I’m developing an app that requires to print over Bluetooth to a Bixolon thermal printer.I have already got it, so if you need help to print over Bluetooth, I would be happy to help you.
The Dilemma: The final user for this app will print an invoice every 3-5 minutes for a period of 4-5 hours daily so I need the lowest power consume possible.
I’m stocked in this two possible ways:
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Connect to the printer every time the user will need to used it. It will take around 1.5-2 seconds to print having the BT id saved on the database.
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Connect to the device just one time and leave the connection open at all time.
What is the best way?
I appreciate your help thank you! 🙂
I think you should not worry so much about the power consumption, because Bluetooth was design to be a low power replacement for classic cables. But you should read this article: Bluetooth and power consumption: issues and answers, I think it’s relevant for your case.
The first approach you mention I think it is not good, because it will be first of all frustrating for the user, to wait all the time to re-authenticate. Second it will consume more energy because you have the reconnection overhead.
The second approach is more economic.