Abstract: A printing system can easily configure a data terminal when a POS application running on a server is used from a data terminal. A POS system has a server that runs a POS application, a data terminal, and a printer communicatively connected through the Internet to the server. The printer has a local communication unit that establishes communication with the data terminal, a communication relay unit that communicatively connects the data terminal and the server, a configuration settings acquisition unit that gets configuration settings to configure the POS application from the server, and an application configuring unit that configures the POS application based on the configuration settings to use the POS application from the data terminal.

Abstract: To reliably read settings information PD (network settings PD1, printer settings PD2) from memory and correctly set the settings information PD in a printer, a wireless tag 62 storing the settings information PD is disposed to a cover member 40b that is removably installable to a network-connectable printing unit 40a, a reading device 60 that reads the settings information PD from the wireless tag 62 is disposed to the printing unit 40a, and a configurator 50b configures settings based on the read settings information PD.

Abstract: To reliably read settings information PD (network settings PD1, printer settings PD2) from memory and correctly set the settings information PD in a printer, a wireless tag 62 storing the settings information PD is disposed to a cover member 40b that is removably installable to a network-connectable printing unit 40a, a reading device 60 that reads the settings information PD from the wireless tag 62 is disposed to the printing unit 40a, and a configurator 50b configures settings based on the read settings information PD.

Abstract: A network device that can be used without requiring a device driver dependent upon the environment of an external device, a network printer, and a control method of a network device are provided. A file server has a management unit configured to manage a folder and information; a folder creation unit configured to create on the file server the folder to receive a process request from a client terminal; a process execution unit configured to execute a specific process when the process request is received in the folder; and a process result reporting unit configured to report the process result of the process execution unit to the folder.

Abstract: A speech output device, a control method for a speech output device, a printer, and an interface board can improve the productivity of foreign language speaking workers in industries such as retailing and food services. A data communication unit 191 acquires print data. A data interpreter 193 analyzes and converts to text data at least part of the data acquired by the data communication unit 191. A language converter 194 converts the text data to one or more preset languages. A speech synthesizer 195 generates one or more units of synthesized speech data corresponding to the language-converted text data from the language converter 194. A speech data output unit 196 outputs the one or more units of synthesized speech data generated by the speech synthesizer 195 to a headphone 104.

Abstract: A network device that can be used without requiring a device driver dependent upon the environment of an external device, a network printer, and a control method of a network device are provided. A file server has a management unit configured to manage a folder and information; a folder creation unit configured to create on the file server the folder to receive a process request from a client terminal; a process execution unit configured to execute a specific process when the process request is received in the folder; and a process result reporting unit configured to report the process result of the process execution unit to the folder.

Abstract: A printing system can easily configure a data terminal when a POS application running on a server is used from a data terminal. A POS system has a server that runs a POS application, a data terminal, and a printer communicatively connected through the Internet to the server. The printer has a local communication unit that establishes communication with the data terminal, a communication relay unit that communicatively connects the data terminal and the server, a configuration settings acquisition unit that gets configuration settings to configure the POS application from the server, and an application configuring unit that configures the POS application based on the configuration settings to use the POS application from the data terminal.

Abstract: A network system for operating multiple printers in different locations includes an RFID tag or print information that is arranged at a location where the printer is used and stores location information for identifying the location. The system further includes a printer provided with location information read capability for electromagnetically reading the location information stored in the RFID tag or optically reading the location information stored in the print information. The system associates the read location information with a network address and assigns the associated network address to the printer that has the location information.

Abstract: A network system is provided with a cable set having a nonvolatile memory module mounted thereon, and a printer connected by the cable set. The printer is provided with a set information read means for reading set information for performing initial setting of itself from a nonvolatile memory module of the connected cable set, and an initial setting means for performing initial setting based on the read set information.

Abstract: A speech output device, a control method for a speech output device, a printer, and an interface board can improve the productivity of foreign language speaking workers in industries such as retailing and food services. A data communication unit 191 acquires print data. A data interpreter 193 analyzes and converts to text data at least part of the data acquired by the data communication unit 191. A language converter 194 converts the text data to one or more preset languages. A speech synthesizer 195 generates one or more units of synthesized speech data corresponding to the language-converted text data from the language converter 194. A speech data output unit 196 outputs the one or more units of synthesized speech data generated by the speech synthesizer 195 to a headphone 104.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically configuring a plurality of wireless peripheral devices within a network environment. The method includes identifying a plurality of wireless peripheral devices, including one existing networked wireless device. The existing networked wireless device is configured to function as a master device. The master device identifies one of the remaining wireless peripheral devices that has yet to be configured. The master device replicates itself by wirelessly transmitting the configuration data to the identified wireless peripheral device. The configuration data enables the identified peripheral wireless device to assume network operation and to assume functionality of the master device so as to be capable of automatically causing the configuration of additional peripheral devices.

