Abstract: A portable end device, such as a bar code scanner, may be equipped with auxiliary interfaces. The auxiliary interfaces may be easily added to the end device as a replaceable cover, such as a replaceable battery door. A signal path conducts signals to and from the replaceable cover. One auxiliary interface is a Bluetooth radio. Data integrity protocols may be selected to guarantee delivery and guarantee no duplicate deliveries. Host pairing algorithms may provide standard or strong pairing with a host computer. Ergonomic interface features allow a user to control and monitor the operation of the end device and the data link with minimal hardware cost and battery life impact. Host software programs provide data routing, automatic reestablishment of the data link, and other functions. The system is adaptable to a wide array of use environments through the selection of timer parameters in the end device.

Abstract: A portable end device, such as a bar code scanner, may be equipped with auxiliary interfaces. The auxiliary interfaces may be easily added to the end device as a replaceable cover, such as a replaceable battery door. A signal path conducts signals to and from the replaceable cover. One auxiliary interface is a Bluetooth radio. Data integrity protocols may be selected to guarantee delivery and guarantee no duplicate deliveries. Host pairing algorithms may provide standard or strong pairing with a host computer. Ergonomic interface features allow a user to control and monitor the operation of the end device and the data link with minimal hardware cost and battery life impact. Host software programs provide data routing, automatic reestablishment of the data link, and other functions. The system is adaptable to a wide array of use environments through the selection of timer parameters in the end device.

Abstract: A printhead having multiple print lines of conventional design and a printhead control system for using the multiple print lines in a variety of operations. In one embodiment, the printhead control system prints an image by superimposing the printing from multiple print lines. In another embodiment, the image is printed by alternating the energization of one print line so that each print line is used to print only ⅓ of the image lines. As a result, the print lines are allowed a relatively long time to cool, thus allowing the printhead to be operated at a faster speed. In another embodiment, the printing elements of each print line print with a different image density, and images printed by superimposing the printing elements in the print lines with a variety of combinations depending upon the desired magnitude of the image density.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing, reading, and updating information abode a plurality of target objects. The apparatus includes a data reader and a plurality of readable and writable tags, each tag including a memory. The reader produces a modulated interrogation signal or beam for activating and writing to the tag. The detector within the tag detects the modulated interrogation signal and, in response thereto, accesses the memory for reading or writing. The tag also includes an emitter so that the tag may be read by the reader. During reading, data is retrieved from the memory and the emitter within the tag is modulated to produce a data signal representing the retrieved data. The tags also include optically readable symbols that supply control information for use by the reader in reading from and writing to the memories of the tags. In one embodiment, the tag takes the form of a photonic tag, the interrogation signal being formed as a modulated optical beam.

Abstract: A printhead having multiple print lines of conventional design and a printhead control system for using the multiple print lines in a variety of operations. In one embodiment, the printhead control system prints an image by superimposing the printing from multiple print lines. In another embodiment, the image is printed by alternating the energization of one print line so that each print line is used to print only 1/3 of the image lines. As a result, the print lines are allowed a relatively long time to cool, thus allowing the printhead to be operated at a faster speed. In another embodiment, the printing elements of each print line print with a different image density, and images printed by superimposing the printing elements in the print lines with a variety of combinations depending upon the desired magnitude of the image density.

Abstract: A printhead having multiple print lines of conventional design and a printhead control system for using the multiple print lines in a variety of operations. In one embodiment, the printhead control system prints an image by superimposing the printing from multiple print lines. In another embodiment, the image is printed by alternating the energization of one print line so that each print line is used to print only 1/3 of the image lines. As a result, the print lines are allowed a relatively long time to cool, thus allowing the printhead to be operated at a faster speed. In another embodiment, the printing elements of each print line print with a different image density, and images printed by superimposing the printing elements in the print lines with a variety of combinations depending upon the desired magnitude of the image density.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a thermal printhead. In response to a sequence of print commands, the method and apparatus generate an energization signal for each thermal print element in the printhead. In one embodiment, the energization is a function of at least the present print command and a future print command. In certain embodiments, the energization signal may also be a function of a past print command, print commands for at least one adjoining print element, and other parameters. Each print element in the printhead can, accordingly, be maintained at a proper temperature to ensure long printhead life and cause the printhead to generate sharp images.

Abstract: A system for controlling the temperature of the printing elements of a thermal printhead. The printhead is provided with a plurality of spaced apart temperature sensor that measure the temperature at various locations on the printhead. A processor receiving outputs from the sensors determines the approximate temperature of each printing element based upon its proximity to at least one temperature sensor and the temperature sensor outputs. The processor then uses the approximate temperature of the printing elements to formulate either a strobe signal or a serial data stream that is applied to the respective printing element. Each printing element thus receives a quantity of energy that is a function of whether the printing element will contribute to the printing of an image during a scan line as well as the approximate temperature of the printing element.

Abstract: A method of supplying an energization signal to a selected element in an array of print elements. Printing activity of the selected element and neighboring elements is determined, compressed and stored to memory. Based on the stored compressed printing activity data, an energization schedule for the selected element is determined using a look-up table technique. The data in the look-up table may also be compressed reducing the memory required by the energization data. Further reductions in memory are achieved by grouping portions of the printing activity data to identify common energization schedules for differing printing activities. The printing activity data may relate to temporal distributions and/or spatial distributions of printing activity of elements in the array. The method may be applied to linear or two-dimensional arrays of print elements.