Print to thermal Printer via Usb from Android Device

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Hi,
I need to print to a thermal printer via usb from an android tablet, my first question is, can this be done?
I am working with sending data to a thermal printer from my application. I already have it working correctly over the network and my data prints correctly. There is now an additional requirement whereby we also have to be able to print via usb.

Here is what I've tried:

SQL

private UsbManager mUsbManager;
    private UsbDevice mDevice;
    private UsbDeviceConnection mConnection;
    private UsbInterface mInterface;
    private UsbEndpoint mEndPoint;
    private PendingIntent mPermissionIntent;
    private Context mContext;
    // private BroadcastReceiver mUsbReceiver;
    private static final String ACTION_USB_PERMISSION = "com.android.example.USB_PERMISSION";
    private static Boolean forceCLaim = true;

    HashMap<String, UsbDevice> mDeviceList;
    Iterator<UsbDevice> mDeviceIterator;

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_my);

        mUsbManager = (UsbManager) getSystemService(Context.USB_SERVICE);
        mDeviceList = mUsbManager.getDeviceList();

        mContext = this.getApplicationContext();

        mDeviceIterator = mDeviceList.values().iterator();

        Button print = (Button)findViewById(R.id.print);

        Toast.makeText(this, "Device List Size: " + String.valueOf(mDeviceList.size()), Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        TextView textView = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.usbDevice);
        String usbDevice = "";
        while (mDeviceIterator.hasNext()) {
            UsbDevice usbDevice1 = mDeviceIterator.next();
            usbDevice += "\n" +
                    "DeviceID: " + usbDevice1.getDeviceId() + "\n" +
                    "DeviceName: " + usbDevice1.getDeviceName() + "\n" +
                    "Protocol: " + usbDevice1.getDeviceProtocol() + "\n" +
                    //"Product Name: " + usbDevice1.getProductName() +"\n" +
                    // "Manufacturer Name: " + usbDevice1.getManufacturerName() + "\n" +
                    "DeviceClass: " + usbDevice1.getDeviceClass() + " - " + translateDeviceClass(usbDevice1.getDeviceClass()) + "\n" +
                    "DeviceSubClass: " + usbDevice1.getDeviceSubclass() + "\n" +
                    "VendorID: " + usbDevice1.getVendorId() + "\n" +
                    "ProductID: " + usbDevice1.getProductId() + "\n";

            int interfaceCount = usbDevice1.getInterfaceCount();
            Toast.makeText(this, "INTERFACE COUNT: " + String.valueOf(interfaceCount), Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();

            mDevice = usbDevice1;

            if (mDevice == null) {
                Toast.makeText(this, "mDevice is null", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
            }else{
                Toast.makeText(this, "mDevice is not null", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
            }
            textView.setText(usbDevice);
        }

        mPermissionIntent = PendingIntent.getBroadcast(this, 0, new Intent(ACTION_USB_PERMISSION), 0);
        IntentFilter filter = new IntentFilter(ACTION_USB_PERMISSION);
        registerReceiver(mUsbReceiver, filter);
        mUsbManager.requestPermission(mDevice, mPermissionIntent);

        print.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
            @Override
            public void onClick(View view) {
                print(mConnection, mInterface);
            }
        });
    }

    private String translateDeviceClass(int deviceClass){
        switch(deviceClass){
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_APP_SPEC:
                return "Application specific USB class";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_AUDIO:
                return "USB class for audio devices";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_CDC_DATA:
                return "USB class for CDC devices (communications device class)";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_COMM:
                return "USB class for communication devices";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_CONTENT_SEC:
                return "USB class for content security devices";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_CSCID:
                return "USB class for content smart card devices";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_HID:
                return "USB class for human interface devices (for example, mice and keyboards)";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_HUB:
                return "USB class for USB hubs";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_MASS_STORAGE:
                return "USB class for mass storage devices";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_MISC:
                return "USB class for wireless miscellaneous devices";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_PER_INTERFACE:
                return "USB class indicating that the class is determined on a per-interface basis";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_PHYSICA:
                return "USB class for physical devices";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_PRINTER:
                return "USB class for printers";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_STILL_IMAGE:
                return "USB class for still image devices (digital cameras)";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_VENDOR_SPEC:
                return "Vendor specific USB class";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_VIDEO:
                return "USB class for video devices";
            case UsbConstants.USB_CLASS_WIRELESS_CONTROLLER:
                return "USB class for wireless controller devices";
            default: return "Unknown USB class!";
        }
    }

    private void print(final UsbDeviceConnection connection, final UsbInterface usbInterface) {
        final Handler handler = new Handler();
        Thread thread = new Thread() {

            @Override
            public void run() {
                try {
                    UsbRequest request = new UsbRequest();
                    handler.post(new Runnable() {
                        @Override
                        public void run() {
                            Toast.makeText(mContext, "PRINT IS CALLED", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                        }
                    });

                    String test = "THIS IS A PRINT TEST";
                    final byte[] testBytes = test.getBytes();
                    final int length = testBytes.length;

                    if (usbInterface == null) {
                        handler.post(new Runnable() {
                            @Override
                            public void run() {
                                Toast.makeText(mContext, "INTERFACE IS NULL", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                            }
                        });
                    }
                    if (connection == null) {
                        handler.post(new Runnable() {
                            @Override
                            public void run() {
                                Toast.makeText(mContext, "CONNECTION IS NULL", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                            }
                        });

                    } else {
                    }
                    if (forceCLaim == null) {
                        handler.post(new Runnable() {
                            @Override
                            public void run() {
                                Toast.makeText(mContext, "FORCE CLAIM IS NULL", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                            }
                        });

                    } else {
                    }
                    if(connection.claimInterface(usbInterface, forceCLaim)){
                        handler.post(new Runnable() {
                            @Override
                            public void run() {
                                Toast.makeText(mContext, "INTERFACE CLAIM SUCCESSFUL", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                            }
                        });
                        if (mEndPoint == null){
                            handler.post(new Runnable() {
                                @Override
                                public void run() {
                                    Toast.makeText(mContext, "END POINT IS NULL", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                                }
                            });
                        }
                        connection.controlTransfer(0x40, 0x03, 0x4138, 0, null, 0, 0);

                        handler.post(new Runnable() {
                            @Override
                            public void run() {
                                Toast.makeText(mContext, "CONTROL TRANSFER SET", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                            }
                        });

                        final int transferResult = connection.bulkTransfer(mEndPoint, testBytes, length, 5000);
                        handler.post(new Runnable() {
                            @Override
                            public void run() {
                                Toast.makeText(mContext, "BULK TRANSFER RESULT: " + String.valueOf(transferResult), Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                            }
                        });

                        if(transferResult == length || transferResult == 0) {
                            handler.post(new Runnable() {
                                @Override
                                public void run() {
                                    Toast.makeText(mContext, "TRANSFER SUCCESSFUL", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                                }
                            });

                        }else{
                            handler.post(new Runnable() {
                                @Override
                                public void run() {
                                    Toast.makeText(mContext, "TRANSFER UNSUCCESSFUL", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                                }
                            });
                        }
                    }else{
                        handler.post(new Runnable() {
                            @Override
                            public void run() {
                                Toast.makeText(mContext, "INTERFACE CLAIM UNSUCCESSFUL", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                            }
                        });
                    }

                } catch (Exception e) {}
            }
        };
        thread.start();
    }

bulk transfer is successful, however there is no printing. Could someone please advise?...

Posted 21-Jan-15 6:13am

GaryDoo

Updated 29-Oct-17 18:34pm

v2

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Member 1046880 4-Feb-15 23:02pm

I am also looking for usb printing on Android, do you have luck?

2 solutions

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This content, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

IT PRASUMA · Answer 1 · 2022-07-03T19:22:00

Solution 2

Hi Gary Doo,
I'm also finding the solution for the same problem. But I have one question, as you said you are successfully printing to thermal printer from android phone over the network, can you please tell me the solution to print over the network from Android Phone.

Posted 3-Jul-22 19:22pm

IT PRASUMA

Updated 3-Jul-22 19:40pm

v2

Comments

CHill60 4-Jul-22 5:52am

If you have a question then use the red "Ask a Question" link at the top of the page. Do not post questions or comments as a "solution" to another member's question.

IT PRASUMA 4-Jul-22 6:38am

I'm not questioning, I'm just want to know the method, as Mr. Gary Doo mentioned, to print to thermal printer via USB over network. Sorry, if this was the wrong way.

CHill60 4-Jul-22 8:49am

"What is the method ..." is a question. By posting your query/question/need for information as a solution you are severely limiting the number of people who will see it. GaryDoo doesn't appear to have been active in this site since 2015, so you are better off asking the general population rather than an individual.
Note however the posting guidelines. You are expected to do your own research first e.g. print to thermal printer from android over network - Google Search[^]

Member 13492707 · Answer 2 · 2017-10-29T18:33:00

Add before the print method

final BroadcastReceiver mUsbReceiver = new BroadcastReceiver() {
    @Override
    public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
        String action = intent.getAction();
        if (ACTION_USB_PERMISSION.equals(action)) {
            synchronized (this) {
                UsbDevice device = (UsbDevice) intent.getParcelableExtra(UsbManager.EXTRA_DEVICE);

                if (intent.getBooleanExtra(UsbManager.EXTRA_PERMISSION_GRANTED, false)) {
                    if (device != null) {
                        //call method to set up device communication
                        mInterface = device.getInterface(0);
                        mEndPoint = mInterface.getEndpoint(0);
                        mConnection = mUsbManager.openDevice(device);

                        //setup();
                    }
                } else {
                    //Log.d("SUB", "permission denied for device " + device);
                    Toast.makeText(context, "PERMISSION DENIED FOR THIS DEVICE", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                }
            }
        }
    }
};

Print to thermal Printer via Usb from Android Device

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Print to thermal Printer via Usb from Android Device

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