US5488223A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for automatic selection of printer control parameters
Assignee: Intermec IP Corp
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Filing: 1994-09-13
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Granted: 1996-01-30
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Expires: 2014-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for the automatic selection printer operating parameters using a preprinted bar code image on a portion of a selected print medium or a separate sheet of bar code parameters and commands. The bar code image specified characteristics of the selected print medium. A bar code scanner operates in conjunction with a bar code printer and scans the bar code image. The system automatically selects printer operating parameters, such as print speed, print head pressure, and burn duration to configure the printer for optimal operation with the selected print medium. The bar codes can also be used for test and service, label design, data entry, or work in process.
Inventors
- 👤 Pixie A. Austin
- 👤 Duane M. Fox
- 👤 Christopher A. Wiklof
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:51
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J11/00; B41J11/009; B41J11/36; B41J11/42; B41J11/46; G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A printing control system comprising: a print medium on which an output image can be printed, said print medium including a symbology containing a print characteristic of said print medium; a reader to read said symbology and generate control signals representative of said print characteristic; a printer to print said output image on said print medium, said printer having an adjustable printer operating parameter which controls the printing of a first output image; a controller responsive to said control signals to selectively adjust said printer operating parameter of said printer to control the printing of said first output image on said print medium by said printer; and an analyzer to monitor said first output image and determine a quality value for said first output image, said analyzer dynamically altering said printer operating parameter in response to said quality value to alter the printing of a second output image printed subsequent to said first output image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A printing control system comprising: a print medium on which an output image can be printed, said print medium including a symbology containing a print characteristic of said print medium; a reader to read said symbology and generate control signals representative of said print characteristic; a printer to print said output image on said print medium, said printer having an adjustable printer operating parameter which controls the printing of a first output image; a controller responsive to said control signals to selectively adjust said printer operating parameter of said printer to control the printing of said first output image on said print medium by said printer; and an analyzer to monitor said first output image and determine a quality value for said first output image, said analyzer dynamically altering said printer operating parameter in response to said quality value to alter the printing of a second output image printed subsequent to said first output image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said symbology is a bar code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said print medium is mounted on a spool having an inside spool surface, and said symbology is on said inside spool surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said print medium is rolled and has a free end portion and said symbology is on said free end portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said print medium is mounted on a support material and said symbology is on said support material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said support material has first and second sides, with said print medium mounted on said first side and said symbology is on said second side.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said reader and said printer are integrated into a single unit, and said controller generates a plurality of reader commands to control operation of said reader and a plurality of printer commands to control operation of said printer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1, further including a host computer and an interface port coupling said host computer to said controller for communicating with said host computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 8, further including a wireless transceiver within said interface port, said interface port communicating with said host computer using said wireless transceiver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said control signals are transferred to the host computer by said interface port, the system further including electrical circuitry within the host computer for selecting a value for said printer operating parameter, said controller responding to Said selected value and selectively adjusting said printer operating parameter to correspond to said value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
166 words
A printing control system for use with a print medium on which an output image can be printed, the system comprising: a printer to print the output image on the print medium, said printer having an adjustable printer operating parameter which controls the printing of the output image; a symbology containing printing commands, including a print characteristic of the print medium; a reader to read said symbology and generate control signals representative of said printing commands and said print characteristic, said reader, at a first time, generating initial control signals representative of said print characteristic to select an initial value for said printer operating parameter, said reader, at a second time subsequent to said first time, generating additional control signals to alter said initial control signals and thereby change said printer operating parameter; and a controller responsive to said control signals to selectively adjust said printer operating parameter of said printer to control the printing of the output image on the print medium by said printer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
166 words
A printing control system for use with a print medium on which an output image can be printed, the system comprising: a printer to print the output image on the print medium, said printer having an adjustable printer operating parameter which controls the printing of the output image; a symbology containing printing commands, including a print characteristic of the print medium; a reader to read said symbology and generate control signals representative of said printing commands and said print characteristic, said reader, at a first time, generating initial control signals representative of said print characteristic to select an initial value for said printer operating parameter, said reader, at a second time subsequent to said first time, generating additional control signals to alter said initial control signals and thereby change said printer operating parameter; and a controller responsive to said control signals to selectively adjust said printer operating parameter of said printer to control the printing of the output image on the print medium by said printer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said symbology is a bar code.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the print medium is mounted on a spool having an inside spool surface, and said symbology is on said inside spool surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the print medium is rolled and has a free end portion and said symbology is on said free end portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said print medium is mounted on a support material and said symbology is on said support material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said support material has first and second sides, and the print medium is mounted on said first side and said symbology is on said second side.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 11, further including a host computer wherein said control signals are transferred to said host computer, electrical circuitry within said host computer for selecting a value for said printer operating parameter, said controller responding to said selected value and selectively adjusting said printer operating parameter to correspond to said selected value.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for controlling printing for use with a print medium on which an output image can be printed, the method comprising the steps of: reading a symbology containing a print characteristic of the print medium; generating control signals representative of said print characteristic; in response to said control signals, selectively adjusting an adjustable printer operating parameter of a printer which controls the printing of a first output image on the print medium by said printer; printing said first output image on the print medium using said selectively adjusted printer operating parameter to control the printing of said first output image; monitoring said output image and determining a quality value for said first output image; and altering said printer operating parameter to optimize said quality value for a second output image printed subsequent to said first output image.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for controlling printing for use with a print medium on which an output image can be printed, the method comprising the steps of: reading a symbology containing a print characteristic of the print medium; generating control signals representative of said print characteristic; in response to said control signals, selectively adjusting an adjustable printer operating parameter of a printer which controls the printing of a first output image on the print medium by said printer; printing said first output image on the print medium using said selectively adjusted printer operating parameter to control the printing of said first output image; monitoring said output image and determining a quality value for said first output image; and altering said printer operating parameter to optimize said quality value for a second output image printed subsequent to said first output image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said symbology is a bar code.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the print medium is mounted on a spool having an inside spool surface, and said symbology is on said inside spool surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the print medium is rolled and has a free end portion and said symbology is on said free end portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the print medium is mounted on a support material and said symbology is on said support material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said support material has first and second sides, with the print medium mounted on said first side and said symbology is on said second side.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 18 for use with a host computer, the method further including the steps of transferring said control signals to the host computer, selecting a value for said printer operating parameter within the host computer, and responding to said selected value by selectively adjusting said printer operating parameter to correspond to said selected value.
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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) | 1999-01-29 | 1999-07-31 | 2000-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-29 | 2003-07-31 | 2004-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-29 | 2007-07-31 | 2008-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |