Abstract: A printhead mounting system includes one or more pins attached to a printhead, and configured to be inserted through one or more slots in a support frame coupled to a printer, and one or more fasteners configured to engage with the pins inserted through the support frame slots. The fasteners can be detachable, operably coupled to the support frame, or coupled to each other. Additionally, the system can have locating pins for aligning the printhead with the support frame. A method for attaching a printhead includes inserting posts located at a top of a printhead through openings in a printhead support frame, and engaging one or more quick-release fasteners with the posts above the support frame.

Abstract: Methods for converting an image to source script are provided. Generally applied to thermal printers, the methods may assist users in reproducing or amending a label without actual source script. In one embodiment, a mobile device comprising a software application may be able to scan an image, for example a barcode label. The software application may use an image processing library to recognize smart object fields in the captured image, including text, barcodes, image and shapes and then may translate the smart object information to a printing language script automatically. The application may provide the capability to a user to adjust the parameters specific to each of the identified smart objects. Once the user makes the necessary changes, a script file may be generated based on the updated smart object information. Then, the label may be sent to a printer from the application itself.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a method and apparatus for an efficient and economical print quality setup for thermal printers. A thermal printhead of a thermal printer constitutes multiple printhead banks. The printhead banks may be controlled by strobe signals. While configuring print quality, each of the strobe signals may operate separately with different power causing the printhead banks to operate in different configurations while printing an identical pattern. As each the banks are operating in different configuration, they each print the identical pattern with a different print quality. One print quality may be selected from the different quality patterns printed by each printhead bank on a single printed label or media. The selected quality pattern corresponds to a quality factor. The method may reduce the time to select a configuration and may reduce the amount of usage of media or labels.

Abstract: A method of processing printer scripts is disclosed. A processor receives the printer script. For each original line of the printer script the process analyzes the line of script to find errors. If no error is found in the script, the script is transferred to a print engine for printing. If at least one error is found in any line of printer script: the script is modified to correct the printer script error and produce a modified line of printer script. A comparison of the original line of printer script with the modified line of printer script is generated and printed, displayed or saved to a storage device.

Abstract: Methods of managing a fleet of devices are provided, as are methods for configuring a standby device for a job in a workflow environment, and methods for performing a job in a workflow environment. Device information is analyzed, such as information pertaining to verification systems. Device instructions are sent to various locations on a device network in response to a deviation from a parameter value having been detected. The deviation from the parameter value may correspond to printed media and/or indicia produced by one or more devices. A workflow device and a standby device are provided, and the workflow device sends configuration data to the standby device. The standby device installs configuration data and is introduced into the workflow environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a spindle for use by rolled materials (for example, ribbon, and labels) in a thermal printing device. The spindle contains a rigid side designed to prevent the spindle from flexing during printing. The spindle also contains a flexible side designed to address tolerance issues with the core of the rolled material and to retain the relative movement of the core of the rolled material.

Abstract: A width detecting system includes a sensor-LED array positioned across a path of a media and/or ribbon within a printing apparatus. The LEDs are adapted to produce light directed toward the media and/or ribbon path. The optical sensors are configured to detect the LED light, produce analog signals proportionate to the received amount of light, and transmit the signals to a signal receiving assembly for processing. Additionally or alternatively, a width detecting system can have an array of LEDs facing an array of sensors in such a way that the media and/or ribbon path is located between the arrays. A method for width detection includes analyzing sensor data to determine one or more transition point between media and no-media sections, and calculating media width. The method can include using sensor data collected for a reflective and/or transmissive sensor arrays, and can be used for media and/or ribbon width detection.

Abstract: A method for encoding a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) inlay is described. The method includes causing, by a processor, a media to travel along a media path in an RFID printer. The media includes a plurality of labels. Each label of the plurality of labels comprises an RFID inlay. The method also includes determining a real-time position of a first label while the media travels along the media path based on an input signal received from a media sensor. The first label includes a first corresponding RFID inlay. Further, the method includes causing an RFID control system to initiate encoding of the first corresponding RFID inlay, and to rotate and continue encoding of the first corresponding RFID inlay until the first corresponding RFID inlay is successfully encoded. The RFID coupler is rotated based on the real-time position of the first label.

Abstract: A method is provided for Optical Character Recognition (OCR). A plurality of OCR decoding results each having a plurality of positions is obtained from capturing and decoding a plurality of images of the same one or more OCR characters. A recognized character in each OCR decoding result is compared with the recognized character that occupies an identical position in each of the other OCR decoding results. A number of occurrences that each particular recognized character occupies the identical position in the plurality of OCR decoding results is calculated. An individual confidence score is assigned to each particular recognized character based on the number of occurrences, with a highest individual confidence score assigned to a particular recognized character having the greatest number of occurrences.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclose a method for operating a printer apparatus. The method comprising monitoring a utilization rate of each heating element in a first set of heating elements defined by a print head arrangement. Further, the method comprises generating a utilization dataset based upon monitoring of the utilization rate of each heating element in the first set of heating elements print head arrangement. Furthermore, the method includes analyzing the utilization dataset to identify one or more overutilized heating elements of the first set of heating elements. Additionally, the method includes identifying a second set of heating elements defined by the print head arrangement. The second set of heating elements comprises a portion of the first set of heating elements exclusive of the one or more overutilized heating elements. The method further includes processing a print job. The processed print job utilized the second set of heating elements during printing.

Abstract: Provided herein is system and method for enhancing throughput of a thermal printer cutter. The system operates in a first printing mode in an instance in which a designated safe zone is detected. A second print media portion is traversed in downstream direction for printing after printing of a first print media until a designated safe zone is detected under a print head. The printing is suspended at a first point on the second print media portion. A first movement of the print media is caused in one of the downstream or upstream direction until a first cut point of the first print media portion is detected under cutter blade for cutting operation. A second movement of the print media is caused in one of the downstream or upstream direction until a third point is detected under print head. The printing resumes from the first point on the second print media portion.

Abstract: A printer-verifier is provided for printing and verifying a printed indicium. Printer-verifier includes imaging module for capturing image of printed indicium on print media, memory communicatively coupled to imaging module and configured to store print quality verification program, and processor communicatively coupled to memory. Processor is configured by print quality verification program to evaluate print quality of printed indicium, determine if print quality meets print quality standard, reject printed indicium on print media as rejected printed media when print quality does not meet print quality standard, and one of output location-specific feedback about rejected printed media or send a command signal to cutting device to destroy rejected printed media. Location-specific feedback is in same language as language associated with printer-verifier. A printer and methods for verifying the printed indicium are also provided.

Abstract: Sealing assemblies for preventing water intrusion into the interior of a casing are provided. In one exemplary implementation, a water-resistant casing comprises a sealing element over-molded on a wall, wherein the sealing element includes a first feature and a second feature. The water-resistant casing includes a top section constrained in a lower position by the first feature of the sealing element. The water-resistant casing further includes a bottom section constrained in an upper position by the second feature of the sealing element.

Abstract: A printer-verifier system for providing print quality feedback and controlling print quality is provided. The printer-verifier system may include a printing mechanism configured to print a machine-readable indicia on a print media; a verifier device configured to optically scan the machine-readable indicia; and a print quality monitoring device in electronic communication with the printing mechanism and the verifier device.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments illustrate a thermal printer apparatus that includes a media sensor. The sensor generates an input signal indicative of a measure of a media transmissivity/reflectivity. Further, the thermal printer includes a processor that is configured to receive the input signal from the sensor, while the media is stationary with respect to a print head. The processor further determines one or more characteristics of the input signal. Thereafter, a first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold is determined based on the one or more characteristics in the input signal. Further, the processor receives the input signal from the sensor, while the media traverses with respect to the print head. Subsequently, the processor determines one or more current characteristics of the input signal while the media traverses with respect to the print head. A media jam condition is detected based on the one or more current characteristics and the first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold.

Abstract: A system to calculate line feed error in labels on a printer includes a holder assembly under the label line feed and before the printer burn line; a first sensor and a second sensor on the holder assembly, a fixed distance, L, between them; and a processor. The first sensor senses a first position of a label edge, L1A. The second sensor senses a second position of the label edge, L1B. The processor calculates the distance, L1AB, between the first position and the second position and calculates the line feed error over the fixed distance, L, by taking the difference (L?L1AB). The processor calculates the feed correction to be done to the label, given by [(L?L1AB)/L]×D, where D is a distance between the first sensor and the burn line of the printer. The processor instructs the printer line feed to implement the calculated feed correction.

Abstract: Printing symbols on media is described. Sequential parts of a symbol are marked onto each of multiple corresponding sequential segments of the medium. A characteristic of each of the sequential symbol parts is evaluated. A speed is monitored with which the medium is moved upon the marking of each of the sequential symbol parts onto each of the corresponding sequential segments of the medium. An image, captured in relation to the evaluation, is adjusted based on the monitored speed. Adjusting the captured image may include setting a rate at which the evaluation of the characteristic of each of the sequential symbol parts is performed based on the monitored speed or alternatively, predicting a distortion in the evaluated characteristic of each of the sequential symbol parts corresponding to the monitored speed, and applying a change to the captured image corresponding to, and ameliorating the predicted distortion.

Abstract: A media feeding system comprises a driver configured to rotate a media roll in a first direction; a vacuum roller positioned in a media feed path and configured to rotate in the first direction; and a media end detecting sensor positioned in the media feed path, the media end detecting sensor being configured to detect a leading edge of the media; wherein the driver rotates the media roll in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to the sensor detecting the leading end of the media.

Abstract: Systems and method for estimating a remaining amount of a consumable resource are provided. According to one method, a first step of detecting the center of mass of a mobile printer is conducted, wherein the mobile printer comprises print media. The method may also include a step of determining a remaining print media level based on the detected center of mass.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically calibrating a media sensor configured to detect advancing print media in a printing device. In some embodiments, the apparatus selects a first light intensity level and a second light intensity level greater than the first light intensity level. A light source unit, such as a light emitting diode or laser diode is activated to emit light at the second light intensity level. The light passes though print media, for example, a roll of self-adhesive labels, that is advanced along a print path of the printing device. The amount of light transmitted through the print media is measured as the print media advances. If the measured light increases decreases, the light source unit is reactivated to emit light at the first light intensity level. In some embodiments, the apparatus identifies whether print media has changed or an out-of-stock condition exists.