The present invention relates to a label printer. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a tape on which labels can be printed.
Tape printers of the general type with which some embodiments of the present invention are concerned are disclosed for example in EP-A-322918 and EP-A-322919 (Brother Kyogo Kabushiki Kaisha) and EP-A-0267890 (Varitronic). These printers each include a printing device having a cassette receiving bay for receiving a cassette or tape holding case. In EP-A-0267890, the tape cassette has an ink ribbon and a substrate tape, the substrate tape comprising an upper image receiving layer secured to a backing layer by adhesive. In EP-A-322918 and EP-A-322919, a tape cassette houses an ink ribbon, a transparent image receiving tape and a double sided adhesive tape, which is secured at one of its adhesive coated sides to the image tape after printing and which has a backing layer peelable from its other adhesive coated side. The image is printed on the side of the image receiving tape, which is adhered to the adhesive coated tape. Thus, the printed image is covered by a protective layer. In both of these tape printers, the image transfer medium (ink ribbon) and the image receiving tape (substrate) are in the same cassette.
The present applicants have developed a different type of tape printer, which is described in, for example, European Patent Application No 578372. In this printer, the substrate tape has a structure similar to that described in EP-A-267890 but is housed in its own cassette while the ink ribbon is similarly housed in its own cassette.
In all of these cases, the image receiving tape passes in overlap with the ink ribbon through a print zone consisting of a fixed print head and a platen against which the print head can be pressed to cause an image to transfer from the ink ribbon to the image receiving tape. There are many different ways of doing this, including dry lettering or dry film impression. The most usual way at present is by thermal printing. With thermal printing, the print head is heated and the heat causes ink from the ink ribbon to be transferred to the image receiving tape. It should be appreciated that it is also known to apply an image directly using a thermal print head to thermally sensitive image receiving tape.
Label printers which print on discrete labels are also known. Those discrete labels may be applied to a backing layer via an adhesive layer.
Currently, when a user wishes to print a label, it is necessary for the user to input that label. Label printers can be computer connected where data is passed directly from the computer to the tape printer. This may be done by the keyboard of the PC. Alternatively the tape printer may be independent where the labels are created on a keyboard of the label printer. With these independent or stand alone tape printers, limited memory of designed labels is sometimes included where the detail is stored in memory within the printers. However, these independent label printers are generally cost constrained and accordingly tend to have limited memory and processing power leading to more limited functionality. Additionally the keyboards can be small and/or formatted so data entry is relatively slow. If the user is on a site where a number of items need to be labelled, it can be time consuming to enter the required labels and to print them. This can be a particular problem where the access time to the site is limited. It is of course possible that the labels be printed out in advance. However, care then needs to be taken with the storage of those labels. Additionally, if there are a large number of labels, then it can take some time to select the correct label.
Whilst label printers which are used with PCs have more memory and more functionality, they are not portable in that the require a PC in order to operate properly.
It is therefore an aim of embodiments of the present invention to at least address the above described problem.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label printer having receiving means which is use is arranged to receive a removable memory.
Preferred embodiments of the invention provide a low cost solution for transferring data from a computer to a portable printer. The data is stored in the label printer and may be used later, at which time it can be edited if the user so wishes. Embodiments of the invention may use a low cost SIM card type solution, as found in mobile phones, for data storage. Using, for example, ASCII code to store data enables large amount on data label to be stored in a restricted capacity memory device.
For a better understanding of the present invention and as to how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference is first made to
The tape printer 1 has a keyboard 106, which has a plurality of character keys CK designated generally by arrow 111. The keyboard also has a plurality of function keys FK which are designated by way of example with reference numerals 110, 112, 116 and 120. Using the keyboard 106, the user is able to control the tape printer.
For example, the user is able to enter data defining a label to be printed. The label can comprise characters, numbers, symbols or the like. The function keys can control the appearance of the data and may control the label attributes, ie attributes such as boxing, underlining or the like or character attributes such as font, style, size etc. As will be described in more detail hereinafter, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, the keyboard 106 is also able to control the tape printer to generate labels from a data file contained on a memory card or the like.
A tape printer also has a display 108, which is able to display information for the user. The information displayed by the display may be the label which is to be printed. For example, as the user inputs label data, this may be displayed on the display. Alternatively, the display may provide information to the user, for example, indicating that the tape printer is processing, printing or other such information.
Reference is made to
The lower cassette 7 contains a thermal transfer ribbon which extends from a supply spool to a take-up spool within the cassette 7. The thermal transfer ribbon 12 extends through the print zone and overlaps with the image receiving tape 4. The cassette 7 has a recess 14 for receiving a print head 16 of the printer. The print head 16 is movable between an operative position shown in
It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, a single cassette system may be used. The single cassette may have thermal transfer ribbon and image receiving tape.
In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the two cassette system may be replaced by a single cassette which houses only image receiving tape. The image receiving tape would be thermally sensitive in this embodiment of the present invention.
The tape printer 1 may be arranged so as to be capable of printing an image on different widths of image receiving tape. The tape printer may include a mechanism for detecting the width of the tape present. This may be done by making a determination of the characteristic of the cassette. Alternatively, this information may be provided to the tape printer by the user.
In yet a still further embodiment of the present invention, the tape is replaced by a supply of discrete labels provided on a backing layer. In other words, the labels are die cut and when printed are simply removed from the backing layer without requiring cutting.
It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may be able to deal with continuous tape as well as die cut labels.
As shown schematically in
In one embodiment of the present invention, the memory card or the like contains bit map images or any other suitable type of image. These images can be used as the basis of a label. In one preferred embodiments of the present invention, the image cannot be altered by the user but the user is able to add additional text. The image can be text, graphics or the like.
Reference is made to
In one modification also shown in
It should be appreciated that a separate card writer which is able to write multiple copies of the same data may be advantageous where a common one or more data cards need to be given to a number of people. For examples, a garage chain may provide each of its outlets with all the retail SKU items listed.
Reference is made to
As can be seen from
Reference is made to
The third example of a label, includes the words “cable number” as part of the image. The user is then able to insert the required number.
In the examples of the labels shown in
The memory card can store a wide range of different labels containing image information. The user may be able to add information to those labels or alternatively, the user can simply print out the label without adding any further information. Some labels may not be alterable.
Tape printers embodying the present invention may be used in a number of different environments. For example, some tape printers may be used in the home. The tape printer may be primarily used by adults or by children. The tape printer may be used in an office environment or may be used by electricians, plumbers, workers on oil rigs or the like. The same printers can therefore be used by quite different people who have different requirements.
Accordingly, a different memory card can be provided for different groups of people. For example, a memory card can be provided for children. In this case, the labels would typically be label 300 of
Memory cards for home use by adults may include label 302, labels for labelling folders, video cassettes or CDs, or the like.
Of course, different labels may be required in an office environment to, for example, label computers, shelves, files, packages, to produce address labels, to provide notices or the like.
Electricians may require different labels for example to label cables, fuse boxes, circuits. Likewise, plumbers may have different label requirements. A different card can be produced containing sets of labels for each of these different groups of people.
This means that the same label printer may be adapted to be used by a wide range of people. This means that the user does not have to go to the trouble of designing and storing labels which would be useful to the user. Additionally, the use of memory cards means that the memory required on the label printer can be minimised, thus reducing the cost of the label printer.
It should be appreciated that in addition or alternatively, the memory cards can store different fonts and/or can store graphic images which can be imported by the user into labels.
Reference is made to
In step T3 the user can enter data into the label. As previously mentioned, the user is not able to alter some of the data or images contained in the data but may be able to enter some further information. The user can alternatively or additionally completely edit the label as required. The style settings of the label may be alterable. The user can then store the label if required. The label may be stored on the chip card or the like.
In step T4, the user selects the label to be printed. This can be after step T3 or after step T2.
Reference is now made to
In step Q3, with the keypad of the user selects a memory position. The label is then displayed in the edit buffer of the tape printer and any relevant annunciators are illuminated.
In step Q4, the user can edit the label in the buffer—if he so chooses.
In step Q5, the user selects print from the LP300 keypad.
In step Q6, the label is printed using the print attributes of size and style that have been set on the printer.
The above illustration allows only for data that contains alpha numerical data and spaces where the ASCII code will adequately describe the characters that need to be placed into the machine edit buffer. There are additional requirements which may be addressed.
Should data be needed as a bar code, then a “flag” will be provided to inform the tape printer internal software to treat the following numerals as part of a bar code. The flag would denote the bar code type.
When this data is retrieved from the chip memory it will therefore automatically be treated as a barcode entered manually from the keypad.
A further complication occurs when bar code data is mixed with text. In this case however the bar code flag should be read by the tape printer internal software, which having counted the number of characters applicable to the bar code type, then reverts to normal text.
It is very desirable to be able to store a simple graphic; such a graphic may be a logo or a line drawing of a component. The graphic should be scalable the scaling factor should be taken from the type size selection used for the label. For example the logo is stored with a 100% size and used at this size for full size font, reduced by 50% for half size font and so on. A flag in front of the graphic file (which may be in bitmap form) would inform the tape printer internal software of the presence of this form of data.
A complication is the combination of a graphic and text. However, the data flag will addresses this.
Embodiments of the invention are designed to be simple. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are arranged to operate in a wizard style where the user is prompted as required. Embodiments of the invention may be operable only via a PC, only via the tape printer or by a combination of the two. Embodiments of the present invention are arranged to operate with a full Europeans language set.
The data input used in preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be elaborated.
1 The user will be able to enter the data manually into the content slot for any memory position.
2 The user will be able to paste into the label content from the a Window's clipboard or the like.
3 The user should be able to import Into any designated range of positions a series of labels from a database in CSV format or TXT format.
4 The user will be able to use smart paste to import a simple series of labels from Excel or the like. This is described in more detail hereinafter.
In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a PC or label printer may be able to display (preferably in WYSIWYG form) the current content of the chip card when the label printer or card reader is connected to the PC or label printer.
To improve the WYSIWG appearance, the font as used by the label printer may be provided with the application. The size and style options for the font thus preferable match the fixed sizes and styles that are available with the label printer.
Alternatively, the graphics may be stored separately from the text as shown in
In the example shown in
The option Format Label(s) would do the actual job of formatting the selected label with the specified formats.
The Save to memory option would then program the changes onto the memory card.
Embodiments of the invention may address problems associated with multiple lines, as this is dependant on the tape size used and indicates a tape mismatch from the tape switch if the label cannot be printed.
The edit mode allows the user to change the content of a single label. The user may or may not be able to change the format, but the text inside the label can now be changed.
The scroll bar (or any way of selecting labels one by one) would let the user scroll through the labels he wants to edit.
All options that are available by the format mode illustrated in
The content may be saved as a single file. I.e. the content of the chip could be fully re-instated at any time in the future.
Once the user is satisfied he can select chip card update and the data will be transferred to the card, alternatively, within an independent read/write device.
If the data being transferred is to overwrite an existing label a warning message is presented in typical windows fashion with an ignore all option.
Embodiments of the present invention are able to make a distinction between the parts of label which are editable and those parts which are not. In particular, the label which is downloaded contains the field in which any text or the like entered by the user is automatically placed.
In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the memory card may be replaced by an entity containing a microprocessor or the like. The microprocessor can be contained in any suitable carrier. The integrated circuit may be carried in a card or contained in a device which can be plugged into the tape printer. The microprocessor can be arranged to augment the functionality provided by the microprocessor 100 shown in
The tape printer may be arranged to receive the microprocessor or the like as well as a memory card as described.
