US5149211A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printers and ancillary systems
Assignee: Meto International GmbH
•
Filing: 1990-10-09
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Granted: 1992-09-22
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Expires: 2010-10-09
Abstract
Abstract Improved printers are disclosed which are characterized by means for inputting data which is arranged to function without the use of an alpha-numeric keyboard. The data inputting means may be a cursor moving device operating in conjunction with a graphics display system; a graphics display system having a touch-sensitive screen; a speech recognition unit; a memory or "smart card"; or an integral bar code reader. The cursor moving devices may be, for example, a tracker ball or a mouse.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Pettigrew
- 👤 Alan J. Harry
- 👤 Paul R. Nailor
- 👤 Fred Adelmann
- 👤 Peter Franzen
- 👤 Juergen Schoon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K1/00; G06K1/12; G06K1/121; G06K1/14; G06K15/00; G06K17/00; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0082; G06K2215/0097
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A label printer comprising a housing; a printing unit adapted to print labels; means for supplying to said printing unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed in order to form said printed labels; and means for inputting data to control the nature of the indicia printed at said printing unit, said means for inputting data being arranged to function without the use of a pre-configured alpha-numeric keyboard and comprising a cursor moving device and a graphics display system, said printing unit, said means for supplying substrate, and said means for inputting data mounted on said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A label printer comprising a housing; a printing unit adapted to print labels; means for supplying to said printing unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed in order to form said printed labels; and means for inputting data to control the nature of the indicia printed at said printing unit, said means for inputting data being arranged to function without the use of a pre-configured alpha-numeric keyboard and comprising a cursor moving device and a graphics display system, said printing unit, said means for supplying substrate, and said means for inputting data mounted on said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cursor moving device is a tracker ball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cursor moving device is a mouse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cursor moving device is a joystick.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cursor moving device is a rotatable knob mounted on an axially displaceable shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
A label printer comprising a housing; a printing unit adapted to print labels; means for supplying to said printing unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed in order to form said printed labels; and means for inputting data to control the nature of the indicia printed at said printing unit, said means for inputting data comprising a graphics display system having a touch-sensitive screen, said printing unit, said means for supplying substrate, and said means for inputting data mounted on said housing, said label printer being free of any pre-configured alpha-numeric keyboard.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
A label printer comprising a housing; a printing unit adapted to print labels; means for supplying to said printing unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed in order to form said printed labels; and means for inputting data to control the nature of the indicia printed at said printing unit, said means for inputting data comprising a graphics display system having a touch-sensitive screen, said printing unit, said means for supplying substrate, and said means for inputting data mounted on said housing, said label printer being free of any pre-configured alpha-numeric keyboard.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
A label printer comprising a housing; a printing unit adapted to print labels; means for supplying to said printing unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed in order to form said printed labels; and means for inputting data to control the nature of the indicia printed at said printing unit, said means for inputting data comprising an acoustic or ultrasonic source and a speech recognition unit, said printing unit, said means for supplying substrate, and said means for inputting data mounted on said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
A label printer comprising a housing; a printing unit adapted to print labels; means for supplying to said printing unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed in order to form said printed labels; and means for inputting data to control the nature of the indicia printed at said printing unit, said means for inputting data comprising an acoustic or ultrasonic source and a speech recognition unit, said printing unit, said means for supplying substrate, and said means for inputting data mounted on said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
A label printer comprising a housing; a printing unit; means for supplying to said printing unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed; and means for inputting data to control the nature of the indicia printed at said printing unit, said means for inputting data comprising a memory card or a "smart card" which is pre-programmed with data, said housing having an aperture therein adapted to removably receive said "smart card".
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
A label printer comprising a housing; a printing unit; means for supplying to said printing unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed; and means for inputting data to control the nature of the indicia printed at said printing unit, said means for inputting data comprising a memory card or a "smart card" which is pre-programmed with data, said housing having an aperture therein adapted to removably receive said "smart card".
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
118 words
A hand-held bar code label printer which comprises: a housing; a bar code printing unit mounted in said housing and adapted to print labels; handle means secured to said housing; means for supplying to said printer unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed in order to form said printed labels, said means for supplying substrate being mounted on said housing; means for inputting data to control the nature of the bar code indicia printed by said printing unit; and said means for inputting data comprising a graphics display system mounted on said hand-held housing and a cursor moving device also mounted on said hand-held housing, said label printer being free of any pre-configured alphanumeric keyboard.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
118 words
A hand-held bar code label printer which comprises: a housing; a bar code printing unit mounted in said housing and adapted to print labels; handle means secured to said housing; means for supplying to said printer unit a substrate onto which indicia are to be printed in order to form said printed labels, said means for supplying substrate being mounted on said housing; means for inputting data to control the nature of the bar code indicia printed by said printing unit; and said means for inputting data comprising a graphics display system mounted on said hand-held housing and a cursor moving device also mounted on said hand-held housing, said label printer being free of any pre-configured alphanumeric keyboard.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-22 | 1996-03-23 | 1996-09-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-22 | 2000-03-23 | 2000-09-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-22 | 2004-03-23 | 2004-09-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |