Zih Corporation

Robert Hoen

Majid Amani

Steven F Petteruti

A system is provided for RF communication between a host terminal or computer system (&ldquo;host&rdquo;) and a portable printer through RF signal transmissions. The host has a RF communication interface and is programmed to send and receive data via the interface to a portable printer. The portable printer has a printing mechanism for printing on media and a RF communication interface to send and receive data from a host. The printer is programmed to link with a host and then operate responsive to data received in RF signals from a host linked to the printer. Each portable printer has a unique serial number which is recorded in a barcode present on the housing of the printer and/or in an RFID tag coupled to the printer. The host has either, or both, an optical scanner or an RFID transmitter/receiver to read the printer's barcode or RF signals from the tag to obtain the printer's serial number. The host uses the serial number to identify a unique address associated with the printer by association between printer serial numbers and addresses. The host and printer are linked for RF communication by the host sending a first packet addressed to the printer utilizing the printer's address, the printer sending a second packet in response to the host, and the host sending a third packet directing the printer that it is linked to the host by the host's unique address for subsequent data communication there between, such that the printer responds to packets of data (commands and data) received from the host having the host's address. Other hosts can be similarly linked to the printer, such that when each of the hosts are linked to the printer, the printer is responsive to the linked host. Before the printer or the host sends a packet in a RF transmission, the printer or host may first find a clear channel for such transmission. The system may be used with multiple hosts and portable printers, such that different hosts can be linked to different printers.

Growing community of inventors

Warwick, RI, United States of America

Robert Hoen