The memory can be a flash memory of the like.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a memory card may be provided which stores a data base or the labels which are generated as discussed hereinafter. A microprocessor can be provided on a card, which may be the same or different to the card having the data base or the like to deal with that data base or alternatively, the microprocessor of the tape printer may be able to deal with that information. From this data base, it is possible to automatically generate a number of labels. These labels can originate from a data file, a clipboard function or any other application. The label data can, for example, consist of a list of names, lists of addresses, lists of names and addresses, lists of articles to be labelled or the like. The data file can be a plain ASCII text file or any other suitable file.
Consider the following examples: The data contained in the data file may be printed such that the data to be printed on each label is contained in a single line of the data file.
Considering the following example of a data file:
This would generate three labels, the first label would be “Pencils, US$100”. The second label would be “Pens, US$0.50 each”. The third label would be “Erasers, US$1.00”. In one modification to this embodiment, the microprocessor software can be arranged to determine if any of the lines contain a comma. Where a comma is located, it can be determined that a new line is required. Thus, the labels outlined above would each have two lines, each new line beginning after the comma. Label 1 would thus be:
Label 2 would be:
Label 3 would be:
In some embodiments of the present invention, the comma can be omitted from the two line labels.
In one further modification of this embodiment, lines of the label which are to contain commas are themselves in quoted text. For example consider the following list:
In embodiments of the present invention, this would give rise to the following two labels:
Label 1
The second label, Label 2, would be:
In summary, the data can be presented in a list, with each new line representing a new label. Within each label, a new line is started every time a comma is encountered. If a single line on the label is to contain a comma, then part of the text is included in inverted commas or the like. The inverted commas are not printed, although the commas are. It should be appreciated that any other indicators other than commas or inverted commas can be used in embodiments of the present invention.
Reference will now be made to a second type of data file from which labels can be automatically generated. In this, the data for each label appears on subsequent lines separated by a carriage return, line feed or both. Subsequent labels within the data are separated by blank lines. Firstly, the data in the document is examined to see if there are any blank lines in the data. If so, the text is assumed to consist of a plurality of labels, each of which is separated by the blank lines. Consider the following examples of a data file:
The software is changed to take the presence of a blank line into account and provide labels 1 an 2 as outlined in the respective previous examples. Consider the following example:
In this situation, each line becomes its own label, in other words, three labels are provided, one with each of the three names. It is assumed that this is the case if it is detected that there are no blank lines within the data. The data in this latter case may be generated by copying information from a column of a spreadsheet, a word processing document, or other data source.
Embodiments of the present invention may be able to support the generation of labels from any of the data files mentioned previously.
In step S3, which is the next step if there are no blank lines, a determination is made as to whether or not there are any commas in each line of data. If no commas are detected, then step S4 is the next step. In step S4, each line represents a single line label, which are then generated. This is as previously outlined. If it is determined in step S3 that there are commas within each line then the next step is S5. Each line again represents a single label but a determination as to the number of lines of the label is made from the determination of the number of commas. Commas in inverted commas are of course ignored, as previously described. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, only one or some of the various types of data file can be processed.
The data file can take any suitable format. For example, the data may be a word processing document, may be in a spreadsheet form, for example an Excel spreadsheet or the like.
It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may use other indicators other than the examples of blank spaces to determine the commencement of a new label. Any suitable marker can alternatively be used.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the printer may incorporate a time stamp. The time stamp can be used to insert the date and/or time into labels.
The interface between the memory card, or microprocessor and the microprocessor of the tape printer is via a serial interface. In the case of a card or the like containing a microprocessor, a parallel interface may be provided.
One application of an embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail.
Embodiments of the invention can solve the the following problems and needs:
In the software to be used on a PC, the end-user (in the office or workplace) can input all data that is needed to be printed.
Once all data is entered in the software on the PC, the data is given a name so the card gets identified. The information is then downloaded into the card which needs to be in the label printer as discussed above. In this embodiment, there is no need for a separate card writer. It should be appreciated that the label printer need not be the actual label printer which is used for printing the labels.
