Method of printing, evaluating and checking the printing image of a printer and apparatus for carrying out said process
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for printing and checking a printing image of an electrically-operated thermoprinter comprising the steps of:
- (a) inputting into the printer data to be printed;
(b) transporting through the printer a web of paper to be printed;
(c) printing the printing image on the paper wherein the printing image has a plurality of print lines and print characters for each print line are generated line by line;
(d) after printing of the first print line and prior to finishing printing of the printing image, scanning and sensing the just-printed portion of the printing image;
(e) comparing the sensed just-printed portion of the printing image with the input data; and
(f) upon detection of an error from the comparing step and prior to finishing printing of the printing image, rendering the printing image as unusable by the printer marking the printing image visually as a false print.
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Abstract
A method of printing and checking a printing image, e.g., bar codes, of a thermoprinter. The just-printed printing image is scanned after printout of a portion of the printing image on the paper web by means of an opto-electronic sensor which can move relative to the paper web, reading the just-printed printing image in the process. The read result is compared and checked with the originally entered data and, if an error is detected, the remainder of the printing image still to be printed or the just-printed printing image is marked by the printer as unusable, e.g., blackened.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for printing and checking a printing image of an electrically-operated thermoprinter comprising the steps of:
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(a) inputting into the printer data to be printed; (b) transporting through the printer a web of paper to be printed; (c) printing the printing image on the paper wherein the printing image has a plurality of print lines and print characters for each print line are generated line by line; (d) after printing of the first print line and prior to finishing printing of the printing image, scanning and sensing the just-printed portion of the printing image; (e) comparing the sensed just-printed portion of the printing image with the input data; and (f) upon detection of an error from the comparing step and prior to finishing printing of the printing image, rendering the printing image as unusable by the printer marking the printing image visually as a false print. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A thermoprinter and printing image checking apparatus comprising:
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(a) means for inputting and storing data to be printed; (b) automated means for transporting a web of paper through the apparatus; (c) a thermoprinter for printing a printing image on the paper including an electrically-actuated thermoprinting board having a resistor print line positioned transversely across the paper; (d) an opto-electrical sensing means for reading at least a portion of the printing image printed on the paper, the sensing means being positioned adjacent the resistor print line and moveable relatively perpendicularly to the length of the paper with the velocity of the sensing means movement being at least equal to or greater than the transport velocity of the paper; and (e) means for comparing the portion of the printing image read by the sensing means with the input data and, upon detection of an error, actuating the thermoprinter for marking at least a portion of the printing image visually as a false print. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification