Zih Corporation

Other

Comtec Information Systems Inc.

Comtec Informations Systems, Inc.

Comtec Informations, Inc.

Majid Amani

Steven F Petteruti

Richard J Preliasco

David F Beck

Robert A Petteruti

Michael L Lamontagne

Gregory J Klein

Alfred J Petteruti

Ralph Almonte

Steven Petterutti

Michael DiGiantommaso

David St Jean

Raymond P Violette

Roy Patrick Lyman

Robert Donald Heon

Richard A Perry

Murat Dymov

William F Genett

Anna H Doyle

Michel A Zinni, Jr

Jeffrey Shlayen

Robert Hoen

The invention provides an alternative applications programming interface (API) for a software application to interface with and to control and coordinate the operation of a variety of specialty devices, including a barcode scanning device and a label printing device. In some embodiments, this alternative API is provided via a software application interface module (SAIM) that is remotely accessible to a software application module (SAM) via a computer network. The SAIM provides for interface and control of specialty devices that would otherwise be un-accessible to a software application module (SAM), via employment of a device specific interface module (DSIM), which functions like a device driver to specialty devices that can be geographically distributed away from the software application module (SAM) and sway from the software application interface module (SAIM), and also function in circumstances where the software application module (SAM) is mobile.

System for providing remote interoperation between devices

The invention provides an alternative applications programming interface (API) for a software application to interface with and to control the operation of a variety of one or more specialty devices, including specialty printing and specialty non-printing devices. The alternative API provides a superset of control functionality relative to an API that would typically be provided by a specialty device driver. In some embodiments, this alternative API is provided via a specialty device module (SDM) or a specialty printing module (SPM) that is remotely accessible to a software application via a computer network. The SDM or SPM can provide for interface and control of specialty devices that would otherwise be un-accessible to a software application via a specialty device driver, and can provide such locally or remotely accessible functionality to the software application, without necessarily requiring employment of a specialty device driver.

System for providing an alternative control interface to specialty devices

The invention provides an alternative applications programming interface (API) for a software application to interface with and to control the operation of a variety of one or more specialty devices, including specialty printing devices. The alternative API provides a superset of control functionality relative to an API that would typically be provided by a specialty device driver. In some embodiments, this alternative API is provided via a specialty device module (SDM) or a specialty printing module (SPM) that is remotely accessible to a software application via a computer network. The SDM or SPM can provide for interface and control of specialty devices that would otherwise be un-accessible to a software application via a specialty device driver, and can provide such locally or remotely accessible functionality to the software application, without necessarily requiring employment of a specialty device driver.

The invention provides an alternative applications programming interface (API) for a software application to interface with and to control the operation of a variety of one or more specialty printing devices. The alternative API provides a superset of control functionality relative to an API that would typically be provided by a specialty printing device driver. In some embodiments, this alternative API is provided via a specialty printing module (SPM) that is remotely accessible to a software application via a computer network. The SPM can provide for interface and control of specialty printing devices that would otherwise be un-accessible to a software application via a specialty printing device driver, and can provide such locally or remotely accessible functionality to the software application, without necessarily requiring employment of a specialty printing device driver.

System for providing an alternative control interface to specialty printing devices

A device is provided that is capable of simultaneous communication over multiple wired and wireless networks. The device is capable of processing data received simultaneously over multiple networks by storing the data in data buffers and using a polling routine to retrieve the data from the data buffers. The device is capable of preventing interference when communicating over multiple wireless networks in the same frequency band by monitoring the frequency channel used by one of the wireless networks and controlling the frequency channels used by the other wireless networks.

Systems and methods for facilitating simultaneous communication over multiple wired and wireless networks

A portable printer for printing on a roll of paper or label stock is provided having automatic print alignment with the width of the roll. The portable printer has a housing having a compartment for receiving the roll, a cover to access the roll, and a centering mechanism for the roll. The centering mechanism has two rotatable spindle members in the compartment engageable with the opposing ends of the roll's tubular core, and a pair of racks each coupled to one of the spindle members, and to each other by a gear, to enable each of the spindle members to move in opposite directions with respect to a center between the spindle members. The position of centering mechanism is optically, magnetically, or electro-mechanically encoded and a sensor reads the encoded position of the centering mechanism. A controller automatically aligns printing with respect to the roll's width in accordance with the encoded position read by the sensor, thereby preventing printing outside the width of the paper from the roll. The centering mechanism may be locked when the cover is closed to prevent movement of the gear, and the spindle members and racks coupled thereto. A removable RF communication module may be provided in the printer to enable communication with a host terminal or computer system.

Portable printer having automatic print alignment

Modular tablet for electronic devices

A portable label printer is provided having a central control section, and first and second printing sections coupled to the central section. Each of the first and second printing sections has a printing mechanism with a thermal printhead and motor driven platen roller, a compartment for receiving a roll of paper, and a cover enabling loading of a roll in the compartment. The central control section has a printer control circuitry which independently controls the printing mechanism of each of the first and second printing sections interactive with signals from a host computer or terminal. Each of the first and second printing sections represents a module detachable from the central control section and can be replaced with another module providing a printing section capable of accommodating printing on different type of paper. One type of terminal is provided which is attachable to the central control section of the printer and can communicate with the printer control circuitry of the printer. The terminal may have circuitry for enabling RF, LAN, voice over Internet, or cell phone communication, and for enabling optical scanning through a window of the terminal. The terminal may be detached from the housing to facilitate its use as a communication device or optical scanner.

Portable label printer

A thermal label printer includes an actuation mechanism and follower for facilitating loading of stock (e.g., label stock). A pivotable printer head pressure plate includes the actuation mechanism which cooperates with the follower coupled to a peeler roller. As the pressure plate is moved from a closed position proximate a platen to an open position for loading of stock or for cleaning the printer head, the peeler roller is automatically translated from the platen. The resulting roller gap and displaced printer head provide unrestricted access for threading of the printer. The printer also includes a programmable device in the printer electronics for reconfiguring the printer to accommodate a variety of thermal print mechanisms.

Thermal printer

Growing community of inventors

East Greenwich, RI, United States of America

Majid Amani