Abstract: A printhead mounting system includes one or more pins attached to a printhead, and configured to be inserted through one or more slots in a support frame coupled to a printer, and one or more fasteners configured to engage with the pins inserted through the support frame slots. The fasteners can be detachable, operably coupled to the support frame, or coupled to each other. Additionally, the system can have locating pins for aligning the printhead with the support frame. A method for attaching a printhead includes inserting posts located at a top of a printhead through openings in a printhead support frame, and engaging one or more quick-release fasteners with the posts above the support frame.

Abstract: A media feeding system comprises a driver configured to rotate a media roll in a first direction; a vacuum roller positioned in a media feed path and configured to rotate in the first direction; and a media end detecting sensor positioned in the media feed path, the media end detecting sensor being configured to detect a leading edge of the media; wherein the driver rotates the media roll in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to the sensor detecting the leading end of the media.

Abstract: A printhead mounting system includes one or more pins attached to a printhead, and configured to be inserted through one or more slots in a support frame coupled to a printer, and one or more fasteners configured to engage with the pins inserted through the support frame slots. The fasteners can be detachable, operably coupled to the support frame, or coupled to each other. Additionally, the system can have locating pins for aligning the printhead with the support frame. A method for attaching a printhead includes inserting posts located at a top of a printhead through openings in a printhead support frame, and engaging one or more quick-release fasteners with the posts above the support frame.

Abstract: A compact printer having improved operational features is disclosed. The printer includes an articulating print frame assembly coupled to a top cover that is adapted to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position. When the print frame is in an open position, the top cover is prevented from rotating toward the bottom housing to a closed position. The print frame includes a ribbon guide bar that facilitates loading of ribbon and media. The disclosed printer also includes a fixed or adjustable media sensor, and is configurable to accommodate an internal supply of web (roll) media or an external supply of fanfold media.

Abstract: A self-configuring printer includes a print head configured to print on a print media, and a sensor configured to sense indicia on the print media. The indicia includes a top-of-form mark and at least one data segment. The printer includes a processor in operative communication with the sensor and a memory in operative communication with the processor. The memory stores a set of instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute a method of operating the printer. The method includes receiving, from the sensor, signals corresponding to the a top-of-form mark and the at least one data segment; determining, from the signals, a top-of-form location of the print media and at least one printer operational property; moving the top-of-form location of the print media to a predetermined position with respect to the print head; and configuring the printer utilizing the at least one printer operational property.

Abstract: A compact printer having improved operational features is disclosed. The printer includes an articulating print frame assembly coupled to a top cover that is adapted to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position. When the print frame is in an open position, the top cover is prevented from rotating toward the bottom housing to a closed position. The print frame includes a ribbon guide bar that facilitates loading of ribbon and media. The disclosed printer also includes a fixed or adjustable media sensor, and is configurable to accommodate an internal supply of web (roll) media or an external supply of fanfold media.

Abstract: A compact printer having improved operational features. The printer includes an articulating print frame assembly coupled to a top cover that is adapted to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position. When the print frame is in an open position, the top cover is prevented from rotating toward the bottom housing to a closed position. The print frame includes a ribbon guide bar that facilitates loading of ribbon and media. The disclosed printer also includes a fixed or adjustable media sensor, and is configurable to accommodate an internal supply of web (roll) media or an external supply of fanfold media, a bottom housing having a top cover coupled thereto.

Abstract: A self-configuring printer includes a print head configured to print on a print media, and a sensor configured to sense indicia on the print media. The indicia includes a top-of-form mark and at least one data segment. The printer includes a processor in operative communication with the sensor and a memory in operative communication with the processor. The memory stores a set of instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute a method of operating the printer. The method includes receiving, from the sensor, signals corresponding to the a top-of-form mark and the at least one data segment; determining, from the signals, a top-of-form location of the print media and at least one printer operational property; moving the top-of-form location of the print media to a predetermined position with respect to the print head; and configuring the printer utilizing the at least one printer operational property.

