Abstract: A label sensing mechanism for a printer mechanism is provided. The label sensing mechanism may comprise a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor disposed opposite one another, each of the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor may comprise an emitter and a detector. The first optical sensor and the second optical sensor may be positioned on either side of a paper path along which label liner bearing labels to be printed travels. The first optical sensor and the second optical sensor may be operable together or separately in order to detect label position, preprinted marks on the label liner, and preprinted marks on the labels. A method for sensing labels using such a label sensing mechanism and a printer having such a label sensing mechanism are also provided.

Abstract: A spindle assembly capable of accommodating paper rolls of varying sizes is provided. The spindle assembly comprises a spindle arm adapted to be connected to a printer mechanism. The spindle arm comprises a first flange surrounding an opening. A spindle is provided for accepting a first paper roll. A first end of the spindle is fixed in the opening of the spindle arm. The spindle comprises a second flange arranged at a second end of the spindle. A sleeve is provided which is adapted to slide over the spindle and attach to the spindle arm for accepting a second paper roll. The second paper roll has a different size than the first paper roll. A printer having such a spindle assembly is provided, as is a method for accommodating different sized paper rolls in a printer.

Abstract: A cutter mechanism for a printer is provided. The cutter mechanism comprises a rotary cutter and a straight blade assembly. The rotary cutter may be mounted for rotation about a rotation axis and for translation across at least a portion of a width of a paper path perpendicular to the rotation axis. The straight blade assembly may be mounted for rotation about a shaft and adapted to cooperate with the rotary cutter. The straight blade assembly comprises a straight blade extending across the width of the paper path. A printer mechanism cover is mounted coaxially on the shaft so as to be movable between a closed position and an open position. A portion of the cover may impact the straight blade assembly when the cover is moved from the closed position to the open position, causing the straight blade to be moved away from the rotary cutter.

Abstract: A paper bucket for a printer with a self-adjusting spindle mechanism capable of accommodating media rolls of varying width is provided, together with a printer having such a paper bucket and corresponding method. The adjustable paper bucket may have a bucket frame and oppositely disposed wall assemblies pivotally mounted in the bucket frame. The adjustable paper bucket may further include oppositely disposed vertical flanges, each of the vertical flanges being pivotally mounted to a respective one of the wall assemblies. A spindle flange is rotatably mounted to each vertical flange for accepting a media roll therebetween. A motion linkage connects the wall assemblies together such that a movement of one of the wall assemblies results in an equal and opposite movement of the other one of the wall assemblies.

Abstract: A pivot mechanism for a printer is provided, the pivot mechanism comprising a pivot base and two oppositely disposed side walls extending perpendicular to the pivot base. An arched slot may be provided in each side wall. Each slot may have at least two notches, each notch defining different positions of the pivot mechanism. Two lever arms may be provided, each of the two lever arms comprising a first end and a second end, with a connecting rod connecting the first ends of the lever arms together. A locking pin may be disposed on the second end of each of the lever arms. Each of the locking pins may extend into a corresponding one of the slots and engage with a corresponding notch. A pivot rod extends through the lever arms and into or through the side walls. The printer housing is adapted to pivot on the pivot rod.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting a paper roll in a paper bucket of a printer are provided. The paper bucket may comprise a curved base portion for accepting paper rolls of varying widths, two oppositely disposed side walls movably mounted to the curved base portion, and a two-part spring-loaded spindle assembly extending through each of the side walls and adapted to support a paper roll therebetween. Each spindle assembly may comprise a first spring loaded spindle part and a second spring loaded spindle part movably connected to one another.

Abstract: A method of configuring a touch screen for a printer and a configurable touch screen for a printer are provided. A touch screen layout is created using a standard graphics or drawing program. The touch screen layout is saved in a standard computer file. The computer file is loaded onto the printer or a controller of the printer which is in communication with the touch screen. The controller then configures the touch screen in accordance with the touch screen layout of the computer file.

Abstract: A docking station for a removable printer mechanism is provided, together with methods for providing a removable printer mechanism. The docking station may have a base with parallel side arms adapted to be fixed to an interior of a printer housing. Side walls may extend from each of the parallel side arms. The side walls may be adapted to guide the printer mechanism into a docked position in the printer and to removably fix the printer mechanism in the docked position. A clamping element may be provided which is adapted to clamp and hold a printer-side cable connector in position to accept a corresponding cable connector of the printer mechanism. The printer mechanism may easily be slid into and out of the docking station for repair or replacement.

Abstract: A docking station for a removable printer mechanism is provided, together with methods for providing a removable printer mechanism. The docking station may have a base with parallel side arms adapted to be fixed to an interior of a printer housing. Side walls may extend from each of the parallel side arms. The side walls may be adapted to guide the printer mechanism into a docked position in the printer and to removably fix the printer mechanism in the docked position. A bridge element may extend between the parallel side arms at a rear of the base. A clamping element may be fixed to the bridge element and be adapted to hold a printer-side cable connector in position to accept a corresponding cable connector of the printer mechanism. The printer mechanism may easily be slid into and out of the docking station for repair or replacement.

