Abstract: A portable, on-line barcode printer has a very small number of variable function keys, each of which is actuable to perform a large number of non-data entry functions for monitoring various components, performing diagnostic testing and setting up the operation of the printer. A display is positioned in association with the function keys and provides both a message section for displaying a text or pictorial message in association with a current mode of operation and an icon section for displaying an icon in association with each of the function keys wherein each icon symbolizes a non-data entry function selectable by actuation of the associated key in the current mode. A controller enables one or more of the function keys in each of a plurality of modes in the printer and controls the message and icon set depicted in each mode so as to change the function of each of the variable function keys.

Abstract: A portable, on-line barcode printer has a very small number of variable function keys, each of which is actuable to perform a large number of non-data entry functions for monitoring various components, performing diagnostic testing and setting up the operation of the printer. A display is positioned in association with the function keys and provides both a message section for displaying a text or pictorial message in association with a current mode of operation and an icon section for displaying an icon in association with each of the function keys wherein each icon symbolizes a non-data entry function selectable by actuation of the associated key in the current mode. A controller enables one or more of the function keys in each of a plurality of modes in the printer and controls the message and icon set depicted in each mode so as to change the function of each of the variable function keys.

Abstract: A portable, on-line barcode printer has a very small number of variable function keys, each of which is actuable to perform a large number of non-data entry functions for monitoring various components, performing diagnostic testing and setting up the operation of the printer. A display is positioned in association with the function keys and provides both a message section for displaying a text or pictorial message in association with a current mode of operation and an icon section for displaying an icon in association with each of the function keys wherein each icon symbolizes a non-data entry function selectable by actuation of the associated key in the current mode. A controller enables one or more of the function keys in each of a plurality of modes in the printer and controls the message and icon set depicted in each mode so as to change the function of each of the variable function keys.

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 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 microprocessor controlled thermal printer particularly usable in a hand-held labeler for printing labels on a composite web detects indices on the web and utilizes the detected indices to position the labels relative to the print head. The printer utilizes an improved index detection system that compensates for variations in index size and density and for variations in sensor sensitivity by detecting both the leading and trailing edges of an index and utilizing the distance between the detected leading and trailing edges to determine the length of the index. By dividing the length thus determined by two, and by advancing the web by this amount after the detection of the leading edge of an index, the center of the index can be accurately located, and the web can be accurately registered at any desired position relative to the center of the index.

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 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 program generator allows a user to create a software program capable of being executed by a remote labeler to control the printing of one or more labels and to control data collection operations thereof. The program generator stores a user entered sequence of commands selected from a set of commands that control label printing and data collection operations. The stored sequence of commands is validated in accordance with the program generator such that each command entered by the user is compared to a set of allowable commands to determine whether the command is valid or not. During the validation of each of the commands, the program generator determines whether the parameters of the command define allowable data manipulation operations to be performed by the labeler. If not, the program generator provides an error message that identifies the particular command and the error associated with the command.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an automatic back-up primary terminal for a cluster of secondary terminals. The primary terminal and the back-up primary terminal are coupled over a communications network to the secondary terminals so that data from the secondary terminals is received simultaneously at both the primary and back-up primary terminals. Either the primary or the back-up primary terminal can function as the active provider of services to the secondary terminals. When either one of the primary terminals becomes inoperative, control is automatically switched to the other one which becomes the active provider of the services. The primary terminal which is the active provider of services keeps a log file (on a disc file) of special data which is to be "backed up" or transferred to the other primary terminal when that other primary terminal becomes operative again. The special data, in the embodiment described, related to price look-up and inventory totals associated with retail terminals.