Ultra compact printer

Abstract

A printer is operable for marking an image on a media substrate. The printer includes a housing and a printhead. The printhead is operable for marking the image on a surface of the media substrate held in proximity therewith by a weight of a supply of the media substrate from which the media substrate is fed. The media substrate supply is disposed in the housing over the printhead.

Description

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

The present invention relates generally to printing. More particularly, example embodiments of the present invention relate to a printer apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Generally speaking, a printing apparatus (“printer”) is operable for marking image(s) upon graphic media substrates to produce graphic media products such as labels, decals, emblems, and signs. The image may comprise symbols, data patterns, text, indicia, and other markings. The markings present information graphically to users, who view the graphic media products.

The media substrate comprises a material that may be marked durably with the image using a marking agent compatible therewith. Simple paper substrates, for example, may be simply marked with an ink. Graphic media products, such as some labels marked with barcodes or other data patterns, may comprise a thermally sensitive substrate material and marking agent.

Printers may comprise a printhead mechanism and a feeder mechanism. The printhead is operable for the marking of the image onto a substantially blank portion of the media substrate. The feeder is operable for moving the blank media substrate into proximity and alignment with the printhead sufficient for the marking of the image onto the substrate.

The operation of the feeder comprises applying a mechanical force to a supply of the blank substrate. For example, the substrate may be supplied as a roll of blank thermally sensitive material in a web configuration disposed on a spool. The feeder may apply a traction to a roll, with which the substrate is fed to the printhead.

Printers are designed and constructed with sizes sufficient to accommodate the mechanical operations of components of the feeder mechanism and the supply of the blank media substrate, as well as the printhead and its other electrical and mechanical components. The size of the printer relates to the spatial area it may cover upon its deployment.

Relative to a finite amount of space that may be available in a facility in which the printer may be deployed, the printer size may be significant. For example, real estate costs associated with the facility relate to its total area, and the space occupied by the printer becomes unavailable for other, perhaps more productive or remunerative use.

Heavy duty, high throughput printers intended for industrial use may be constructed using larger and more numerous components, and are thus typically larger than other printers. Especially in relation to the industrial printers, their size may thus occupy more than a trivial amount of the available area, with higher related cost.

Moreover, the size of a printer corresponds to the size and number of its components and thus, to the amount of material used in its construction and its weight. Relative to smaller printers, larger printers comprise more material, and are thus heavier. The size and weight of a printer relates directly to its cost of construction, procurement, transport, and operation.

The higher number of components also contributes directly to the complexity of the printers. The complexity of the printers relates inversely to their reliability, while contributing directly to their maintenance expectations, including associated downtime, each of which may relate to corresponding loss of productivity and additional expense.

In relation to the printers discussed above (referred to herein as “conventional”), therefore, it could be useful to generally reduce their size and the amount of material used in their fabrication. It could also thus be useful to generally reduce the number of components the printers comprise and the complexity associated therewith, while increasing their reliability. Further, it could thus be useful to reduce the costs associated with the printers relating to their size, amount of material and number of components, complexity, and/or maintenance expectations, downtime, and lost productivity.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, an example embodiment of the present invention relates to a printer comprising a small size, amount of material, number of components, and complexity, relative, for example, to conventional printers. The relatively simple printers associated with example embodiments of the present invention also comprise a correspondingly higher reliability level. The relatively less material, fewer components, and lower complexity of the printers implemented according to example embodiments, further, may reduce costs associated with their fabrication, procurement, and maintenance.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a printer. The printer is operable for marking an image on a media substrate. The printer comprises a housing and a printhead. The printhead is operable for marking an image on a surface of a media substrate held in proximity therewith by a weight of a supply of the media substrate from which the media substrate is fed. The media substrate supply is disposed in the housing over the printhead.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for printing a graphic media product. The method comprises moving a media substrate from a supply thereof, the supply supported vertically between a bottom of a housing of a printer and a top of the printer housing, over a printhead of the printer. A weight of the media substrate supply displaces a portion of the surface of the media substrate longitudinally over the printhead and into proximity therewith. The method also comprises marking an image on the portion of the media substrate placed into proximity with the printhead. The printing method may be performed by the printer, described herein.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a graphic media product produced by a printing process. The graphic media product comprises an image marked on a media substrate. The printing process may relate to the method for printing a graphic media product, described herein. The printing process may be performed by the printer apparatus, described herein.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other example features, functions and/or aspects or features of embodiments of the invention, and the manner in which the same may be implemented or accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description of example embodiments and each figure (“FIG.”) of the accompanying drawings referred to therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an example printer apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A depicts an example configuration of the printer with a full media substrate supply, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B depicts an example configuration of the printer with a partially depleted media substrate supply, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an example configuration of the printer in preparation for loading a thermal marking material and/or media substrate supply, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts an example configuration of the printer upon loading the media substrate supply, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A depicts example contour of the printer, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B depicts a typical contour of a conventional printer, for contrast with the contour of a printer configured according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A depicts an example 1D ‘drag’ mode media product, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B depicts an example 1D ‘ladder’ mode media product, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6C depicts an example 2D media product, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6D depicts an example text based media product, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart for an example method for printing a graphic media product, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts an example printing system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 depicts an example printer apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments of the present invention are described in relation to a printer. The printer comprises an apparatus, which is operable for printing an image on a media substrate. The printer apparatus comprises a housing and a printhead. The printhead is operable for marking an image on a surface of a media substrate held in proximity therewith by a weight of a supply of the media substrate from which the media substrate is fed. The media substrate supply is disposed in the housing over the printhead.

Embodiments of the present invention may thus be useful, for example, with printers that comprise a small size, amount of material, number of components, and complexity, relative, for example, to conventional printers. The relatively simple printers associated with example embodiments of the present invention also comprise a correspondingly higher reliability level. The relatively less material, fewer components, and lower complexity of the printers implemented according to example embodiments, further, may reduce costs associated with their fabrication, procurement, and maintenance.

Overview.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a printer. The printer is operable for marking an image on a media substrate. The printer comprises a housing, and a printhead. The printhead is operable for marking an image on a surface of a media substrate held in proximity therewith by a weight of a supply of the media substrate from which the media substrate is fed. The media substrate supply is disposed in the housing over the printhead.

The printhead may comprise a thermal printhead (TPH), and the media substrate may comprise a thermally sensitive markable material compatible with the TPH. The media substrate is fed from the supply thereof over a portion of the TPH operable for the marking of the image. The thermally sensitive markable material may comprises one or more of a thermally sensitive medium disposed in web related configuration, or a thermal transfer medium disposed in a ribbon related configuration. The TPH may comprise a plurality of electrically resistive elements disposed in a linear array configured in a horizontal orientation perpendicular to a direction in which the media substrate is fed.

The image may comprise a plurality of picture elements (pixels) marked upon the media surface. Each of the pixels corresponds to a point disposed spatially at a discrete position on a burn line. The burn line corresponds to the horizontal orientation of the linear array of the resistive elements. The pixel is positioned on the burn line, based on a controllable energization state of one of the resistive elements. The burn line runs parallel to one or more burn lines disposed successively in the perpendicular horizontal orientation.

Each of the pixels comprises at least a brightness characteristic contrasting controllably with a brightness characteristic of a background area of the media substrate surface proximate thereto. The marking of the image comprises heating one or more locations disposed over the burn line, controllably, based on one or more of an input to the printer. The printer input relates to one or more of graphic data corresponding to the image, a stored instance of the image, or a programmed instance of the image.

In an example embodiment, the image may comprise a marking agent compatible with a material property of the media substrate. The marking agent is deposited controllably with the printhead over one or more spatial portions of a surface of the media substrate, based on one or more of an input to the printer. The printer input relates to one or more of graphic data corresponding to the image, a stored instance of the image, or a programmed instance of the image.

The printer may further comprise a feed mechanism operable for moving the media substrate from the supply thereof to the printhead. The moving of the media substrate comprises applying one or more of a traction, or a mechanical force to the media substrate. The mechanical force may comprise one or more of a tension or a friction applied to the media substrate in the direction of the moving thereof.

An example embodiment may be implemented in which the feed mechanism comprises a pair of rollers operable for the applying the mechanical force to the media substrate. The rollers may comprise platen rollers. The roller pair comprises a lower roller, and an upper roller disposed over the lower roller, relative to a top of the housing and/or a bottom thereof. The media substrate is drawn between the lower roller and the upper roller.

The printer may further comprise at least one sensor disposed downstream of the pair of rollers, relative to the moving of the media substrate. The at least one sensor is operable for detecting a longitudinal position of at least a portion of the media substrate relative to the direction of the moving thereof. The at least one sensor comprises one or more of a reflection based sensor or a pair of label stop sensors.

The reflection based sensor device is operable electro-optically for detecting a reflection of light from the surface of the media substrate illuminated therewith and corresponding spatially to the longitudinal position of the media substrate portion. The pair of label stop sensor (LSS) devices comprises a lower LSS device, and an upper LSS device disposed over the lower LSS device, relative to the top and/or the bottom of the housing. Upon the moving of the media substrate, at least a portion of the media substrate is drawn between the lower LSS device and the upper LSS device. An example embodiment may be implemented in which the media substrate supply is loadable into the housing based, at least partially, on a displacement of the upper roller and the upper LSS device vertically towards the top of the housing.

The media substrate comprises a material compatibly markable with the printhead and configured, prior to the moving thereof, as a roll disposed on a spool. Upon the moving of the media substrate, the media substrate portion is drawn from the spool in the direction of the movement and in one or more of a web configuration or a ribbon configuration.

The printer may further comprise a hanger, which is disposed movably between the top and the bottom of the housing. The hanger is operable for suspending the media substrate supply, vertically against the weight thereof, and operably over the printhead. The hanger is thus operable for the suspending of the media substrate supply over the marking of the image on the media substrate surface, the movement of the media substrate surface over the printhead, a consumption of the media substrate supply related to one or more of the moving thereof or the marking of the image, and/or a reduction in the weight of the media substrate supply, which corresponds to the consumption thereof.

The printer may further comprise a print pressure adjustment mechanism (PPAM). The PPAM is operable for controlling the printhead in relation to adjusting the marking of the image on the media substrate based on a degree of consumption related to the supply of the media substrate. The printer may further comprise a media use detector operable with the PPAM and operable for detecting the degree of consumption of the media substrate supply.

The detecting of the degree of consumption of the media substrate supply may be based on a monitoring of a remainder of the media substrate supply by the feed mechanism and/or a controller associated with an operation of the feed mechanism. The detecting of the degree of consumption of the media substrate supply may be performed with an electromechanical operation and/or an electro-optical operation of the media use detector.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for printing a graphic media product. The graphic media product comprises an image marked on a media substrate. The method comprises moving the media substrate, and marking the image onto the media substrate. The media substrate is moved from a supply thereof, over a printhead of the printer. The media substrate supply is supported vertically between a bottom of a housing of a printer and a top of the printer housing. A weight of the media substrate supply places a portion of the surface of the media substrate longitudinally over the printhead and into proximity therewith. The image is marked on the portion of the media substrate placed into proximity with the printhead.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a graphic media product produced by a printing process. The printing process may relate to the method for printing a graphic media product, described herein. The printing process may be performed by the printer apparatus, described herein.

Example Printer Apparatus.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a printer apparatus operable for marking an image on a media substrate. FIG. 1 depicts an example printer apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer apparatus (“printer”) comprises a housing 110. The housing 110 provides a support structure for the printer 100.

The housing 110 has a bottom 111 oriented at least partially in relation to a first, lower plane 112, and a top 113 oriented at least partially in relation to a second plane 114, opposite from the first, lower plane 112.

A printhead mechanism 121 is disposed proximate to the bottom 111 and has a marking surface 122 facing upward, toward the top 113. The marking surface 122 is operable for the marking of the image.

A supply 130 of the media substrate 131 is disposed over the printhead 121, with a markable surface of the substrate 121 placed in a contact, vertically, with the printhead marking surface 122 by its weight. The media substrate supply 130 is supported by media hanger 105.

In an example embodiment, the media substrate portion 144 is held in contact with the marking surface 122 by the weight of the media substrate supply 130, based on the force of gravity acting upon the mass thereof. The media substrate supply 130 may be configured as a roll of the media substrate 131 disposed on a spool. The spool may be mounted on the hanger 105. The spool may rotate upon the hanger 105, and/or the hanger 105 may be rotatable within the hanger guide 155.

An example embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in which the marked surface 122 of the media substrate is disposed in an orientation, which may be considered unique in relation to some conventional printers. For example, some printers may mark the surface of graphic media substrates in a configuration that may be considered “upside-down,” in relation to the orientation of the surface 122 of the media substrate, as handled and marked by the printer 100 described herein.

The printer 100 may also comprise a user interface (UI) and/or liquid crystal display (LCD) 190 (or another kind of display). The UI and/or display 190 may be associated with an electronic control system of the printer 100. A graphic user interface (GUI) may be implemented with a UI, which is operable with the display.

FIG. 2A depicts an example configuration 210 of the printer 100 with a full media substrate supply 130, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A feed mechanism 240 is operable for moving the media substrate 131. The media substrate portion 144 is displaced longitudinally over the marking surface 122 of the printhead 121.

The feed mechanism 240 may be operable for the moving the media substrate using a mechanical force applied to the media substrate 130. The mechanical force may comprise a traction applied longitudinally to the media substrate 130.

The feed mechanism 240 may comprise a pair of platen rollers operable for the applying the mechanical force to the media substrate 131. The platen roller pair 240 comprises a first platen roller 241, and a second platen roller 242 disposed over the first platen roller 241 relative to the top and bottom of the housing 110.