Abstract: A printer having improved operational features. The printer includes an articulating print frame assembly coupled to a top cover that is adapted to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position. When the print frame is in an open position, the top cover is prevented from rotating toward the bottom housing to a closed position. The printer may include at least one media support member with a media adjustment channel disposed therein, a media adjustment member slidingly disposed through each of the media adjustment channels, and a resilient member configured to apply friction between each of the media adjustment members and the corresponding media support member.

Abstract: A printer having improved operational features. The printer includes an articulating print frame assembly coupled to a top cover that is adapted to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position. When the print frame is in an open position, the top cover is prevented from rotating toward the bottom housing to a closed position. The printer may include at least one media support member with a media adjustment channel disposed therein, a media adjustment member slidingly disposed through each of the media adjustment channels, and a resilient member configured to apply friction between each of the media adjustment members and the corresponding media support member.

Abstract: A compact printer having improved operational features. The printer includes an articulating print frame assembly coupled to a top cover that is adapted to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position. When the print frame is in an open position, the top cover is prevented from rotating toward the bottom housing to a closed position. The print frame includes a ribbon guide bar that facilitates loading of ribbon and media. The disclosed printer also includes a fixed or adjustable media sensor, and is configurable to accommodate an internal supply of web (roll) media or an external supply of fanfold media, a bottom housing having a top cover coupled thereto.

Abstract: A compact printer having improved operational features. The printer includes an articulating print frame assembly coupled to a top cover that is adapted to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position. When the print frame is in an open position, the top cover is prevented from rotating toward the bottom housing to a closed position. The print frame includes a media guide bar that facilitates loading of ribbon and media. The disclosed printer also includes a fixed or adjustable media sensor, and is configurable to accommodate an internal supply of web (roll) media or an external supply of fanfold media. a bottom housing having a top cover coupled thereto.

Abstract: A modular printer having a media take-up assembly, a support block assembly, a printhead assembly, a stepper motor assembly and a display assembly is provided. A support housing having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support housing. The support housing is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other.

Abstract: A compact printer having improved operational features. The printer includes an articulating print frame assembly coupled to a top cover that is adapted to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position. When the print frame is in an open position, the top cover is prevented from rotating toward the bottom housing to a closed position. The print frame includes a media guide bar that facilitates loading of ribbon and media. The disclosed printer also includes a fixed or adjustable media sensor, and is configurable to accommodate an internal supply of web (roll) media or an external supply of fanfold media. a bottom housing having a top cover coupled thereto.

Abstract: A modular printer having a media take-up assembly, a support block assembly, a printhead assembly, a stepper motor assembly and a display assembly is provided. A support housing having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support housing. The support housing is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other.

Abstract: A modular printer having a media take-up assembly, a support block assembly, a printhead assembly, a stepper motor assembly and a display assembly is provided. A support housing having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support housing. The support housing is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other.

Abstract: A direct thermal barcode printer including a print assembly is provided. The print assembly is movably positioned relative to a print media for adjusting printing characteristics of an attached print head.

Abstract: A modular printer having a media take-up assembly, a support block assembly, a printhead assembly, a stepper motor assembly and a display assembly is provided. A support housing having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support housing. The support housing is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other.

Abstract: A print media sensor mounting assembly includes a housing having a sensor mounting element. The sensor mounting element has a sensor position movably mounted therein for movement of the sensor position amongst a plurality of positions corresponding to a width of a print media web.

Abstract: A thermal transfer print head is disclosed. The print head includes a housing configured and dimensioned to be installable within the printer, a plurality of resistive heating elements positioned on an external surface of the housing and in thermal contact with a printable media, the resistive heating elements receive electrical energy from the printer and have adjustable thermal output, and a print head memory positioned within the housing and accessible by the thermal printer, the print head memory including a first and second memory regions, the first memory region configured to store a printing profile pertaining to operating parameters of the resistive heating elements and the second memory configured to store usage data pertaining to operation of the print head.