Abstract: A hand held labeler is programmable to operate in accordance with a sequence of commands forming an application program that is downloaded to the labeler and stored in a random access memory. Each command is associated with a command routine selected from a set of command routines that is stored in a read only memory. The commands of the application program and associated command routines are executed by a microprocessor of the labeler to perform flexible data collection, data manipulation and label printing operations.

Abstract: A firearm holder for removably mounting a firearm on a vertical support is disclosed. The firearm includes a stock and a sling swivel stud mounted on the stock. The stock also has a first end, a second end on which the sling swivel stud is mounted, and a butt. The firearm holder comprises: a plate which is removably mountable on a vertical support, the plate having a first end and a second end; a stock support mounted on the second end of the plate, the stock support provided to engage the first end of the stock; an arm extending at an angle from the first end of the plate; and an engagement piece extending from the arm, the engagement piece being provided to engage the sling swivel stud of the firearm to maintain the firearm in a position perpendicular to the plate and to the vertical support when the butt of the stock is positioned against the plate and the stock support engages the first end of the stock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable storage enclosure which can be used as a seat. The device includes a storage enclosure defining a storage cavity, and an access opening thereto. A door is mounted on the storage enclosure. The door is movable from a position at which it covers the access opening to a position at which it permits access to the storage cavity. A belt is attached to the storage enclosure. The belt is adjustable from a first position at which the belt can be secured about a wearer's waist to a second position at which the belt can be secured around a generally vertical support, such as a tree or utility pole. The apparatus of the present invention is designed so that the wearer can remove the storage enclosure from the wearer's waist, attach the storage enclosure to the generally vertical support by the belt, and use the storage enclosure as a seat.

Abstract: A hand held labeler is programmable to operate in accordance with a sequence of commands forming an application program that is downloaded to the labeler and stored in a random access memory. Each command is associated with a command routine selected from a set of command routines that is stored in a read only memory. The commands of the application program and associated command routines are executed by a microprocessor of the labeler to perform flexible data collection, data manipulation and label printing operations.

Abstract: A host communication message manager of a local bar code data processing and printing system allows one or more host processing systems to communicate with the local system to control the maintenance of data including bar code data stored in the local processing system. The host communication message manager also allows one or more host processing systems to communicate with the local system to control the printing of data including bar code data stored in the local system on a bar code printer coupled thereto. The host communication message manager allows both a host processing system in the form of a main frame computer as well as a host processing system in the form of a hand held labeler with data collection capabilities to communicate with the local bar code data processing and printing system to provide an integrated system for data collection, bar code printing and labeling.

Abstract: A bar code identification system format editor is shown which allows a single format to automatically be created for multiple, incompatible printers. The system includes a number of bar code printers of various types, each bar code printer type having an associated set of printer function options selectable by a user to define a format, i.e., the layout of fields for a tag, label or the like. When a user selects various printer types for which a format is to be generated, the format editor automatically determines the intersection of the sets of printer function options for each of the selected printer types to create a common set of printer function options. Thereafter, the format editor prompts the user to select only those printer function options supported by the selected printer types for the format as indicated in the common printer function option set. The format editor also allows a format to be created designated a nonfixed graphic so that one format can be used with a number of different graphics.

Abstract: A spooler is shown for a barcode information system. The spooler allows one printer to be assigned to one queue of the spooler, multiple printers to be assigned to a single queue; and a single printer to be assigned to multiple queues. The spooler is flexible in its configuration so as to allow print jobs to be distributed evenly among the various printers of the system. The printers of the system need not be the same and may be incompatible in that they communicate in different languages and/or they do not have the same format options. To minimize processing time, jobs may be terminated while in the process of printing. The jobs can later be restarted at the point in the job at which termination occurred. Further, format and graphic packets previously transmitted to a printer by the spooler for one job are not retransmitted to the same printer for subsequent jobs utilizing those same format and graphic packets so as to increase the efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A barcode identification system format editor is shown which allows a single format to automatically be created for multiple, incompatible printers. The system includes a number of barcode printers of various types, each barcode printer type having an associated set of printer function options selectable by a user to define a format, i.e., the layout of fields for a tag, label or the like. When a user selects various printer types for which a format is to be generated, the format editor automatically determines the intersection of the sets of printer function options for each of the selected printer types to create a common set of printer function options. Thereafter, the format editor prompts the user to select only those printer function options supported by the selected printer types for the format as indicated in the common printer function option set.