Printer USB Hub for Connecting Peripheral Devices

Abstract

To provide a printing device having a USB hub structure that can be connected to ready-made or dedicated peripheral devices.SOLUTION: A printing device 200 includes an internal power supply 218 within a body 204. A processor 224 and printing components 240 are connected to the internal power supply. A user interface (UI) 212 is external to the body and is connected to the processor and the internal power supply. The UI has a universal serial bus (USB) connection. A USB hub structure 300 is within the body and is connected to the processor, the internal power supply, and the UI. The USB hub structure includes an integrated circuit (IC), a power connector connected to the internal power supply, and a plurality of USB connectors connected to the IC. The USB connectors can extend through the body, and one of the USB connectors connects the USB connection of the UI to the processor and the internal power supply.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Background Art

[0001] The systems and methods described herein generally relate to printing devices, and more specifically, to the connection of peripheral devices of such printing devices.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0002] When designing a printing device (e.g., a laser printer, an inkjet printer, an offset printer, a multi-function device (MFD) capable of printing, scanning, faxing, etc.), it is often efficient to procure components for other uses. For example, a touch screen user interface for a printing device improves user convenience. Furthermore, touch screen devices are generally available and are used in laptop computers, tablet devices, mobile phones, etc., so they can be purchased as off-the-shelf (commercial-off-the-shelf, COTS) products and easily attached to the printing device. This eliminates the need to design and develop dedicated touch screen devices, barcode readers, credit card readers, etc. for each different printing device.

[0003] Using off-the-shelf devices has such advantages, but they can also be troubled by other characteristics. In one embodiment, the connection between the processor and other printer peripheral devices may be difficult, and the way the off-the-shelf device is powered may be cumbersome and unappealing. Also, off-the-shelf devices often generate unnecessary heat in the inexpensive and inefficient internal power supply mounted in the enclosure that confines heat. In addition, although the manufacturer can save design and manufacturing resources by purchasing off-the-shelf devices from the supplier, such devices can be more expensive compared to in-house manufactured USB hub devices.

[0004] In one embodiment, it may be necessary to design a unique wiring element that connects the printer's processor and other components to the input / output of an off-the-shelf device. Additionally, off-the-shelf devices are generally designed and manufactured at a relatively low cost. However, a common result of such cost reduction is that off-the-shelf devices may have a short service life, which can cause mechanical redesigns, software changes, and further regression testing, which can consume design and testing resources unnecessarily.

[0005] Also, off-the-shelf devices are often designed using a standardized AC / DC converter ("brick") that converts the alternating current (AC) of an electrical outlet to the direct current (DC) of a specific voltage / current amount used by that off-the-shelf device. Off-the-shelf devices advantageously utilize such a dedicated AC / DC converter to enable the off-the-shelf device to be used in a wider range of applications and to relieve the printer designer of any concerns regarding supplying the off-the-shelf device with the correct power. However, again, such off-the-shelf devices require complex connections and may require the customer to provide an additional AC outlet to operate the printer.

[0006] The exemplary printing device described herein includes an internal power source within the body of the printing device, among other components. Additionally, the processor is located within the body and is connected to the internal power source. Further, the printing component is located within the body and is connected to the internal power source and the processor. The user interface (e.g., a tablet interface device) is located external to the body but is connected to the processor and the internal power source. The user interface has a single universal serial bus (USB) connection for connecting to the processor, peripherals, etc.

[0007] The USB hub structure is also located within the body of the printing device and is connected to a processor, an internal power supply, a user interface, and other peripheral devices. In some embodiments described herein, the USB hub structure can include a circuit board (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)) positioned within the body of the printing device. Such a circuit board includes components such as integrated circuits (ICs) mounted on the circuit board within the body, a power connector mounted on the circuit board within the body and connected to the internal power supply, a backplane connector mounted on the circuit board within the body and connected to the IC and the processor, an Ethernet connector mounted on the circuit board and connected to the IC, and a plurality of USB connectors mounted on the circuit board and connected to the IC.

[0008] Most of the components of the circuit board are inside the body of the printing device, but some of the USB connectors and the Ethernet connector optionally extend through the body to enable easy connection of external devices to the circuit board. For example, at least one of the USB connectors connects the USB connection of the user interface to the processor and to the internal power supply via a circuit board power connector. Also, a barcode reader and / or a credit card reader can be connected to at least one of the internal USB connectors (and optionally, the Ethernet connector). In a further embodiment, a light emitting diode (LED) connector can be mounted on the circuit board and connected to the IC, and the LED connector can also enable connection to an LED board having an LED light and visible from a position outside the body.

