Abstract: Provided herein is a printing apparatus including a printhead movable between a first position and a second position. The printhead includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate define at least a first burn line and a second burn line, respectively, of heating elements disposed adjacent to a first edge and a second edge, respectively of the printhead. A printhead bracket receives the printhead in one of the first position or the second position. In the first position, the heating elements of the first burn line perform a printing operation and the printhead bracket is configured to preclude operation of the heating elements of the second burn line. In the second position, the heating elements of the second burn line perform a printing operation, and the printhead bracket is configured to preclude operation of the heating elements of the first burn line.

Abstract: A printer is provided which includes a control unit and a print head with a burn line and a platen roller. The print head is coupled to the control unit. The print head is positioned in a vertical orientation relative to the platen roller over which a media label passes during printing. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, coupled to the control unit, for programming RFID tags on the media label is also provided. The RFID reader is coupled to a RFID antenna. The RFID antenna is above the media label path, the print head's vertical orientation allowing the RFID antenna to be accommodated in close proximity to the print head burn line. Further, a label stop sensor (LSS) module is provided, coupled to the control unit, for monitoring movement of the media label along a media path. The LSS module is disposed adjacent to the RFID antenna.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a method and apparatus for providing feedback to a user on the status of media or ribbon of a printer. The feedback may be provided by incorporating a feedback mechanism in a hanger of a printer. The printer may be a thermal printer, but may be another type of printer. The feedback mechanism of the printer may be designed to work with one or more sensors to provide a feedback loop so that without an input from a user, the printer is able to detect the presence/absence of media or ribbon, as well as determine the width of the loaded media or ribbon. In another embodiment, the feedback mechanism is able to determine the weight of the roll of media or ribbon and hence determine the quantity of media or ribbon available on the hanger.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a thermal print head (TPH) that is easily replaced in a slot on the side of a thermal printing device using a push/eject mechanism. Other embodiments of the present invention describe a thermal printing device where the print pressure is easily adjusted for different types of printing media (labels) by turning a turnknob. In preferred embodiments, the turnknob has three print pressure settings, high, medium, and low.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for executing various types of maintenance operations upon various types of printers. The maintenance operations can include preemptive actions that are taken upon a printer that is being operated in a certain environment, the preemptive actions based on evaluating operational statistics associated with a set of similar printers operated in a similar environment. The operational statistics, which are automatically accumulated over a period of time for various printers under various operating conditions, can be implemented in various ways, such as in the form of behavioral models and/or predictive models. In some embodiments, the behavioral models and/or predictive models indicate an expected-time-to-failure of a component when a printer is operated in a certain environment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect if an authorized thermal print head (TPH) has been installed in a specific model or manufacturer printer are provided. The method provides a system to check the resistivity or impedance value at the TPH side, either upon printer boot-up or during printing operation. During printing operation, the impedance measurement may be executed for a time period at a fixed periodicity and/or one or more events. Based on the impedance measurement, the printer may determine that the impedance value matches the authorized TPH range value. In a case of non-matching impedance values or change of impedance values, the printer may prevent printing operation until an authorized TPH is installed.

Abstract: A printer is configured with a processor which calculates printhead control parameters, the control parameters being determined by the processor in such a way as to optimize the printing process of the printer's printhead. The processor determines the printhead control parameters according to an optimization algorithm stored in the printer. To maintain the internal security of the optimization algorithm, the printhead control parameters are encrypted by the processor. The encrypted printhead control parameters are then transmitted to the printhead via an internal data path of the printer. If a third party monitors the data along the internal data path, the encryption algorithm remains secure because the control parameters are encrypted. The printhead contains a second, dedicated processor. The printhead processor receives the encrypted printhead control parameters, and decrypts the control parameters.

Abstract: A printing system includes a print station for receiving print medium traveling along a transport pathway and an adjustable print head assembly. A medium dispenser transports the print medium on the transport pathway to the print station, and a medium width sensor detects the width of the print medium. A pressure sensor arrangement detects pressure imposed by the print head assembly at points along the width of the transport pathway when an image is printed on the print medium. A monitoring subsystem in communication with the medium width sensor and the pressure sensor arrangement calculates, based upon the detected width and the detected pressure, amounts of pressure imposed by the print head assembly along the width of the print medium.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods providing a ribbon sensor configured and positioned to ascertain an orientation of a printing ribbon, including devices, systems, and methods configured for detecting an improperly oriented printing ribbon, and for triggering a response in the event of an improperly installed, and/or for confirming proper installation of a printing ribbon.

