Two, or dual-sided direct thermal printing of documents such as transaction documents and receipts is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,784,906 and 6,759,366. In dual-sided direct thermal printing, the printers are configured to allow concurrent printing on both sides of thermal media moving along a feed path through the printer. In such printers a direct thermal print head is disposed on each side of the media along the feed path. In operation each thermal print head faces an opposing platen across the media from the respective print head.
In direct thermal printing, a print head selectively applies heat to paper or other sheet media comprising a substrate with a thermally sensitive coating. The coating changes color when heat is applied, by which “printing” is provided on the coated substrate. For dual-sided direct thermal printing, the sheet media substrate may be coated on both sides.
A dual-sided direct thermal printer is provided for printing on both sides of a receipt, document, label or other thermal media moving along a feed path through the printer. In one embodiment, a dual-sided direct thermal printer comprises a first thermal print head on a first side of a media feed path, and a second thermal print head on a second side of the media feed path, wherein a surface associated with the first thermal print head acts as a platen for the second thermal print head. In various embodiments, one or more additional surfaces and/or rollers may be provided for use as a platen for a first and/or a second thermal print head, to guide, including turn or otherwise rotate, thermal media in the printer, and/or to transport thermal media through the printer.
Dual-sided direct thermal printing provides for printing of variable information on both sides of a print media, such as a receipt, to save materials, and to provide flexibility in providing information to customers. Dual-sided direct thermal printing can be driven electronically or by computer using a computer application program which directs dual-sided printing. Dual-sided printer functionality, may be controlled by, inter alia, a dual-sided print function switch using commands implemented with, for example, setup configuration settings in hardware or software, escape sequences, real-time printer commands, and the like.
By way of example, various embodiments of the invention are described in the material to follow with reference to the included drawings. Variations may be adopted.
Dual-sided direct thermal printing can be facilitated by, for example, a media 20 which includes dyes on opposite sides of the media 20, and a sufficiently thermally resistant substrate to inhibit thermal printing on one side of the media 20 from affecting coloration on the opposite side of the media 20. Such thermal print media 20 may be supplied in the form of a roll, fan-fold stack, individual sheet and the like, upon which printing such as graphics or text, or both, may be printed on one or both sides of the media 20 by a dual-sided imaging direct thermal printer 10, to provide, for example, a voucher, coupon, receipt, ticket or other article or document.
As shown in
In further reference to
In operation, dual-sided direct thermal printing of media 20 by a dual-sided imaging direct thermal printer 10 may occur in a single pass of the media 20 through the printer 10 at, for example, completion of a transaction such as when a receipt or ticket is issued. Alternately, dual-sided direct thermal printing may occur in a two or more pass process where, for example, the media 20 is imaged by one or both thermal print heads 50 and 60 when moving in a first direction, and then retracted for further imaging by one or both thermal print heads 50 and 60 with the media moving in either the first or the second, retract direction. Once printing is completed the media 20 may, depending on its format (e.g., roll, fan fold, individual sheets, and the like), be manually or automatically cut or severed to provide an individual receipt, ticket, or other document.
As shown in
In one embodiment, a dual-sided printing function switch 70 may be configured, programmed or otherwise setup to select or otherwise identify, inter alia, (1) data for printing (e.g., internally stored macros, externally received transaction data, and the like), (2) which of the provided thermal print heads 50 and 60 will be used to print and/or be used to print particular data, (3) whether selected data will be printed when the media 20 is moving in a first (e.g., forward) or second (e.g., backward) direction, (4) in which relative and/or absolute media location, including on which media side, particular data will be printed, (5) in which orientation (e.g., rightside-up, upside-down, angled, and the like) particular data will be printed on the media 20, and the like. For example, a setting of the dual-sided printing function switch 70 may marshal a portion (e.g., a first half) of a block of selected externally received and/or internally stored print data to be printed on a first (e.g., front) side of the media 20 and another portion (e.g., a second half) to be printed on a second (e.g., reverse) side of the media 20. A further setting may reverse the media sides on which the respective portions of data are to be printed. In this manner a document such as a transaction receipt may be generated in which a portion of the associated transaction data is printed on one side of the receipt and the remaining portion of the transaction data is printed on the other side of the receipt, conserving upon the amount of media 20 required for printing of the receipt. A dual-sided printing function switch 70 may accordingly be configured, e.g., by a control or other command message manually set at or otherwise transmitted to the printer 10, to determine, inter alia, a portion, quantity or block of data to be printed on each side of the media 20. Different blocks of data, or portions thereof, may be selected and marshaled to different sides, or locations thereon, of the media 20 by the switch 70.
In one embodiment, a printing function switch 70 may select a first portion of print data for printing on a first side of thermal media 20, such as a receipt paper roll, and a second portion of print data for printing on a second side of the thermal media 20. Such print data may comprise data contemporaneously received by the printer 10 from a host computer such as a point-of-sale (POS) terminal (not shown), an automated teller machine (ATM) (not shown), a self-checkout system (not shown), a personal computer (not shown), and the like, and/or data previously stored in one or more memory or buffer locations 80 in the printer 10. It should be noted that print data may be (1) processed for printing before receipt by or storage in the printer 10 by, for example, a host computer such as a POS terminal, (2) processed for printing after receipt by or storage in the printer 10 by, for example, the printing function switch 70, or a controller or processor 90 associated with the printer 10, or (3) a combination of (1) and (2), among others. Likewise, such processing may occur before or after selection, identification and/or apportionment of the print data for printing on the first and/or second side of thermal media 20 by the printing function switch 70.
In another embodiment, a printing function switch 70 may be configured to select or otherwise identify print data for printing at a specified location, including a side, of the print media 20 based upon a quantity of media required to print such data. Such quantity may be determined based on, inter alia, (1) a physical, as-printed size (e.g., length, width, perimeter, area, font size, and the like) of the to-be-printed data, (2) a portion of the media 20 that is thermally imageable (e.g., a portion having one or more thermally sensitive coatings), (3) a portion of the media 20 which is pre-printed or pre-imaged, (4) a portion of the media 20 which is excluded or desired to be excluded from thermal or other imaging (e.g., margins, headers, line spacings, indentations, desired or required blank space, and the like), (5) physical characteristics of the printer 10 (e.g., size of the platens 30 and 40, size of the thermal print heads 50 and 60, spacing of the platens 30 and 40, spacing of the thermal print heads 50 and 60, length of a media feed path 25 between the thermal print heads 50 and 60, and the like), and the like.
In one embodiment, a printing function switch 70 may apportion a first portion of print data for printing on a first side of media 20 and a second portion of print data for printing on a second side of the media 20, wherein the first and second portions are selected to occupy substantially the same amount of space on the respective first and second media sides when printed. Likewise, the printing function switch 70 may apportion a first portion of print data for printing on a first side of the media 20 and a second portion of print data for printing on a second side of the media 20, opposite the first side, wherein the as-printed size of the first portion is selected to be greater than the as-printed size of the second portion. Differences in the as-printed size of the first and second data portions may be selected to accommodate, inter alia, (1) differences in an amount of printable space (e.g., accounting for margins, headers, footers, preprinted information, thermal coating coverage, and the like) available on the first and the second sides of the media 20, (2) differences in the type of data (e.g., internally stored macro data such as logos, coupons, advertisements, and the like, versus externally received transaction data such as purchased items, quantity, price, and the like) selected for printing on a given side, and (3) differences in print location on the first and the second sides of the media 20 by the thermal print heads 50 and 60 location. Differences in print location on the first and the second sides of the media 20 by the print heads 50 and 60 in a dual-sided imaging direct thermal printer 10 may arise from differences in vertical, horizontal and/or depthwise placement of the print heads 50 and 60 in the printer 10 which may result in, for example, imaging of a first side of thermal media 20 by a first thermal print head before imaging of a second side of the thermal media 20 by a second thermal print head when the media 20 is moving along the media feed path 25. More specifically, differences in print location on the first and the second sides of the media 20 may arise from differences from a length of media 20 between a respective printing portion of the thermal print heads 50 and 60 along the media feed path 25 (e.g., following the arrow at the top of
In one embodiment, the printing function switch 70 may apportion a first portion of print data, such as ticket information, for printing on a first side of the media 20 and a second portion of print data, such as a legal information, for printing on a second side of the media 20, opposite the first side, wherein the as-printed size (e.g., printed area) of the first portion is selected to be greater than the as-printed size (e.g., printed area) of the second portion by an amount substantially equivalent to an amount of printable space (e.g., area) along the media feed path 25 on the second side of the media 20 between the thermal print heads 50 and 60. It should be noted that the as-printed size of print data on a given media 20 side may be controlled by selection of an amount of data to be printed on a given side, selection of a size at which selected data is to be printed (e.g., font, font size, and/or data scaling), and the like.
In a further embodiment, first and second portions of data received by a printer 10, such as POS transaction data, may be identified by a printing function switch 70 such that a length of a first side of print media 20, such as a receipt, to be occupied by the first portion of the print data is greater than a length of a second side of the print media 20 to be occupied by the second portion of the print data by a length substantially equivalent to a length of media between the platens 30 and 40 and/or thermal print heads 50 and 60 along the media feed path 25. Other relevant lengths and/or variations in the apportionment of print data are, of course, possible. Additionally, received print data may be stored in one or more buffers 80 of the printer 10 before or after identification by the printing function switch 70 for printing on one or both sides of the media 20.
In another embodiment, data selected or otherwise identified for printing on one or both sides of media 20 by the printing function switch 70 may include predefined print data or macros, such as one or more of a location identifier (e.g., address), an establishment identifier (e.g., store), a computer identifier (e.g., POS terminal), a logo, an advertisement, and the like, stored in one or more memories 80 associated with the printer 10. In one example, some or all of such predefined print data may be selected for printing on a portion of the media 20 along the media feed path 25 between the first and the second thermal print heads 50 and 60 on one or both sides of the media 20. Further, such information may be selected for printing in advance of any contemporaneously received print data, such as transaction data received from a POS terminal, which is to be included on, for example, the same document or receipt. As such, predefined print data may be selected for printing on regions of the media 20 where it may otherwise be difficult or undesirable for printing of contemporaneous information to occur, such as a region of media 20 along the media feed path 25 between the first and second thermal print heads 50 and 60, thereby maximizing use of the media 20.
In a further embodiment, a printing function switch 70 may apportion print data, including internally stored macros and/or received transaction data, among a first and a second side of thermal media 20 in order to optimize use of the media. In performing such optimization, the printing function switch may control the as-printed size (e.g., font, font size, scaling, and the like) of selected print data. Likewise, the printing function switch 70 may take account of, inter alia, (1) media size and design parameters including desired or required headers, footers, margins, and the like, (2) thermally sensitive coating location(s), and (3) any information that may be preprinted on the media 20. In one embodiment, such accounting may comprise the printing function switch 70 avoiding apportionment of some or all of the selected print data to certain media regions such as regions where preprinted data exists, apportioning of some or all of the selected print data to certain media regions such as regions set off by one or more sensemarks, and the like. In still further embodiments, one or more sensors 100, such as one or more thermal and/or optical sensors, may be used to sense regions of preprinted information and/or regions demarked by one or more sensemarks for making apportionment and non-apportionment decisions as part of such print media use optimization.
Additionally or alternatively, one or more sensors 100 may be provided to ascertain a type (e.g., single-sided thermal, double-sided thermal, non-thermal, label, roll, fan-fold, cut sheet, preprinted, and the like), size (e.g., length, width, thickness, and the like), and quantity (e.g., weight, length, volume, and the like) of media 20 loaded into a printer 10, as well as whether media is installed in the printer 10. Signals from such sensors may then be used to, inter alia, assist in apportionment of data for printing on the media 20, provide notification to an operator of the type, size and/or quantity of media 20 in the printer 10, and/or enable and/or disable one or more functions of the printer 10 based on one or more signals from the one or more sensors 100. Additional detail regarding the use of one or more sensors 100 to control operation of, or functionality provided by, a dual-sided imaging thermal printer 10 is provide in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/644,262 entitled “Two-Sided Thermal Print Sensing” and filed on Dec. 22, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
In a further embodiment, apportionment of print data may be made by a printing function switch 70 such that a length of media 20 along a media feed path 25 to be occupied by print data on a first side of the media 20 differs from a length of the media 20 along the media feed path 25 to be occupied by print data on a second side of the media 20, by a length substantially equivalent to a spacing between platens 30 and 40, a length substantially equivalent to a spacing between the thermal print heads 50 and 60, and/or a length of media between thermal print heads 50 and 60, and/or thermally active portions thereof, along the media feed path 25, and the like.
In the configuration of
As further shown in
In the print head and platen configuration of
While
As further shown in
Additionally, some or all of the printing surfaces 52 and 62 of the thermal print heads 50 and 60 may comprise one or more friction reducing materials 56 and 66 to facilitate motion of, and minimize damage to and/or from, thermal media along the media feed path 25. Such friction reducing material may be provided as a discrete portion, layer or coating of a respective printing surfaces 52 and 62. In one embodiment, a coating or layer of friction reducing material 56 and/or 66 such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and/or electroless nickel incorporating PTFE (e.g., PTFE particles dispersed in an electroless nickel matrix), is applied to some or all of the printing surfaces 52 and 62 of the first and second thermal print heads 50 and 60, although variations are possible.
Movement of thermal media along a media feed path 25 of
As further illustrated in
Additionally, some or all of the printing surfaces 52 and 62, or other surfaces of the thermal print heads 50 and 60, such as a surface comprising the second platen 40, may comprise a friction reducing material 56 to facilitate motion of, and minimize damage to or from, thermal media moving along the media feed path 25. Such friction reducing material may be provided as a discrete portion, layer or coating of a respective surface of the first or second thermal print heads 50 and 60. In one embodiment, the friction reducing material 56 comprises a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and/or electroless nickel incorporating PTFE applied to some or all of a surface of the first thermal print head 50 comprising the platen 40, although other materials and locations are possible.
The configuration of
Similarly, and as previously described with respect to
As further shown in
Additionally, some or all of the printing surfaces 52 and 62, or other surfaces of the thermal print heads 50 and 60, such as some or all of a surface of the first thermal print head 50 comprising the second platen 40, may comprise one or more friction reducing materials 56 and 66 to facilitate motion of, and minimize damage to or from, thermal media moving along the media feed path 25. Such friction reducing materials may be provided as a discrete portion, layer or coating of, a respective surface of a first and/or second thermal print head 50 and 60. In one embodiment, one or more friction reducing material 56 and 66 comprise one or more blocks of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and/or electroless nickel incorporating PTFE attached to some or all of a surface of a first thermal print head 50 comprising a platen 40, and some or all of a printing surface 62 of a second thermal print head 60, which may include a region associated with one or more print elements 64, although other materials and locations are possible.
The configuration of
Likewise, and as previously described with respect to
As further illustrated in
Additionally, some or all of the printing surfaces 52 and 62, or other surfaces of the thermal print heads 50 and 60, such as a surface comprising the second platen 40, may comprise a friction reducing material 56 to facilitate motion of, and minimize damage to or from, thermal media moving along the media feed path 25. Such friction reducing material may be provided as a discrete portion, layer or coating of a respective surface of the first or second thermal print heads 50 and 60. In one embodiment, a friction reducing material 56 comprises a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and/or electroless nickel incorporating PTFE applied to some or all of a surface of the first thermal print head 50 comprising the platen 40, although other materials and locations are possible.
The configuration of
Movement of thermal media along the media feed path 25 of
Similarly, and as previously described with respect to
As further shown in
As additionally shown in
The configuration of
As previously described with respect to
As further illustrated with respect to
As further shown in
As additionally illustrated in
As further shown in
As previously described with respect to
Each of the thermal print heads 50 and 60 of
Additionally, some or all of the printing surfaces 52 and 62 of the thermal print heads 50 and 60 may comprise one or more friction reducing materials, such as friction reducing material 56 associated with the printing surface 52 of the first thermal print head 50 illustrated in
Movement of thermal media along the media feed path 25 of
The print head and platen configuration of
Control of heat output by a thermal print head, such as a thermal print head 50 or 60 of
In some embodiments, heat output for printing by a first thermal print head 50 may be reduced in a region of thermal media 20 where heat is or will be output by a second thermal print head 60. Likewise, heat output for printing by a second thermal print head 60 may be reduced in a region of thermal media 20 where heat is or will be output by a first thermal print head 50. In other embodiments, heat output by a first and/or a second thermal print head 50 and 60 may be increased in a region of thermal media 20 where heat is or will be output by a respective second and/or first thermal print head 60 and 50.
Control of an amount of heat output by a first and/or a second thermal print head 50 and 60 for printing may be effectuated by controlling a voltage and/or a current applied to the first and/or second thermal print head 50 and 60, including a duration thereof. Alternately or additionally, control of heat output by a first and/or a second thermal print head 50 and 60 may be effectuated by controlling a number of print elements 54 and/or 64 used to image a particular portion of print media. For example, where two or more print elements 54 and 64 associated with a respective first and second thermal print head 50 and 60 are provided proximate to a region of thermal media 20 desired to be imaged, a number of print elements 54 and/or 64 used to image respective regions of the first and/or second media side may be varied.
In one embodiment, a first number of print elements 54 associated with a first print head 50 may be used to image a region of a first side of thermal media 20 proximate to a region where printing is and/or will be provided on a second side of the media 20 by a second thermal print head 60, while a second number of print elements 54, greater than the first number, may be used to image a region of the first side of the media 20 when a proximate region of the second side of the thermal media 20 is not and/or will not be imaged by the second thermal print head 60. In other embodiments, for example where it is desired to image only one side of thermal media 20 in a particular region, a first number of print elements 54 associated with a first print head 50 may be used, while where it is desired to image both the first and a second side of thermal media 20 in the particular region a second number of print elements may be used.
Regardless of the means, variations in a basis for control of heat output for printing by a two-sided imaging direct thermal printer 10 are possible, including controlling heat output by a first and/or a second thermal print head 50 and 60, and/or one or more associated print elements 54 and 64, based on (i) a spacing of the print heads 50 and 60 and/or print elements 54 and 64, (ii) an amount of media 20 along a media feed path 25 between print heads 50 and 60 and/or print elements 54 and 64, (iii) a speed of printing, (iv) media construction and/or type, (v) combinations of the same, and the like. Further, regardless of the means or basis, control over heat output for printing by a two-sided imaging direct thermal printer 10 may be provided for through operation of a dual-sided printing function switch 70, a controller or processor 90 associated with the dual-sided printer 10, an external control signal from an associated host computer such as a POS system, an ATM, a self-service kiosk, a personal computer, and the like.
As further shown in
A printer 200 may also include an electronically activated mechanical cutting or knife blade mechanism 370 to sever the print media upon completion of a print task such as printing of a transaction receipt. A serrated edge 380 may also be included to enable manual severing of the print media at the end of a transaction, when a media print roll is replaced or reloaded, and the like.
As illustrated in
The memory 80 of the dual-sided direct thermal printer 200 may have a predefined print data storage area to store one or more blocks of predefined print data to be repetitively printed on one or both sides of the print media. The blocks of predefined print data may comprise, for example, a store identifier, a logo, a coupon, an advertisement, and the like. The predefined print data may be printed along with data submitted by application software associated with the POS terminal (not shown) on the same or an opposite media side. Where multiple data blocks are stored in the predefined print data storage area, the blocks may be alternatively selected for printing through use of the hardware or software switch 70, as may be the location on or side of the media they are printed, and the like.
A dual-sided direct thermal printer 200 as described may be operated with legacy or other application program software developed for use with, for example, a single-sided direct thermal printer. In such case, the dual-sided logical or mechanical printing function switch 70 may be used to enable dual-sided thermal media printing using input from the single-sided application program software.
The switch 70 may enable activation and deactivation of one or more dual-sided printing functions in response to a manual setting, or to a command message or escape sequence transmitted to the printer 200 via the communication controller 396, or a configuration setting though a driver or utility interface as previously described. In one example, the single-sided application software conventionally controls printing of submitted data on one media side, while the switch 70 enables printing of, for example, additional information on the opposite media side. This functioning would allow realization of dual-sided direct thermal printer benefits with legacy software, before or without having to invest in custom printing mode applications or other new application program or interface software.
A one-sided printing application program may thus control direct thermal printing on one side of a media sheet, where the dual-sided printing function switch 70 is configured to enable thermal printing on the other media side. The data printed under control of the function switch 70 may be a block of data stored in the memory 80 of the printer 200 for repetitive printing as previously described. The block of data to be printed may, for example, be selected by a command or an escape message, as a function of data received from the one-sided printing application program such as transaction detail data, or it may be randomly selected, as previously described.
By enabling printing on one side of a media sheet by a one-sided printing application program, and enabling printing on the opposite side of the sheet by operation of the function switch 70 activating and deactivating one or more dual-sided direct thermal printing functions, requirements for application program software may thus be simplified. Legacy or other application program software for one-sided printing which do not directly operate all dual-sided direct thermal printing functions may thus be used to print on one side of a media sheet. Stored, or other data received by, or available to the printer 200 may then be printed on the opposite side of the sheet media.
In another example, the dual-sided direct thermal printer 200 may be operated to print data provided by legacy or other application program software on both sides of a media sheet. In such case, the dual-sided logical or mechanical printing function switch 70 is used to enable a further mode of operation of the dual-sided thermal printer 200 to divide and apportion data received from the single-sided application program software among the two media sides. Such a split can be even, e.g., half of the data is printed on each side of the media, or can be otherwise apportioned to maximize use of the media in light of any preprinted material on or supplemental information to be printed with the single-sided application program provided data, and the like.
As a further option, the dual-sided thermal printer 200 may be designed to accommodate the ability to print on the front and back, or either side independently, of a thermal media.
The printer 200 of
Additionally, a signal from a further sensor (not shown) may be used to indicate that a proper pressure for printing is obtained between opposing print heads and platens. Likewise, a further sensor (not shown) may be used to indicate a proper tension is obtained on the print media, or a locking mechanism such as one or more latch 430 is properly engaged. As for the limit switch 420, a signal from any such sensor may used to trigger notification of an improper condition to an operator (not shown), such as through the sending of an error message to a POS terminal (not shown), and/or through disabling some or all printer operations until the condition is corrected, and the like.
A locking mechanism, such as one or more latch or detent 430, is also provided with the printer 200 to secure the pivotable supporting arm 300 in place, and maintain the proper positioning of opposing print heads (210 and 270), platens (220 and 280) and guide rollers (230 and 290), including maintaining a proper contact pressure across the width of the media, and/or tension of the media along the media feed path 250 during printer operation. As shown, the latch 430 is biased by a spring 432 against a stop 434, and is released by pressing of a button 435. In addition to moving the latch 430 away from the stop 434, depression of the button 435 applies sufficient upward force on the cover 300 to separate the print heads from the platens in light of the applied contact pressure and frictional forces, and thereby allow the cover 300 to be freely opened.
The latch 430, in combination with the spring 350, also prevents the pivotable supporting arm 300 from striking the supporting arm or base structure 240, or other components of the printer 200 such as the print head 210, platen 220 and/or guide roller 230 if the pivotable supporting arm or cover 300 is opened and dropped.
In alternate configurations, a modular printer 510 may have a first print head 520 and first platen 560 coupled into a single, first module, and a second print head 530 and second platen 570 coupled into a single, second module. Similarly, in a further variation, a first print head 520 and second platen 570 may be coupled into a first module, and the second print head 530 and first platen 560 may be coupled into a second module. Additional module print head and/or platen configurations and couplings are possible.
Regardless of the configuration, any of the attachments 600 used to attach any of the various modules to the cover 300 and/or base 240 may comprise static or dynamic (e.g., spring mounted) couplings for reducing mechanical stress on the various modules, and assisting in maintaining a desired contact pressure on the print media by the respective print heads and platens during print operations. In practice, each of the cover 300 and base 240 are appropriately modified (not shown) to readily accept the respective modules and associated attachments 600. It should be noted that the attachments 600 may comprise electrical contacts, electro-mechanical contacts, and/or mechanical contacts depending on the attachment module type (e.g., platen, print head, and platen and print head), and the like.
It will now be appreciated that a dual-sided thermal printer has been described for printing on both sides of thermal print media. Some alternative and/or additional embodiments will now be described.
Fixed Upper Support Arm or Cover
While the above described dual-sided direct thermal printer examples illustrate an upper support arm or cover 300 as being pivotable with respect to a lower support arm or base 240 about a hinge pin 310, the upper support arm or cover 300 may also be fixably attached, or otherwise coupled to the lower support arm or base 240, and not pivotable. In one example, the upper support arm or cover 300 is attached to the lower support arm or base 240 using one or more fasteners such as screws.
Dual-Sided Thermal Printer Print Head Configuration
In equipment with automated or automatic replacement media feed (e.g., automated in-feed of replacement thermal paper rolls or fan-fold stacks), such as ATM's and various other self-service terminals, a dual-sided thermal printer such as printer 440 of
Optimized Print Head Spacing
The lateral spacing of a first and a second thermal print head (e.g., spacing 55 of
Dual-Sided Thermal Printer Guide Roller Configuration
A dual-sided thermal printer 200 or 400 may comprise a pair of guide rollers 230 and 290 for maintaining a proper tension of print media, and guiding the media through the printer. The rollers can be respectively coupled to pivoting opposing arms that support print heads and platens. For example a print head, a platen and a guide roller can be coupled to a supporting arm or base structure on one side of the media feed path. Opposing print head, platen and guide roller elements can be coupled to a second supporting arm, e.g., a structure that pivots with respect to the base structure, that aligns on the opposite side of the media feed path. Each print head may thus be opposed by a platen and the guide rollers may oppose or be in proximate relation to one another across the media feed path. Contact pressure may be maintained against the print media by one or more springs urging the print heads against the platens. Similarly, one or both guide rollers may be spring loaded to maintain appropriate roller contact pressure with the print media. In an alternative configuration, two print heads may directly oppose one another across the feed path without platens. In one such configuration, each of two supporting arms may be coupled to an associated guide roller and one of the print heads. In another configuration a guide roller can comprise a pair of spaced coaxially aligned guide rollers. The space between the coaxially aligned guide rollers allows the addition of a variable size paper guide to accommodate different width media; whether rolls, fan-fold, sheet or otherwise.
Platen Configuration
In a dual-sided direct thermal printer such as the printer 200 shown in
Depending on their design and/or use, one or more platens or platen surfaces may comprise one or more coatings or materials. For example, where a platen is used to feed the media through the printer, as for platens 220 and 280 of
In one embodiment, the platens have a substantially round cross-section of approximately ⅜ to ½ inch diameter, and are substantially the same length.
In another embodiment, two thermal print heads are substantially opposite each other across a media feed path and act as respective platens for each other. In such case, one or both of the thermal print heads may comprise or be coated with a friction reducing material.
Drive Mechanism
In a dual-sided direct thermal printer, media feed may be provide for by one or more belts, wheels, rollers, and the like. In one example, shown in
Likewise, upstream and downstream platen drive mechanisms, such as motor driven upstream and downstream platens, which are capable of individual or simultaneous operation, may be provided. Advantageously, where it is desired to move an imaging element in a forward direction, power is provided to drive the downstream platen, while where it is desired to move the imaging medium in a reverse direction, power is provided to drive the upstream platen. The dual drive feed mechanism allows automatic retraction of an imaging element such that printing may occur on a portion of the element that would otherwise be un-used owing to an off-set in the spacing 55 of print heads in a two-sided printer, and the like. The automatic retraction feature could also be implemented by a single motor driving both platens, e.g., where the platens are commonly coupled for rotation by one or more belts, or two or more gears as shown in
Uniform Print Head Contact Pressure
A desired uniform print head to platen contact pressure across the width of a two-sided imaging element can be provided during printer operation. The mechanism for this may include one or more springs on or associated with the print heads, platens and/or common supports therefore, e.g., springs 320, 330 and/or 350 shown in
Printer Operating Permissives
Control electronics, such as one or more sensors 100, 360 and 420 in the form of one or more paper sensors to detect media presence and/or printing thereon, and contact switches to detect proper mechanical arrangement and alignment of print elements for printing, and the like, can be used to permit (e.g., as permissives) and control operation of a dual sided thermal printer and/or dual sided thermal printer functionality. For example, one or more contact sensors may be provided to allow printer operation only when the first and second print heads are properly positioned with regard to the first and second platens, a proper contact pressure is achieved between the first and second print heads and their respective platens, and/or a supporting pivotable arm structure or cover 300 is properly secured, etc. Likewise, one or more optical sensors may be provided to detect presence of and printing on print media for enabling and controlling location of thermal printing on the media.
Retractable Print Mechanism
A mechanism (not shown) may be provided for individually retracting one or both print heads and/or platens in a two-sided printer to allow the printer to function in a single-sided print mode while minimizing wear on the unused print head or platen. The retracting mechanism may be manually or automatically, e.g., electronically or electromechanically, actuated.
Printer Functionality
A two-sided thermal printer and associated firmware for two-sided printing may advantageously support the following functions:
1. Single-sided print mode. This print mode supports basic single-sided printing, allowing operation of thermal print heads on one side of a media feed path.
2. Double-sided with single-side command mode (e.g., buffered print mode). This print mode will allow for the storage of some or all of the print data by the printer in advance of imaging the media. Print data received from, for example, a POS terminal (not shown) is stored in a print buffer 80 until an end-of-transaction message such as a knife (cut) command is received. Once the knife command is received the firmware will then divide the buffered print data and designate a first portion, such as a first half of the data, for printing on the first (e.g., front) side of the media, and a second portion of the data, such as the remaining half, for printing on the second (e.g., back) side of the media. After the designated data is printed on the respective first and second sides, then a physical knife cut by the knife blade mechanism 370 of roll media, a line feed to an end of sheet media, and the like, may be performed completing the print job. The double-sided buffered print mode may be enabled by manually setting of one or more DIP or other switches or jumpers, through use of a diagnostic set up routine, by sending an escape code or command, e.g., the 1F 11 xx command, to the printer, and the like.
3. Double-sided with double-side command mode (e.g., application controlled print mode). This print mode allows for control of double-sided print functionality by an application program such as transaction software running on a POS terminal. Such application may control printing through controlling the location of print data on a first (e.g., front) and a second (e.g., back) side of media such as a receipt, when and in what sequence the application data is to be printed, and the like. The double-side command mode may store application print data in one or more buffer or other memory locations prior to printing. Likewise it may select predefined data from one or more buffer or other memory locations to print at one or more locations of one or both sides of the media with or without application print data. The double-sided command mode may be initiated through receipt of one or more double-sided print commands, a diagnostic routine, through manual setting of switches or jumpers, and the like.
4. Double-sided print mode with predefined data. When operated in this mode, predefined data from one or more of predefined print data storage facilities (e.g., buffer or other memory locations) may be printed on one side of a two-sided thermal media, and application data, such as POS terminal transaction information, may be printed on another side separate from the predefined data print side. When this mode is selected, the printer may initiate printing on both sides of the media, or store the application print data in the data storage facility 80 until a command for initiating double-sided printing is received. The double-sided print mode with predefined data may be initiated through receipt of one or more associated commands, through use of a diagnostic routine, through manual setting of switches or jumpers, and the like.
Printer Capabilities
A dual-sided thermal printer 200 preferably has the following capabilities:
Print Speed: 4.0 inches per second (IPS) when 55 watt power is provided. This includes front and back printing.
Print Speed: 6.7 IPS when 75 watt power is provided. This includes front and back printing.
Print Buffer: Up to 450 print lines at 7.5 lines per inch (LPI) assuming 44 characters/line Logo/Text Storage.
Preferred Default Limitations
When printing, it is preferred that the character attributes be the same for the front and the back side of the receipt. For example if double high printing is printed on the front side then the printing on the back side would also be double high. Alternate front/back characters sizes and/or fonts are, however, possible.
When printing in the double-sided buffered print mode and the capacity of the print buffer 80 is exceeded, the printer can distribute the buffered data for printing on each side of the media, and then print the remaining data on one side, e.g., the front side of a receipt, prior to performing a knife cut. Alternately, the printer can distribute and print the buffered among the two sides then refill the print buffer 80 with additional print data, and continue this process until an end-of-transaction message such as a knife cut command, is received.
Status Update Messages
The following table defines exemplary dual-sided thermal printer sensor or state information specified by each identifier, and meanings of the lower 4 bits of the 3rd byte for identifier values:
Exemplary Printer Setting Change Commands:
Exemplary Two Side Printer Commands (e.g., Real Time Commands):
Exemplary Select Thermal Printing Mode Command:
ASCII: US ′ n
Hexadecimal: 1F 60 n
Decimal: 31 96 n
Value of n:
0=Single-Sided Mode
1=Double-Sided Mode with Single-Side Command
2=Double-Sided Mode with Double-Side Command
3=Double-Sided Mode with Predefined Data
Default: n=0 (Single-Sided Mode). Selects the thermal printing mode; single-side or double-side print mode. If single-side mode is selected, thermal printing can only be executed on one (e.g., front) side of receipt paper. If double-side mode is selected, printing can be executed on front side or/and backside of receipt paper. With selection n=0, printing format is same as existing firmware.
Selection n=1 (Double-Sided Mode with Single-Side Command), print data is buffered and split in two parts. The first part of the print buffer will be printed on a first (e.g., front) side and the second part of the print buffer will be printed on a second (e.g., back) side of the media such as receipt paper. The printing of the data may be executed by, for example, sending a knife or other end of transaction command to the printer (Exception: The command Select Thermal Printing Side and Start Double-Sided Printing would be ignored).
Selection n=2 (Double-Side Mode with Double-Side Command), print data is selectively buffered and printed on the front and back side of media such as receipt paper upon command from an application program, such as software executed by a POS terminal. In addition to print data received from an application program, such as POS terminal transaction information, such print data may include predefined print data stored in one or more buffer or other memory locations of the printer.
Selection n=3 (Double-Side Mode with Predefined data), application program data, such as POS terminal transaction data, may be buffered and/or printed on a first side of thermal media, and predefined data, such as one or more of an advertisement, incentive, coupon, rebate or other information, may be printed on a second side of the thermal media. Data printed on a given media side may be switched such that, for example, transaction data is printed on a front side and predefined data is printed on a back side, and vice versa. Likewise, a given predefined data block may be printed only once for a given document such as a receipt. Document length is determined by the print data (e.g., transaction versus predefined) requiring the greater amount space.
The setting of this command is not stored into NVRAM/Flash memory.
The Printer Setting Change command (e.g., 1FH 11H) is used to store the setting.
Sending a 1Fh 62h will print data
Exemplary Select Thermal Printing Side Command:
ASCII: US a n
Hexadecimal: 1F 61 n
Decimal: 31 97 n
Value of n:
0=Front Side
1=Back Side
Default: 0 (Front Side)
Selects the thermal printing side: front side or back side. This command executes when the Thermal Printing Modes, Double-Side Mode with Double-Side Command is selected (n=2), otherwise, this command is ignored. This command is valid for subsequent lines.
If data exceeds buffer size, printer prints out automatically and print buffer is cleared. Printer mode remains unchanged.
Exemplary Limitations:
Character attributes are same for both sides. For example, when the front side printing characteristic is Double wide, the back side printing characteristic is also Double wide. When either side of printing area is lager than printing buffer (TBD: XX inch), printer will start printing automatically then printer return to single-sided printing.
Exemplary Start Double-Sided Printing Command:
ASCII: US b
Hexadecimal: 1F 62
Decimal: 31 98
Starts double-sided printing. This command executes if the Thermal Printing Modes, Double-Side Mode with Double-Side Command is selected (n=2), otherwise, this command is ignored. The paper length is determined by the longest side of the print data.
Exemplary Select or Cancel Upside Down Printing for Double-Side Mode Command:
ASCII: US c n2
Hexadecimal: 1F 63 n
Decimal: 31 99 n
Value of n:
Bit 0=0: Cancel Front Side upside down printing
Bit 0=1: Enable Front Side upside down printing
Bit 1=0: Cancel Back Side upside down printing
Bit 1=1: Enable Back Side upside down printing
Printing side (Front/Back side) is physical side of printing.
Default: 0 (Cancel upside printing for both sides)
This command makes the first line becomes the last line, and the first character of first line becomes the last character of last line. This command is valid in Double-Side Mode. Before starting double-side printing, only the last received select or cancel upside down printing command is effective. The setting of this command is not stored into NVRAM/Flash memory. The Printer Setting Change command (e.g., 1FH 11H) is used to store setting.
Exemplary Swap Front Side and Back Side Command:
ASCII: US d n
Hexadecimal: 1F 64 n
Decimal: 31 100 n
Value of n:
0: Cancel swap.
1: Swap Front Side and Back Side. Original Front Side data is printed on backside and original Back Side data is printed on front side.
Default: 0 (Cancel swap)
This command will swap the printing of the front side data and backside data when the printer is in Double-Side Mode. Before swapping Front Side and Back Side, the Front Side data is printed via Front Side thermal head. After swapping, the Front Side data is printed via Backside thermal head.
Before starting double-side printing, only the last received swap front side and backside command is effective.
The setting of this command is not stored into NVRAM/Flash memory.
The Printer Setting Change command (e.g., 1FH 11H) is used to store setting.
Exemplary Limitations: For Double-Side Mode w/Single-Side Command, if Logo is printed immediately before paper cut, after swap, the printing pattern on Front Side (Backside before swap) will have blank (e.g., 35 mm long) area.
Download Predefined I-line Text Message into Printer Buffer ROM
ASCII: US e n k d1 d2 . . . dk NUL
Hexadecimal: 1F 65 n k d1 d2 . . . dk 0
Decimal: 31 101 n k d1 d2 . . . dk 0
Value of n:
n: The line number. n=0, 1, 2, 3.
k: The character attribute
d1, d2, . . . , dk: Strings of 1-line Text Message. Strings terminated with NUL
This command will download one line of text into ROM. The message is used in all Double-Side Modes. User can select to automatically add a 1-line/2-line text message at bottom of Front Side or/and at top of Back Side. Front Side uses line 0 and line 1 and Back Side uses line 2 and line 3. Printing side (Front/Back side) is logical side of printing.
Exemplary Settings of Download Command Character Attribute:
Exemplary Enable predefined bottom/top message Command:
ASCII: US f n
Hexadecimal: 1F 66 n
Decimal: 31 102 n
Value of n:
Bit 0=0: Disable predefined bottom message on front side
Bit 0=1: Enable predefined bottom message on front side
Bit 1=0: Disable predefined top message on back side
Bit 1=1: Enable predefined top message on back side
Default: 0 (Disable predefined bottom and top message)
When this function is enabled, printer will automatically add a 1-line or 2-line text message at the bottom/top of front side/backside of receipt. This command is only valid in Double-Side Mode (All w/Single-Side Command and w/Double-Side Command and w/Predefined data). The setting of this command is not stored into NVRAM/Flash memory.
The Printer Setting Change command (e.g., 1FH 11H) is used to store setting.
Exemplary Select nth Macro Command:
ASCII: US g n
Hexadecimal: 1F 67 n
Decimal: 31 103 n
Value of n: 1 to 25
Default: n=1
Select nth macro for definition or execution.
If this command is received during definition of a macro, the current definition will be cleared. The same commands are used to define macro and execute macro as below.
Start or End Macro Definition (GS :)
Execute Macro (GS ̂) The Macro size is 2048 bytes each.
Exemplary Limitations: Characters exceeded one line will be ignored. If command sequence is US e n k NUL, printer will clear the nth line message in Flash ROM. If only one line is defined, printer will only print the defined line. Some attributes may not be supported—Script mode, 2-dot underline mode, Double strike mode, 90° Left/Right Rotation, Black/Red, Print Start Position, Character size≧3. Attribute cannot be changed in one line.
Exemplary Start or End Predefined Back Side Printing Command:
ASCII: US h
Hexadecimal: 1F 68
Decimal: 31 104
Starts or ends Predefined Back Side Printing and stored into the printer buffer ROM. Predefined back side printing definition begins when this command is received during normal operation and ends when this command is received during Predefined back side printing definition. If the printer receives a second “Start or End Predefined Back Side Printing” immediately after previously receiving a “Start or End Predefined Back Side Printing” the printer will clear Predefined Back Side Printing. If this command is received during a Macro's definition (GS :), the current Macro definition will be cleared. During definition of predefined backside printing, receive command GS: (Start or End Macro Definition) will make the current definition be cleared.
Exemplary Define Minimum Receipt Length Command:
ASCII: US i n1 n2
Hexadecimal: 1F 69 n1n2
Decimal: 31 105 n1 n2
Range of n1: 0-255
Range of n2: 0-255
Default:
n1=0
n2=0
This command defines the minimum media (e.g., receipt) length to start the conversion from single-side to double-side printing. This setting is enabled for only “Double-Sided Mode with Single-Side Command”.