[0009] In some embodiments, the internal power supply is an AC / DC converter, and the USB hub structure is separated from the internal power supply to prevent heat generated by the AC / DC converter from reaching the circuit board. Further, the USB hub PCBA can also have a high-efficiency DC-DC converter that further reduces the heat generated in or near the circuit board.

[0010] Accordingly, the USB connection of the user interface to one of the USB connectors supplies both data and power to the user interface, which is the only electrical and communication connection between the user interface and the printing device. This eliminates multiple connections to the user interface and simplifies connecting the user interface to the printing device.

[0011] These features and other features are described in or will be apparent from the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] With reference to the accompanying drawings, various exemplary systems and methods will be described in detail below.

[0013]

Figure 1

[0014]

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

[0015]

Figure 3

[0016]

Figure 4

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] As described above, off-the-shelf devices can relax design requirements. However, this can also permit the undesirable use of multiple connections for power and communication, and some of these connections can be complex to design. Further, a separate power source for off-the-shelf devices may undesirably require more AC outlets, and the inefficient internal power sources of such devices can generate excessive heat and be unstable.

[0018] Accordingly, the systems and methods herein provide a custom-designed universal serial bus (USB) hub integrated with a printing device that connects to off-the-shelf or dedicated peripheral devices. The printer-integrated USB hub provided herein supplies both power connections and communication connections via each individual USB connector, thereby simplifying and improving the appearance of the connection between the peripheral device and the printing device. Further, a power source integrated into the printing device (e.g., a power source that supplies power to all other components of the printing device) is designed herein to supply the specific DC voltage / current levels used by each different peripheral device expected to be connected to the printing device, eliminating the need for the USB hub to perform AC / DC power conversion, reducing costs, reducing heat generation, and increasing reliability. Also, the USB hub enables the peripheral device to connect directly to other peripheral devices that can be connected to the USB hub, including barcode readers, card readers, customer devices, etc., thereby providing additional USB ports used by the system and reducing the load on the bandwidth of the printing device's processor to avoid associated processing delays and unnecessary consumption of printing processor resources.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows many components of the printer structure 200 described herein, which can include, for example, a printer, a copier, a multifunction machine, a multi-function device (MFD), a kiosk, a portable printer, etc. The printing device 200 includes a controller / tangible processor 224 within a sealed body 204. A communication port (input / output) 214 is operably connected to the tangible processor 224 and an external computerized network of the printing device 200. Also, the printing device 200 can include at least one accessory functional component such as a user interface (UI) assembly 212. A user can receive messages, instructions, and menu options from the user interface or control panel 212 and input instructions through them.

[0020] The input / output device 214 is used for communication between the printing device 200 and includes a wired device or a wireless device (any form, whether currently known or developed in the future). The tangible processor 224 controls various operations of the printing device 200. The non-transitory and tangible computer storage media device 210 (which can be optical, magnetic, capacitor-based, etc., and different from a transient signal) is readable by the tangible processor 224 and stores instructions executed by the tangible processor 224, and when these instructions are executed, it enables the computerized device 200 to perform its various functions such as the functions described herein. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the body housing 204 houses one or more functional components that operate on power supplied from an alternating current (AC) source 220 that has been converted by a power supply 218 to an appropriate voltage, current, current amount, etc. The power supply 218 can include a common power conversion unit (inverter, converter, etc.), a power storage element (e.g., a battery, etc.).

[0021] The printing device 200 uses marking materials and includes at least one marking device (print engine(s)) 240 operably connected to a processor 224. The media path 236 is positioned to supply continuous media or sheets of media from the sheet feeder 230 to the marking device(s) 240 and the like. After receiving various markings from the print engine(s) 240, the sheet of media can optionally proceed to a finisher 234 that can perform operations such as folding, stapling, sorting, etc. on the various printed sheets. The printing device 200 can also include at least one accessory functional component (e.g., a scanner / document handler 232 (automatic document feeder (ADF)), etc.) that operates on power supplied from an external power source 220 (via the power supply 218).

[0022] The one or more print engines 240 are intended to represent any marking device applicable in two-dimensional or three-dimensional printing processes to continuous media, sheets of media, fixed platforms, etc., using marking materials (such as toner, ink, plastic, organic materials, etc.), whether currently known or to be developed in the future. The print engine 240 can include devices that use, for example, an electrophotographic toner printer, an inkjet print head, a contact print head, a three-dimensional printer, etc. The one or more print engines 240 can include devices that use, for example, a photoreceptor belt or an intermediate transfer belt, or devices that print directly onto the print media (such as an inkjet printer, a ribbon-based contact printer, etc.).

[0023] Thus, as shown, the processor 224 is located within the main body 204 and is connected to the internal power source 218. Further, the printing component 240 is located within the main body 204 and is connected to the internal power source 218 and the processor 224. The user interface 212 can be, for example, a (potentially removable) tablet interface device (such as a touch screen, etc.), which is shown in FIG. 1 as being located outside the main body 204 but is shown as being connected to the processor 224 and the internal power source 218 via a single universal serial bus (USB) connection 306. The USB hub structure 300 is also located within the main body 204, is integral with the printing device 200, and is connected to the processor 224, the internal power source 218, the user interface 212, etc.

[0024] FIGS. 2A-2B show in more detail some elements of the user interface 212 and the universal serial bus (USB) hub structure 300. Specifically, FIGS. 2A-2B show a single device having the same circuit board 308, which is shown generally in FIG. 2A and in more detail in FIG. 2B. The wiring connections to the circuit board 308 are shown using the letters A-L in both FIGS. 2A and 2B, and such are intended to represent the same continuous direct electrical connection.

[0025] Thus, in some embodiments described herein, the USB hub structure 300 can include a circuit board 308 (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)) located within the main body 204 of the printing device 200. Such a circuit board 308 includes components such as integrated circuit chips (ICs 342) mounted on the circuit board 308 within the main body 204. As will be understood, the wiring (not shown to avoid clutter) from the circuit board 308 within (and potentially through) the main body 204 can adapt to any physical space that may exist between the circuit board 308 and the main body 204 within the interior of the printing device 200.

[0026] At least one Ethernet connector 340 (e.g., 10 / 100) can be mounted on the circuit board 308 and connected to an IC 342 or the like. Also, a plurality of USB connectors 330 to 338 can be mounted on the circuit board 308 and connected to an IC 342 or the like. The USB connectors 330 to 338 can include many different types of USB connectors, including 2.0 type A 332, 334, 336, type B 330, 2.0 type C 338, and the like. Also, for example, the host USB port 304 can be connected to the USB connector 330, and the USB connector 332 can be provided as one or more customer ports 310 for the connected customer item. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and discussed in more detail below, these connectors can extend through the body 204 to allow for easy connection from outside the printing device 200. Most of the other USB connections described herein are located entirely internally, improving security and reducing external clutter.

[0027] The IC 342 enables direct communication between these various connectors, allowing one device to communicate directly with another device plugged into a different connector without the need to go through the processor 224 of the printing device 200. Thus, the USB hub 300 allows peripheral devices to connect directly to other peripheral devices, including a barcode reader 312, a card reader 314, customer devices 310, a user interface 212, and the like, thereby bypassing the processor 224 of the printing device 200 and avoiding associated processing delays and unnecessary consumption of the computing resources of the processor 224.

[0028] Peripheral devices in any form can be connected to connectors 300 to 338, 340. For example, a barcode reader 312 and / or a credit card reader 314 that form a part outside the main body 204 can be internally connected to at least one of the USB connectors (e.g., USB connectors 334 and 336, and optionally the Ethernet connector 340). In a further embodiment, a light emitting diode (LED) connector 328 can be mounted on the circuit board 308 and connected to the IC 342, and the LED connector 328 can also be connected to an LED board 316 having an LED light visible from a position outside the main body 204.

[0029] Also, power connectors / converters 320, 324 (e.g., 5V boost) are mounted on the circuit board 308 within the main body 204, and such items are connected to the internal power supply 218. As shown in FIGS. 2A - 2B, a backplane connector 326 (e.g., a low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) connector) and a backplane converter 322 (e.g., 24V - 5V) are mounted on the circuit board 308 within the main body 204 and connected to the IC 342 and the processor 224 via the MFP backplane 302. The MFP backplane 302 is separated from the USB hub 300 and includes wirings, buses, etc. that interconnect various things such as the internal components shown in FIG. 1 discussed above. In some embodiments, the backplane converter / connector 322, 326 can be adapted to handle power, LED control, power switch control, etc.

[0030] In some embodiments, the internal power supply 218 is an AC / DC converter, and the USB hub structure 300 is physically separated from the internal power supply 218 by a distance sufficient to thermally isolate the heat generated by the AC / DC converter 218 from reaching the circuit board 308, thereby improving the reliability of the circuit board 308. Further, the internal power supply 218 has components sized to generate a voltage / current output that meets the input requirements of various connected devices such as the user interface 212, which eliminates the circuit board 308 from performing significant voltage / current increases or decreases, thereby further reducing the heat generated at or near the circuit board 308.

[0031] Accordingly, the various power connectors / converters 320 - 324 shown in FIGS. 2A - 2B can filter, condition, and convert the power output of various devices, but since all or most (e.g., over 85%, 90%, or 95%) of the power conversion is performed by the internal power supply 218 of the printing device 200, power loss and heat generation are minimized. For example, AC / DC power conversion can generate more heat compared to DC / DC conversion, and the USB hub structure 300 can delegate all AC / DC conversion to the internal power supply 218 in order to reduce heat generation in the USB hub structure 300 by performing only DC / DC conversion.

[0032] Accordingly, the various power connectors / converters 320 - 324 primarily act as pass - through devices that simply transfer or slightly condition the voltage / current supplied to the external USB connector by the internal power supply 218. The various power connectors / converters 320 - 324 can verify, filter, and slightly condition the voltage / current received from the internal power supply 218. However, power conversion itself is not the primary function of such power connectors / converters 320 - 324, which allows the power connectors / converters 320 - 324 to be miniaturized, lightweight, and inexpensive.

[0033] Specifically, the internal power supply 218 is a larger and higher-performance component, similar to any of the high-efficiency power converters on the USB hub structure 300, compared to the stand-alone "brick" AC / DC converters associated with peripheral devices that are typically cost-optimized to be as inexpensive as possible. This makes the internal power supply 218 more reliable and capable of converting power more efficiently with lower power losses and less heat generation. Additionally, the internal power supply 218 can include a dedicated cooling mechanism (such as a fan, heat sink, liquid cooling, etc.), which allows for easy and efficient handling of the heat generated by the internal power supply 218. Therefore, the USB hub structure 300 described herein is freed from heat-related performance and reliability issues by using the internal power supply 218 to perform most of the power conversion. Again, the power converters of off-the-shelf devices are generally located within the enclosure, which traps heat and allows it to accumulate inside the printing device.

[0034] In some non-limiting embodiments, the internal power supply 218 can have a controllable output that can output a specific voltage (e.g., 1V, 5V, 10V, 15V, 25V, etc.) and current amount (1A, 2A, 5A, 10A, 20A, etc.) of DC current. The voltage / current amount output by the internal power supply 218 can be established in advance based on what the designer anticipates is likely to be connected to the USB hub 300, or the IC 342 can dynamically control the internal power supply 218 to dynamically adjust the variable components of the internal power supply 218 to generate the required voltage / current amount for a specific peripheral device. Data communication between the peripheral device and the IC 342 can potentially enable the IC 342 to query the connected peripheral device to determine the specific voltage / current amount required by that connected peripheral device. Again, this allows the power connectors / converters 320 - 324 to mostly pass through without performing power conversion since the internal power supply 218 performs most of the power conversion that generates heat.

[0035] Furthermore, since the USB hub 300 can supply power while the USB connectors 330 to 338 provide communication, all connections to peripheral devices are dramatically simplified. Specifically, the USB connection 306 of the user interface 212 to one of the USB connectors 338 supplies both data and power to the user interface 212. Thus, the USB connectors 330 to 338 are the only electrical and communication connections between the peripheral devices and the printing device 200. This eliminates multiple connections to the peripheral devices and simplifies connecting the peripheral devices to the printing device 200.

[0036] Figure 3 shows a printing and document / image processing kiosk 400 designed for use in a public space. Such a device can include the components shown in FIG. 1 discussed above. The kiosk 400 can also include various USB connectors 430 for user access, among other components, which can be identified on the outer surface of the main body 204 by notations of various voltage / current amounts on the labels 432. Again, the outer surface of the main body 204 also enables access to the user-accessible portions of the barcode reader 402, credit card reader 404, and touch screen user interface 412, all of which are internally connected to the internal USB hub 300, which is shown using a dashed line in FIG. 3 to indicate its internal location. The output tray 406 provides any printed output to the user of the kiosk 400.

