IEEE Bi-Directional Parallel Port & Serial Port Connection

[RWAP]

One early adopter has now raised the question of using a bi-directional parallel port which appears to be required by some equipment connecting to ESC/POS printers.

We will consider this for a future version of the PCB, which will need a redesign to be able to handle a bi-directional parallel port. We are also keen on implementing a serial port version of the PCB, so we hope to be able to incorporate the changes for both into a new PCB.

This is however, only an outline of what we are considering for the future, as we need to concentrate on bringing the v3 PCB to market for now.

In the meantime, there is also the option of using the RWAP Interceptor software which we have already developed which can be run on a Banana Pi or an Odroid C1 placed inline between a piece of equipment and a printer connected by USB (or even via serial ports if you use USB-serial adaptors and the correct cables).

[RWAP]

We have decided that it would be too problematic to implement a bi-directional parallel (centronics) port / serial port on the Retro-Printer Module.

However, we have decided that it would be better to develop our own RWAP Interceptor (H) which will implement this functionality.

The RWAP Interceptor (H) is currently in the design stage, but our initial thoughts are to basically implement a back to back centronics port connector (so that signals from the printer are passed back to the original equipment directly), but we then implement a form of "sniffer" circuit whereby data being sent to the printer is captured and stored on the Interceptor.