of printed characters without dot column sensing. A master clock is counted over each character period to generate a digital code which, after conversion to an analog signal, serves as the control voltage for a voltage controlled oscillator. The VCO output is a variable clock from which the timing for various print heads is derived. Printing data is gated to the hammer drive circuits at a variable rate proportional to the speed of the printing heads across a printing medium.

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Dryden, NY, United States of America

Richard S Quaif