Zih Corporation

Zebra Technologies Corporation

Patrick J Hegarty

Roy Patrick Lyman

David F Beck

Craig Andrew Horrocks

Michael L Lamontagne

Richard J Preliasco

Gregory J Klein

Matthew D Corvese

Devan J Lippman

Stephen A Carello

Michael Cranston

John Stevens

Hussam Eassa

Scott Lane

James Phillips

Kevin M Lemoi

Raymond J LeBlanc

Michael L L Lamontagne

Ray J LeBlanc

Sam Essa

Ray Leblanc

Michael Lamontagne

A media processing device includes: a body defining a media supply chamber and carrying a print head; a cover carrying a platen roller, the cover having an open position enabling access to the chamber, and a closed position enclosing the chamber, and cooperating with the body to define a media path extending from the chamber, between the print head and the platen roller, to a media outlet; a target conductor affixed to one of the body and the cover; and an inductive proximity sensor affixed to the other of the body and the cover, disposed to detect the target conductor when the cover is closed.

Inductive cover state sensors for media processing devices

An example disclosed printer configured to peel media from a backing, the printer having a peeler assembly that is engageable between a peeling position, wherein the printer is configured to peel the media from the backing, and a non-peeling position, wherein the printer is not configured to peel the media from the backing. The printer further including a sensor configured to send a signal corresponding to a position of the peeler assembly. The printer further including a communication interface configured to receive the position of the peeler assembly from the sensor and configured to transmit the position of the peeler assembly to a secondary component.

Label, peeling, universal printheads and related methods

Label peeling, universal printheads and related methods

An example thermal printhead apparatus includes a top end; a bottom end located opposite the top end; an electrical interface positioned proximate to the bottom end; a first distal end; a second distal end located opposite the first distal end; a printing face defined by the top end, the bottom end, the first distal end and the second distal end, the printing face includes a thermal element; a mounting face that is opposite the printing face, the mounting face defined by the top end, the bottom end, the first distal end and the second distal end, the mounting face including at least two mounting components, comprising: one or more holes configured to mount the printhead apparatus to a printer; and one or more grooves configured to mount the printhead apparatus to a printer, the one or more grooves extending substantially parallel to the top end and the bottom end.

A printer includes: a motor driving a transport member according to an operational parameter, to transport media along a media path from a media supply to a printhead; a first distance sensor disposed on a first side of the media path to measure a first distance between the media and the first distance sensor; and a controller configured to: receive the measured distance; detect curling of the media based on the first measured distance; and responsive to detecting curling of the media, update the operational parameter at the motor.

Media curl mitigation system

Provided herein are devices, methods and other means, including those related to printers, as well as computer readable media for storing code to execute instructions for a device, and other systems for providing and supporting mobile printing and other types of devices. The printer, for example, can be coupled with one or more docks and/or other accessory devices, examples of which are also discussed herein.

Mobile printer networking and interfacing

An example disclosed printer configured to peel media from a backing includes a peeler assembly that is engageable between a peeling position, wherein the printer is configured to peel the media from the backing, and a non-peeling position, wherein the printer is not configured to peel the media from the backing; a sensor configured to send a signal corresponding to a position of the peeler assembly; and a printer controller configured to receive the position of the peeler assembly from the sensor and configured to adjust at least one print setting in response to receiving the signal corresponding to the position of the peeler assembly.

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are described herein for controlling a printing device. In an example embodiment, a print line is divided into frames and frame dot states are determined based on neighboring frame dot states. Maximum motor speeds of the printing device may be adjusted so that actual motor speeds change gradually during printing. The print engine may detect a printhead type by sending a signal to the printhead and receiving a response.

Method and apparatus for printhead control

Provided herein are devices, methods and other means, including those related to printers, as well as computer readable media for storing code to execute instructions for a device, and other systems for providing and supporting mobile printing and other types of devices. An example disclosed printer includes circuitry that includes: a processor; connector circuitry; and input/output circuitry; a first circuit board onto which the processor is disposed; a second circuit board onto which the connector circuitry is disposed; and a third circuit board onto which the input/output circuitry is disposed.

Printer mobility and scalability

Provided herein are devices, methods and other means, including those related to printers, as well as computer readable media for storing code to execute instructions for a device, and other systems for providing and supporting mobile printing and other types of devices. An example disclosed printer includes a housing including a base portion and a defining portion, wherein the base portion includes a battery receptacle; a removable battery cover; and a belt clip receptacle configured to receive a removable belt clip, wherein the removable battery cover is to secure a belt clip in the belt clip receptacle when the removable battery cover is mated with the battery receptacle.

A device for printing on media disposed on a backing may include a printer with a housing including a media cover, a media cover release actuator, and a peeler assembly actuator. The media cover release actuator and the peeler assembly actuator may each be accessible for actuation by a user when the media cover is in a closed position. The media cover release actuator may be configured to release the media cover from the closed position in response to actuation by a user. The peeler assembly may at least partially be enclosed by the housing and it may be engagable between a peeling position, where the printer is configured to peel the media from the backing, and a non-peeling position, where the printer is not configured to peel the media from the backing.

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are described herein for controlling a printing device. In an example embodiment, a print line is divided into frames and frame dot states are determined based on neighboring frame dot states. Maximum motor speeds of the printing device may be adjusted so that actual motor speeds change gradually during printing. The print engine may detect a printhead type by sending a signal to the printhead and receiving a response. Motor torque is dynamically controlled based on type of media and/or labels present on the media.

Method and apparatus for printer control

Provided herein are devices, methods and other means, including those related to printers, as well as computer readable media for storing code to execute instructions for a device, and other systems for providing and supporting mobile printing and other types of devices. The circuit boards of a device can each be dedicated to different types of functionality and be installed into the device without the use of fasteners. In some embodiments, the printer's housing can include a base portion and a defining portion, where the defining portion largely defines the printer's shape, size and aesthetics and the base portion defines the printer's minimum size. Also provided herein is a removable belt clip that may be affixed to a portable printer and/or other device.

Growing community of inventors

Dedham, MA, United States of America

Patrick J Hegarty