HK1137165B - Combination printer and its paper - Google Patents

Description

Combination printer and paper thereof

Cross reference to related applications

Provisional patent application 60/742908 entitled "POS Network Including Color Printing and Color Highlighting" filed on 7.12.2005, attorney docket No. PIP 175 moump-US, priority of this application; the application claims priority from provisional patent application 60/778410 entitled "POS Network Including Color printing and Color Highlighting" filed 3/2006, attorney docket number PIP 189 moump-US; the present application claims priority from U.S. application 11/488126 filed 2006, 7, 18; all of the above applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to point of sale (POS) Computer Systems (CS). Background

A retail store sales system for sales in many retail stores includes a central Computer System (CS), a plurality of retail store POS computers, one in each retail store, and a plurality of local sales computers, one in each retail store, and a communication network supporting communication between the central CS and the retail stores. The network includes both a Local Area Network (LAN) at each retail outlet and a Wide Area Network (WAN) such as the Internet that supports communication with the central CS. Each local marketing computer may be a network client in the retail store LAN, or each marketing computer may have a separate telephone modem dial-up or network connection for supporting the marketing computer in communication with the central CS. The local marketing computer typically includes a text file (database) of rules according to which the printing of a given coupon is triggered by a signal from the POS computer in the retail store. Marketing printing occurs at a marketing computer printer connected to a marketing computer. Typically, retail stores have multiple checkout lanes. The outlet of each channel has a POS terminal and a POS terminal printer connected to a POS computer via a LAN. There is a marketing computer near each POS printer. The marketing computer has a correspondence identifying which marketing printer is adjacent to which POS printer.

In response to reading the product barcode details (product identifier and quantity data) and the customer identification number (CID) during each transaction, the POS terminal transmits over the LAN a marketing computer data stream (the marketing computer data stream includes header information in the specifications that the marketing computer is programmed to read) so that the marketing computer can interpret the data read at the POS terminal and then process and determine promotions that can be offered to the customer. This data includes information such as customer identification, product identification, and coupon identification. The POS terminal is also encoded for transmitting the end of the transaction, transaction aggregation, payment method and end of transaction data over the LAN with a header that is recognizable by the marketing computer.

The POS terminal is also programmed to store the transaction data of the customer transaction received at the POS while it is being buffered, and at the end of the transaction, to transmit a record of the transaction data for this transaction to the POS computer in a POS computer data stream in a format that the POS computer is programmed to read.

The data in the marketing computer data stream is typically redundant to the data in the POS computer data stream. The marketing computer typically does not read data formatted for reading by the POS computer, and vice versa.

In prior systems, an end of transaction (EOT) signal generated a prompt instruction (placed in the printer queue store from which to print without any further signals) instructing the POS printer to immediately print transaction data for printing a register receipt for the customer's purchase transaction. The register receipt lists details of the items purchased, the quantity, the price and the total, as well as other data. The register receipt is a portion of a roll of paper tape stored in the printer. Typical paper straps are on the order of a few centimeters in width. The length of the register receipt for the purchase transaction depends on the number of items purchased and listed on the register receipt.

Here, CS refers to a computer system.

Here, POS means a point of sale. Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to use a single printer for printing (1) the register receipt printing function of a retail store and (2) sales communications at a point of sale.

It is an object of the present invention to facilitate marketing communications in graphical and color printing.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce the ink used for POS printing.

It is an object of the present invention to effectively utilize all of the space on the front and rear surfaces of a paper register receipt that transmits printed information.

It is an object of the present invention to prevent ink bleed between opposite sides of a paper receipt.

It is an object of the present invention to facilitate printing on opposite sides of a paper receipt. Drawings

This invention is described below in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like numerals denote the same or similar features. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a novel network CS 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the POS terminal database 30 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a data structure of sales computer database 50 of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a data structure of the printer database 70 of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the data structure of POS computer database 90 of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a schematic view of POS printer 60 of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a partial schematic view of another alternative POS printer 60 having four printheads; FIG. 8 is a side view of paper strap 660 shown in FIG. 6; fig. 9 is a flowchart of POS printer 60 controlling printing; fig. 10 is a flowchart of POS printer 60 controlling printing; and FIG. 11 is a flowchart of POS printer 60 controlling printing. Detailed Description

FIG. 1 shows a novel network CS 1 including a central CS3, a wide area network such as the Internet 2, a Local Area Network (LAN)10, a POS terminal 20, a sales computer 40, a POS printer 60, the boundaries of retail stores 95, and the boundaries of other retail stores indicating other retail stores CS that may be present in the network. Fig. 1 also shows POS terminal database 30 associated with POS terminal 20, marketing computer database 50 associated with marketing computer 40, printer database 70 associated with POS printer 60, and POS computer database 90 associated with POS computer 80. Each computer controls read and write access to its associated database. Alternatively, POS printer 60 may be a terminal or otherwise controlled by POS computer 80, in which case POS computer 80 performs processing functions associated with printer 60 herein and receives data addressed to printer 60.

One or more of devices 20, 40, 60, and 80 have a network connection with WAN 2 and may act as a gateway allowing other devices on the LAN to access WAN 2. Optionally, a separate gateway device located on the LAN10 allows devices on the LAN10 to access the WAN 2.

Each of marketing computer 40, POS printer 60, POS computer 80, and preferably POS terminal 20, includes a digital central processing unit, manual user input and output devices, and associated high-speed memory. Each of marketing computer 40, POS printer 60, POS computer 80, and preferably POS terminal 20, stores network protocols and code, such as TCP/IP, for converting and transmitting data in those network protocols. Devices 20, 40, 60 and 80 are all connected to LAN10 such that their packet transmissions communicate with each other as described herein.

The POS terminal 20 is structured to process the purchase transaction by receiving transaction data and transmitting the transaction data to the LAN 10. POS terminal 20 is configured to transmit transaction data in two different modes. First, POS terminal 20 is configured to transmit each data (product identifier, quantity, and customer identification) to sales computer 40 when POS terminal 20 receives each data through LAN 10. Second, POS terminal 20 is configured to transmit each transaction record, including all product identifiers, prices, and their associated information, to POS computer 80 via LAN 10. The data format specification transmitted to marketing computer 40 may be different from the data format specification transmitted to POS computer 80. Optionally, each data packet may include a tag identifying the address of the intended target device.

POS terminal 20 or POS computer 80 is configured to generate and transmit POS print instructions 710 to POS printer 60 and is configured to act in response to the identification of an end of transaction (EOT). The EOT signal indicates completion of a customer purchase transaction at the POS terminal. POS print instructions 710 include instructions to print a purchase transaction receipt.

The purchase transaction receipt includes printed text describing the price and description of the product item in the customer's purchase order.

Marketing computer 40 is configured to generate and transmit combined marketing and POS print instructions 720 to POS printer 60 for printing both purchase transaction receipts and certain marketing content on the same piece of paper. The sales content may be on the same side of the paper as the transaction receipt information. The marketing material may be on the other side of the sheet of transaction receipt information. Sales content may include promotional offers such as coupons and advertisements.

Marketing computer 40 is structured to process data from POS transactions, preferably as it receives data transmitted by POS terminal 20 over LAN 10. Alternatively, marketing computer 40 records received transaction data for the customer purchase transaction and waits for receipt of an EOT signal for the transaction before processing the data, and then generates and transmits combined marketing and POS print instructions 720 to POS printer 60. Combined marketing and printing instructions 720 instruct the printer to print the register receipt information and the marketing information.

If POS printer 60 receives combined marketing and POS print instructions 720 from marketing computer 40 in a timely manner, POS printer 60 may be configured to not print POS print instructions 710 received from either POS terminal 20 or POS computer 80.

POS printer 60 preferably includes conventional structure and code for printing based on print instructions, as well as conventional structure and code for receiving and interpreting information in at least one network protocol, such as TCP/IP.

Marketing computer 40 or POS printer 60, or both, is configured to specify the location of register receipt information and marketing information on the register receipt sheet, including whether to print on only one side or both sides of the paper tape, what information should be on each side, font and graphic sizes scaled on certain lengths of paper tape to accommodate all information.

The central CS3 stores transaction data relating to customers and stores identifiers for a plurality of stores and a large number of customers. Central CS3 may perform a sales process for deciding what explicit sales content to provide to a particular consumer, in which case central CS3 transmits a customer identifier to sales computer 40 that is associated with the explicit sales content (coupon details or the like) or with an identifier of the explicit sales content. Marketing computer 40 may reference this information when processing transaction data after receiving the same customer identifier during the next purchase transaction by the customer at the retail store.

