Printer attachable to various models and types of portable devices and terminals for operation therewith

A portable printer comprising:

• a housing;
• one of a plurality of adapters releasibly attached to said housing, in which each of said adapters is capable connecting a different portable device for communication with said portable printer;
• means for printing in said housing;
• a controller for controlling said printing means in said housing;
• and
• means for communication between said controller and the portable device connected by one of said plurality of adapters to said portable printer;
• wherein said controller is capable of automatically transmitting driver software for enabling communication with the portable device when the portable device is connected to said printer by one of said plurality of adapters attached to said housing.

A portable printer comprising:

• a housing for a portable printer;
• and
• one of a plurality of adapters releasibly attached to said housing, in which each of said adapters is capable of connecting a different portable device for communication with said portable printer,
• wherein said housing further comprises means for inputting or outputting data, said inputting or outputting data means comprises one or more of an image scanner, barcode scanner, and an RFID Tag reader/writer located in said housing for communicating with at least one of said printer and said portable devices connected to said housing.

A method of providing a portable printer comprising the steps of:

• attaching a portable device adapter to a portable printer, in which said portable device adapter represents one of plurality of adapters for use with different types, kinds, or models of portable devices;
• locating a portable device in the portable device adapter to provide one of electrical, RF, or optical connection between said portable device and said portable printer;
• and
• determining the type of portable device connected to said portable printer by one of said plurality of adapters attached to said portable printer.

A portable printer for printing information on media comprising:

• a housing having means for printing information on media and a controller for controlling said printing means;
• and
• means for releasibly attaching a portable device to said housing for communication with said controller, said releasibly attaching means comprises an adapter for receiving said portable device comprising means for enabling communication between said portable device and said controller, in which said adapter represents ones of a plurality of adapters attachable to said housing to enable attachment of different portable devices,
• wherein said controller determines the type of portable device connected to said portable printer by one of said plurality of adapters attached to said housing.

A portable printer comprising:

• a housing;
• at least one adapter releasibly attached to said housing, said adapter comprising a connector for connecting said housing;
• and
• a controller located in said housing, said controller is capable of determining the type of portable device connected to said portable printer based on the configuration of said adapter.

A portable printer comprising:

• a housing for a portable printer;
• and
• one of a plurality of adapters releasibly attached to said housing, in which each of said adapters is capable of connecting a different portable device for communication with said portable printer,
• wherein said housing further comprises an RFID Tag reader/writer located in said housing for communicating with at least one of said printer and said portable devices connected to said housing.