[0037] The USB hub 300 within the kiosk 400 enables all peripheral devices 402, 404, 412, 430 to be easily and efficiently interconnected with each other and with the processing components of the kiosk 400. Thus, when cost-effective, each such device 402, 404, 412, 430 can be a off-the-shelf or specially designed device simply integrated together using the internal USB hub 300. As an additional feature, the externally supplied USB connector 430 enables one or more users to transfer data with the kiosk 400 and simultaneously charge their individual smart devices using the voltage and current preferred by that user.

[0038] The IC 342 of the USB hub 300 has components and software elements that automatically recognize and match the communication protocols and requirements of the various devices connected to the USB hub 300, such that simply physically connecting a device to the USB connections 330 - 338, 430 is the only action needed to automatically establish proper data communication between such diverse devices. In some situations, minor programming and / or modification of the IC 342 may be useful for enabling full and proper communication between the various devices connected to and through the USB hub 300, with respect to some specific devices.

[0039] Accordingly, for example, the touch screen 412 can emulate the expansion of a user's smart device connected to one of the USB connectors 430. Similarly, the various readers 402, 404 need not be specially designed for the kiosk and can instead be powered and directly controlled through the USB hub 300. Further, the readers 402, 404 can be directly controlled by the user's connected smart device or by a processor within the kiosk 400. Thus, the internal USB hub 300 enables such kiosk devices 400 to be easily and efficiently designed, assembled, and powered from individual, unrelated components without requiring significant interconnection between such diverse elements.

[0040] FIG. 4 similarly shows another example of a commercially available multi-function device (MFD) 450 that can include the components shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 discussed above. Alternatively (or in addition), the MFD 450 can include a near field communication (NFC) reader device 410 and an Ethernet connector 428. Similar to what was discussed above, the NFC reader 410 can be simply added to the MFD 450 through physical placement and physical USB connection to the USB hub 300 without substantially designing the power requirements and communication requirements.

[0041] Although some exemplary structures are shown in the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, and the claims presented below, although not shown, will include more (potentially not so many) features commonly utilized with such devices and systems. Accordingly, the applicant does not intend that the claims presented below be limited by the accompanying drawings. Instead, the accompanying drawings are provided merely to illustrate some of the ways in which the claimed features may be implemented.

[0042] Many computerized devices have been discussed above. Computerized devices including chip-based central processing units (CPUs), input / output devices (including graphic user interfaces (GUIs), memories, comparators, tangible processors, etc.) are well-known and readily available devices manufactured by manufacturers such as Dell Computers, Round Rock TX, USA, and Apple Computer Co., Cupertino CA, USA. Such computerized devices generally include input / output devices, power supplies, tangible processors, electronic memory memories, wiring, etc., the details of which are omitted herein to enable the reader to focus on the salient aspects of the systems and methods described herein. Similarly, printers, copiers, scanners, and other similar peripheral devices are available from Xerox Corporation, Norwalk, CT, USA, and the details of such devices are not discussed herein for the sake of brevity and the reader's focus.

[0043] As used herein, the terms "printer" or "printing device" encompass any device that performs a printing output function for any purpose, such as digital copiers, bookbinding machines, facsimile machines, multifunction machines, etc. The details of printers, print engines, etc. are well-known and are not described in detail herein to maintain the present disclosure focused on the salient features presented. The systems and methods herein can include systems and methods that print in color, monochrome, or handle color or monochrome image data. All of the foregoing systems and methods are particularly applicable to machines and / or processes of electrophotographic and / or dry copying methods.

[0044] In addition, terms such as "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "beneath", "below", "under", "above", "over", "parallel", "perpendicular", etc. used herein are understood to be relative locations when they are oriented and shown in the drawings (unless otherwise specified). Terms such as "touching", "on", "in direct contact with", "abutting", "directly adjacent" mean that at least one element physically contacts another element (with no other element separating the recited elements). Further, the terms "automated" or "automatically" mean that when a process is initiated (by a machine or a user), one or more machines perform the process without any further input from any user. In addition, terms such as "adapted to" mean that a device is specifically designed to have special internal or external components that automatically perform a particular operation or function at a particular point in the processes described herein, and such special components are physically shaped and positioned to perform the specified operation / function (in some cases, without any input or action from an operator) at the processing points shown herein. In the drawings of this specification, the same identification numbers identify the same or similar items.

[0045] It will be understood that the features and functions disclosed above, and other features and functions, or alternatives to these, may be desirably combined in other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or without precedent alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art, and these are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. Unless specifically defined in a particular claim itself, the steps or components of the systems and methods herein are not limited to any particular order, number, position, size, shape, angle, color, or material, and thus cannot be implied or imported from any of the above examples.

