Zebra Technologies Corporation

Zih Corporation

Jeffrey R Kaufman

Michael Kenneth Platt

David L Poole

Clive Paul Hohberger

Bruce N Alleshouse

Vincent C Adams

Bret M Anno

Victor L Salmons

Thomas P Zwier

Dan E Monnier

David S Zubriski

Steven P King

Daniel F Donato

James W Ensinger

David A West

William J Hamman

Kenneth V Naegele

Larry Ancahas

Jack LeVan

A printer which is configured to automatically transmit data, such as critical and non-critical printer data, and route that data through at least one of a plurality of communication channels and services, such as via e-mail or mobile wireless equipment (e.g. an Internet-ready pager, a Personal Communications Service (PCS) phone or a wireless Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)). Preferably, the printer is configured such that it can be programmed and controlled from a remote location. Preferably, the printer is configured such that new label formats can be added from a remote location, and label formats stored in the printer can be viewed and modified from a remote location. Preferably, the printer is also configured such that barcode rendering algorithms can be downloaded to the printer from a remote location, and such that printer settings can be viewed and modified from a remote location, and thereafter can be downloaded to the printer and/or to other printers in a network to facilitate cloning.

Printer for printing labels, tags or the like

A printing apparatus, having a housing in which a thermal transfer printhead station and an ink jet printhead station are mounted, is used for printing indica on a medium, such as tickets, tags and the like. The thermal transfer printhead station is used for printing a monochrome colored indicia on the print medium and the ink jet printhead station is used for printing a single monochrome colored indicia or a plurality of monochrome colored indicia on the print medium. A decoupling station is mounted between the thermal transfer printhead station and the ink jet printhead station for accumulating print medium therein. A sensor is associated with the decoupling station for sensing the amount of print medium accumulated therein. In use, the print medium is passed through the thermal transfer printhead station and a monochrome colored indicia is printed thereon. Thereafter, the print medium is accumulated in the decoupling station and when a predetermined amount of print medium is accumulated therein, the print medium is passed to the ink jet printhead station and a plurality of monochrome colored indicia may be printed thereon or a single monochrome colored indicia is printed thereon. The printed-on medium is thereafter ejected from the printing apparatus. A die cutting or severing structure may be provided for die cutting or severing the print medium.

Printing apparatus

A color barcode symbology is disclosed that can be accurately decoded despite severe distortions, misreads or altered symbols. This disclosed barcode is a color transition barcode having linear growth properties designed to resist the single or combined effects of: scaling distortions, perspective distortions, shear distortions, and wave distortions of both the uniform and non-uniform type distributed across the barcode's vertical or horizontal axis. This color barcode symbology is also resistant to missing symbols and altered symbols while offering, high security, error checking, and double error correcting capability.

Distortion resistant double-data correcting color transition barcode and

A thermal demand printer for printing on media is a novel system which includes a case structure including a hinged cover panel, easily removable guide structures and media hanger, and a single central support wall to which the various components are attached. The printer includes a power supply circuit for receiving power from an external source and conditioning it for operation of the printer. An input device is provided for receiving command signals related to the operation of the printer. A control circuit for processing the command signals and generating corresponding control signals for controlling the operation of the printer and a printhead assembly for processing the control signals and generating corresponding control signals for controlling the operation of the printer are mounted in the case structure and coupled to the input device and the power supply circuit. The printhead assembly includes a printhead support structure which controls the printhead. A ribbon take-up spindle, method of operating the take-up spindle using a PMDC motor, and a spring wrap clutch device help to control the tension in the transfer ribbon used in the printer. The printer also includes a medial sensor and a method of sensing media by way of detecting the opacity of the media passing through the sensor. The printer includes a method of printhead control using double data loading and a method of accelerating and decelerating media relative to the printhead using pulse width modulation.

Ribbon drive for a thermal demand printer

A demand printer for printing on media includes a ribbon take-up spindle for accumulating spent printing ribbon and facilitating removal of the spent ribbon from the spindle. The spindle has a surface with a protrusion bore formed therethrough. At least one protruding segment extends through the protrusion bore. The protruding segment controllably projects away from the spindle surface for maintaining a space between a portion of the spindle surface and the spent ribbon accumulated on the spindle. A biasing structure is operatively associated with the spindle and the protruding segment for controllably biasedly directing the protruding segment through the protrusion bore in the spindle. A retracting structure is provided for controllably compressing and expanding the biasing means to controllably move the protruding segment through the protrusion bore.

Ribbon drive system for a thermal demand printer

A thermal transfer printer includes an arrangement for continuously and automatically varying the rate of advance of the thermal transfer ribbon during printing, the rate of advance being correlated with the nature of the image being printed, and the variable advance rate being provided by a driven friction feed roller and a pair of ribbon guides which cooperate with the friction feed roller and are so positioned that the transfer ribbon is held tightly against the friction feed roller, contacting the circumference of the friction feed roller over more than 90.degree. its circumference and preferably at least 180.degree. of its circumference.

Thermal transfer printer with controlled ribbon feed

Growing community of inventors

Vernon Hills, IL, United States of America

Jeffrey R Kaufman