When the label set is input completely on the PC, the user can download the label set it to a memory card in a label printer attached to the PC. The label set can be downloaded as many times as required to different memory cards allowing several people to use the same label information on their individual label printers.
If a Card identity has not been sent, a prompt message will appear. If the label printer is not connected properly, an error message will appear. A confirmation dialog will appear advising that the labels and graphics currently stored in the memory card of the label printer will be replaced with the new label set. Once the labels and graphics have been downloaded to the card, the labels and graphics in your label are now available to print on the label printer.
Thus the label printer is not only a simple printer it is also a card-writer and card-reader. In some embodiments of the invention, a separate device is not required in addition to the PC as the label printer handles the whole process. The information that is downloaded to the label printer has a special format (strings) that is linked to the internal language.
Using the memory card in the label printer may also give some additional options piloted through the printer:
In one embodiment of the invention, the memory card does not include any format or label information. The exception to this is where text it to be printed in barcode format where the barcode format is included in the memory card.
The label settings and/or character attributes are set in the label printer so the text contained in the memory card is printed with the settings. The label settings and/or character attributes are used for an individual label or for all of the selected labels contained in the memory card.
In alternative embodiments, label setttings and/or character attributes may be stored on the card. Alternatively or additionally, one or more other settings could be stored on the memory card (for example: size of the label, colour of tape, ink ribbon information, temperature settings, or the like). Accordingly, when a user selects a label to be printed, the size of the label, the colour of the tape, the type of the ink ribbon and/or the temperature setting for the print head are already set. If the label printer has automatic cassette, tape or ink ribbon detection which provides the required information or if the user is required to input this information, the relevant characteristic is compared with the desired characteristic and the user is informed if there is a discrepancy. This can be done by displaying a message on the display and/or having an audible sound or message. The user can in some embodiments of the invention override the discrepancy so the label is printed using the tape and ink ribbon present. As far as the print head control is concerned, the print head can be controlled in accordance with the provided information. In some embodiments of the invention, the label printer may be arranged so that it is only possible to print the label with the right ink ribbon, tape etc.
It should be appreciated that in some embodiments of the present invention, there may not be any automatic detection or entry of this information so the nature of the ink ribbon and/or the tape may be unknown. In this case, a message may be displayed on the display which advises the user as to the tape and/or ink ribbon requirements.
In one embodiment of the invention, the user when inputting the label can define the type of label which is to be used, taking into account the environmental conditions. For example, humid, hot or cold environments may require different labels or different labels may be suited to specific environments. Some labels may be suitable for a range of environments but in practice may be expensive. Accordingly the user may only wish to use it in environments where cheaper labels would not be effective.
The surface to which the label is to be stuck may also determine the type of label to be used. Different degrees of adhesion may be required for different surfaces and/or for different label applications. The user can therefore define the label which should be used depending on what the label is to be applied.
As mentioned, the colour of the label and/or the image applied (by for example an ink ribbon) can also be defined. It should be appreciated that in some environments colour coding may be used and it is therefore important to make sure that the correct colour is used.
In one embodiment of the invention, the card or the like may include a plurality of formats. The data for a given label may identify one of these formats so that the data is printed with the correct format. Alternatively when a user prints out the label, the user may select one of the formats from the card. This is useful where the same label is applied to a plurality of different items which may differ in size or the like. The format may include character attributes, layout attributes as well as information defining where different parts of the data are to be provided.
The user when entering the data into the card may also specify the size of the label to be used with the data or where the label is to be printed more than once, the sizes of the label.
It should be appreciated that in some embodiments of the invention, the label data may specify the colour of the tape, the colour of the ink ribbon, the type of the label, the format to be used and/or the size of the label. Where a given set of data is to be printed more than once, different tape colour, ink ribbon colour, type of label, format and/or size may be associated with the different labels containing the same data.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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0130690.1 | Dec 2001 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IB02/05803 | 12/23/2002 | WO |