Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide systems, methods, and apparatuses for leveraging near field communications (NFC) in conjunction with printer devices. Examples of the disclosure provide for novel methods of interfacing with printers configured to use near field communications using NFC enabled readers and output media. Examples include using a smart phone to access data stored on an NFC tag associated with the printer. The data provided by the NFC tag may include printer status information, printer configuration information, network information, or other data relating to operation and maintenance of the printer. The printer may also encode the NFC tag dynamically, including encoding data to NFC tags included on print media. The printer may encode an NFC tag associated with media with a variety of information in support of various use cases.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide systems, methods, and apparatuses for leveraging near field communications (NFC) in conjunction with printer devices. Examples of the disclosure provide for novel methods of interfacing with printers configured to use near field communications using NFC enabled readers and output media. Examples include using a smart phone to access data stored on an NFC tag associated with the printer. The data provided by the NFC tag may include printer status information, printer configuration information, network information, or other data relating to operation and maintenance of the printer. The printer may also encode the NFC tag dynamically, including encoding data to NFC tags included on print media. The printer may encode an NFC tag associated with media with a variety of information in support of various use cases.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge for a printer. The ribbon cartridge includes a frame that supports supply and take-up spools and that has one or more locating features to facilitate its insertion and positioning in a frame of a printer. For example, the ribbon cartridge frame may include a pair of detents defined approximately midway between the two spools to facilitate balanced insertion. The detents are slots with rounded ends that are configured to receive similarly shaped reference protrusions of the printer frame. The cartridge frame may also define a pocket for receiving an identification tag associated with the ribbon cartridge that ensures compatibility with the printer and passage of other information to the printer. In other embodiments, the ribbon cartridge may include a cleaning roller.

Abstract: A printer configured to print on substrates that undesirably tend to collect debris before being printed, comprises a print station including a printhead, and a printer body configured to receive a replaceable cartridge that holds a printer consumable (such as a ribbon) and a substrate cleaning structure. The printer body is constructed and arranged so that when a cartridge is received in the body, the cleaning structure is operable to at least assist in removing debris from a substrate. The cleaning structure may comprise a tacky or sticky belt, web or roller. The cleaning structure may be configured to present a sticky surface to a primary cleaning member that engages and cleans the substrates. Alternatively, the cleaning structure may be configured to directly engage and clean the substrates. Preferably, the useful lives of the cleaning structure and the printer consumable are commensurate.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining tension on a ribbon in a printer used for transferring an image, e.g., thermally, from a print head through the ribbon to a print medium. By maintaining ribbon tension and thus keeping the ribbon essentially without wrinkles, print quality is enhanced. This tension maintenance apparatus uses a pair of torqued reel subassemblies with the ribbon extending between and is of particular significance when used in conjunction with a label stock as a printer medium when the printer mechanism bidirectionally moves the label stock to assist removal of labels from its backing. These torqued reel assemblies are sufficiently loaded such that ribbon tension is maintained between these reel assemblies despite this bidirectional movement.

Abstract: A low cost small footprint thermal printer including a thermal print head and a motor drive roller/platen mounted opposite to the print head for pinching web material therebetween to draw said material from a supply roll and advance it past said print head. The roller/platen is mounted on a hinged door which can be opened to provide access to a supply roll compartment and closed to position the roller/platen in operative relationship adjacent to the print head. In its closed operative position, the roller/platen is spring biased against a fixedly mounted print head.

Abstract: An integrated accelerometer includes hinges of silicon composition for securing the strut legs of a pendulous mass to the accelerometer body. Both the body of the accelerometer and the pendulous mass are of metal-coated compositions. Metallized pads are provided on selected surfaces of the hinges for forming eutectic bonds with the body and struts of the pendulous mass of the accelerometer. A heavily-doped continuous region adjacent the surface of the hinge connects the eutectic bonds through a flexure region of reduced thickness to complete necessary device circuitry.