Claims

1. A printing device, comprising: a main body; an internal power source within the main body; a processor located within the main body and connected to the internal power source; a printing component located within the main body and connected to the internal power source and the processor; a user interface located outside the main body and connected to the processor and the internal power source, the user interface having a universal serial bus (USB) connection; a USB hub structure located within the main body and connected to the processor, the internal power source, and the user interface; wherein the USB hub structure comprises: an integrated circuit (IC); a power connector connected to the internal power source; a plurality of USB connectors connected to the IC; a light emitting diode (LED) connector mounted on the USB hub structure and connected to the IC, the LED connector extending through the main body; an LED substrate provided outside the main body with an LED light and connected to the LED connector; one of the USB connectors connects the USB connection of the user interface to the processor and the internal power source; a printing device, wherein the USB connection of the user interface to one of the USB connectors supplies data and power to the user interface.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the internal power source is separated from the USB hub structure and comprises a converter that outputs direct current (DC) to the power connector.

3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the internal power source has an output that meets the input requirements of the user interface.

4. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the USB connection of the user interface to one of the USB connectors is the only electrical connection and communication connection between the user interface and the printing device.

5. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a barcode reader and a credit card reader connected to the USB connector.

6. A printing device, comprising: a main body; an internal power source within the main body; A processor within the body and connected to the internal power supply; Printing components located within the body and connected to the internal power supply and the processor; A tablet device located outside the body and connected to the processor and the internal power supply, the tablet device having a universal serial bus (USB) connection; A USB hub structure located within the body and connected to the processor, the internal power supply, and the tablet device; The USB hub structure includes: A substrate within the body having an integrated circuit (IC); A power connector mounted on the substrate within the body and connected to the internal power supply; An Ethernet connector mounted on the substrate and connected to the IC, the Ethernet connector extending through the body; A plurality of USB connectors mounted on the substrate and connected to the IC; A light emitting diode (LED) connector mounted on the substrate and connected to the IC, the LED connector extending through the body; An LED substrate provided outside the body with an LED light and connected to the LED connector; One of the USB connectors connects the USB connection of the tablet device to the processor and the internal power supply via the substrate; The USB connection of the tablet device to one of the USB connectors supplies data and power to the tablet device, a printing device.

7. The printing device according to claim 6, wherein the internal power supply is separated from the substrate and includes a converter that outputs direct current (DC) to the power connector.

8. The printing device according to claim 6, wherein the internal power supply has an output that matches the input requirements of the tablet device.

9. The printing device according to claim 6, wherein the USB connection of the tablet device to one of the USB connectors is the only electrical connection and communication connection between the tablet device and the printing device.

10. The printing device according to claim 6, further comprising at least one of a barcode reader and a credit card reader connected to at least one of the USB connector and the Ethernet connector.

11. A printing device, comprising: A main body; An internal power source within the main body, the internal power source comprising an AC / DC converter; A processor located within the main body and connected to the internal power source; A printing component located within the main body and connected to the internal power source and the processor; A tablet interface device located outside the main body and connected to the processor and the internal power source, the tablet interface device having a universal serial bus (USB) connection; A USB hub structure located within the main body and connected to the processor, the internal power source, and the tablet interface device; The USB hub structure is separated from the internal power source; The USB hub structure; A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) within the main body having an integrated circuit (IC); A power connector mounted on the PCBA within the main body and connected to the internal power source; A backplane connector mounted on the PCBA within the main body and connected to the IC and the processor; An Ethernet connector mounted on the PCBA and connected to the IC, the Ethernet connector extending through the main body; A plurality of USB connectors mounted on the PCBA and connected to the IC; A light emitting diode (LED) connector mounted on the PCBA and connected to the IC, the LED connector extending through the main body; An LED substrate provided outside the main body and having an LED light connected to the LED connector; One of the USB connectors extends through the main body; One of the USB connectors connects the USB connection of the tablet interface device to the processor and the internal power source via the PCBA; A printing device in which the USB connection of the tablet interface device to one of the USB connectors supplies data and power to the tablet interface device. **Claim 12** The printing device according to claim 11, wherein the internal power source has an output that meets the input requirements of the tablet interface device. **Claim 13** The printing device according to claim 11, wherein the USB connection of the tablet interface device to one of the USB connectors is the only electrical and communication connection between the tablet interface device and the printing device. **Claim 14** The printing device according to claim 11, further comprising at least one of a barcode reader and a credit card reader connected to at least one of the USB connector and the Ethernet connector.

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