Donald H Brooks

US Patent:

6498655, Dec 24, 2002

Filed:

Jun 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/872782

Inventors:

Donald E. Brooks - Ithaca NY
Bart C. Shuldman - Westport CT
Mark B. Goebel - Chicopee MA

Assignee:

TransAct Technologies Incorporated - Wallingford CT

International Classification:

G06F 1500

US Classification:

358 112, 358 114, 358 118, 358503, 235375, 463 16, 463 29

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are provided for printing and validating a document, such as a ticket or voucher printed on a substrate such as paper. After the document is printed, at least a portion thereof is read to test a validity criteria. The document is dispensed to a recipient if the validity criteria is met. If the validity criteria is not met after the first read, the document can optionally be re-read. If the validity criteria is never met, the document is voided. The voided document is then dispensed to the recipient and a replacement document is immediately printed, read for validation purposes and dispensed. If the replacement document is not valid, it is voided prior to dispensing. Assistance from a machine attendant is required only in the event that a predetermined number of invalid print/read/validate cycles occur.

US Patent:

6650427, Nov 18, 2003

Filed:

Oct 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/017897

Inventors:

Donald E. Brooks - Ithaca NY
Bart C. Shuldman - Westport CT
Mark B. Goebel - Chicopee MA

Assignee:

TransAct Technologies Incorporated - Wallingford CT

International Classification:

G06F 1500

US Classification:

358 112, 358 114, 358 115, 358 118, 235449, 235475, 235375

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are provided for printing and validating a document, such as a ticket or voucher printed on a substrate such as paper. After the document is printed, at least a portion thereof is read to test a validity criteria. The document is dispensed to a recipient if the validity criteria is met. If the validity criteria is not met after the first read, the document can optionally be re-read. If the validity criteria is never met, the document is voided. The voided document can be held or dispensed to the recipient and a replacement document can be printed, read for validation purposes and dispensed. If the replacement document is not valid, it is voided. A voided replacement document can be either held or dispensed. Assistance from a machine attendant is required only in the event that a predetermined number of invalid print/read/validate cycles occur.

US Patent:

6924903, Aug 2, 2005

Filed:

Dec 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/325214

Inventors:

Donald E. Brooks - Ithaca NY, US
Richard S. Quaif - Dryden NY, US
Bart C. Shuldman - Westport CT, US

Assignee:

TransAct Technologies Incorporated - Wallingford CT

International Classification:

G06F003/12
G06F013/00

US Classification:

358 115, 358 114, 358 113, 358 16

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7014483, Mar 21, 2006

Filed:

Jul 2, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/884449

Inventors:

Donald E. Brooks - Ithaca NY, US
Robert F. Bullivant - Interlaken NY, US

Assignee:

TransAct Technologies Incorporated - Wallingord CT

International Classification:

H01R 13/62

US Classification:

439157, 439159, 361727, 3122231

Abstract:

An electrical device is disposed on a base for sliding movement between first and second ends of the base. The electrical device includes a first electrical connector configured to connect to a connector board disposed on the base. The connector board includes a second electrical connector configured to mate with the first electrical connector. The connector board can move between the first and second ends. A cable electrically couples the second connector to a signal. The cable is configured to maintain electrical connectivity between the signal and the second connector as the connector board slides between the first and second ends. The electrical device can removably connect to the connector board via the first and second connectors. The connector board can slide along with the electrical device to provide electrical connectivity of the signal to the electrical device as the electrical device slides between the first and second ends.

US Patent:

7099035, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

Apr 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/102458

Inventors:

Donald E. Brooks - Ithaca NY, US
Richard S. Quaif - Dryden NY, US
Bart C. Shuldman - Westport CT, US

Assignee:

TransAct Technologies Incorporated - Wallingford CT

International Classification:

G06F 3/12
G06K 1/00

US Classification:

358 115, 358 113

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7529868, May 5, 2009

Filed:

Feb 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/365751

Inventors:

Donald E. Brooks - Ithaca NY, US
Richard S. Quaif - Dryden NY, US

Assignee:

TransAct Technologies Incorporated - Hamden CT

International Classification:

G06F 13/12

US Classification:

710 62, 710 64, 358 11

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7668987, Feb 23, 2010

Filed:

Jan 20, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/321421

Inventors:

Donald E. Brooks - Ithaca NY, US
Richard S. Quaif - Dryden NY, US

Assignee:

TransAct Technologies Incorporated - Hamden CT

International Classification:

G06F 13/12

US Classification:

710 62, 710 64, 358 11

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20040223180, Nov 11, 2004

Filed:

May 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/434415

Inventors:

Donald Brooks - Ithaca NY, US

Assignee:

TransAct Technologies Incorporated - Wallingford CT

International Classification:

G06F015/00

US Classification:

358/001150, 358/001100

Abstract:

A wireless transactional printer is provided. Data and control signals are communicated between the printer and a wireless adapter via a serial port. The serial port also provides power from the printer power supply to power the wireless adapter using a standard serial port connector. In order to provide the wireless communication, the wireless adapter can be provided with a radio module, such as a wireless PCMCIA transceiver. The radio module also receives power from the printer power supply via the serial port connector.