Projects:WebUSB and WebBluetooth receipt printers/User Guide
Contents |
Introduction
Openbravo Web POS is a multiplatform web application that only requires a web browser to operate. It can run on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and iOS. The only exception to this is that requires the use of the Hardware Manager to print receipts, open the cash drawer, etc. This reduces the benefits of having a pure Web application because the Hardware manager needs to be installed and configured in each POS terminal. To update to a new version all POS terminals needs to be updated. Also if the receipt printer is replaced with a different model, the new configuration must be done in each terminal the printer is replaced.
With the new WebUSB and WebBluetooth specifications, web applications are now allowed to communicate to the hardware connected to the POS terminal. Bringing to Web POS all the benefits or having a pure Web application and reducing the total cost of ownership.
With WebUSB and Bluetooth we can remove the Hardware Manager for printing receipts. The only requirement for POS terminals is to be able to execute a web browser (Chrome) and all capabilities including printing receipts are available for all platforms, even mobile devices.
Also when updating Web POS, all new printing capabilities are included, there is no need to go to every POS terminal to update the Hardware Manager, and all the configuration is done in a central location. For example to replace the receipt printer to a new model, there is no need to go to every POS terminal to do the printer configuration, all configuration is done in a central location for all POS terminals.
Supported Devices
Any device, either mobile or desktop, that fits Openbravo minimum hardware and software requirements can run the WebPOS. You can find out about the requirements on the system requirements main page: System_Requirements#Client:_web_browsers
The list of the supported receipt printers and cash drawers can be found in the Retail:Hardware_and_Peripherals_Guide.
Configuration
In the Touchpoint - Channel window there is a new field Printer Type with the list of all supported printer types. By default, its value is Hardware Manager that is the current functionality of printing receipts where all receipts and drawers requests are sent and processed by the Hardware Manager.
If a different Printer Type is selected, receipt and drawer requests will be redirected to the printer type selected. Customer display requests will continue to be sent to the Hardware Manager (if configured).
The Printer Type configuration it is only defined for the main terminal printer. To honor the multi printer functionality if the user selects in the Touchpoint a different printer in the menu option Select printer, that printer will be used. Note that these printers are configured in the Channel - Touchpoint Type and only support receipt printers connected to the Hardware Manager.
Device installation and configuration
In general there is no need to do any installation. Just be sure that in the case of Bluetooth the printer is on and in the Touchpoint Bluetooth is also on. And in the case of USB the printer is on and properly connected to the Touchpoint.
But in the cases described below you have to do follow few installation steps before pairing the printer in the Touchpoint.
Windows with USB printers
Windows needs to install a libUSB driver for the printer you want to use with the Touchpoint. The easiest way to install a libUSB driver is with the Zadig application. This application can be downloaded from here: https://zadig.akeo.ie/
Just download the latest version and execute the application. Connect the printer and select in the dropdown field the printer connected. If the printer does not appear, Check in the menu Option, List All Devices. In the field Driver select WINUSB, and finally click on the button Install Driver. That is all, you can now pair the printer in the Touch point and start printing receipts.
Linux with USB printers
Linux needs to define new udev rules for each receipt printer model supported. To do this, as root, create a new file /etc/udev/rules.d/60-webposdevices.rules with the following content containing the definition for all supported printers.
# Epson TM T88V
SUBSYSTEM=="usb",ATTR{idVendor}=="04B8",ATTR{idProduct}=="0202",MODE="0660",GROUP="plugdev"
# Epson TM T20
SUBSYSTEM=="usb",ATTR{idVendor}=="04B8",ATTR{idProduct}=="0E03",MODE="0660",GROUP="plugdev"
# Epson TM T20II
SUBSYSTEM=="usb",ATTR{idVendor}=="04B8",ATTR{idProduct}=="0E15",MODE="0660",GROUP="plugdev"
# NCR 7197
SUBSYSTEM=="usb",ATTR{idVendor}=="0404",ATTR{idProduct}=="0312",MODE="0660",GROUP="plugdev"
# Star Micronics TSP-100
SUBSYSTEM=="usb",ATTR{idVendor}=="0519",ATTR{idProduct}=="0003",MODE="0660",GROUP="plugdev"
# Wincor Nixdorf TH230+
SUBSYSTEM=="usb",ATTR{idVendor}=="0AA7",ATTR{idProduct}=="0304",MODE="0660",GROUP="plugdev"
# HP A799
SUBSYSTEM=="usb",ATTR{idVendor}=="05D9",ATTR{idProduct}=="A795",MODE="0660",GROUP="plugdev"
# Bixolon SRP-350III
SUBSYSTEM="usb",ATTR{idVendor}="1504",ATTR{idProduct}="002b",MODE="0660",GROUP="plugdev"
Then the Linux user that runs the Touchpoint needs to belong to the group plugdev. To to this, as root, execute the following sentence from the command line:
usermod -a -G plugdev username
Where username is the Linux user name the runs the Touchpoint.
Finally you must check the kernel module usblp is not loaded. The reason is that usblp claims printers connected with USB preventing the Touchpoint to claim and use the printer. To be sure the kernel module usblp is not loaded blacklist it creating as root a new file /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-usblp.conf with the following content:
blacklist usblp
And that is all. Restart Linux and you can now pair the printer.
Linux with Bluetooth printers
For Bluetooth printers, open the Bluetooth configuration panel and be sure that in Linux Bluetooth is on. Then find the printer in the list of Bluetooth devices on range and pair the printer using this dialog. This allows Linux to recognise the printer in the Touchpoint. After this configuration is done you can continue with the pairing process.
Pairing USB and Bluetooth printers
To print receipts using a USB or Bluetooth printer, the Touchpoint requires first to pair the printer. The pairing process will be executed the first time the Touchpoint application prints a receipt or when the user selects the menu option Test printer.
When this occurs, the Touchpoint first shows the following dialog. This is the moment to switch the printer on. And in the case of USB check the printer is connected to the computer and in the case of Bluetooth verify Bluetooth is also on.
Click OK, and a new dialog will appear with a list of supported receipt printers connected or on range. Select one and click Connect or Pair, depending the printer type is USB or Bluetooth. If everything went successfully, the receipt will be printed.
Once the pairing is done, this process will be not needed to print more receipts during the same Touchpoint session. But it will be needed to pair again the printer if the user logs of the Touchpoint, the Touchpoint is reloaded, or the printer is switched off or disconnected.
This is the result of printing a test with the menu option Test printer using an Epson TM-T88V receipt printer connected with a USB cable. You can see all the features: Images, different text size, barcodes and QR codes.
