Abstract: A printer with a single motor system to match torques between ribbon supply and ribbon take-up is provided. The printer comprises a ribbon supply spindle, a take-up ribbon spindle, sensors to output ribbon width and diameter at ribbon supply, and a sensor which outputs ribbon diameter at ribbon take-up. The printer is provided with a drive system providing rotation to the ribbon supply via tension on the ribbon loaded on the ribbon supply spindle and taken-up on the take-up ribbon spindle. Firmware, communicatively linked to the sensors and the drive system, is configured to calculate ribbon tension at the ribbon supply spindle, to calculate the torque required on the ribbon on the ribbon take-up spindle to match the ribbon tension at the take-up spindle to the ribbon tension at the ribbon supply spindle, and to adjust the drive system to match these torques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printer compensation is disclosed. A label stop sensor (LSS) detects a time T(1) associated with an initial label position near the beginning of a print job. The label stop sensor detects a time T(L) associated with a label position that is L labels later in the print job. From at least the times T(1) and T(L) and a printer media feed rate a processor calculates a difference between the initial label position and the later label position. A start adjustment factor is compensated by the difference between the initial label position and the later label position to account for changes in print position between the first label and the later label.

Abstract: A self-strip media module in a printer is provided. The self-strip media module includes a peel bar having a length at least as great as the length of a platen roller and being rotatably engaged at the ends of the platen roller. The media includes a series of labels adhered to a liner. The media is fed over the peel bar and between the platen roller and a mid-chassis. The peel bar may be rotated towards the discharge side of the platen roller, pulling the media over the platen roller and over itself. A thermal print head is lowered onto the media over the platen roller and to print on the labels. The printer advances the media over the peel bar. The labels are stripped from the liner when the media advances around the peel bar.

Abstract: A printer ribbon supply spindle assembly is provided. The ribbon spindle has multiple segments contiguous to each other. The spindle assembly includes a commutator disposed circumferentially on the first segment of the ribbon spindle and two carbon brushes connected to a voltage source and disposed generally in electrical contact with and on either side of the commutator. The voltage source, the carbon brushes, and the commutator complete an electrical circuit. C-shaped conductive springs are disposed over each of the multiple segments. The c-shaped conductive springs compress when covered by a printer ribbon and become in electrical contact with the commutator and adjacent compressed c-shaped springs, forming additional parallel circuits. An electronic element is disposed at the center of the c-shaped conductive springs. Measuring a change in the circuit due the additional parallel circuits with the electronic element indicates the printer ribbon width.

Abstract: A printer ribbon supply spindle assembly is provided. The ribbon spindle has multiple segments contiguous to each other. The spindle assembly includes a commutator disposed circumferentially on the first segment of the ribbon spindle and two carbon brushes connected to a voltage source and disposed generally in electrical contact with and on either side of the commutator. The voltage source, the carbon brushes, and the commutator complete an electrical circuit. C-shaped conductive springs are disposed over each of the multiple segments. The c-shaped conductive springs compress when covered by a printer ribbon and become in electrical contact with the commutator and adjacent compressed c-shaped springs, forming additional parallel circuits. An electronic element is disposed at the center of the c-shaped conductive springs. Measuring a change in the circuit due the additional parallel circuits with the electronic element indicates the printer ribbon width.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printer compensation is disclosed. A label stop sensor (LSS) detects a time T(1) associated with an initial label position near the beginning of a print job. The label stop sensor detects a time T(L) associated with a label position that is L labels later in the print job. From at least the times T(1) and T(L) and a printer media feed rate a processor calculates a difference between the initial label position and the later label position. A start adjustment factor is compensated by the difference between the initial label position and the later label position to account for changes in print position between the first label and the later label.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a spindle for use by rolled materials (for example, ribbon, and labels) in a thermal printing device. The spindle contains a rigid side designed to prevent the spindle from flexing during printing. The spindle also contains a flexible side designed to address tolerance issues with the core of the rolled material and to retain the relative movement of the core of the rolled material.

Abstract: A printhead cleaning system includes a wiper assembly configured for putting a printhead wiper in contact with the printhead. A solvent container is configured for providing solvent to the printhead wiper. A lateral feed mechanism is coupled to the printhead and the wiper assembly, and is configured for driving the wiper assembly in reciprocating motion along the printhead. The cleaning cycle can be started when a predetermined condition (such as a number of operations) is reached. A method for printhead cleaning can include starting a cleaning cycle by lifting a printhead from a printing position once a number of printing operations reaches a predetermined value, and transporting a cleaning assembly along the printhead for a predetermined time duration or number of passes, while providing contact between the cleansing applicator and the printhead.

Abstract: An adjustable print media path system and method are disclosed. In one form, the print media path system incorporates a frame and a guide member that is moveably coupled to the frame between a cartridge position and an external media position. Inserting print media into the receptacle moves the guide member between the external media position and the cartridge position, thereby adjusting the print media path.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed for printing on media. The printer includes a platen roller, a print head, and a media feed roller. The print head is supported by an arm. The arm is actuatable between an activated position in which the print head is urged toward the platen roller to provide a force therebetween and a deactivated position in which the print head is moved away from the platen roller. A motor is coupled to the arm and the media feed roller. The motor selectively actuates the arm between the activated position and the deactivated position and further drives the media feed roller.

Abstract: An adjustable print media path system and method are disclosed. In one form, the print media path system incorporates a frame and a guide member that is moveably coupled to the frame between a cartridge position and an external media position. Inserting print media into the receptacle moves the guide member between the external media position and the cartridge position, thereby adjusting the print media path.