Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for measuring a mean time between program failures by maintaining a running count of program crashes per user per product version on a customer computer, and transmitting this information to a server computer when customers send error reports.

Abstract: The present invention provides a docking station and an associated method for docking a portable printer. The portable printer has a printhead, media drive, and media support externally configured to be latched onto the docking station, and the docking station is adapted for convenient one-hand docking and undocking of the portable printer. The docking station includes a base member having a first surface configured to receive the portable printer, and a latching mechanism including a manually operable actuator and coupled thereto one or more latches adapted to automatically engage and securely dock the portable printer on the first surface of the base member when the printer is positioned on the first surface. The actuator is capable of actuating the latch to unlatch a latched printer and to bias the printer upwardly for removal of the printer from the station.

Abstract: A printer assembly for dispensing a printer media and printing on the printer media as it is dispensed. The printer assembly includes a housing with a container portion and a lid portion, and a latching mechanism configured to coordinate latching, unlatching and biasing of the lid with locking and unlocking of the printer media supply from a media supply assembly. The latching mechanism may be configured to urge the lid portion away from the container portion when the lid portion is unlatched. The latching mechanism can include a locking surface that is configured to engage a locking surface on relatively movable media support members, restraining relative movement of the media support members and locking down the media supply therein when the latching the lid portion closed. The locking surface is positioned external to opposing, relatively movable surfaces of the media support members enabling a compact assembly for hand held printers.