Exemplary Print Media Check Mode Command:
Value n:
0=Media Checking Disabled Mode
1=Media Checking Enabled Mode
The Print Media Check Mode can be enabled or disabled in printer diagnostics. The setting (value) is saved into EEPROM. When Media Checking Enabled Mode is selected, the Select Thermal Printing Mode Command (e.g., 1F 60 n) may be ignored depending on the combination of identified media (e.g., single-sided, double-sided, non-thermal, and the like) and the Select Thermal Printing Mode Command setting (e.g., Single-Sided Mode, Double-Sided Mode with Single-Side Command, Double-Sided Mode with Double-Side Command, and Double-Sided Mode with Predefined Data).
In one embodiment the Print Media Check Mode Command is set to Media Checking Enabled, and the Exemplary Select Thermal Printing Mode Command is set to Double-Sided Mode with Single-Side Command. Upon execution of the check, if the media is determined to be double-sided thermal, operation will continue in the selected Double-Sided Mode with Single-Side Command. However, if the media is determined to be single-sided thermal, operation will proceed pursuant to the Single-Sided Mode, thereby ignoring (e.g., overriding) the Select Thermal Printing Mode Command (e.g., 1F 60 n) setting.
Further detail of one embodiment is provided in the following table.
As indicated in the above described embodiment, if single-sided rather than two-sided thermal media is detected, an error message may be printed on the thermal side of the single-sided media indicating to a user that two-sided thermal paper is not loaded. Other methods of user notification, including one or more visible, audible, and/or tactile alarms, are also possible.
Exemplary Return Thermal Printing Mode Batch Command:
ASCII: US I n
Hexadecimal: 1F 6C n
Decimal: 31 108 n
Values of n:
1=Thermal printing mode status
When n=1 the Return Thermal Printing Mode Batch Command transmits the status after all data currently in the receive buffer has been processed.
Exemplary Return Thermal Printing Mode Real Time Command:
2.14.15.1 ION USB or RS232
ASCII: US m n
Hexadecimal: 1F 6D n
Decimal: 31 109 n
2.14.15.2 Standard USB
ASCII: Since this command is used by Control transfer, the command strings are not defined.
Hexadecimal: 06 00 n (bRequest=0x06, wValue=0x00 n)
Decimal: 06 00 n
Value of n:
1=Thermal printing mode status
When n=1 the Return Thermal Printing Mode Real Time Command transmits the current printer mode status.
For both the Return Thermal Printing Mode Batch Command and the Return Thermal Printing Mode Real Time Command, the returned thermal printing mode status has the following bit designations:
As described above, depending on the selected print mode and detected media type, bits 4 and 5 of the Return Thermal Printing Mode Batch Command and the Return Thermal Printing Mode Real Time Command will have the following designations:
Formulas:
To set minimum document/receipt length to two inches at the default horizontal motion unit of 1/203 inches, send the four-byte string:
US i 150 1
Where 2 inches=406/203, and 406=(1×256)+150.
Exemplary Limitations:
Character attributes are same for both sides. For example, when the front side printing characteristic is Double wide, the back side printing characteristic is also Double wide. When either side of printing area is larger than printing buffer, printer will start printing automatically then printer return to single-sided printing.
Exemplary Configuration Menu Double-Sided Printing Settings:
Press the Paper Feed Button for the double-side printing settings you want.
Defaults are marked with an asterisk (*).
** SET Thermal Printing Mode?
YES>Long Click
NO>Short Click
Single-Side*>1 Click
Double-Side w/Single Cmd>2 Clicks
Double-Side w/Double Cmd>3 Clicks
Double-Side w/Predefined Data>4 Clicks
Enter code, then hold Button Down at least 1 second to validate
** SET Upside Down Mode?
YES>Long Click
NO>Short Click
F:Normal, B:Normal*>1 Click
F:Up Down, B:Normal>2 Clicks
F:Normal, B:Up Down>3 Clicks
F:Up Down, B:Up Down>4 Clicks
Enter code, then hold Button DOWN at least 1 second to validate
** SET Swap Front & Back?
YES>Long Click
NO>Short
Click
Disable*>1 Click
Enable>2 Clicks
Enter code, then hold Button DOWN at least 1 second to validate
** SET Bottom and Top Message?
YES>Long Click
NO>Short Click
Top: Disable, Bottom: Disable*>1 Click
Top: Enable, Bottom: Disable>2 Clicks
Top: Disable, Bottom: Enable>3 Clicks
Top: Enable, Bottom: Enable>4 Clicks
Enter code, then hold Button DOWN at least 1 second to validate
** SET Minimum Receipt Length?
YES>Long Click
NO>Short Click
Disable*>1 Click
5 inch>2 Clicks
10 inch>3 Clicks
15 inch>4 Clicks
Enter code, then hold Button DOWN at least 1 second to validate
** SET Reprint when Error Occurs?
YES>Long Click
NO>Short Click
Resume Print from Error Line*>1 Click
Reprint the Error Page>2 Clicks
Enter code, then hold Button DOWN at least 1 second to validate
The above description is illustrative, and not restrictive. In particular, design, layout and/or designation of a first and/or a second print head, platen, gear, and the like, as well as a front and a back media side or a top or a bottom media portion, may vary among embodiments.
Further, many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the embodiments should therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b) and will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
In the foregoing description of the embodiments, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. Likewise, various features are described only with respect to a single embodiment for purposes of avoid repetition. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting that the claimed embodiments have more or less features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in more or less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the description of the embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate exemplary embodiment.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/779,781 entitled “Two-Sided Thermal Printing” and filed on Mar. 7, 2006, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/779,782 entitled “Dual-Sided Thermal Printer” and filed on Mar. 7, 2006, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/644,262 entitled “Two-Sided Thermal Print Sensing” and filed on Dec. 22, 2006, and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/675,649 entitled “Two-Sided Thermal Print Switch” and filed on Feb. 16, 2007; the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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20070211132 A1 | Sep 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60779781 | Mar 2006 | US | |
60779782 | Mar 2006 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11644262 | Dec 2006 | US |
Child | 11678216 | US | |
Parent | 11675649 | Feb 2007 | US |
Child | 11644262 | US |