CA1260154A - Thermal printer - Google Patents
Thermal printerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1260154A CA1260154A CA000507299A CA507299A CA1260154A CA 1260154 A CA1260154 A CA 1260154A CA 000507299 A CA000507299 A CA 000507299A CA 507299 A CA507299 A CA 507299A CA 1260154 A CA1260154 A CA 1260154A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- data
- memory
- information
- thermal printer
- packages
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10821—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
- G06K7/10881—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices constructional details of hand-held scanners
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C11/00—Manually-controlled or manually-operable label dispensers, e.g. modified for the application of labels to articles
- B65C11/02—Manually-controlled or manually-operable label dispensers, e.g. modified for the application of labels to articles having printing equipment
- B65C11/0205—Manually-controlled or manually-operable label dispensers, e.g. modified for the application of labels to articles having printing equipment modified for the application of labels to articles
- B65C11/021—Manually-controlled or manually-operable label dispensers, e.g. modified for the application of labels to articles having printing equipment modified for the application of labels to articles label feeding from strips
- B65C11/0215—Labels being adhered to a web
- B65C11/0221—Advancing the web by friction
- B65C11/0226—Advancing the web by friction electrically driven
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C11/00—Manually-controlled or manually-operable label dispensers, e.g. modified for the application of labels to articles
- B65C11/02—Manually-controlled or manually-operable label dispensers, e.g. modified for the application of labels to articles having printing equipment
- B65C11/0205—Manually-controlled or manually-operable label dispensers, e.g. modified for the application of labels to articles having printing equipment modified for the application of labels to articles
- B65C11/021—Manually-controlled or manually-operable label dispensers, e.g. modified for the application of labels to articles having printing equipment modified for the application of labels to articles label feeding from strips
- B65C11/0284—Linerless labels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C11/00—Manually-controlled or manually-operable label dispensers, e.g. modified for the application of labels to articles
- B65C11/02—Manually-controlled or manually-operable label dispensers, e.g. modified for the application of labels to articles having printing equipment
- B65C11/0289—Manually-controlled or manually-operable label dispensers, e.g. modified for the application of labels to articles having printing equipment using electrical or electro-mechanical means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K1/00—Methods or arrangements for marking the record carrier in digital fashion
- G06K1/12—Methods or arrangements for marking the record carrier in digital fashion otherwise than by punching
- G06K1/121—Methods or arrangements for marking the record carrier in digital fashion otherwise than by punching by printing code marks
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K17/00—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
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C2210/00—Details of manually controlled or manually operable label dispensers
- B65C2210/0002—Data entry devices
- B65C2210/0005—Readers
- B65C2210/0008—Optical scanners
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C2210/00—Details of manually controlled or manually operable label dispensers
- B65C2210/0002—Data entry devices
- B65C2210/0013—Keyboards; Touchscreens
- B65C2210/0018—Keyboards; Touchscreens permanent
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C2210/00—Details of manually controlled or manually operable label dispensers
- B65C2210/0002—Data entry devices
- B65C2210/0024—Hosts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C2210/00—Details of manually controlled or manually operable label dispensers
- B65C2210/0037—Printing equipment
- B65C2210/0064—Printing equipment using thermosensitive labels
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K2215/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data
- G06K2215/0082—Architecture adapted for a particular function
- G06K2215/0097—Printing on special media, e.g. labels, envelopes
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
- Y10T156/17—Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
- Y10T156/1788—Work traversing type and/or means applying work to wall or static structure
- Y10T156/1795—Implement carried web supply
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
- Y10T156/18—Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with handle or handgrip
Abstract
THERMAL PRINTER
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A thermal printer is provided wherein data inputted from a data reader, such as a pen scanner, is compared with previously stored data. In the event that a match occurs, the printer prints predetermined information such as a sorting code on a thermal print medium. The thermal printer has a data input, data memory, program memory and an I/O port for communica-tion with external devices. A controller controls the various components and directs-the printer to print when the match occurs. Should a match not occur, the non-matching data is stored in data memory. The print medium such as a label or the like, may then be affixed to the same article or merchandise from which the data reader initially read the data.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A thermal printer is provided wherein data inputted from a data reader, such as a pen scanner, is compared with previously stored data. In the event that a match occurs, the printer prints predetermined information such as a sorting code on a thermal print medium. The thermal printer has a data input, data memory, program memory and an I/O port for communica-tion with external devices. A controller controls the various components and directs-the printer to print when the match occurs. Should a match not occur, the non-matching data is stored in data memory. The print medium such as a label or the like, may then be affixed to the same article or merchandise from which the data reader initially read the data.
Description
~6~ Sd~
SATO-195 ~ ~) ~H~RMAL~PR~TER
.
~A~EG~Q~L~E~ INv~TION
Thls invention relates to a thermal printer cap~le of receiving data input from, and transmitting data to an e~ternal device, and more particularly to a thermal printer which prints a predetermi~ed code when data inputted from an external device matches data from a data reader.
~ arious types of portable data input and t~ansmission devices referred to as data collectors, data ~erminals and the like have been developed. These devices are often provided with a pen scanner or other such data re~ding means which are used to scan har codes or the like. The collector temporarily stores the data read by the data reader. The stored data is t~en supplied to a compact printer. The printer prints out the data o~ ordinary paper for confirmation or later re~erence. The data may also be inputted to a host computer or the like to undergo various types of data processing.
Such data devices are disadvantageous in that they a~e only capable o printing out the read data or the data recei~ed from the host computer on ordinary paper for the purpose of confirmation or future refer-enoe. They therefore have onl~ l~mited applioatio~s ~ince they are ~ot capable of thereafter reproducing the data via label printing for display on articles of merchand~se or the like.
- .....
~L~6~5q~
~ 2 --S~MKARY~Q~ INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present in-vention to provide a thermal printer which is capable of compari~g data i~putted from an external source such as a host computer or the like with data inputted via a data reader. A comparison is then made to determine whether the data matches. Should there be a match, the printer should print the required information on a thermal print medium for affixing to articles of mer-chandise or the like or to files therefor. It is an-other ob~ect to also store data which does not match and to ~isplay this unma~ched data on a display. It is also an object to be able to send the unmatched data to a host computer and thereby give the thermal printer a wide range of potential applications.
The present.invention attains these objects hy providing a thermal printer comprising a data input means, such as a pen scanner, touch scanner or a ke~-board. A data memory means stores the data from the data input means. A data transmission means is used for transmitting data to a microcomputer or a host com-puter, which is capable of comparing sets of data and determining whether they match. Should a match occur, predetermined informatio~ is printed on a label.
Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the ollowing description of a preferred embodiment.
ERI~F ~E~RIPTION OF T~ ~R~ING~
Fig. l is a perspective view of a thermal printer according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional side view taken through Fig. l;
6~S~
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a se~ment of a label strip:
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing how the thermal printer is connected with a microcomputer;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing how the thermal printer is connected with a host computer, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the data mem-ory 30; and Figs. 7a and 7b are flowcharts showing the process of reading and manipulation of the data.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
~eferriny ~o Fiy. l, ~he thermal printe~ ac cording to the present invention is shown as a desk-top type printer l. The printer l comprises a main unit 2 having a flat bottom surface 3 which enables the printer 1 to be placed on any supportiny surface. The main unit 2 is provided on its top surface with a data and command entry means comprising a keyboard 6 having a numeric pad 4 and various function keys 5. At a po-sition above the keyboard is a display 7 such as a liq-uid crystal display. The main unit 2 also is provided with a power switch 8 on one side and an open/close button 9 on each side. Support member lO is used for holding a thermal label roll R. The roll R comprises a thermal label strip T wound into a roll, and after la-bels L are printed and detached, the labels ~ are dis-charged from a front portion of the unit.
At the rear end of the main unit 2, there is a socket 1~ for connecting a pen scanner ll. Socket 13 is used for connecting battery 27 to a battery charger.
A discharge outlet 14 is used for the spent backing sheet S. The pen scanner ll may be used to read a dis-patch slip or a slip number bar code B on the label F
which is usually affixed to a parcel.
~.2:6~L5~
As shown in Fig. 3, the label strip T con-sists of a backing sheet S coated with a separating agent and having a plurality of labels L, each of which is coated with an adhesive, detachably adhered continu-ously along its length. On each label of the thermallabel strip T, there is shown a printed parcel destina-tion code I which corresponds to the bar code B and which was printed by the thermal print head 20. The bac~ing sheet S ls provided with alignment holes D
which are for position detection. The holes D ca~ also be utilized for conveyaIlce purposes by engagement with the conveyo~ roller 19 (~ig. 2). It is to be under-stood however that the thermal print medium need ~ot be limited to labels and therefore tags or the like which are not coated with an adhesive may also be used.
As shown in Fig. 2, the thermal label strip T
pa-sses ~rom the thermal la~e~ roll R on the support member 10 into a label strip passage 18. This is done via a position sensor 15 and the guide rollers 1~ of an upper press member 16. The thermal label strip T pass-es via co~veyer rollex 19 to a thermal print head 20and a platen 21. The strip T is redirected at the platen 21 portion, where the label L is peeled off.
Therefore, the bac~ing strip is directed back for en-gagement with the conveyor roller 19 and is guided by the guide rollers 23 of the lower press member 22. The backing sheet S is fed from the main unit 2 via dis-charge outlet 1~. A bending pin P (shown in phantom~
is provided in front of the platen 21 to peel the label L from the backing sheet S as the backing sheet S is redirected.
To load the label strip T, the opentclose button 9 is depressed. Since any conventional type of mechanism to open or close the present device may be .......
used, further details thereof have been omitted. This allows the bottom cover 2~ section, including the plat-en 21 and the lower press member 22, to pivot about 25 and therefore swing downwardly. The roll of thermal label strip T may then be inserted therein.
, The couveyor roller 19 is driven by the stepped rotation action of stepping motor ~. This - moves the thermal label strip T in a required direction for conveyance and printing.
A control circuit 26 is also housed in the main unit 2. Control circuit 26 is co~lected to ~at-ter~ 27, and to an interface 28 for input and output of data to external devices ~Figs. 4, 5). ~ontro~ circuit 26 is also co~nected to R0~ program memory 29 ~or com-munication and controlling of programs, as well as to RA~ data memory 30 and keyboard 6. Similarly, displa~
7, senso~ 15, thermal printing head 20 and stepping motor ~ are also connected to and controlled by control circuit 26. ~he battery 27 is preferably a recharge-able type, and may be connected via socket 13 to a~ ex-ternal battery charger 51.
Fig. ~ shows the thermal printer of the pres-ent invention co~nected to a microcomputer 32, thereby allowing I/0 data operations therebetween. This data transfer is accomplished via socket 12 and cable 53 in a fashio~ such as is presently used with many portable devices.
Fig. 5 shows the thermal printer 1 of the present invention connected to a host computer 37.
This interface operation is accomplished via an acous-tic coupler 34 which is used to link the printer 1 to the host computer 37 via telephone 35 by means of any suitable wired or wireless link.
1~601S~
Operation of the present invention may be un-derstood by reference to Figs. 6, 7a and 7b. It is assumed that parcels, packages or the like, coming from a dispatcher are previously printed with a slip number bar code such as B (Fig. l). Further, the thermal printer 1 of the present invention is used at a time prior to the sorting of these parcels. The parcels are sor~ed by destination area with each parcel provided with a destination code I which has been printed on a label L by the printer l. This destination code is preerably in numeric form which can easily be understood by the sorter and which correlates to the bar code B. However, it is to be understood that~
alphanumeric forms of a destination code I may also be utilized, as well as pictograms or the like, or any other suitable form which may be printed by printing head 20.
The list of possible slip numbers, their re-lated destination code and other required information is inputted into microcomputer 32 or host computer 37.
The printer 1 receives from the microcomputer 32 or host computer 37, in data form, the previously inputted slip number I and corresponding bar code B~ There, N
indicates the order in which the inputted data is re-ceived. This process of inputting of data and the re-ceipt thereof is accomplished in steps Sl through S6.
This data is stored in specific memory location Ml of the data memory 30, as shown in Fig. 6.
The user scans the slip number bar code B
with the pen scanner 11 which inputs this data into the printer l. The inpu~ted data is stored in memory area M2 of the data memory as shown in steps S7 and S8. In the event that the scanner ll cannot read the bar code ~, the numeric pad 4 may also be used for input. This inpu~ted data is shown on the display 7 to the user for confirmation purposes.
L5'~
Steps S8 through S17 are used to determine whether the data which is received from the computer 32 or 3~, and now residing in memory location ~l matches the data that has ~ust been read b~ the scanne~ ll and is stored in memory location M2. The matching of memo-ry locations is accomplished by comparing memory loca-tions Ml a~d M2 at SlO and Sll. Accordingly, if there is a match, then the control circuit 26 will output a print command. The print command will cause t~e desti-uation code I, corresponding to the slip number 9 to beprinted on a label L by the thermal printing head 20 at Sl2.
The label L is peeled from the backing sheet S by bending the ~acking sheet at the platen 21 and is thereafter fed from the main unit 2. The label L is the~ manually ta~en by the user and stuck onto the read parcel. Therefore, the destination code I of the actu-al parcel is preferably placed adjacent the slip num~er bar code B a~d is therefore easily readable by a user for the purpose of sorting parcels.
In place o or in addition to sorting manu-ally hy the human eye, a destination bar code may be pri~ted on the label L which would be thereafter read by a differe~t scaDner and sorted automatically (not shown).
In the event that a large number of labels are to be utilized, an application roller 38, as shown in phantom in Fig. 2, may be provided in front of the platen 21, for facilitating direct placement of the la-bels L onto the parcels.
When a match is made with the slip num~er barcode B, the flag will go ON at step S13. In the event that a parcel has been misplaced, reading of the sllp number bar code B will cause the printer 1 to indicate 6~
that there ls no match of data. Therefore, when no match is made, for the reasons mentioned above, the flag will stay in the OFF state. This means that the slip number data which has been inputted is differeut from the previously i~putted list of data, as deter-miued in step S15. This will cause the read data that~
has just been stored in memory area M2 to be trans-ferred to memory area ~3 in step S16; Depending upon the data which is read, a number of matches are tried so as to determine whether a parcel is misplaced or simply the wrong parcel. At steps Sl9 and S20, this information is stored in the memory ~3 a~d is shown on the displav 7, or, as desired, ma~ be transferred to the computer 32, 3~ for parcel-error processing.
It is to be understood that the structure of the thermal printer of the present i~ention ma~ be modified without departing from the spirit and soope of the present invention. For example, the keyboard may be omitted so as to provide only the pen scanner or a touch scan~er for the data input means. Further, the display may be omitted, in which case ~nother input socket such as 12 may be provided. Also, in the event that it is desired that the thermal printer 1 be readi-ly portable, a fixed, foldable or detachable type han-dle (~ot shown) ma~ be p~ovided on the bottom or anyother suitable surface of main ~nit 2.
Additionally, while the present invention has been described with respect to the dispatching of par-cels, it is to be understood that the present inve~tion is ~ot to be limited to this application, but may also be used in conJunction with the input and output of other types of data. These other types of data may be in relation to merchandising of articles, using a pen scan~er, keyboard or other type of I/O port, all of s'~
which compare data received from a central computer or the like, which is therea~ter used for printing labels.
Accordingly, the present invention is generally useful for data indication in co~junction with managing and tracking of merchandise. Further, in the event that a comparison determines that a match of data does not ex-is~, the no~-matched data may be automatically stored in the urit memory and thereafter communicated to a central computer or the like. Therefore, it is possi-ble to accumulate non-matching data for different par-cels and as such can ~e used for master tracking pur-poses, to accumulate data on parcels which have gone astray or been erroneously included.
Therefore, the thermal printer of the present i~vention is able to print labels based on varied data from various sources and as such is applicable to a wide range of tasks.
Further potential applications of the present invention include inventory control in retail outlets, management of business files, printing of blood data cards, sample tube labels at blood banks, printing of labels for patient charts and medical certificates at hospitals and clinics, as well as use in conjunction with process, parts and inventory control in factories, management of customer data and data relating to out-side suppliers at department stores, supermarkets and the like.
Although the present invention has been de-scribed in connection with a preferred embodiment hereof, many other variations and modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.
SATO-195 ~ ~) ~H~RMAL~PR~TER
.
~A~EG~Q~L~E~ INv~TION
Thls invention relates to a thermal printer cap~le of receiving data input from, and transmitting data to an e~ternal device, and more particularly to a thermal printer which prints a predetermi~ed code when data inputted from an external device matches data from a data reader.
~ arious types of portable data input and t~ansmission devices referred to as data collectors, data ~erminals and the like have been developed. These devices are often provided with a pen scanner or other such data re~ding means which are used to scan har codes or the like. The collector temporarily stores the data read by the data reader. The stored data is t~en supplied to a compact printer. The printer prints out the data o~ ordinary paper for confirmation or later re~erence. The data may also be inputted to a host computer or the like to undergo various types of data processing.
Such data devices are disadvantageous in that they a~e only capable o printing out the read data or the data recei~ed from the host computer on ordinary paper for the purpose of confirmation or future refer-enoe. They therefore have onl~ l~mited applioatio~s ~ince they are ~ot capable of thereafter reproducing the data via label printing for display on articles of merchand~se or the like.
- .....
~L~6~5q~
~ 2 --S~MKARY~Q~ INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present in-vention to provide a thermal printer which is capable of compari~g data i~putted from an external source such as a host computer or the like with data inputted via a data reader. A comparison is then made to determine whether the data matches. Should there be a match, the printer should print the required information on a thermal print medium for affixing to articles of mer-chandise or the like or to files therefor. It is an-other ob~ect to also store data which does not match and to ~isplay this unma~ched data on a display. It is also an object to be able to send the unmatched data to a host computer and thereby give the thermal printer a wide range of potential applications.
The present.invention attains these objects hy providing a thermal printer comprising a data input means, such as a pen scanner, touch scanner or a ke~-board. A data memory means stores the data from the data input means. A data transmission means is used for transmitting data to a microcomputer or a host com-puter, which is capable of comparing sets of data and determining whether they match. Should a match occur, predetermined informatio~ is printed on a label.
Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the ollowing description of a preferred embodiment.
ERI~F ~E~RIPTION OF T~ ~R~ING~
Fig. l is a perspective view of a thermal printer according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional side view taken through Fig. l;
6~S~
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a se~ment of a label strip:
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing how the thermal printer is connected with a microcomputer;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing how the thermal printer is connected with a host computer, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the data mem-ory 30; and Figs. 7a and 7b are flowcharts showing the process of reading and manipulation of the data.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
~eferriny ~o Fiy. l, ~he thermal printe~ ac cording to the present invention is shown as a desk-top type printer l. The printer l comprises a main unit 2 having a flat bottom surface 3 which enables the printer 1 to be placed on any supportiny surface. The main unit 2 is provided on its top surface with a data and command entry means comprising a keyboard 6 having a numeric pad 4 and various function keys 5. At a po-sition above the keyboard is a display 7 such as a liq-uid crystal display. The main unit 2 also is provided with a power switch 8 on one side and an open/close button 9 on each side. Support member lO is used for holding a thermal label roll R. The roll R comprises a thermal label strip T wound into a roll, and after la-bels L are printed and detached, the labels ~ are dis-charged from a front portion of the unit.
At the rear end of the main unit 2, there is a socket 1~ for connecting a pen scanner ll. Socket 13 is used for connecting battery 27 to a battery charger.
A discharge outlet 14 is used for the spent backing sheet S. The pen scanner ll may be used to read a dis-patch slip or a slip number bar code B on the label F
which is usually affixed to a parcel.
~.2:6~L5~
As shown in Fig. 3, the label strip T con-sists of a backing sheet S coated with a separating agent and having a plurality of labels L, each of which is coated with an adhesive, detachably adhered continu-ously along its length. On each label of the thermallabel strip T, there is shown a printed parcel destina-tion code I which corresponds to the bar code B and which was printed by the thermal print head 20. The bac~ing sheet S ls provided with alignment holes D
which are for position detection. The holes D ca~ also be utilized for conveyaIlce purposes by engagement with the conveyo~ roller 19 (~ig. 2). It is to be under-stood however that the thermal print medium need ~ot be limited to labels and therefore tags or the like which are not coated with an adhesive may also be used.
As shown in Fig. 2, the thermal label strip T
pa-sses ~rom the thermal la~e~ roll R on the support member 10 into a label strip passage 18. This is done via a position sensor 15 and the guide rollers 1~ of an upper press member 16. The thermal label strip T pass-es via co~veyer rollex 19 to a thermal print head 20and a platen 21. The strip T is redirected at the platen 21 portion, where the label L is peeled off.
Therefore, the bac~ing strip is directed back for en-gagement with the conveyor roller 19 and is guided by the guide rollers 23 of the lower press member 22. The backing sheet S is fed from the main unit 2 via dis-charge outlet 1~. A bending pin P (shown in phantom~
is provided in front of the platen 21 to peel the label L from the backing sheet S as the backing sheet S is redirected.
To load the label strip T, the opentclose button 9 is depressed. Since any conventional type of mechanism to open or close the present device may be .......
used, further details thereof have been omitted. This allows the bottom cover 2~ section, including the plat-en 21 and the lower press member 22, to pivot about 25 and therefore swing downwardly. The roll of thermal label strip T may then be inserted therein.
, The couveyor roller 19 is driven by the stepped rotation action of stepping motor ~. This - moves the thermal label strip T in a required direction for conveyance and printing.
A control circuit 26 is also housed in the main unit 2. Control circuit 26 is co~lected to ~at-ter~ 27, and to an interface 28 for input and output of data to external devices ~Figs. 4, 5). ~ontro~ circuit 26 is also co~nected to R0~ program memory 29 ~or com-munication and controlling of programs, as well as to RA~ data memory 30 and keyboard 6. Similarly, displa~
7, senso~ 15, thermal printing head 20 and stepping motor ~ are also connected to and controlled by control circuit 26. ~he battery 27 is preferably a recharge-able type, and may be connected via socket 13 to a~ ex-ternal battery charger 51.
Fig. ~ shows the thermal printer of the pres-ent invention co~nected to a microcomputer 32, thereby allowing I/0 data operations therebetween. This data transfer is accomplished via socket 12 and cable 53 in a fashio~ such as is presently used with many portable devices.
Fig. 5 shows the thermal printer 1 of the present invention connected to a host computer 37.
This interface operation is accomplished via an acous-tic coupler 34 which is used to link the printer 1 to the host computer 37 via telephone 35 by means of any suitable wired or wireless link.
1~601S~
Operation of the present invention may be un-derstood by reference to Figs. 6, 7a and 7b. It is assumed that parcels, packages or the like, coming from a dispatcher are previously printed with a slip number bar code such as B (Fig. l). Further, the thermal printer 1 of the present invention is used at a time prior to the sorting of these parcels. The parcels are sor~ed by destination area with each parcel provided with a destination code I which has been printed on a label L by the printer l. This destination code is preerably in numeric form which can easily be understood by the sorter and which correlates to the bar code B. However, it is to be understood that~
alphanumeric forms of a destination code I may also be utilized, as well as pictograms or the like, or any other suitable form which may be printed by printing head 20.
The list of possible slip numbers, their re-lated destination code and other required information is inputted into microcomputer 32 or host computer 37.
The printer 1 receives from the microcomputer 32 or host computer 37, in data form, the previously inputted slip number I and corresponding bar code B~ There, N
indicates the order in which the inputted data is re-ceived. This process of inputting of data and the re-ceipt thereof is accomplished in steps Sl through S6.
This data is stored in specific memory location Ml of the data memory 30, as shown in Fig. 6.
The user scans the slip number bar code B
with the pen scanner 11 which inputs this data into the printer l. The inpu~ted data is stored in memory area M2 of the data memory as shown in steps S7 and S8. In the event that the scanner ll cannot read the bar code ~, the numeric pad 4 may also be used for input. This inpu~ted data is shown on the display 7 to the user for confirmation purposes.
L5'~
Steps S8 through S17 are used to determine whether the data which is received from the computer 32 or 3~, and now residing in memory location ~l matches the data that has ~ust been read b~ the scanne~ ll and is stored in memory location M2. The matching of memo-ry locations is accomplished by comparing memory loca-tions Ml a~d M2 at SlO and Sll. Accordingly, if there is a match, then the control circuit 26 will output a print command. The print command will cause t~e desti-uation code I, corresponding to the slip number 9 to beprinted on a label L by the thermal printing head 20 at Sl2.
The label L is peeled from the backing sheet S by bending the ~acking sheet at the platen 21 and is thereafter fed from the main unit 2. The label L is the~ manually ta~en by the user and stuck onto the read parcel. Therefore, the destination code I of the actu-al parcel is preferably placed adjacent the slip num~er bar code B a~d is therefore easily readable by a user for the purpose of sorting parcels.
In place o or in addition to sorting manu-ally hy the human eye, a destination bar code may be pri~ted on the label L which would be thereafter read by a differe~t scaDner and sorted automatically (not shown).
In the event that a large number of labels are to be utilized, an application roller 38, as shown in phantom in Fig. 2, may be provided in front of the platen 21, for facilitating direct placement of the la-bels L onto the parcels.
When a match is made with the slip num~er barcode B, the flag will go ON at step S13. In the event that a parcel has been misplaced, reading of the sllp number bar code B will cause the printer 1 to indicate 6~
that there ls no match of data. Therefore, when no match is made, for the reasons mentioned above, the flag will stay in the OFF state. This means that the slip number data which has been inputted is differeut from the previously i~putted list of data, as deter-miued in step S15. This will cause the read data that~
has just been stored in memory area M2 to be trans-ferred to memory area ~3 in step S16; Depending upon the data which is read, a number of matches are tried so as to determine whether a parcel is misplaced or simply the wrong parcel. At steps Sl9 and S20, this information is stored in the memory ~3 a~d is shown on the displav 7, or, as desired, ma~ be transferred to the computer 32, 3~ for parcel-error processing.
It is to be understood that the structure of the thermal printer of the present i~ention ma~ be modified without departing from the spirit and soope of the present invention. For example, the keyboard may be omitted so as to provide only the pen scanner or a touch scan~er for the data input means. Further, the display may be omitted, in which case ~nother input socket such as 12 may be provided. Also, in the event that it is desired that the thermal printer 1 be readi-ly portable, a fixed, foldable or detachable type han-dle (~ot shown) ma~ be p~ovided on the bottom or anyother suitable surface of main ~nit 2.
Additionally, while the present invention has been described with respect to the dispatching of par-cels, it is to be understood that the present inve~tion is ~ot to be limited to this application, but may also be used in conJunction with the input and output of other types of data. These other types of data may be in relation to merchandising of articles, using a pen scan~er, keyboard or other type of I/O port, all of s'~
which compare data received from a central computer or the like, which is therea~ter used for printing labels.
Accordingly, the present invention is generally useful for data indication in co~junction with managing and tracking of merchandise. Further, in the event that a comparison determines that a match of data does not ex-is~, the no~-matched data may be automatically stored in the urit memory and thereafter communicated to a central computer or the like. Therefore, it is possi-ble to accumulate non-matching data for different par-cels and as such can ~e used for master tracking pur-poses, to accumulate data on parcels which have gone astray or been erroneously included.
Therefore, the thermal printer of the present i~vention is able to print labels based on varied data from various sources and as such is applicable to a wide range of tasks.
Further potential applications of the present invention include inventory control in retail outlets, management of business files, printing of blood data cards, sample tube labels at blood banks, printing of labels for patient charts and medical certificates at hospitals and clinics, as well as use in conjunction with process, parts and inventory control in factories, management of customer data and data relating to out-side suppliers at department stores, supermarkets and the like.
Although the present invention has been de-scribed in connection with a preferred embodiment hereof, many other variations and modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.
Claims (13)
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS
FOLLOWS:
1. A device for tracking and marking packages or the like having information thereon, comprising:
a thermal printer for printing information on labels:
first input means for receiving said information contained on said packages;
memory means having a first portion for storing said information therein, a second portion having stored therein predetermined package information and predetermined corresponding package information, and a third portion;
control means connected to said thermal printer, said input means and said memory means, for producing an output signal when said information stored in said first portion of said memory means matches said predetermined information stored in said second portion of said memory means, and for controlling said thermal printer to print on said labels, said corresponding package information, in response to said output signal;
I/O port means connected to said control means and effective for communicating with an external computer for recording results of said comparisons of said information to said predetermined package information;
a print medium position detector means for detecting alignment holes disposed at predetermined positions relative to said labels to enable positioning of said labels in said thermal printer;
a print medium passage in said device and a print medium transport means connected to said print medium and to said control means for moving said print medium in response to the occurrences of printing on said labels; and means for storing in said third portion of said memory means selected ones of said information contained on said packages for which matching data was not located in said first memory portion.
a thermal printer for printing information on labels:
first input means for receiving said information contained on said packages;
memory means having a first portion for storing said information therein, a second portion having stored therein predetermined package information and predetermined corresponding package information, and a third portion;
control means connected to said thermal printer, said input means and said memory means, for producing an output signal when said information stored in said first portion of said memory means matches said predetermined information stored in said second portion of said memory means, and for controlling said thermal printer to print on said labels, said corresponding package information, in response to said output signal;
I/O port means connected to said control means and effective for communicating with an external computer for recording results of said comparisons of said information to said predetermined package information;
a print medium position detector means for detecting alignment holes disposed at predetermined positions relative to said labels to enable positioning of said labels in said thermal printer;
a print medium passage in said device and a print medium transport means connected to said print medium and to said control means for moving said print medium in response to the occurrences of printing on said labels; and means for storing in said third portion of said memory means selected ones of said information contained on said packages for which matching data was not located in said first memory portion.
2. A device for tracking and marking packages or the like according to claim 1, wherein said first input means comprises a keyboard.
3. A device for tracking and marking packages or the like according to claim 1, wherein said first input means comprises a pen scanner.
4. A device for tracking and marking packages or the like according to claim 1, wherein said information contained on said packages is in the form of a bar code.
5. A device for tracking and marking packages or the like according to claim 1, wherein said memory means comprises a RAM.
6. A device for tracking and marking packages or the like according to claim 1, wherein said I/O port means includes means for communicating to RAM external computer data contained in said third memory portion.
7. A labelling device for reading information of a first type which is affixed to an article and for printing information of a second type on a label for the article, the device comprising:
a thermal printer having means for transporting therethrough a plurality of labels and for imprinting information on the labels;
a memory having a first portion for storing data of the first type, a second portion for storing data of the second type and a third memory portion, each of the first type data having a corresponding second type data associated therewith first input means for reading the information of the first type off the article;
control means for comparing the information received via the first input means to the data contained in the first portion of the memory and for locating data in the first memory portion which matches the received information, the control means being effective for printing on a label upon location of matching data, corresponding second data from the second memory portion, the control means being connected to the thermal printer, to the input means and to the memory and being effective for producing an output signal for controlling the printer to print the second data on the label; and means for storing and collecting in the third portion of the memory information associated with articles for which matching data was not located in the first portion of the memory.
a thermal printer having means for transporting therethrough a plurality of labels and for imprinting information on the labels;
a memory having a first portion for storing data of the first type, a second portion for storing data of the second type and a third memory portion, each of the first type data having a corresponding second type data associated therewith first input means for reading the information of the first type off the article;
control means for comparing the information received via the first input means to the data contained in the first portion of the memory and for locating data in the first memory portion which matches the received information, the control means being effective for printing on a label upon location of matching data, corresponding second data from the second memory portion, the control means being connected to the thermal printer, to the input means and to the memory and being effective for producing an output signal for controlling the printer to print the second data on the label; and means for storing and collecting in the third portion of the memory information associated with articles for which matching data was not located in the first portion of the memory.
8. A labelling device according to claim 7, further comprising a label position detector for positioning the label in the thermal printer relative to a print head thereof.
9. A labelling device according to claim 7, wherein said first input means is comprised of a keyboard.
10. A labelling device according to claim 7, wherein said first input means is comprised of a pen scanner.
11. A labelling device according to claim 7, wherein said information contained on said packages is in the form of a bar code.
12. A labelling device according to claim 7, further comprising an I/O port means connected to said control means for communication with an external computer.
13. A labelling device according to claim 7, wherein said memory means comprises a RAM.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP60-89004 | 1985-04-26 | ||
JP60089004A JPS61248760A (en) | 1985-04-26 | 1985-04-26 | Thermal printer |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA1260154A true CA1260154A (en) | 1989-09-26 |
Family
ID=13958682
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA000507299A Expired CA1260154A (en) | 1985-04-26 | 1986-04-22 | Thermal printer |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US4734713A (en) |
JP (1) | JPS61248760A (en) |
CA (1) | CA1260154A (en) |
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DE3923507A1 (en) * | 1989-07-15 | 1991-01-24 | Guetermann & Co | Reading and encoding device for spools of thread - reads codes on spool flanges and contains microprocessor which controls receipt printer |
JPH0749227B2 (en) * | 1989-12-22 | 1995-05-31 | 株式会社テック | Package tag printer |
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US5659603A (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 1997-08-19 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Method for printing key telephone designation strips |
US5602377A (en) * | 1995-03-01 | 1997-02-11 | Metanetics Corporation | Bar code dataform scanning and labeling apparatus and method |
CA2184462A1 (en) * | 1995-09-01 | 1997-03-02 | George C. Triantopoulos | Apparatus, methods and systems for wire marking |
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US6624848B1 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 2003-09-23 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Cascading image modification using multiple digital cameras incorporating image processing |
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US6856964B1 (en) | 1999-03-22 | 2005-02-15 | Ncr Corporation | System and methods for integrating a self-checkout system into an existing store system |
US6816274B1 (en) * | 1999-05-25 | 2004-11-09 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Method and system for composition and delivery of electronic mail |
AUPQ056099A0 (en) * | 1999-05-25 | 1999-06-17 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | A method and apparatus (pprint01) |
US6364552B1 (en) * | 1999-07-08 | 2002-04-02 | Brady Worldwide, Inc. | Method and apparatus for recording used labels |
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EP0000657B2 (en) * | 1977-07-28 | 1988-12-07 | Inc. Monarch Marking Systems | Labelling machines. |
US4254329A (en) * | 1978-10-31 | 1981-03-03 | News Log International Incorporated | Microfiche information retrieval and control system utilizing machine readable microfiche and visually readable microfiche |
US4268179A (en) * | 1979-10-29 | 1981-05-19 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Method and system for reproducing identification characters |
US4415065A (en) * | 1980-11-17 | 1983-11-15 | Sandstedt Gary O | Restaurant or retail vending facility |
US4529871A (en) * | 1982-09-29 | 1985-07-16 | Loblaw Companies Limited | Price marking system |
JPS59103829A (en) * | 1982-12-03 | 1984-06-15 | 大阪シ−リング印刷株式会社 | Label dispensing system device |
-
1985
- 1985-04-26 JP JP60089004A patent/JPS61248760A/en active Pending
-
1986
- 1986-04-18 US US06/853,686 patent/US4734713A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1986-04-22 CA CA000507299A patent/CA1260154A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPS61248760A (en) | 1986-11-06 |
US4734713A (en) | 1988-03-29 |
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