The POS computer 80 is structured to record transaction information for transactions in the retail store 95, track inventory information, track revenue, and generate corresponding reports. The POS printer in the store may also be instructed by authority (authority) to print a register receipt.

POS terminal 20 and POS terminal database 30 are associated with a single checkout lane or station. There may be multiple checkout stations in each retail store where the customer pays for the purchase of the goods and the product identification code and current transaction information for the customer's transaction may be entered into the POS terminal.

Marketing computer 40 runs code to implement marketing criteria for the transaction data associated with a CID to determine the explicit marketing content associated with the CID. Marketing computer 40 sends the explicit content associated with the CID or an identifier of the explicit content to POS printer 60.

The sales criteria may depend on the customer's transaction history, customer demographics, and partial marketer preferences. Marketing computer 40 may store transaction history data (data from prior transactions that include a product code and customer identifier associated with each of a set of prior transactions). Alternatively, marketing computer 40 may store a CID and associated incentive offers to provide to customers having such a CID, wherein a list of CIDs and associated incentive offers are provided to the marketing computer through central CS 3.

Each of POS terminal database 30, marketing computer database 50, printer database 70, and POS computer database 90 are preferably structured to receive and store transaction data for retail stores. Preferably, both marketing computer database 50 and printer database 70 are also structured to receive and store marketing content data.

Fig. 2 illustrates the data structure of POS terminal database 30 of fig. 1, including sales computer data stream header 310, POS computer data stream header 320, terminal transaction record 330, and EOT signal 340. Marketing computer data stream header 310 either specifies a logical address (IP address, port number, or the like for marketing computer 40) or specifies a data format to which the data in the data stream conforms. If the latter, marketing computer 40 is configured to read data in this data format over the LAN.

POS computer data stream header 320 either specifies a logical address (IP address, port number, or the like of POS computer 80) or specifies a data format to which the data in the data stream conforms. If the latter, POS computer 80 is configured to read data in this data format over the LAN.

The terminal transaction record 330 records transaction information for each transaction, such as product identifier, coupon identifier, discount used, time, date, terminal ID, quantity, total, and payment type (credit card style, check, cash, etc.).

The EOT signal 340 is data specifying an EOT.

FIG. 3 illustrates marketing computer database 50 of FIG. 1, including stored incentive offers data 410, customer base records 420, data stream header specifications 430, stored transaction records 440, targeting criteria 450, and marketing content 460. Data stream header specification 430 exists when the specification of the data format of the data read by marketing computer 40 differs from the specification of the data format of the data read by POS computer 80.

Stored reward offer data 410 includes a customer identifier and sales content defining a reward offer, such as a coupon. Preferably, the data 410 also includes a status field for identifying the offer status, such as not offered to the customer, offered (printed or otherwise at a point-of-sale printer in advance) to the customer, and redeemed by the customer. For example, the customer identifier may be a loyalty card identifier, a number from a credit card or other customer payment method.

The customer base record 420 may include the customer transaction history associated with the customer identifier, sales analysis performed on the customer transaction history by the sales computer 40, POS computer 80, or central computer 3, and other detailed information of the customer such as address and phone, account number, demographic information. The customer base record may also be used to generate stored incentive offers data 410.

Data stream header specification 430 is optional and specifies the format of the data stream that sales computer 40 recognizes on LAN 10. For example a header for a continuous transmission from the terminal 10 of a product identifier associated with a transaction occurring at the terminal 10. For example, not the header of the record file for transmission from POS terminal 20 to POS computer 80 at the end of the transaction.

Storing the transaction record 440 includes storing transaction information such as items purchased, discounts used, time, date and place of purchase, payment type. This information may be received by the marketing computer database by the marketing computer 40 reading successive product identifiers as they are scanned during each transaction, optionally by the marketing computer 40 reading a record of each transaction (the same file read by the POS computer 80) transmitted over the LAN, or by the transmission of a data file from the POS computer 80 to the marketing computer 40.

Targeting criteria 450 includes criteria for providing specific customer identification, specific promotional or sales content 460, including coupons, rebates, instant discounts, advertisements, sales information that are offered or presented to the customer, and codes that apply these criteria to the customer's purchase transaction data and other data associated with the customer.

Sales content 460 includes coupons, rebates, instant discounts, advertising, and sales information that are offered or presented to customers. Specific marketing content is typically associated with specific targeting criteria. For example, targeting criteria specifying repeated purchases of diapers within the previous month may be linked to sales content specifying a coupon for baby food.

