Abstract: A media processing device is disclosed that includes a platen assembly, a printhead assembly, a drive element, and a processor. The platen assembly includes a platen roller configured to rotate. The printhead assembly, disposed opposite the platen assembly, is configured to move between an engaged position in which the printhead assembly forms a nip with the platen roller and a disengaged position in which the printhead assembly is spaced away from the platen roller. The drive element is configured to rotate the platen roller. The processor is in communication with the drive element, and configured to control the drive element to rotate the platen roller according to a first operating mode or a second operation mode, the printhead assembly moves to the engaged position in the first operating mode and moves to the disengaged position in the second operating mode.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes a printhead, a motor, a drive train, and a platen assembly. The drive train is operatively coupled to the motor. The platen assembly includes a platen roller and is operatively coupled to the drive train. The platen assembly is configured to rotate about a platen assembly axis of rotation, in response to an operation of the motor, between a media processing position in which the platen roller forms a nip with the printhead and a media loading position in which the platen roller is rotated away from the printhead about the platen assembly axis of rotation.

Abstract: A supply of printable media including a self-locking core. A web of printable media is wound about the self-locking core. The media including a printable surface on first side and an adhesive on a second side. The self-locking core includes a cylindrical body defining a center axis, the cylindrical body having an outer surface and an inner surface. A locking member formed along the inner surface of the body. The locking member extends radially inward towards the center axis and forms a helix having a non-zero helix angle along the inner surface.

Abstract: A media processing device includes a platen roller opposing spaced from a printhead to form a nip. The platen roller rotates at a platen speed to pull media from a media roll in a downstream direction along a media path. A media supply spindle configured to support the media roll and to rotate at a payout speed to dispense media from the media roll. A dancer arm includes a roller configured to engage the media along the media path and a sensor detect a position of the dancer arm. A logic circuit receives an output signal from the sensor, determines that the position of the dancer arm has changed based on the signal, and adjusts the payout speed of the media supply spindle.

Abstract: An example disclosed herein includes a media cartridge. The media cartridge includes a housing configured to rotatably support a media roll. The media cartridge further includes a cartridge output within the housing configured to guide a media web from the media roll out of the housing. The media cartridge includes a spring and a media stop assembly configured to translate between a release position and a hold position. When the media stop assembly is in the hold position, the media web of the media roll is pinched between the media stop assembly and a surface and when the media stop assembly is in the release position, the media stop assembly is separated from the surface and the media web is free to move. The spring further biases the media stop assembly towards the hold position and is removable without opening the housing of the media cartridge.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a hopper for supporting a stack of media units (e.g. cards), the hopper including (i) a gate wall configured to abut leading edges of the media units and (ii) an outlet defined at an end of the gate wall; a pick roller at the outlet for engaging an outer one of the media units in the stack and dispensing the outer media unit from the hopper to a media processing path; the gate wall including a flexible gate at the outlet, the flexible gate configured to deflect toward the media processing path responsive to the outer media unit being driven into the flexible gate by the pick roller, wherein the outer media unit deflects when passing by the flexible gate, permitting the outer media unit to be dispensed from the hopper.

Abstract: A printer includes: a body with a set of interior walls defining a media enclosure configured to receive a media cartridge, and a latch recess in one of the interior walls, including a retaining surface, and a ramp surface; a lid rotatably coupled to the body and movable between open and closed positions; and a latch movably supported by the lid between a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch including: a bias member biasing the latch towards the locked position, a hook surface configured to engage the retaining surface when the lid is closed and the latch is in the locked position, and a cam surface configured via the bias member, when the lid is closed and the latch is released to the unlocked position, to slide against the ramp surface and lift the lid to an intermediate position between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A printer configured to contain a media cartridge, wherein the media cartridge includes: a base defining a media chamber and including a lower wall and an opposing upper wall; an identification circuit disposed on the lower wall, the identification circuit configured to engage with an electronic interface of a printer; a ledge on the upper wall of the base, the ledge configured to receive downward pressure from an inner surface of a lid of the printer in a closed position; wherein the identification circuit is aligned with the ledge to receive at least a portion of the downward pressure.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a hopper for supporting a stack of media units (e.g. cards), the hopper including (i) a gate wall configured to abut leading edges of the media units and (ii) an outlet defined at an end of the gate wall; a pick roller at the outlet for engaging an outer one of the media units in the stack and dispensing the outer media unit from the hopper to a media processing path; the gate wall including a flexible gate at the outlet, the flexible gate configured to deflect toward the media processing path responsive to the outer media unit being driven into the flexible gate by the pick roller, wherein the outer media unit deflects when passing by the flexible gate, permitting the outer media unit to be dispensed from the hopper.

