Abstract: Method and apparatus for reprogramming a programmable product, such as, a printer, a wireless communication device, or a portable computer. A software programmable product that includes memory for storing product operation information and a method for configuring the software programmable products is provided. Software is configurable by data stored on an RFID tag. Data stored on the RFID is transferred reprogramming circuitry of the production which sets the configurable operating parameters. This configures the products features and options as desired by the specific user without requiring an external programming device or destructive entering into the packages or internals of the product. An RFID located in an electronic product, within or upon its packaging, or on an accessory may be loaded with reprogramming data such as media configuration data or usage data. The RFID reader may be located on a kiosk.

Abstract: A device such as a printer, includes non-volatile memory storing a communications kernel. Upon startup, a microprocessor executes the communication kernel to prompt a host to download a setup kernel to the device. The microprocessor may verify the downloading using a check sum calculation. The microprocessor may execute the setup kernel to determine the operational characteristics on the device. For example, the microprocessor may interrogate the hardware elements of the device to determine a set of hardware characteristics. The microprocessor may also interrogate the device to determine a set of user selectable setup options and may further interrogate the device or a nonresident register for ownership and access attributes for selected modules and software. The microprocessor may link a number of resident and non-resident library modules, selected based on the operational characteristics. The library modules are dynamically linkable to reconfigure the software as operational characteristics change.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reprogramming a programmable product, such as, a printer, a wireless communication device, or a portable computer. A software programmable product that includes memory for storing product operation information and a method for configuring the software programmable products is provided. Software is configurable by data stored on an RFID tag. Data stored on the RFID is transferred reprogramming circuitry of the production which sets the configurable operating parameters. This configures the products features and options as desired by the specific user without requiring an external programming device or destructive entering into the packages or internals of the product. An RFID located in an electronic product, within or upon its packaging, or on an accessory may be loaded with reprogramming data such as media configuration data or usage data. The RFID reader may be located on a kiosk.

Abstract: An on-demand subsurface printed label. Indicia is reverse printed on the back of a clear plastic label film. Resulting label is suitable for harsh environments without requiring pre-printing or use of an extra protective outer layer.

Abstract: A memory device comprises a substrate, an antenna on a first surface of the substrate, a microelectronic structure coupled to the antenna, a selectively deformable intermediate layer covering the first surface, the antenna and the microelectronic structure and conforming thereto, and an adhesive layer covering the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer may be deformable for selectively positioning the antenna with respect to the adhesive, and positioning the antenna with respect to an item to which the memory device is secured. The intermediate layer may be compressed, creating a relatively low profile for printing on the memory device. The intermediate layer may be an elastomerically compressible material, such as foam, or may be a selectively pressurizable and deformable envelope.

Abstract: This is a cutter assembly for linerless strip media having an uncovered adhesive backing. There is a cutter for transverse movement across the media and a backing bar with at least two cutting edges. The backing bar can be rotated to place one of the cutting edges in contact with the cutter. A cleaning station cleans the previously used cutting edge as the bar is rotated. Rotating and fixed cutters can be used. The cutter is replaceable and can be supplied in combination with as associated media for which it is designed. The cutter may partially cut the media to make it separate without fouling the cutter with adhesive. A self-healing "solid" roller is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printer for printing on an outer layer of a print medium on a print medium roll. The printer includes a base and a cover, which are pivotally coupled in a "clamshell" configuration for movement between a closed position in which the printhead is located in a printing position proximate the path of the media and an open position that is spaced from the printing position. The printer may use thermal or inkjet printing. The printer is used without a mechanical paper drive mechanism. The printer monitors movement of an outer wrap of the print medium as the print medium roll rotates in response to a user pulling print medium from the print medium roll. In one embodiment, the printer detects movement of the print medium with a metering roller and an optical rotation sensor. In another embodiment, the printer monitors movement of the print medium by detecting movement of index marks on the print medium.

Abstract: A clamshell printer having a base and a cover pivotally mounted to the base for movement between an open and a closed position, wherein the open position provides unhindered access to a media path and a print head in the printer. The printer may include a platen formed integrally therein or a platen rollingly supported in the printer. A media supply, such as a continuous sheet of linerless thermal media in the form of a roll may be quickly and efficiently drop-loaded into the printer, with no threading of the media required. Unhindered access to the print head is also provided. The printer may or may not include a drive mechanism for advancing the media through the printer. The print head is controlled by a microprocessor mounted to a circuit board in the printer. The circuit board may be spring-biased to urge the print head toward a printing position, which is located at an effective printing distance from the media and the platen. A window may be formed in the printer for observing the media supply.

Abstract: Linerless media for labels is invisibly marked along its length with invisible marks or small holes to indicate motion marks and/or position marks related to pre-printed label information. The marks are used to properly position pre-printed label information with respect to a printer printhead. The marks can also be used to detect critical speeds of the media that can cause problems such as standing waves or poor print quality from the printhead. The marks are also used to position and print on linerless media being pulled by hand through a printer having no drive motor.

Abstract: This is a cutter assembly for linerless strip media having an uncovered adhesive backing. There is a cutter mounted for transverse movement across the media and a backing bar with at least two cutting edges. The backing bar can be rotated to place one of the cutting edges in position to cooperate with the cutter to cut the media. The backing bar is rotatable about a transverse axis simultaneously with feed movement of the media at a rotational speed equal to the feed speed of the media. This causes the media to ride up on a pointed portion of a cutting edge without dragging across the cutting edge as the cutting edge moves into a use position in which the media is supported by a support surface of the cutting edge. A cleaning station cleans the previously used cutting edge as the bar is rotated. Rotating and fixed cutters can be used. The cutter is replaceable and can be supplied in combination with an associated media for which it is designed.

Abstract: Linerless media for labels is visibly or invisibly marked along its length with marks or small holes to indicate motion marks and/or position marks related to pre-printed label information. The marks are used to properly position pre-printed label information with respect to a printer printhead. The marks can also be used to detect critical speeds of the media that can cause problems such as standing waves or poor print quality from the printhead. The marks are also used to position and print on linerless media being pulled by hand through a printer having no drive motor.

Abstract: A printer for printing on an outer layer of a print medium on a print medium roll. The printer may use thermal or inkjet printing. The printer is used without a mechanical paper drive mechanism. The printer monitors movement of an outer wrap of the print medium as the print medium roll rotates in response to a user pulling print medium from the print medium roll. In one embodiment, the printer detects movement of the print medium with a metering roller and an optical rotation sensor. In another embodiment, the printer monitors movement of the print medium by detecting movement of index marks on the print medium. From the monitored movement of the print medium, the printer identifies a portion of the print medium aligned to the printhead and selects image portions to print in the identified portion. The printer then activates the printhead to print the selected image portions in the corresponding identified portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to printers for printing on and cutting linerless, adhesive-backed, strip media. Described and claimed are methods and apparatus related to--(1) bridges for bridging a platen roller to minimize its exposed surface to the adhesive, (2) a printing station wherein the printhead moves over stationary media, (3) media having non-activated adhesive and a printer which activates the adhesive only after printing on and cutting the media, and (4) media having the adhesive in strips with non-adhesive gaps between and a cutting or tearing station for separating finished labels at the gaps.