Abstract: Printers and other machines providing tangible outputs are provided. In one implementation, a printer comprises a housing having a fixed structure and a movable cover configured to be movable with respect to the fixed structure. The printer also includes a printing mechanism that is disposed inside the housing and is configured to print an image on a medium. The movable cover is movably attached to the fixed structure via a first pivoting mechanism that defines a first pivoting axis. The movable cover is configured to be pivoted about the first pivoting axis of the first pivoting mechanism. Also, the movable cover comprises a plurality of linked slats, each pair of adjacent linked slats being linked together by a second pivoting mechanism. Each second pivoting mechanism includes characteristics enabling a user to detach the adjacent linked slats from each other.

Abstract: A printer comprises a processor; a media hanger comprising a sensor array receiving space extending along a length of the media hanger; and a sensor array positioned in the sensor array receiving space and communicatively connected to the processor, the sensory array comprising a plurality of sensor pairs, each sensor pair having an emitter and a receiver, the sensor array being configured to: emit light from the emitter outward from the media hanger, detect the emitted light after the emitted light is reflected off a surface of media loaded on the media hanger, transmit signal intensity of the reflected light detected by each of the sensor pairs to the processor; wherein the processor is configured to determine a width of the media loaded on the media hanger based on the signal intensity detected by each of the sensor pairs.

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: The present invention embraces a method and apparatus for providing feedback to a user on the status of media or ribbon of a printer. The feedback may be provided by incorporating a feedback mechanism in a hanger of a printer. The printer may be a thermal printer, but may be another type of printer. The feedback mechanism of the printer may be designed to work with one or more sensors to provide a feedback loop so that without an input from a user, the printer is able to detect the presence/absence of media or ribbon, as well as determine the width of the loaded media or ribbon. In another embodiment, the feedback mechanism is able to determine the weight of the roll of media or ribbon and hence determine the quantity of media or ribbon available on the hanger.

Abstract: A printer is operable for marking an image on a media substrate. The printer includes a housing and a printhead. The printhead is operable for marking the image on a surface of the media substrate held in proximity therewith by a weight of a supply of the media substrate from which the media substrate is fed. The media substrate supply is disposed in the housing over the printhead.

Abstract: A bidirectional media supporting system includes a first and second rollers configured to rotate to feed media in forward and reverse feed modes; a first clutch bearing set, and a second clutch bearing set configured to engage with the first clutch bearing set; and a gear transmission assembly configured to transfer a driving force from the first roller to the second roller. A method for reversing direction of printing media includes advancing media while maintaining a rotational speed of a platen roller assembly above that of a feeding roller assembly; receiving a signal to reverse the direction of advancing media; and adjusting operation by reversing a direction of rotation of a transmission gear coupled to the feeding and platen roller assemblies, and by rotating the roller assemblies in an opposite direction, while maintaining the rotational speed of the platen roller assembly below that of the feeding roller assembly.

Abstract: Printer spindle assembly is provided including media spindle having first end and second end, a commutator disposed circumferentially at first end, at least two brushes in electrical contact with commutator and connected to voltage source, a plurality of electrically conductive springs serially disposed on media spindle in electrical communication with commutator, and a continuous electrically conductive path formed of electrically resistive material disposed along longitudinal axis of media spindle and configured to be in electrical contact with first spring end of one or more electrically conductive springs in the compressed state to form series circuit. Voltage source, brushes, and commutator form closed electrical circuit. Each electrically conductive spring is configured to be in uncompressed state in absence of media on media spindle and one or more of electrically conductive springs is configured to be in compressed state in presence of media on media spindle.

Abstract: A system for removably retaining a print head assembly includes a bracket holding a print head assembly and a shaft for receiving the bracket on the shaft. The shaft includes a retaining assembly, a first shaft section having a profile geometry to allow the bracket to be received onto the shaft, a second shaft section having a profile geometry preventing removal of the bracket from the shaft, and a positioning assembly configured to resiliently engage the bracket. When the bracket is received on the shaft at the first shaft section, the positioning assembly can engage and releasably reposition the bracket onto the second shaft section and against the retaining assembly.

Abstract: A printer is provided. The printer has a printer body enclosing an interior, a screen, a camera, and a processor communicatively coupled to the camera. The screen overlies an exterior of at least a portion of the printer body. The camera is disposed within the interior and is configured to capture an image hereof. The processor is configured, by an analytical diagnostic software program, to display the captured image on the screen, thereby simulating a see-through view into the interior. Methods are also provided for identifying a source of a problem in the printer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile printer freefall detection and protection mechanism. Printers may be subject to vibration or free fall during printing. This is more likely to happen for a mobile printer. In such cases, the printing performance will be adversely affected a lot or a thermal printhead (TPH) in the printer could be damaged. This disclosure describes a system and method of solving this problem by measuring the G-forces at using at least one sensor to determine if it is safe to start operation again.

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.