Bluetooth Enabled Printers

Wireless connectivity got a whole new meaning with the invention of Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth provides a way for professionals on the move to take advantage of using their printer whilst on the road and helps to cut down the amount of mobile gadgets they need to carry around. Bluetooth is also a valuable tool for mobile professionals who use their vehicles as an office. You can set up the printer and not worry about cables getting in your way. Some printers and computers come with Bluetooth receivers already installed. Others will require an adaptor in order to use Bluetooth signals. The process of sending and receiving a Bluetooth signal is very similar to IrDA devices. Instead of converting computer data into pulses of light, a Bluetooth device converts the signal into radio signals and transmits them. Other Bluetooth devices receive the signals and convert them back into data. Unlike IrDA, Bluetooth signals aren’t dependent upon line of sight. Bluetooth networks can extend beyond walls, doors and different levels of a building.  As long as the devices are within range, they can interact. With a Bluetooth network, it’s possible to send print jobs from multiple devices to the same printer. You can have your own printer network set up in your home or office.

Top tips on using a Bluetooth enabled printer.

1. Limited Range

When using a Bluetooth enabled printer you might find that the range is an issue. The range of distance within which printing is possible is from about 30 to 330 feet. This would of course depend on the hardware configuration. The higher the range, the more power is needed and this could drain the battery in the long run.

2. USB Ports

Some printers have a Pictbridge USB port which is compatible with any Bluetooth adapter. This will make printing from any Bluetooth device easier. Pictbridge is a hardware interface technology that enables your printer to access and print images and files from your mobile or PDA. To perform Pictbridge printing you need to:

a) Connect the USB device

b) Wait until both devices have recognised each other

c) Select from the menu that appears the set of images or files you want to print

d) The menu will offer the option to change the size, layout and resolution of the images

e) Select “print”

3. Hacking

Make sure you don’t have your Bluetooth enabled device set to “discoverable mode”. This makes it possible for your IP address to be known by any person with malicious intent. Most of these attacks are aimed at mobile phones or PDA’s by using fictitious names that are familiar to you. If you connect to their device even once, chances are the hackers can keep connecting to your device and use it for malicious purposes, such as sending viruses or deleting your important files.

4. Enable encryption

For security reasons, you should always enable encryption for any Bluetooth transfer you make. In order to enable encryption on your Bluetooth device you will need to use the Bluetooth connection wizard, which is usually on windows operating systems.

5. Keep your firmware updated

This is also essential to ensure speed and agility in your mobile phone whilst printing through a wireless printer. To do this, ensure your mobile phones firmware is always kept updated.