Printers and ancillary systems

• US 5,149,211 A
• Filed: 10/09/1990
• Issued: 09/22/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Esselte METO International Produktions GmbH
• Original Assignee: Esselte METO International Produktions GmbH
• Inventors: Franzen, Peter, Pettigrew, Robert M., Nailor, Paul R., Harry, Alan J., Adelmann, Fred, Schoon, Juergen
• Primary Examiner(s): Wiecking, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KELLEY, STEVEN SHAUN
• Application Number:
  US07/594,372
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 400/86, 400/88, 400/120, 101/288, 340/706-712, 340/700, 341/20-22, 156/384
• US Class Current: 400/88
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/14 by transferring data from a similar or dissimilar record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0097 Printing on special media, e.g. labels, envelopes

Abstract

Improved printers are disclosed which are characterized by means for inputting data which is arranged to function without the use of an alpha-numeric keyboard. The data inputting means may be a cursor moving device operating in conjunction with a graphics display system; a graphics display system having a touch-sensitive screen; a speech recognition unit; a memory or "smart card"; or an integral bar code reader. The cursor moving devices may be, for example, a tracker ball or a mouse.

Claims

1. A label printer comprising a housing;

a printing unit adapted to print labels;

means for supplying to said printing unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed in order to form said printed labels; and

means for inputting data to control the nature of the indicia printed at said printing unit, said means for inputting data being arranged to function without the use of a pre-configured alpha-numeric keyboard and comprising a cursor moving device and a graphics display system, said printing unit, said means for supplying substrate, and said means for inputting data mounted on said housing.

2. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cursor moving device is a tracker ball.

3. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cursor moving device is a mouse.

4. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cursor moving device is a joystick.

5. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cursor moving device is a rotatable knob mounted on an axially displaceable shaft.

6. A label printer comprising a housing;

a printing unit adapted to print labels;

means for supplying to said printing unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed in order to form said printed labels; and

means for inputting data to control the nature of the indicia printed at said printing unit, said means for inputting data comprising a graphics display system having a touch-sensitive screen, said printing unit, said means for supplying substrate, and said means for inputting data mounted on said housing, said label printer being free of any pre-configured alpha-numeric keyboard.

7. A label printer comprising a housing;

a printing unit adapted to print labels;

means for supplying to said printing unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed in order to form said printed labels; and

means for inputting data to control the nature of the indicia printed at said printing unit, said means for inputting data comprising an acoustic or ultrasonic source and a speech recognition unit, said printing unit, said means for supplying substrate, and said means for inputting data mounted on said housing.

8. A label printer comprising a housing;

a printing unit;

means for supplying to said printing unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed; and

means for inputting data to control the nature of the indicia printed at said printing unit, said means for inputting data comprising a memory card or a "smart card" which is pre-programmed with data, said housing having an aperture therein adapted to removably receive said "smart card".

9. A hand-held bar code label printer which comprises:

a housing;

a bar code printing unit mounted in said housing and adapted to print labels;

handle means secured to said housing;

means for supplying to said printer unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed in order to form said printed labels, said means for supplying substrate being mounted on said housing;

means for inputting data to control the nature of the bar code indicia printed by said printing unit; and

said means for inputting data comprising a graphics display system mounted on said hand-held housing and a cursor moving device also mounted on said hand-held housing, said label printer being free of any pre-configured alphanumeric keyboard.