The media substrate 130 is drawn between the first platen roller 241 and the second platen roller 242. One or more of the platen rollers 241 or 242 may be rotated by a motor, and/or a gear assembly coupled mechanically thereto, in a direction to cause a translational displacement of the media substrate 130 in a direction 699 of feeding and marking. Each of the platen rollers of the pair 240 is compressed against the other, to apply the traction to the media substrate 130 by friction and rotation as it passes between them.

The media substrate 131 comprises a material compatibly markable with the printhead mechanism 121. The media substrate 130 may be configured, prior to the moving of the portion 144 thereof, supplied as a roll disposed on a spool 130. Upon the moving of the media substrate 130, the media substrate portion 144 is drawn longitudinally from the spool 130 in a web configuration. A longitudinal dimension of the web configuration of the media substrate 130 exceeds, significantly, a lateral dimension thereof.

In an example embodiment, the printhead 121 comprises a thermal printhead (TPH) and the media substrate 130 comprises a thermally sensitive material. The TPH comprises a marking surface 122 operable for the marking of the image thermally onto the thermally sensitive media substrate. The marking surface 122 comprises a plurality of electrically resistive elements, each of which may be controllably heated. A marking material compatible with the thermally sensitive material of the substrate 130 comprises a thermally printable film or ribbon material 236. As the media substrate portion 144 moves across the TPH 121, the thermally printable ribbon is drawn therewith, e.g., from a supply spool to a take-up spool, each disposed on opposite sides of the TPH 121.

The TPH marking surface 122 comprises a burn line. The marking of the image comprises the moving of the portion 144 of the marking surface of the thermally sensitive media substrate over the burn line. As the substrate is moved over the burn line, the TPH is operable for controllably heating localized positions on the surface of the substrate, and thus, marks a portion of the image at each of the controllably heated positions. The controllable marking of the image portions by the TPH may comprise heating one or more locations disposed over the marking surface, controllably, based on one or more of an input to the printer related to the image, or a stored or programmed instance thereof. The input and/or stored or programmed instance may comprise instructions, physically (e.g., electronically, optically, electromagnetically, etc.) stored with a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. A marking material is transferred from the marking ribbon 236 to each of the controllably heated locations of the substrate 130.

FIG. 2B depicts an example configuration 220 of the printer with a partially depleted media substrate supply, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The printer apparatus 100 may further comprise a pair of label stop sensor (LSS) devices 260 disposed downstream of the pair of platen rollers 240, relative to the longitudinal displacement of the media substrate portion. The LSS devices 240 are operable for detecting a position of the media substrate portion. The pair of LSS devices 240 comprises a first LSS device 241, and a second LSS device 242 disposed over the first LSS device 241, relative to the top and bottom of the housing, and on opposite sides of the substrate 130, downstream from the TPH 121. The media substrate 130 is drawn, e.g., during the movement thereof, between the first LSS device 261 and the second LSS device 262.

In an example embodiment, the printer apparatus further comprises a hanger 105. The hanger 105 is disposed movably between the top 113 and the bottom 111 of the housing 110, e.g., within a hanger guide 155. The hanger 105 is operable for moveably suspending the media substrate supply 131, vertically against its own weight, over the printhead 121 and in the contact with the marking surface 122 thereof. The hanger 105 supports the weight of the media substrate supply 131 upon its loading into the printer 100, and at every stage of its use or consumption, until it is depleted and/or ready to be replaced.

The hanger 105 is operable for suspending the media substrate supply 131, with the substrate 130 in contact with the marking surface 122 of the printhead 121, upon loading of the substrate supply 130 and during the marking of the image on the media substrate 130, the longitudinal displacement of the markable surface of the portion 144 thereof over the printhead 121 marking surface 122, a consumption or use of the supply 131 of the media substrate 130 related to the marking of the image thereon, and/or a reduction in the weight of the media substrate supply 130 corresponding to the use or consumption of the substrate 130 thereof. The hanger 105 moves down within the hanger guide 155 as the substrate 130 is consumed by a printing process.

The media substrate supply 130 may be loadable into the printer 100. FIG. 3 depicts an example configuration 30 of the printer 100 in preparation for a loading of the supply 131 of the media substrate 130 and/or loading of the thermal marking material 236, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 depicts an example configuration 40 of the printer apparatus 100 upon loading the media substrate supply 131, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In an example embodiment, the loading of the substrate supply 131 is based, at least in part, on a displacement of the second platen roller 242, and the second LSS detector 241 vertically towards the top 113 of the housing 110. Further, loading of new thermal transfer marking ribbon 236 may be facilitated by locking the hanger 105 in a position proximate to the top 113 of the housing 110, using a locking pin 33.

FIG. 5B depicts example contour of the printer apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. An example embodiment may be implemented in which the housing 110 comprises, at least in part, a housing 555. The media substrate 130 and components of the printer 100, e.g., the TPH 121, may be disposed within the housing 555. The printer apparatus 100 and, e.g., the housing 555 thereof, comprise a characteristic dimension ‘A’ 560. Relative to the dimension characteristic 560 of the printer 100, typical conventional printers may comprise larger dimensions, which consume more space.

FIG. 5A depicts a typical contour of a conventional printer 50, for contrast with the contour of the printer 100configured according to an embodiment of the present invention. Conventional printers, represented herein by the typical printer 50, rely on a mechanism 57 to provide mechanical force sufficient to move a supply 59 of a media substrate and place it into markable contact with a printhead thereof. The components of the typical conventional printer 50, including the mechanism 57 thereof, are disposed in a housing 58. The housing 58 of the typical conventional printer 50 may be characterized by a dimension ‘B’ 56.

The dimension ‘B’ 56, characteristic of the typical conventional printer 50, exceeds the dimension A 560, which characterizes the printer 100, implemented according to an example embodiment. Conversely, the dimension A 560, characteristic of the printer 100 of an example embodiment is smaller than the typical dimension B 56 of the conventional printer 50.

Example embodiments of the present invention relate to printing processes (e.g., method 80; FIG. 8) performed by the printer 100, and to graphic media products printed according to such processes.

Example Printer Media Products.

The image marked upon the media substrate 130 may comprise one or more symbols or indicia. For example, the symbols or indicia may comprise text based information, such as alphanumeric, and/or character or syllabary based text. The symbol may also (or alternatively) comprise ideographic, pictographic, or emblematic based graphics, images, or data patterns.

FIG. 6A depicts an example 1D bar code pattern 610, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The 1D bar code symbol 610 is depicted as though printed in a ‘picket fence’ mode on the print medium 611.

FIG. 6B depicts another example 1D bar code pattern 620, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The 1D bar code symbol 622 is depicted as though printed in a ‘ladder’ mode on a print medium 622.

The bar code symbols 610 and 620 each comprise a plurality of bar elements 66a and a plurality of space elements 66b. The space elements 66b are disposed in parallel with the bar elements 66a. In the picket fence mode, the bar code symbol 610 is printed parallel to the direction of printing 699. In the ladder mode, the bar code symbol 620 is printed in a perpendicular orientation to the direction of printing 699.

The bar code symbols 610 and 620 may each comprise data patterns related to, for example, an International (or “European”) Article Number and/or Universal Product Code (EAN/UPC symbology) pattern, PDF417 (ISO/EC-15438 related) pattern, which comprise four of the vertical bar like symbols 66a disposed over 17 of the horizontally disposed spacer symbols 68b), 1D dot code pattern, or other 1D symbols.

FIG. 6C depicts an example 2D matrix code pattern 650, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The 2D matrix code pattern 650 comprises a matrix of 2D graphic symbol parts, such as squares and other rectangle and polygons, printed on a print medium 655. The matrix data pattern 650 may comprise a 2D data pattern related to, for example, quick-response (QR) and/or Han Xin graphical or geometric data matrices, or other 2D symbols.

FIG. 6D depicts an example text based code pattern 640, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The text based code pattern 640 comprises alphanumeric, character, or syllabary based text or other text related graphic symbol parts (e.g., OCR patterns), printed on a print medium 644. The code pattern 640 may comprise human readable and optical character recognition (OCR) readable symbol parts, such as numbers, letters, characters, and syllables printed on a print medium 644. The data pattern 640 may comprise a 2D data pattern related to, for example, OCR-B or OCR-A, or other 2D symbols.

The print media 611, 622, 644, and 655 each move longitudinally in a direction 699 of respective printing, marking, and/or feeding operations. The print media 611, 622, 644, and 655 may each comprise paper for receiving ink based markings, thermally sensitive paper, or plastic or other material. The print media 611, 622, 644, and 655 may be disposed in a web configuration, which is significantly longer than it is wide. The direction of printing 699 is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the print media 611, 622, 644, and 655, along which the media move.

The printing system 100 prints the symbols 610, 620, 640, and 650 on the respective web media 611, 622, 644, and 655 according to a printing process (e.g., method 20; FIG. 2A). An example embodiment may be implemented in which print logic generates a print command based on a reference pattern, to be printed centered in the target position. The print command and related reference pattern is used by a print driver to activate and energize print elements of the printing mechanism 121.

Responsive to the print command, for example, the activated and energized print mechanism 121 marks a part of the bar codes 610 and 620, matrix code 650 and/or text pattern 640 based on a reference pattern and the media 611, 622, 644, and/or 655, respectively, advance in the direction 699. Each time that the media is advanced, a print driver activates elements of the print mechanism 112 for the marking of subsequent bar elements 66a, and spacing of parallel space elements 66b, onto a segment (e.g., portion) onto the media 611, 622, and 655, and/or the text pattern portions onto the medium 644.

As the printed portions of the media 611, 622, 644 and 655 advance through the print mechanism, a bulk printed media product is produced. With ‘linear’ operable image heads, successive scan images of the printed element may be buffered sequentially into the scan memory area in a correspondence with the succession. The print command may be stored in a related memory area (FIG. 8).

Example Printing Process.

In an example embodiment, the media products 61, 62, 63, and 64, may be printed by a process performed by the printer apparatus 100. FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart for an example method 70 for printing a graphic media product, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 70 begins with a step 71.

In the step 71, a supply of the media substrate is supported, vertically, between a bottom of a printer and a top of the printer, and over a printhead mechanism of the printer. The bottom of the printer is oriented, at least partially, in relation to a first plane. The top is oriented, at least partially, in relation to a second plane opposite from the first plane. A markable surface of the media substrate is placed in a contact with a marking surface of the printhead mechanism by a weight of the media substrate supply.

The method 70 also comprises a step 72, in which the media substrate is moved. In the moving of the media substrate, a portion thereof is displaced longitudinally over the marking surface of the printhead mechanism.

The method 70 comprises, further, a step 73. The step comprises marking the image on the portion of the media substrate placed in a contact with marking surface of the printhead.

The moving the media substrate may comprise an application of a mechanical force on the media substrate. The applying application of the mechanical force may comprise subjecting the media substrate to a traction parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof.

The application of the mechanical force may also comprise drawing the media substrate between a pair of platen rollers. The platen roller pair comprising a first platen roller, and a second platen roller. The second platen roller is disposed over the first platen roller, relative to the top of the printer and the bottom of the printer. The media substrate is drawn between the first platen roller and the second platen roller.

The method comprises, further still, a step 74. The step 74 comprises detecting a position of the media contact portion. The detection of the position of the media contact portion may comprise drawing the media substrate between a pair of label stop sensor (LSS) devices. The pair of LSS devices is disposed downstream of the pair of platen rollers, relative to the longitudinal displacement of the media substrate portion. The pair of LSS devices comprises a first LSS device, and a second LSS device. The second LSS device is disposed over the first LSS device, relative to the top and the bottom of the printer.

Yet further still, the method may comprise a step 75. The step 75 comprises loading the media substrate supply into the printer. The loading of the media substrate supply is based, at least partially, on a displacement of the second platen roller and the second LSS detector, vertically, towards the top of the printer. The displaced LSS detector and the displaced platen roller are disposed above another LSS detector and platen roller disposed, in relation to the top 113 and/or the bottom 111 of the housing 110 of the printer 100.

In an example embodiment, the method 80 is performed by the printer apparatus 100. An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a graphic media product (e.g., graphic media products 61, 62, 63, 64; FIG. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, respectively) marked on a media substrate by a process. The process may relate to the printing method 80. In an example embodiment, the method 80 is performed by an automated, computerized, and/or network-connected printer system.

Example Printer System and Network Platform.

An example embodiment may be implemented in which one or more components of the printer apparatus 100 are configured in electronic or computer based hardware, software stored physically (e.g., electrically, electronically, optically, electromagnetically, magnetically) in non-transitory computer readable storage media such as dynamic memory, flash memory, drives, caches, buffers, registers, latches, memory cells, or the like.

FIG. 8 depicts an example printing system 800, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer apparatus 100 comprises a controller interface 827, operable for exchanging data signals with a controller 828 and a controller 829.

The controller 828 is operable for exchanging data signals with the printhead 121. The controller 828 may transmit commands to the printhead 121. The controller 829 is operable for exchanging data signals with the feed mechanism 220. The controller 828 may transmit commands to the feed mechanism 220. Data signals from the printhead 121 and the feed mechanism 220 may be returned respectively therefrom via the controller interface 827.

The printing system 800 comprises a controller 810, which is operable for exchanging data signals with the printer apparatus 100 via a printer interface 817. The printing system 800 comprises a data bus 811. The printing system 800 also comprises a central processor unit (CPU) 812, a memory, such as a dynamically-operable random access memory (RAM) 813, and a data storage unit 814. The data storage unit, and the RAM 813, may comprise non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

The computer-readable storage media may comprise instructions, such as instructions 815. The instructions 815 may be operable for causing, configuring, controlling, and/or programming a printing process such as the method 70 (FIG. 7), and/or a process for printing graphic media products such as the media products 61, 62, 63, and/or 64 (FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, respectively). The controller 810 may also comprise a statically-operable memory such as a read-only memory (ROM), and one or more additional processors, such as a graphic processing unit (GPU), digital signal processor (DSP), and or “math” (mathematics) co-processor, which may each be operable with an individual, dedicated, or shared dynamic memory.

The controller 810 may comprise the LCD 190. An example embodiment may be implemented in which the LCD 190 comprises a graphical user interface (GUI) 819, which is operable for receiving haptic user inputs. The controller 810 may also comprise a network interface 815.

The network interface 816 is operable for coupling and exchanging data, communicatively, with a data and communication network 855. One or more remote printers 877 and/or remote computers 888 may be coupled, communicatively, via the network 855, and/or controlled by the controller 810 (or control an operation of the printer 100).

Example Printer Apparatus.

FIG. 9 depicts an example of the printer apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. An example embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in which the printer apparatus 100 comprises a media use detector 911 and a print pressure adjustment mechanism (PPAM) 922, in addition to the features described above with reference to FIG. 8.

The media use detector 911 is operable for detecting the use of a known, estimated, or approximate, and finite supply of the media substrate. The detection of the media use may be based on an input signal to the media use detector 911 from the feed mechanism 220 and/or from the feeder controller 829.

An example embodiment may be implemented in which the input signal is developed by the feed mechanism 220 and/or the feeder controller 829 electromechanically. During printing for example, the supply of the media substrate may be monitored electromechanically in real time based on detecting a change in a weight of a remainder of the media supply, a change in a degree of a mechanical strain exerted by the remainder of the media supply on the feed mechanism 220, and/or a change in the diameter of the media remaining on a supply spool thereof.

Alternatively or additionally, an example embodiment may be implemented in which the input signal is developed by the feed mechanism 220 and/or the feeder controller 829 electro-optically. During printing for example, the supply of the media substrate may be monitored electro-optically in real time based on detecting a change in the diameter of the media remaining on a supply spool thereof.

The electro-optical monitoring of the diameter may relate to detecting a colored, shaded, darkened marking, or a reflective marking, which is applied to an encoder disk in an alternating pattern. For example, a lightly shaded section may be followed by a darker shaded section, and with the encoder disk rotating at the same speed as the unspooling media substrate. Alternatively or additionally, the electro-optical monitoring may relate to detecting a changing diameter of the media substrate supply spool using one or more photocells and associated light sources.

* * *

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:

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* * *

Example embodiments of the present invention are thus described in relation to printing apparatus and a method for printing media products. An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a printer. The printer is operable for marking an image on a media substrate. The printer comprises a housing and a printhead. The printhead is operable for marking an image on a surface of a media substrate held in proximity therewith by a weight of a supply of the media substrate from which the media substrate is fed. The media substrate supply is disposed in the housing over the printhead.

Example embodiments of the present invention are thus useful, for example, with printers comprising a small size, amount of material, number of components, and complexity, relative, for example, to conventional printers. The relatively simple printers associated with example embodiments of the present invention also comprise a correspondingly higher reliability level. The relatively less material, fewer components, and lower complexity of the printers implemented according to example embodiments, further, may reduce costs associated with their fabrication, procurement, and maintenance.

For clarity and brevity, as well as to avoid unnecessary or unhelpful obfuscating, obscuring, obstructing, or occluding features of an example embodiment, certain intricacies and details, which are known generally to artisans of ordinary skill in related technologies, may have been omitted or discussed in less than exhaustive detail. Any such omissions or discussions are neither necessary for describing example embodiments of the invention, nor particularly relevant to understanding of significant elements, features, functions, and aspects of the example embodiments described herein.

In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such example embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and the term “or” is used in an inclusive (and not exclusive) sense. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A printer, comprising: a housing;a printhead comprising a printhead marking surface, wherein the printhead is operable for marking an image on a surface of a media substrate; anda hanger disposed in the housing for movably suspending a supply of the media substrate over the printhead such that a weight of the supply holds the surface of the media substrate in proximity to the printhead marking surface.

2. The printer as described in claim 1 wherein the printhead comprises a thermal printhead (TPH) and the media substrate comprises a thermally sensitive markable material fed from the supply over a portion of the TPH operable for the marking of the image.

3. The printer as described in claim 2 wherein the thermally sensitive markable material comprises one or more of a thermally sensitive medium disposed in web related configuration, or a thermal transfer medium disposed in a ribbon related configuration.

4. The printer as described in claim 2 wherein the TPH comprises a plurality of electrically resistive elements disposed in a linear array configured in a horizontal orientation perpendicular to a direction in which the media substrate is fed.

5. The printer as described in claim 4, wherein the image comprises a plurality of picture elements (pixels) marked upon the media surface, each of the pixels corresponding to a point disposed spatially at a discrete position on a burn line corresponding to the horizontal orientation of the linear array of the resistive elements, based on a controllable energization state of one of the resistive elements, wherein the burn line runs parallel to one or more burn lines disposed successively in the perpendicular horizontal orientation.

6. The printer as described in claim 5, wherein each of the pixels comprises at least a brightness characteristic contrasting controllably with a brightness characteristic of a background area of the media substrate surface proximate thereto.

7. The printer as described in claim 5 wherein the marking of the image comprises heating one or more locations disposed over the burn line, controllably, based on one or more of an input to the printer related to one or more of graphic data corresponding to the image, a stored instance of the image, or a programmed instance of the image.

8. The printer as described in claim 1 wherein the image comprises a marking agent compatible with a material property of the media substrate and deposited controllably with the printhead over one or more spatial portions of a surface of the media substrate, based on one or more of an input to the printer related to one or more of graphic data corresponding to the image, a stored instance of the image, or a programmed instance of the image.

9. The printer as described in claim 1 further comprising a feed mechanism operable for moving the media substrate from the supply thereof to the printhead.

10. The printer as described in claim 9 wherein the moving of the media substrate comprises applying one or more of a traction, or a mechanical force to the media substrate.

11. The printer as described in claim 10 wherein the mechanical force comprises one or more of a tension or a friction applied to the media substrate in the direction of the moving thereof.

12. The printer as described in claim 9 wherein the feed mechanism comprises a pair of rollers operable for the applying the mechanical force to the media substrate, the roller pair comprising a lower roller, and an upper roller disposed over the lower roller, relative to one or more of a top of the housing or a bottom thereof, wherein the media substrate is drawn between the lower roller and the upper roller.

13. The printer as described in claim 12 further comprising at least one sensor disposed downstream of the pair of rollers, relative to the moving of the media substrate, and operable for detecting a longitudinal position of at least a portion of the media substrate relative to the direction of the moving thereof.

14. The printer as described in claim 13 wherein the at least one sensor comprises one or more of: a reflection based sensor device operable electro-optically for detecting a reflection of light from the surface of the media substrate illuminated therewith and corresponding spatially to the longitudinal position; ora pair of label stop sensor (LSS) devices comprising a lower LSS device, and an upper LSS device disposed over the lower LSS device relative to the top and the bottom of the housing, wherein upon the moving, at least a portion of the media substrate is drawn between the lower LSS device and the upper LSS device.

15. The printer as described in claim 14 wherein the media substrate supply is loadable into the housing based, at least partially, on a displacement of the upper roller and the upper LSS device vertically towards the top of the housing.

16. The printer as described in claim 12 wherein the media substrate comprises a material compatibly markable with the printhead and configured, prior to the moving thereof, as a roll disposed on a spool, and wherein upon the moving, the media substrate portion is drawn from the spool in the direction of the movement and in one or more of a web configuration or a ribbon configuration.

17. The printer as described in claim 1 wherein the hanger is disposed movably between a top and a bottom of the housing for vertically suspending the media substrate supply.

18. The printer as described in claim 17 wherein the hanger is operable for the suspending of the media substrate supply over one or more of: the movement of the media substrate surface over the printhead;a consumption of the media substrate supply related to one or more of the moving thereof or the marking of the image; ora reduction in the weight of the media substrate supply corresponding to the consumption thereof.

19. The printer as described in claim 1, further comprising a print pressure adjustment mechanism operable for controlling the printhead in relation to adjusting the marking of the image on the media substrate based on a degree of consumption related to the supply of the media substrate.

20. The printer as described in claim 19, further comprising a media use detector operable with the print pressure adjustment mechanism and operable for detecting the degree of consumption of the media substrate supply.

21. The printer as described in claim 20, wherein the detecting of the degree of consumption of the media substrate supply is based on a monitoring of a remainder of the media substrate supply by one or more of a feed mechanism or a controller associated with an operation of the feed mechanism.

22. The printer as described in claim 20, wherein the detecting of the degree of consumption of the media substrate supply is performed with one or more of an electromechanical operation or an electro-optical operation of the media use detector.

23. A method for printing a graphic media product, the method comprising: suspending a supply of a media substrate over a printhead comprising a printhead marking surface that a weight of the supply holds a surface of the media substrate in proximity to the printhead marking surface;marking an image on the surface of the media substrate in proximity to the printhead marking surface; andmoving an unmarked portion of the media substrate from the supply over the printhead.