Abstract: An improved guillotine cutter for a printer is disclosed. The guillotine cutter includes a guillotine blade having a cutting motion that helps to urge the cut media from the exit chute of the frame. This reduces the likelihood of the cut media becoming pulled into the frame of the cutter, requiring that the user fish the cut media out. The guillotine cutter further provides a frame having integrated bearing surfaces for supporting many of the movable components of the cutter. This minimizes the complexity of the assembly of the cutter, reducing the number of parts (by elimination of separate bearings and other such additional components) and time required to assemble the cutter.

Abstract: A method of determining the position of a label media and printing to the label media based on the label media position is disclosed. The method includes using an encoder to track the position of the label media. As the label media advances during printing, an encoder shaft rotates with an encoder traction roller upon which the label media rides. As the encoder shaft rotates, optical reflections that occur within the encoder are interrupted, each interruption corresponding to a desired media travel distance. When the optical reflection is interrupted, the encoder sends a signal to the controller, which then sends a control signal to fire the printhead, and consequently the label media is thermally printed. The system is useful in thermal printer systems to provide more accurate position information of the label media, and consequently, more accurate printing.

Abstract: A method of determining the position of a label media and printing to the label media based on the label media position is disclosed. The method includes using an encoder to track the position of the label media. As the label media advances during printing, an encoder shaft rotates with an encoder traction roller upon which the label media rides. As the encoder shaft rotates, optical reflections that occur within the encoder are interrupted, each interruption corresponding to a desired media travel distance. When the optical reflection is interrupted, the encoder sends a signal to the controller, which then sends a control signal to fire the printhead, and consequently the label media is thermally printed. The system is useful in thermal printer systems to provide more accurate position information of the label media, and consequently, more accurate printing.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer which includes a labeling media drive subassembly and ribbon drive subassembly which cooperatively advance labeling media and a thermal transfer ink ribbon past a print head subassembly. A labeling media supply spool is rotatably driven by the labeling media drive subassembly to feed labeling media. The labeling media supply spool has labeling media with a plurality of labels on a web wrapped around a spool core. An inventory of labels available for printing on the spool is stored on a memory device. The memory device is electrically connected to printer circuitry in a printer. When the printer prints on a label, the inventory on the memory device is updated to reflect the unavailability of the printed label.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer system utilizing bi-directional communication between a computing device and a printing machine, for transmitting data representing real-time supply roll parameters to an application program on the computing device. Supply roll parameters are stored on a memory circuit component that is connected to a supply roll. The computing device polls the printing machine for the supply roll parameters. The printing machine transmits the supply roll parameters to the computing device and the computing device formats the parameters into a display, proportionately matching the dimensions and color of the actual supply roll. A user can then create and/or edit output files for the specific supply roll loaded in the printing machine, viewing the output exactly as it will be printed.