Abstract: An interface module connected to a host device for generating print data and to a printing device for printing the print data, comprises a reception unit having at least two interfaces for receiving print data from the host devices connected to the interfaces, a parameter data acquisition unit for analyzing the received print data and acquiring parameter data for calculating the printing cost incurred by printing the print data, a parameter data storage unit for storing the acquired parameter data in predetermined categories including a category for each interface.

Abstract: A POS system and method having a POS terminal, at least one input device for providing input data such as product sale information to said POS terminal, a POS server to enable the POS terminal to complete a POS transaction based upon such product sale information, a display device and a printing device further including an input/output control apparatus 12 and at least one function adding server 50 to enable the POS system to perform at least one new functional application without requiring any change in the POS system terminal or server. At least one of connection ports 21b to 23b of an input/output control apparatus 12 is connected to at least one the connection ports 21a to 23a of an existing POS terminal 30 having at least a POS printer 34, a input device 32, or a display 33 connected thereto. The input devices 32 to 34 conventionally connected to the ports 21a to 23a of the POS terminal 30 are connected to the corresponding ports of the I/O control apparatus 12.

Abstract: A network system is provided with a cable set having a nonvolatile memory module mounted thereon, and a printer connected by the cable set. The printer is provided with a set information read means for reading set information for performing initial setting of itself from a nonvolatile memory module of the connected cable set, and an initial setting means for performing initial setting based on the read set information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for intelligently printing labels based on order data are described. One example method includes receiving order data at a receipt printer. The receipt printer may be communicatively connected to a POS terminal adapted to receive or generate the order data from an operator's entries. The order data may then be transmitted to a label printer and processed at the label printer to generate corresponding label data. The label printer may generate the label data with reference to a plurality of pre-defined templates. In addition to or as part of generating label data, the label printer may also generate customer data based on the order data.

Abstract: A POS system and method having a POS terminal, at least one input device for providing input data such as product sale information to said POS terminal, a POS server to enable the POS terminal to complete a POS transaction based upon such product sale information, a display device and a printing device further including an input/output control apparatus 12 and at least one function adding server 50 to enable the POS system to perform at least one new functional application without requiring any change in the POS system terminal or server. At least one of connection ports 21b to 23b of an input/output control apparatus 12 is connected to at least one the connection ports 21a to 23a of an existing POS terminal 30 having at least a POS printer 34, a input device 32, or a display 33 connected thereto. The input devices 32 to 34 conventionally connected to the ports 21a to 23a of the POS terminal 30 are connected to the corresponding ports of the I/O control apparatus 12.

Abstract: A POS system and method having a POS terminal, at least one input device for providing input data such as product sale information to said POS terminal, a POS server to enable the POS terminal to complete a POS transaction based upon such product sale information, a display device and a printing device further including an input/output control apparatus 12 and at least one function adding server 50 to enable the POS system to perform at least one new functional application without requiring any change in the POS system terminal or server. At least one of connection ports 21b to 23b of an input/output control apparatus 12 is connected to at least one the connection ports 21a to 23a of an existing POS terminal 30 having at least a POS printer 34, a input device 32, or a display 33 connected thereto. The input devices 32 to 34 conventionally connected to the ports 21a to 23a of the POS terminal 30 are connected to the corresponding ports of the I/O control apparatus 12.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically configuring a plurality of wireless peripheral devices within a network environment. The method includes identifying a plurality of wireless peripheral devices, including one existing networked wireless device. The existing networked wireless device is configured to function as a master device. The master device identifies one of the remaining wireless peripheral devices that has yet to be configured. The master device replicates itself by wirelessly transmitting the configuration data to the identified wireless peripheral device. The configuration data enables the identified peripheral wireless device to assume network operation and to assume functionality of the master device so as to be capable of automatically causing the configuration of additional peripheral devices.

Abstract: An interface module connected to a host device for generating print data and to a printing device for printing the print data, comprises a reception unit having at least two interfaces for receiving print data from the host devices connected to the interfaces, a parameter data acquisition unit for analyzing the received print data and acquiring parameter data for calculating the printing cost incurred by printing the print data, a parameter data storage unit for storing the acquired parameter data in predetermined categories including a category for each interface.

Abstract: A POS system is made up of: a POS terminal having a printing apparatus for printing on a receipt based on printing data, and a terminal apparatus for obtaining input information inputted by a user and for generating receipt printing information; a POS server connected to the POS terminal through a network, for controlling the POS terminal; a memory card for providing advertising information; and printing data generating part for generating printing data by adding the advertising information provided by the memory card to the receipt printing information obtained by the terminal apparatus. The printing data generating part is constituted by an additional apparatus connectable to the printing apparatus.