Abstract: A printer has a sensor for detecting notches spaced along a label media fed through the printer at a reference distance, where the reference distance is selected as a multiple of a number of steps. As the label media is fed through the printer, the printer monitors the command to and/or feedback from a motor to determine an expected feed length, monitors the notches to determine an actual feed length, and compares the actual feed length to the expected feed length to determine a difference. The printer then adjusts the command to the motor to account for the difference, and therefore to minimize the difference between the actual feed length of the label media and the desired feed length of the label media.

Abstract: A printer, suitable for use in a hand held printer, having a dual direction drive mechanism for driving ink ribbon in a forward feed direction and a reverse feed direction. The drive mechanism is mounted in a printer body, and includes a stationary gear drive assembly engageable with a pivotal drive gear assembly having a forward feed position and a reverse feed direction.

Abstract: A label media for use in a label media printer forms dynamically sized label markers. The label media includes a continuous tube affixed to length of a carrier web. Indicia is printed on the tube which is then cut to a desired length that accommodates the indicia printed thereon to dynamically form the wire marker.

Abstract: A printer cartridge suitable for use in a cartridge-based printer houses and dispenses a roll of label media. The cartridge includes a housing having a top wall and a bottom wall. A yoke pivotally mounted between the top and bottom walls for pivotable movement about a pivot axis includes a label media supply shaft for holding a roll of label media. The label media supply shaft has a longitudinal axis spaced from, and parallel, to the pivot axis. A label media drive roller is rotatably mounted between the top and bottom walls, and a biasing means biases the yoke toward the label media drive roller to maintain the roll of label media in contact with the label media drive roller and defines a beginning of a media path. In one embodiment, the yoke is adjustable to accommodate different label media widths.