Abstract: A tilting touch screen for a printer and a printer having such a tilting touch screen are provided. The tilting touch screen may include a touch screen housing, a touch screen located in the touch screen housing, means for pivotally connecting the touch screen housing to a printer housing, the printer housing defining an opening closable by the tilting touch screen, and a controller for controlling the printer in communication with the touch screen. The screen tilts open for direct access to the print mechanisms and paper buckets for service or paper loading, without requiring the removal of any additional covers.

Abstract: A cutter for a printer is provided, together with corresponding methods. The cutter has a fixed blade and a movable blade. The fixed blade is arranged on a cover bracket. The cover bracket is movable between an open and a closed position. The movable blade is arranged on a printer frame. The movable blade is adapted to move from a home position into engagement with the fixed blade for cutting paper media during a cutting action. In the open position of the cover bracket, the fixed blade and movable blade are separated, enabling paper jams to be cleared and paper to be loaded.

Abstract: A self-adjusting paper bucket for a printer is provided, together with methods for providing such a self-adjusting paper bucket. The paper bucket may have a curved base portion for accepting paper rolls of varying widths. A guide may be movably mounted to each side of the base portion. The guides may be movable between a first position extending towards a center of the paper bucket and a second position folded against sides of the paper bucket. A biasing element may be provided for each of the guides for biasing the corresponding guide into the first position. In the first position, the guides may accept a first paper roll having a first width and may center the first paper roll in the base portion. In the second position, the guides may accept a second paper roll having a second width greater than the first width and may center the second paper roll in the base portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring printer status in a networked environment are provided. For each of a plurality of printers, a respective server port device is connected to a communication port of a corresponding printer. Each server port device is adapted to receive real-time printer status information from the corresponding printer. A status monitor is provided for receiving the printer status information from one or more of the server port devices. The printer status information is wirelessly broadcast from the respective server port devices to an IP address of the status monitor. The server port device may comprise a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) status processor for converting the printer status information received from the printer in a first format into a second format for broadcast using a UDP protocol.

Abstract: A self-adjusting paper bucket for a printer is provided, together with methods for providing such a self-adjusting paper bucket. The paper bucket may have a curved base portion for accepting paper rolls of varying widths. A guide may be movably mounted to each side of the base portion. The guides may be movable between a first position extending towards a center of the paper bucket and a second position folded against sides of the paper bucket. A biasing element may be provided for each of the guides for biasing the corresponding guide into the first position. In the first position, the guides may accept a first paper roll having a first width and may center the first paper roll in the base portion. In the second position, the guides may accept a second paper roll having a second width greater than the first width and may center the second paper roll in the base portion.

Abstract: A docking station for a removable printer mechanism is provided, together with methods for providing a removable printer mechanism. The docking station may have a base with parallel side arms adapted to be fixed to an interior of a printer housing. Side walls may extend from each of the parallel side arms. The side walls may be adapted to guide the printer mechanism into a docked position in the printer and to removably fix the printer mechanism in the docked position. A bridge element may extend between the parallel side arms at a rear of the base. A clamping element may be fixed to the bridge element and be adapted to hold a printer-side cable connector in position to accept a corresponding cable connector of the printer mechanism. The printer mechanism may easily be slid into and out of the docking station for repair or replacement.

Abstract: A configurable cutter mechanism for a printer and corresponding methods are provided. The cutter mechanism may comprise a rotary cutter mounted for rotation about a rotation axis and for translation across at least a portion of a width of a paper path perpendicular to the rotation axis. A fixed blade assembly may be provided that is adapted to cooperate with the rotary cutter. The fixed blade assembly may extend across the width of the paper path. A controller may be provided for controlling a variable length of travel of the rotary cutter across the width of the paper path. The paper path runs between the rotary cutter and the fixed blade assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing customized coupons in a casino gaming environment are provided. A printer resident in a gaming machine is provided and has at least one communication port for communication external to the gaming machine. A coupon layout generator may also be provided for creating customized coupons. A server manager may be provided for distributing the customized coupons to one or more targeted recipients. A server port device may be provided for connecting the server manager to the communication port of the printer and for converting an Ethernet signal from the server manager to a serial signal recognizable by the printer. With such a system, an IP address may be assigned to the server port device. The IP address, together with player identification information, is used by the server manager to determine appropriate coupons for distribution to the gaming machine.

Abstract: In accordance with one example embodiment of a configurable printer for different paper sizes and types in accordance with the present invention, the configurable printer may comprise a print mechanism, a controller for controlling the print mechanism, a paper bucket for receiving a first sized paper roll to be printed, a divider for a paper bucket for reducing a width of the paper bucket to accept a second sized paper roll which is smaller than the first sized paper roll, and a bucket sensor adapted to sense at least one of insertion of the divider into the paper bucket and removal of the divider from the paper bucket and to provide a paper size signal to the controller. The controller controls the print mechanism in response to the paper size signal from the bucket sensor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatic generation of a hostname for a network printer embedded in or associated with a gaming machine are provided. An identification number is received at the printer from the gaming machine. The printer can then generate a unique Hostname for the printer by modifying the identification number. Once the Hostname is generated, the printer is able to connect to the network using the generated Hostname. For example, a connection of the printer to the network may be delayed after initial power up of the printer until print data for a game generated ticket has been received at the printer from the gaming machine. The identification number may be extracted from the print data at the printer and used to generate the Hostname.