Abstract: A printer configured to contain a media cartridge, wherein the media cartridge includes: a base defining a media chamber and including a lower wall and an opposing upper wall; an identification circuit disposed on the lower wall, the identification circuit configured to engage with an electronic interface of a printer; a ledge on the upper wall of the base, the ledge configured to receive downward pressure from an inner surface of a lid of the printer in a closed position; wherein the identification circuit is aligned with the ledge to receive at least a portion of the downward pressure.

Abstract: A printer includes: a body with a set of interior walls defining a media enclosure configured to receive a media cartridge, and a latch recess in one of the interior walls, including a retaining surface, and a ramp surface; a lid rotatably coupled to the body and movable between open and closed positions; and a latch movably supported by the lid between a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch including: a bias member biasing the latch towards the locked position, a hook surface configured to engage the retaining surface when the lid is closed and the latch is in the locked position, and a cam surface configured via the bias member, when the lid is closed and the latch is released to the unlocked position, to slide against the ramp surface and lift the lid to an intermediate position between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: An example disclosed herein includes a media cartridge. The media cartridge includes a housing. The media cartridge further includes a media core supported within the housing where the media core includes at least one detent arranged radially around an inner surface of the media core. The media cartridge includes a locking tab having a cam and at least one tooth. The locking tab being movable between a default position and a flexed position. When the locking tab is in the default position, the at least one tooth is engaged with the at least one detent and in the flexed position, the cam is compressed inwardly causing the at least one tooth to disengage from the at least one detent of the media core.

Abstract: A printer includes: a body with a set of interior walls defining a media enclosure configured to receive a media cartridge, and a latch recess in one of the interior walls, including a retaining surface, and a ramp surface; a lid rotatably coupled to the body and movable between open and closed positions; and a latch movably supported by the lid between a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch including: a bias member biasing the latch towards the locked position, a hook surface configured to engage the retaining surface when the lid is closed and the latch is in the locked position, and a cam surface configured via the bias member, when the lid is closed and the latch is released to the unlocked position, to slide against the ramp surface and lift the lid to an intermediate position between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A printer includes: a body defining a media enclosure configured to receive a media supply; an indicator assembly supported by an outer wall of the body, the indicator assembly including a plurality of substantially contiguous illumination surfaces illuminated by respective ones of a set of lights supported within the body; a controller supported by the body, the controller configured to: (i) obtain an operational status of the printer, (ii) retrieve, from a mapping repository, a set of notification control parameters corresponding to the operational status, and (iii) control the set of lights according to the notification control parameters.

Abstract: A printer includes: a body defining a media enclosure configured to receive a media supply; an indicator assembly supported by an outer wall of the body, the indicator assembly including a plurality of substantially contiguous illumination surfaces illuminated by respective ones of a set of lights supported within the body; a controller supported by the body, the controller configured to: (i) obtain an operational status of the printer, (ii) retrieve, from a mapping repository, a set of notification control parameters corresponding to the operational status, and (iii) control the set of lights according to the notification control parameters.

Abstract: A printer includes: a body with a set of interior walls defining a media enclosure configured to receive a media cartridge, and a latch recess in one of the interior walls, including a retaining surface, and a ramp surface; a lid rotatably coupled to the body and movable between open and closed positions; and a latch movably supported by the lid between a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch including: a bias member biasing the latch towards the locked position, a hook surface configured to engage the retaining surface when the lid is closed and the latch is in the locked position, and a cam surface configured via the bias member, when the lid is closed and the latch is released to the unlocked position, to slide against the ramp surface and lift the lid to an intermediate position between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A printer configured to contain a media cartridge, wherein the media cartridge includes: a base defining a media chamber and including a lower wall and an opposing upper wall; an identification circuit disposed on the lower wall, the identification circuit configured to engage with an electronic interface of a printer; a ledge on the upper wall of the base, the ledge configured to receive downward pressure from an inner surface of a lid of the printer in a closed position; wherein the identification circuit is aligned with the ledge to receive at least a portion of the downward pressure.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a hopper for supporting a stack of media units (e.g. cards), the hopper including (i) a gate wall configured to abut leading edges of the media units and (ii) an outlet defined at an end of the gate wall; a pick roller at the outlet for engaging an outer one of the media units in the stack and dispensing the outer media unit from the hopper to a media processing path; the gate wall including a flexible gate at the outlet, the flexible gate configured to deflect toward the media processing path responsive to the outer media unit being driven into the flexible gate by the pick roller, wherein the outer media unit deflects when passing by the flexible gate, permitting the outer media unit to be dispensed from the hopper.

Abstract: A printer includes: a body defining a media enclosure configured to receive a media supply; an indicator assembly supported by an outer wall of the body, the indicator assembly including a plurality of substantially contiguous illumination surfaces illuminated by respective ones of a set of lights supported within the body; a controller supported by the body, the controller configured to: (i) obtain an operational status of the printer, (ii) retrieve, from a mapping repository, a set of notification control parameters corresponding to the operational status, and (iii) control the set of lights according to the notification control parameters.