Fig. 4 shows the printer database 70 of fig. 1 including POS print instructions 710, combined marketing and POS print instructions 720, a printhead identification code 740, an EOT signal code 750, a timeout function code 760, a rewind signal code 770, a remaining space code 780, and marketing content 790.

POS print instructions 710 include instructions to print all transaction data for printing a register receipt for a customer transaction. Typically including a product description (name) of the purchased product (and also the product identifier if there is printer logic that associates the product identifier with the product description), price, quantity, discount, time, date and place of purchase, payment method, and transaction total with or without discount.

Combined sales and POS print instructions 720 include instructions for printing both register receipt information for customer transactions and certain sales content including coupons, rebates, instant discounts, and advertisements.

The print head identification code 740 includes data, print times and print sequences that specify which print head 650 is to be used to print sales and register receipt information. The print head identification code may be run in POS printer 60 by executing instructions 710 or 720.

Rewind tape signal code 770 is a code that specifies rewinding of the printer tape. After printing the first side of the tape, it activates the printer 60 to rewind the tape to initiate subsequent printing on the other side of the tape along the same length of tape as was already printed on the first side. Rewind signal code 770 may be run in POS printer 60 by executing instructions 710 or 720. In an example, instructions 720 are received at POS printer 60 after POS printer 60 initiates printing based on instructions 710. Rewind tape signal code 770 then instructs POS printer 60 to rewind paper tape 660 for printing based on the marketing content contained in instructions 720 on the other side of paper tape 660 from which the register receipt information was printed.

Remnant space code 780 includes instructions to print sales content and register receipt information in a manner that optimizes the use of the empty space of paper tape 660. The code running on instructions 720 determines the length of paper tape 660 required to print register receipt information and the length of paper tape required to print sales information based on instructions 720. Remnant space code 780 determines the difference between the lengths of the ribbons that would otherwise be blank ribbons on one side of the ribbons. Remnant space code 780 then decides how to fill the empty space on either side.

By way of example, the sales content 790 includes data defining a reward offer and advertisements including any text, graphics and related colors and combinations thereof. The marketing content may be stored in printer database 70 or marketing computer database 50. Marketing computer database 50 and printer database 70 may both store an association of marketing content identifiers with marketing content. If marketing computer 40 transmits marketing identifiers to printer 60, printer 60 may associate marketing content for printing with the corresponding marketing identifiers.

In one embodiment, the space remaining code may determine additional marketing content to print, thereby filling the empty space. It may compare the lengths of the various selected sales items and print only sales items that are appropriate for the length of paper tape 660 required to register receipt information. That is, the length of the printing paper tape is limited by deleting the sales items. Which can identify additional marketing content to print in empty space (if any), can be done on either side of the paper tape. It may resize the text or graphics such that the marketing content and register receipt information contained in instructions 720 each occupy approximately the same length of the paper tape, such that the double-sided printing of marketing content on one side and register receipt information on the other side occupies the same length of the paper tape.

Remnant space code 780, in addition to other codes mentioned herein, is used to generate one or more print files associated with each purchase transaction for printing the transaction.

Timeout function code 760 is a code that specifies a period of time after receipt of EOT signal 340 by POS printer 60 at which POS printer 60 will print based on instructions 710 if POS printer 60 does not receive instructions 720. Code 760 may perform the above-described operations, for example, by placing transaction data received from POS terminal 20 based on instructions 710 into a printer queue memory from which printing may occur without any further signals. The timeout function code 760 may be programmed to operate, for example, 1, 1.5, or 2 seconds after the EOT signal 340 is received by the POS printer 60. This time period is selected to limit the delay time in processing the purchase order.

In another alternative embodiment, POS printer 60 or marketing computer 40 may determine the printed marketing content, the length of paper tape 660 of the marketing content, the length of the empty space on the side of paper tape 660 on which transaction content 720 resides, and then print additional marketing content in the empty space on the side of paper tape 660 on which the transaction content resides. That is, the code or print file specifying the print data and instructions may be located on any computer, and they may send the final print file or files including the control signals for rewinding the tape to the printer 60 for printing, if necessary.

Fig. 5 shows POS computer database 90 of fig. 1 including stored transaction records 930 and accounting and inventory information 960. The store transaction record 930 stores all transaction data for all transactions at the retail store. The accounting and inventory information 960 includes sales information and listings of items and quantities in inventory, among other things.

