Thermal printer having real-time force feedback on printhead pressure and method of using same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A thermal printer, comprising:
- a printhead;
a platen roller;
a printhead arm connected to the printhead and configured to move the printhead relative to the platen roller;
a printhead pressure adjustment mechanism; and
a first force sensor mounted on the printhead arm, the first force sensor configured to measure pressure between the printhead and the platen roller, the printhead arm further configured such that pressure between the printhead and the platen roller translates to the printhead arm.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal printer having a printhead, a printhead arm to engage and disengage the printhead, a platen roller, a user interface, and a printhead pressure adjustment mechanism is provided. The improvement consists of at least one force sensor adapted to sense the pressure between the printhead and the platen roller in real-time. The force sensor is communicatively linked to the user interface. The user interface is configured to display the pressure measured by the force sensor in real-time.
442 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A thermal printer, comprising:
-
a printhead; a platen roller; a printhead arm connected to the printhead and configured to move the printhead relative to the platen roller; a printhead pressure adjustment mechanism; and a first force sensor mounted on the printhead arm, the first force sensor configured to measure pressure between the printhead and the platen roller, the printhead arm further configured such that pressure between the printhead and the platen roller translates to the printhead arm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method, comprising:
-
sensing a printhead pressure between a printhead and a platen roller with a first force sensor mounted on a printhead arm, the printhead arm connected to the printhead and configured to move the printhead relative to the platen roller, the printhead arm further configured such that pressure between the printhead and the platen roller translates to the printhead arm; communicating the printhead pressure to a user interface; displaying the printhead pressure on the user interface; and adjusting the printhead pressure based upon the printhead pressure displayed on the user interface. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A thermal printer, comprising:
-
a printhead; a platen roller; a printhead arm connected to the printhead and configured to move the printhead relative to the platen roller; a force sensor mounted on the printhead arm, the force sensor configured to measure pressure between the printhead and the platen roller, the printhead arm further configured such that pressure between the printhead and the platen roller translates to the printhead arm; a user interface configured to display the pressure measured by the force sensor; and a printhead pressure adjustment mechanism configured to allow a user to adjust the pressure between the printhead and the platen roller while viewing the pressure measured by the force sensor on the display, the pressure measured and displayed in real time. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification