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WO1998005508A1 - Ensemble pour la configuration automatique d'une imprimante et supports correspondants - Google Patents

Ensemble pour la configuration automatique d'une imprimante et supports correspondants Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998005508A1
WO1998005508A1 PCT/SE1997/001322 SE9701322W WO9805508A1 WO 1998005508 A1 WO1998005508 A1 WO 1998005508A1 SE 9701322 W SE9701322 W SE 9701322W WO 9805508 A1 WO9805508 A1 WO 9805508A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
code
arrangement according
printer
previous
printing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/SE1997/001322
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mats Gunnarsson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Intermec PTC AB
Original Assignee
Intermec PTC AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Intermec PTC AB filed Critical Intermec PTC AB
Priority to EP97934840A priority Critical patent/EP0929403B1/fr
Priority to AT97934840T priority patent/ATE242127T1/de
Priority to DE69722638T priority patent/DE69722638T2/de
Publication of WO1998005508A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998005508A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Priority to US09/911,530 priority patent/US6802659B2/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/17Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17543Cartridge presence detection or type identification
    • B41J2/17546Cartridge presence detection or type identification electronically
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/36Blanking or long feeds; Feeding to a particular line, e.g. by rotation of platen or feed roller
    • B41J11/42Controlling printing material conveyance for accurate alignment of the printing material with the printhead; Print registering
    • B41J11/46Controlling printing material conveyance for accurate alignment of the printing material with the printhead; Print registering by marks or formations on the paper being fed
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J29/00Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/38Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
    • B41J29/393Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an arrangement for the automatic setting of printers, and more particularly to the setting of printer parameters by means of code reading.
  • the parameters concern the printer work parameters, data communication or printing layout.
  • the code to be read may be affixed directly onto material to be used in the printer, or onto separate sheets or labels.
  • This invention also relates to materials, i.e. printing materials and dyes, to be used together with a printer. With the aid of the present invention, an optimum setting of the printer is automatically obtained, entailing a high quality and making the printer easily usable also for unqualified staff members.
  • the setting of the printer was performed by entering parameters using a keyboard in connection to the printer, or by data transfer.
  • parameters to be entered There are, however, many parameters to be entered, and the parameter theory is rather complicated, implying that frequently the user may not be able to perform a correct printer setting himself.
  • some parameters are factory set and can only be changed by a qualified service technician. This of course means that the quality of the printed product will be less than optimal.
  • coding has been used for the setting of various devices.
  • programming of video recorders with the aid of bar codes setting of cameras by reading codes on film cartridges, setting of audio tape recorders by sensing cavities on the tapes, etc. It is not known, however, to control a printer by codes in the way that the present invention teaches.
  • the present invention resolves the problem of setting the printer by affixing a code onto, or in connection with, materials to be used together with the printer.
  • the code may be read automatically or through a simple manipulation performed by the printer user.
  • an optimum setting of the printer is achieved fully automatically or semi-automatical ly. This means that a high print-out quality can be warranted.
  • the invention allows for quick and easy exchange of dye and receiver material with an automatic or semi-automatic optimal setting of the printer work parameters with regard to the dye as well as to the receiver material.
  • other printer functions such as data communication with peripheral equipment, and printing layout, can be controlled in a simple manner.
  • the present invention thus provides an arrangement for the automatic setting of a printer means.
  • the arrangement includes a printing mechanism and a control unit for providing a print-out on a printing material with the aid of a dye.
  • a code reader is connected to the control unit for reading a code for controlling at least one parameter of the printer means.
  • the code may be associated with the printing material, the dye, a printer means peripheral device, or a printing layout.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows an example of a code
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a material onto which a code has been applied in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 4 illustrates a material onto which a code has been applied in accordance with another embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 5 illustrates a core of a roll of material, onto which a code has been applied in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention
  • the printer 1 comprises a printing mechanism 2, performing the actual printing.
  • the printing mechanism is of the thermo-transfer type, i.e. the printing mechanism includes a printing head having heated points or dots (not shown).
  • the dots act on a heat-sensitive dye or transfer ribbon which transfers dye to a receiver material, normally paper, but synthetic materials are also commonly used.
  • the paper may be a single layer or comprise of a carrier or back paper carrying labels or tickets to be printed.
  • the receiver material may come in the form of a roll, loose sheets, or a continuous web.
  • the transfer ribbon is delivered as a roll which is fitted into the machine and wound past the printer head. Printing mechanisms of this type are well known in the trade and do not, as such, constitute any part of the invention.
  • the printing mechanism is controlled by a control unit 3 (CPU), which may be microprocessor based.
  • a code reader is used.
  • the code reader may be external 4, and be complemented by an internal code reader 5, or vice versa, as will be explained below.
  • the code reader reads a code, in the discussed example illustrated by a bar code 6 (Fig. 2), which is provided in connection with the transfer ribbon and the receiver material.
  • the code is preprinted or affixed directly onto the start end of the dye ribbon roll and the roll of receiver material. When such rolls, respectively, are fitted into the printer, the internal code reader is utilised, reading the code at the beginning of the roll, before any print-out has been performed. Thereby, the printer is immediately set for optimum printing quality.
  • the printer according to the invention preferably includes also an external code reader 4, that may completely replace the internal code reader, e.g. if wanting to modernise an existing printer without a code reader.
  • the external code reader 4 may be used for reading from e.g. separate sheets comprising codes for various possible paper and dye ribbon qualities.
  • a printer manufacturer could for example enclose such a separate sheet with many different codes listing dye ribbon and printing material data from different manufacturers, in order to make his printer flexible and not to be confined to certain manufacturers. The materials manufacturer obtains the same advantage of increased flexibility, as his material will not be confined to a certain printer.
  • Another suitable location for affixing the code may be on a material packing. This is especially preferable when the printing material comes in sheets rather than on a roll, and when the dye consists of ink or dye powder that is not suitable in itself to carry the code.
  • the code may in this case be read either internally, if the package or a part thereof is fed into the reader, or be read by the external code reader.
  • a bar code is shown.
  • the advantage of the bar code is that a reli- able reading is quickly and simply available.
  • Other optical codes are of course also possible, e.g. two-dimensional codes, colour codes, dot codes, matrix codes, etc.
  • magnetic codes and magnetic code readers are suitable for the present invention.
  • the magnetic code may be applied directly onto the material in question, or onto a label in the same manner as the above described bar code.
  • the magnetic code may also be provided on a plastic card and be read by an internal or external slot reader.
  • the code may also be provided in the form of a conductive metal layer for electronic reading.
  • the metal layers might preferably be arranged on the packaging for internal reading; compare film cartridges in minicameras.
  • Codes may also be read electronically by means of RF tags or RF labels. These consist of metal layers constituting electronic components. When subjected to a radio frequency magnetic field, caused by the code reader, they answer with a frequency comprising the code.
  • Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, where an RF tag 7 is positioned at the beginning of a roll of material 8, i.e. at the exterior end 9 of the roll.
  • the RF tag is read automatically by an integrated RF code reader.
  • an RF tag 10 may alternatively be positioned at the inner end 14 of the roll, i.e. adjacent the core 1 1, or support, upon which the material has been wound. As the reading is electronic, reading through the material can be performed without problems.
  • One advantage with this location is that the RF tag 10 is completely protected and there is no risk of it accidentally falling off or being torn off.
  • a further variant is to place an RF tag 12 directly on the outside of the core before winding the material on, or an RF tag 13 on the inside of the core 1 1.
  • the RF tag can be placed on the inside also when the material has already been wound onto the core. It is also possible to use a mechanical reading, by arms being placed in different positions by means of protrusions and recesses provided on a dye powder cartridge or similar.
  • the invention may also be applied to other types of printers.
  • Direct thermo- printers function in a similar manner to thermo- transfer printers but utilise no transfer ribbon. Instead, the printing head is allowed to apply heat directly onto a heat-sensitive paper.
  • Ink jet and laser printers use ink and carbon powder, respectively, as dye, which is supplied in cartridges.
  • the printers may need adjustment for writing on special materials, e.g. metal and plastic resins. Codes may be easily applied e.g. on the ink or carbon powder package, as mentioned above.
  • reader readers of different types that can be used with the present invention.
  • the most common types are contact readers, e.g. bar code pens, or distance readers, e.g. CCD readers and laser scanners, which may be fixed or hand held, and slot readers, being common with plastic cards but also usable for bar codes.
  • the external reader may be mounted on a stand, or be fixed in the form of an eye on the side of the printer, for reading by sliding the code past the eye at a suitable distance.
  • the readers as such do not constitute any part of the present invention.
  • the printer has been set mainly with regard to the print-out quality.
  • the invention is not intended to be limited to this only, but the reading may also be used for controlling the data communication between the printer and its peripheral equipment, such as baud rate and number of bits, and printing layouts.
  • the printing can thus be controlled by a simple reading of a code from a "ready-reckoner", best done using the external reader 4.
  • the code constitutes a command to the control unit or to an external computer, controlling the printing layout.

Landscapes

  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Impression-Transfer Materials And Handling Thereof (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Mirrors, Picture Frames, Photograph Stands, And Related Fastening Devices (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention se rapporte à un ensemble permettant de configurer automatiquement une imprimante, et notamment de fixer les paramètres d'une imprimante au moyen d'une lecture de code, ainsi qu'à des supports d'impression utilisés dans ce but. Lesdits paramètres sont des paramètres de travail de l'imprimante ou sont relatifs à la transmission des données ou à la présentation de l'impression. Le code à lire peut être appliqué directement sur les supports d'impression utilisés sur l'imprimante ou sur des feuilles ou étiquettes distinctes. Conformément à cette invention, on parvient automatiquement à une configuration optimale de l'imprimante (1), ce qui se traduit par une grande qualité d'impression et une facilité d'utilisation de l'imprimante même par du personnel non qualifié. Ledit ensemble comprend un mécanisme d'impression (2) et une unité de commande (3) permettant d'obtenir une impression sur un support d'impression au moyen d'une substance colorante. Conformément à cette invention, on relie un lecteur de code (4, 5) à l'unité de commande (3) en vue de la lecture d'un code servant à commander au moins un paramètre de l'imprimante. Ce code peut alternativement être relatif au support récepteur, à la substance colorante, à un dispositif périphérique de l'imprimante ou à la présentation de l'impression.
PCT/SE1997/001322 1996-08-07 1997-08-04 Ensemble pour la configuration automatique d'une imprimante et supports correspondants Ceased WO1998005508A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP97934840A EP0929403B1 (fr) 1996-08-07 1997-08-04 Ensemble pour la configuration automatique d'une imprimante et supports correspondants
AT97934840T ATE242127T1 (de) 1996-08-07 1997-08-04 Anordnung zum automatischen einstellen von drucken und materialien dafür
DE69722638T DE69722638T2 (de) 1996-08-07 1997-08-04 Anordnung zum automatischen einstellen von drucken und materialien dafür
US09/911,530 US6802659B2 (en) 1996-08-07 2001-07-24 Arrangement for automatic setting of programmable devices and materials therefor

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9602934-3 1996-08-07
SE9602934A SE508004C2 (sv) 1996-08-07 1996-08-07 Arrangemang för automatisk inställning av printrar samt material därtill

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998005508A1 true WO1998005508A1 (fr) 1998-02-12

Family

ID=20403531

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE1997/001322 Ceased WO1998005508A1 (fr) 1996-08-07 1997-08-04 Ensemble pour la configuration automatique d'une imprimante et supports correspondants

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0929403B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE242127T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69722638T2 (fr)
SE (1) SE508004C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1998005508A1 (fr)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0877337A2 (fr) * 1997-03-21 1998-11-11 Lexmark International, Inc. Procédé et dispositif pour déterminer automatiquement le type de tête d'impression installé dans une imprimante à laser
US6494628B1 (en) * 1998-12-03 2002-12-17 Sony Corporation Heat-sensitive transcription printer system
US6719394B2 (en) 2000-04-14 2004-04-13 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Semiconductor device, ink tank provided with such semiconductor device, ink jet cartridge, ink jet recording apparatus, method for manufacturing such semiconductor device, and communication system, method for controlling pressure, memory element, security system of ink jet recording apparatus
GB2395593A (en) * 2002-11-21 2004-05-26 Hewlett Packard Co Apparatus for printing and writing data to memory tags
WO2004058509A1 (fr) 2002-12-24 2004-07-15 Dymo Informations sur des produits consommables
US6802659B2 (en) * 1996-08-07 2004-10-12 Mats Cremon Arrangement for automatic setting of programmable devices and materials therefor
US7008125B2 (en) * 2000-12-27 2006-03-07 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing device
US7059519B1 (en) * 1999-06-17 2006-06-13 Ier Man/machine interface method and device for a ticket processing device comprising a magnetic stripe
US9267177B2 (en) 2003-09-26 2016-02-23 Biontech Ag Identification of tumor-associated cell surface antigens for diagnosis and therapy
US11247402B2 (en) 2016-12-13 2022-02-15 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Three-dimensional printing

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6416154B1 (en) * 1997-07-12 2002-07-09 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Printing cartridge with two dimensional code identification
US7044589B2 (en) 1997-07-12 2006-05-16 Silverbrook Res Pty Ltd Printing cartridge with barcode identification
US6409401B1 (en) * 2000-03-30 2002-06-25 Zih Corp. Portable printer with RFID encoder
FR2873222A1 (fr) 2004-07-13 2006-01-20 Neopost Ind Sa Systeme d'affranchissement a niveau d'encre controle

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4369361A (en) * 1980-03-25 1983-01-18 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Portable, stand-alone, desk-top laser scanning workstation for intelligent data acquisition terminal and method of scanning
GB2180823A (en) * 1985-09-20 1987-04-08 Gerber Scient Products Inc Binary coded web and machine for the handling thereof
US5280159A (en) * 1989-03-09 1994-01-18 Norand Corporation Magnetic radio frequency tag reader for use with a hand-held terminal
US5534890A (en) * 1992-06-19 1996-07-09 Esselte Meto International Produktions Gmbh Thermal printer for printing labels

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9222460D0 (en) * 1992-10-26 1992-12-09 Hughes Microelectronics Europa Radio frequency baggage tag
FR2744391B1 (fr) * 1996-02-01 1998-03-06 Imaje Sa Imprimante industrielle apte a recevoir au moins une cartouche de consommable

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4369361A (en) * 1980-03-25 1983-01-18 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Portable, stand-alone, desk-top laser scanning workstation for intelligent data acquisition terminal and method of scanning
GB2180823A (en) * 1985-09-20 1987-04-08 Gerber Scient Products Inc Binary coded web and machine for the handling thereof
US5280159A (en) * 1989-03-09 1994-01-18 Norand Corporation Magnetic radio frequency tag reader for use with a hand-held terminal
US5534890A (en) * 1992-06-19 1996-07-09 Esselte Meto International Produktions Gmbh Thermal printer for printing labels

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DERWENT INFO., RESEARCH DISCLOSURE, Vol. 340, No. 076, ANONYMOUS, "Shrink-Wrapped Film Covered Textile Tube(s) - Include Alphanumeric, Bar-Code, Electronic or Coloured Identification Means in, on, or Under Film". *

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6802659B2 (en) * 1996-08-07 2004-10-12 Mats Cremon Arrangement for automatic setting of programmable devices and materials therefor
EP0877337A2 (fr) * 1997-03-21 1998-11-11 Lexmark International, Inc. Procédé et dispositif pour déterminer automatiquement le type de tête d'impression installé dans une imprimante à laser
US6494628B1 (en) * 1998-12-03 2002-12-17 Sony Corporation Heat-sensitive transcription printer system
US7059519B1 (en) * 1999-06-17 2006-06-13 Ier Man/machine interface method and device for a ticket processing device comprising a magnetic stripe
US6719394B2 (en) 2000-04-14 2004-04-13 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Semiconductor device, ink tank provided with such semiconductor device, ink jet cartridge, ink jet recording apparatus, method for manufacturing such semiconductor device, and communication system, method for controlling pressure, memory element, security system of ink jet recording apparatus
US7008125B2 (en) * 2000-12-27 2006-03-07 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing device
GB2395593A (en) * 2002-11-21 2004-05-26 Hewlett Packard Co Apparatus for printing and writing data to memory tags
GB2395593B (en) * 2002-11-21 2007-05-16 Hewlett Packard Co Apparatus for printing,data writing to memory tags and data reading from memory tags, and methods therefor
US7475956B2 (en) 2002-11-21 2009-01-13 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Apparatus for printing, data writing to memory tags and data reading from memory tags, and methods therefor
WO2004058509A1 (fr) 2002-12-24 2004-07-15 Dymo Informations sur des produits consommables
US8079510B2 (en) 2002-12-24 2011-12-20 Dymo Information on consumables
US9267177B2 (en) 2003-09-26 2016-02-23 Biontech Ag Identification of tumor-associated cell surface antigens for diagnosis and therapy
US9910043B2 (en) 2003-09-26 2018-03-06 Biontech Ag Identification of tumor-associated cell surface antigens for diagnosis and therapy
US11247402B2 (en) 2016-12-13 2022-02-15 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Three-dimensional printing

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE9602934L (sv) 1998-02-08
SE9602934D0 (sv) 1996-08-07
EP1093930A2 (fr) 2001-04-25
EP0929403A1 (fr) 1999-07-21
EP1093930A3 (fr) 2002-01-02
ATE242127T1 (de) 2003-06-15
DE69722638D1 (de) 2003-07-10
DE69722638T2 (de) 2004-04-29
EP0929403B1 (fr) 2003-06-04
SE508004C2 (sv) 1998-08-10

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