Fig. 6 shows POS printer 60 of fig. 1 including controller 610, paper tape roll 620, paper tape 660, control lines 630, rollers 640 and print head 650, and database 70.

The controller 610 instructs the print head 650 via control line 630 when to print and what to print, and instructs the rollers 640 when to roll the paper out and back. The controller 610 acts upon instructions generated by code running in the POS printer 60 or received from other components of the network. The printing includes: controller 610, via control line 630, instructs rollers 640 to advance paper tape 660 in association with instructions to print transaction content 720 or marketing content 730 to print to print head 650, and optionally instructs to retract paper tape 660 after some printing. Although shown as part of POS printer 60, controller 610 may be remote from the print head, and its functions may be implemented elsewhere, such as in a POS computer or marketing computer.

One print head 650 faces a first side of paper tape 660 and the other print head 650 faces an opposite second side of paper tape 660. Thus, each print head prints a different side of paper tape 660.

Tape roll 620 includes a spooling mechanism (not shown) on which rolled-up tape 660 is mounted.

Preferably, one print head is an inkjet print head and the other print head is a thermal print head. Preferably, paper tape 660 has one side formed of thermal paper such that printing is done by thermal print head 650 onto that side of the paper, and paper tape 660 is positioned such that thermal print head 650 is opposite the thermal paper. The print head (other than a thermal print head) may be a black and white or a color print head.

Fig. 7 shows another alternative configuration of a printhead 650 that includes four printheads. In this configuration, each side of the paper strip may face two different types of print heads, any two of thermal, inkjet and laser print heads. Alternatively, the two print heads facing the same side of the paper may be of the same design, such as both thermal print heads, both inkjet print heads, or both laser print heads.

The relative positions of the printheads on opposite sides of paper tape 660 can be either diametrically opposite each other or offset from each other in the direction of paper tape travel.

FIG. 8 shows the sides of paper strap 660 of FIG. 6, including upper paper side 810, lower paper side 820, and barrier layer 830. In a preferred embodiment, barrier layer 830 is present and prevents the permeation of ink from one side of the paper strap to the other. The upper paper side 810 may be thermal printer sensitive paper, such as paper containing thermo-sensitive dyes and/or phenols, and the lower paper side 820 may be thermal printer insensitive paper. The barrier layer 830 may be, for example, a polyethylene material or other polymeric material.

Fig. 9 shows printer logic 9000, including steps executed in the CPU of POS printer 60. In step 910, the printer logic determines whether printer data is received. If so, execution proceeds to step 920, and in step 920, the printer logic determines if an EOT signal has been received. If so, step 930 is performed where the printer logic prints the file.

If not received in step 910, a wait state 940 is executed and then step 910 is executed again.

If not received in step 920, a timeout check 950 is performed, if step 950 is no, a wait state 940 is performed and the check 910 is again performed. If step 950 is true, a print step 930 is performed. The wait state 940 may be, for example, 50 milliseconds.

Fig. 10 shows remaining logic 1000 by which POS printer 60 or marketing computer 40 performs calculations to determine an optional total number of marketing content 460 to fill the space on both sides of paper tape 660.

The method 1000 shown in FIG. 10 includes determining a register receipt tape print length 1010, determining a sales content tape print length 1020, determining a tape side 1030 of remaining tape length and empty space, determining sales content 1040 to fill the remaining space, generating or correcting a print file 1050, and printing 1060.

In step 1050, printer logic generates or customizes one or more print files to include printing of additional marketing content in the register tape, including customer transaction data and marketing content. Additional marketing content is determined, for example, by filtering the tape print lengths of a set of additional marketing content to exclude additional marketing content having a tape print length greater than the remaining tape length, and then by ranking the final set of additional marketing content. The rating may be based on the customer's relevance to other sales content, in terms of consideration from the manufacturer or retailer of the sales company to print for that, or by a demographic relevance of the product identifier and customer identifier in the sales content.

In one embodiment, POS printer 60(1) determines the length of paper tape 660 required to print a customer receipt including transaction content 710, (2) determines the length of different instances of marketing content, and (3) prints only some instances of marketing content that are appropriate for the length of paper tape 660 required to print a receipt.

In another embodiment, POS printer 60 or marketing computer 40 may be constructed and encoded to determine which marketing content to print, the length of the paper tape containing the marketing content, the length of the empty (available) space created by paper tape 660 on the register receipt side, and to print additional marketing content on the empty space on the transaction content side of paper tape 660.

In one embodiment, the remaining space code identifies an empty space region, identifies sales content associated with the empty space, and then resizes (expands or contracts) fonts and/or graphics of the related sales content to fill the identified empty space.

Fig. 11 shows printer logic relating to duplex printing.

In step 1110, the printer logic decides whether to print in parallel on both sides of the registration tape 660. For example, the printer logic may examine the print content to determine the print speed required for duplex printing, and determine parallel printing when the print speed is appropriate. If so, step 1120 is performed to print both sides in parallel, and if not, step 1130 is performed to determine which side to print first. In step 1140, the first side is printed. In step 1150, tape 660 is rewound back to the print length of the first side (or slightly less, such as less than 0.5 inch or 1 centimeter, to avoid the tape from losing its position with the rollers in the printer). In step 1160, the second side is printed.

Once POS printer 60 receives combined print instructions 720, POS printer 60 may print both sides of the paper in parallel, interleave printing on both sides, or print one side first on both sides, as specified by the business rules embedded in the code.

Code executed in POS printer 60 may execute timeout function code 760 such that if POS printer 60 does not receive instruction 720 within a specified time period, POS printer 60 continues to print the customer's transaction content 710.

Similarly, code executed in POS printer 60 may perform another timeout function such that if POS printer 60 does not receive instruction 710 within a specified time period, POS printer 60 continues printing based on instruction 720.

If POS printer 60 receives instruction 720 when printing based on instruction 710, the code may direct POS printer 60 to print the marketing material specified by instruction 720 after completing printing of the register receipt specified by code 710. This may include executing code to rewind the check-in tape back to the length of the check-in receipt before printing the marketing content based on instructions 720.

The marketing content and the pointer thereto may be located in printer 60, and instructions 720 may include a pointer to the marketing content rather than the actual marketing content. If so, the corresponding pointer is located in a database accessible by marketing computer 40.

Such as EOT and time-out printing functions that decide which data source, POS terminal or marketing computer to use to print the register receipt, these printing aspects do not require a duplex printer or duplex printing.

The aspects and specific embodiments of the present invention described above are not intended to limit the scope of protection based on the main concepts disclosed above.

Claims (29)

1. A computer network system, comprising:

the POS printer comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

the paper tape roller is used for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, and the paper tape roll is provided with a first surface and a second surface;

the first printing head is designed to be opposite to the first surface of the paper tape roll;

the second printing head is designed to be opposite to the second side of the paper tape roll;

a controller for controlling signals to the first print head, the second print head and the roller to print a register receipt on a paper tape onto a first side of the paper tape and advertising content onto a second side of the paper tape; and

a POS terminal and a marketing computer, and wherein the POS printer includes logic to control the printer to temporarily not print a register receipt for a purchase transaction at a POS based on data transmitted to the printer from the POS terminal or POS computer until expiration of a specified time after the POS printer receives a transaction end signal for the purchase transaction.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said POS printer includes logic for not printing purchase transaction data transmitted from said POS terminal or said POS computer to said POS printer for said purchase transaction at said POS if said printer receives a print instruction for said purchase transaction from said marketing computer before said designated time after said POS printer receives said transaction end signal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said POS printer includes logic for printing said print instructions for said purchase transaction received from said marketing computer if said print instructions are received by said POS printer before said specified time after said POS printer receives said transaction end signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the POS printer comprises logic for controlling duplex printing.

5. A computer network system, comprising:

the POS printer comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

the paper tape roller is used for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, and the paper tape roll is provided with a first surface and a second surface;

the first printing head is designed to be opposite to the first surface of the paper tape roll;

the second printing head is designed to be opposite to the second side of the paper tape roll;

a controller for controlling signals to the first print head, the second print head and the roller to print a register receipt on a paper tape onto a first side of the paper tape and advertising content onto a second side of the paper tape; and

wherein the system includes logic for determining remaining space for a register receipt for a purchase transaction.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the system includes logic for deciding to sell content to fill the remaining space on the register receipt.

7. A computer network system, comprising:

the POS printer comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

the paper tape roller is used for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, and the paper tape roll is provided with a first surface and a second surface;

the first printing head is designed to be opposite to the first surface of the paper tape roll;

the second printing head is designed to be opposite to the second side of the paper tape roll;

a controller for controlling signals to the first print head, the second print head and the roller to print a register receipt on a paper tape onto a first side of the paper tape and advertising content onto a second side of the paper tape; and

logic for deciding whether the POS printer should print transaction information for a transaction based on instructions received at the POS printer and sent by a POS terminal or based on instructions received at the POS printer and sent by a marketing computer.

8. A method of manufacturing a computer network system, comprising:

providing a POS printer, wherein the POS printer comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

providing the paper tape roll for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, the paper tape roll having a first side and a second side;

providing the first print head designed to face the first side of the roll of paper tape;

providing said second printhead configured to face a second side of said roll of paper tape; and

providing a controller for controlling signals to the first printhead, the second printhead, and the rollers to print a register receipt on a paper tape onto a first side of the paper tape and advertising content on a second side of the paper tape;

logic is provided for deciding whether the POS printer should print transaction information for a transaction based on instructions received at the POS printer and sent by a POS terminal or based on instructions received at the POS printer and sent by a marketing computer.

9. A method of using a computer network system,

the system comprises:

the POS printer comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

the paper tape roller is used for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, and the paper tape roll is provided with a first surface and a second surface;

the first printing head is designed to be opposite to the first surface of the paper tape roll;

the second printing head is designed to face the second side of the paper tape roll;

a controller for controlling signals to the first print head, the second print head and the roller to print a register receipt on a paper tape on a first side of the paper tape and advertising content on a second side of the paper tape;

logic for deciding whether the POS printer should print transaction information for a transaction based on instructions received at the POS printer and sent by a POS terminal or based on instructions received at the POS printer and sent by a marketing computer;

the method comprises the following steps:

printing from the POS printer; and

deciding whether the POS printer should print transaction information for a transaction based on instructions received from the POS terminal or based on instructions received from a marketing computer.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the printing comprises printing purchase transaction data for a purchase transaction at the POS.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the printing further comprises printing of marketing information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said printing said purchase transaction data comprises printing said purchase transaction data on a first side of a paper tape and printing at least a portion of said marketing information on a second side of said paper tape.

13. A method of using a computer network system,

the system comprises:

the POS printer comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

the paper tape roller is used for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, and the paper tape roll is provided with a first surface and a second surface;

the first printing head is designed to be opposite to the first surface of the paper tape roll;

the second printing head is designed to be opposite to the second side of the paper tape roll;

a controller for controlling signals to the first print head, the second print head and the roller to print a register receipt on a first side of the paper tape and advertising content on a second side of the paper tape;

the method comprises the following steps:

printing from the POS printer; and

the remaining space is determined.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising printing marketing information on the remaining space.

15. A method of using a computer network system,

the system comprises:

the POS printer comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

the paper tape roller is used for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, and the paper tape roll is provided with a first surface and a second surface;

the first printing head is designed to be opposite to the first surface of the paper tape roll;

the second printing head is designed to be opposite to the second side of the paper tape roll;

a controller for controlling signals to the first print head, the second print head and the roller to print a register receipt on a paper tape on a first side of the paper tape and advertising content on a second side of the paper tape;

the method comprises the following steps:

printing from the POS printer; and

printing a register receipt for the purchase transaction is delayed until either a time-out period expires or the printer receives a print instruction from the marketing computer.

16. A POS printer, comprising:

the printing device comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

the paper tape roller is used for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, and the paper tape roll is provided with a first surface and a second surface;

the first printing head is designed to be opposite to the first surface of the paper tape roll;

the second printing head is designed to be opposite to the second side of the paper tape roll;

a controller for controlling signals to the first print head, the second print head and the roller to print a register receipt on a paper tape onto a first side of the paper tape and advertising content onto a second side of the paper tape; and

logic to control the printer to temporarily not print a register receipt for a purchase transaction at a POS based on data transmitted to the printer from a POS terminal or POS computer until expiration of a specified time after the POS printer receives a transaction end signal for the purchase transaction.

17. The POS printer of claim 16, wherein said POS printer includes logic for not printing purchase transaction data transmitted from said POS terminal or said POS computer to said POS printer for said purchase transaction at said POS if said printer receives a print instruction for said purchase transaction from a marketing computer before said specified time after said POS printer receives said transaction end signal.

18. The POS printer of claim 17, wherein said POS printer includes logic for printing said print instructions for said purchase transaction received from said marketing computer if said print instructions are received by said POS printer before said specified time after said POS printer receives said transaction end signal.

19. The POS printer of claim 16, wherein said POS printer comprises logic for controlling duplex printing.

20. A POS printer, comprising:

the printing device comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

the paper tape roller is used for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, and the paper tape roll is provided with a first surface and a second surface;

the first printing head is designed to be opposite to the first surface of the paper tape roll;

the second printing head is designed to be opposite to the second side of the paper tape roll;

a controller for controlling signals to the first print head, the second print head and the roller to print a register receipt on a paper tape onto a first side of the paper tape and advertising content onto a second side of the paper tape; and

wherein the POS printer includes logic to determine remaining space for a register receipt for a purchase transaction.

21. The POS printer of claim 20, wherein said POS printer includes logic for deciding to sell content to fill said remaining space on said register receipt.

22. A POS printer, comprising:

the printing device comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

the paper tape roller is used for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, and the paper tape roll is provided with a first surface and a second surface;

the first printing head is designed to be opposite to the first surface of the paper tape roll;

the second printing head is designed to be opposite to the second side of the paper tape roll;

a controller for controlling signals to the first print head, the second print head and the roller to print a register receipt on a paper tape onto a first side of the paper tape and advertising content onto a second side of the paper tape; and

logic for deciding whether the POS printer should print transaction information for a transaction based on instructions received at the POS printer and sent by a POS terminal or based on instructions received at the POS printer and sent by a marketing computer.

23. A method of manufacturing a POS printer,

the POS printer comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

the method comprises the following steps:

providing the paper tape roll for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, the paper tape roll having a first side and a second side;

providing the first print head designed to face the first side of the roll of paper tape;

providing said second printhead configured to face a second side of said roll of paper tape; and

providing a controller for controlling signals to the first printhead, the second printhead, and the rollers to print a register receipt on a paper tape onto a first side of the paper tape and advertising content on a second side of the paper tape;

logic is provided for deciding whether the POS printer should print transaction information for a transaction based on instructions received at the POS printer and sent by a POS terminal or based on instructions received at the POS printer and sent by a marketing computer.

24. A method of using a POS printer is provided,

the POS printer includes:

the printing device comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

the paper tape roller is used for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, and the paper tape roll is provided with a first surface and a second surface;

the first printing head is designed to be opposite to the first surface of the paper tape roll;

the second printing head is designed to face the second side of the paper tape roll;

a controller for controlling signals to the first print head, the second print head and the roller to print a register receipt on a paper tape on a first side of the paper tape and advertising content on a second side of the paper tape;

logic for deciding whether the POS printer should print transaction information for a transaction based on instructions received at the POS printer and sent by a POS terminal or based on instructions received at the POS printer and sent by a marketing computer;

the method comprises the following steps:

determining, using the logic, whether to print transaction information for the transaction; and

and printing the transaction information.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the printer includes purchase transaction data that prints a purchase transaction at the POS.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said printing further comprises printing of marketing information.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said printing said purchase transaction data comprises printing said purchase transaction data on a first side of a paper tape and printing at least a portion of said marketing information on a second side of said paper tape.

28. A method of using a POS printer:

the POS printer includes:

the printing device comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

the paper tape roller is used for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, and the paper tape roll is provided with a first surface and a second surface;

the first printing head is designed to be opposite to the first surface of the paper tape roll;

the second printing head is designed to be opposite to the second side of the paper tape roll;

a controller for controlling signals to the first print head, the second print head and the roller to print a register receipt on a paper tape on a first side of the paper tape and advertising content on a second side of the paper tape;

logic for determining remaining space for a register receipt for a purchase transaction;

the method comprises the following steps:

determining, using the logic, remaining space for a register receipt for the purchase transaction;

printing the registration receipt from the POS printer; and

sales information printed on the remaining space.

29. A method of using a POS printer:

the POS printer includes:

the printing device comprises a paper tape roller, a first printing head and a second printing head;

the paper tape roller is used for feeding or withdrawing a paper tape roll, and the paper tape roll is provided with a first surface and a second surface;

the first printing head is designed to be opposite to the first surface of the paper tape roll;

the second printing head is designed to be opposite to the second side of the paper tape roll;

a controller for controlling signals to the first print head, the second print head and the roller to print a register receipt on a paper tape on a first side of the paper tape and advertising content on a second side of the paper tape;

the method comprises the following steps:

causing the POS printer to delay printing a register receipt for the purchase transaction until either a time-out period expires or the printer receives a print instruction from the marketing computer.