Computer system for a printer which stores and operates multiple application programs
DC
First Claim
1. A method for a printer wherein a plurality of application programs are implemented and used for controlling a printer mechanism in said printer to print information representing symbols, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing memory in said printer addressable by said computer;
storing in said memory a plurality of application programs which are each executable by said computer;
selecting one of said application programs;
executing said selected application program on said computer to operate said printer in accordance with said selected application program;
receiving information for controlling printer operation from a host computer entered via a graphical user interface operating at the host computer in which said selected application program operates in accordance with said received information;
storing in said memory font files representing data defining an outline of characters to be printed, and a character rendering program;
executing said character rendering program on said computer in accordance with said selected application program;
scaling the outline of each of said characters defined by said font files to a certain size for printing;
storing said outline of each of said characters as an image in said memory;
filling in said outline of said characters in said image stored in said memory; and
printing said characters from said image stored in said memory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A printer has a computer system which stores and uses multiple application programs. The printer may be a label printer which includes a printing mechanism, and a computer for controlling the printer mechanism and the advancement of label stock for the printer mechanism to print labels on the label stock. Coupled to the printer may be a barcode scanner controllable by the computer. The system includes a memory accessible by the computer which stores a plurality of application programs. Each of the application programs contains instructions which are executable by the computer to operate the printer. An application program can be selected by a user, or a host computer interfaced to the printer, or automatically by the printer, for execution by the computer. Utility files are also stored in the memory separate from the application programs which may include data and programs utilized by the selected application program. Such utility files include programs for barcode decoding, barcode encoding, and character rendering. The barcode decoding program utilizes Direct Memory Access (DMA) of the computer to capture values of a timer in the computer upon each transition in a scan data signal from the barcode scanner. The captured values are stored and then decoded to provide barcode data representing one or two-dimensional barcodes. The character rendering program provides for scaling of characters, defined in font files, to desired sizes. A graphical user interface may be used on the host computer interfaced to the printer to select various parameters of printer operation.
49 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for a printer wherein a plurality of application programs are implemented and used for controlling a printer mechanism in said printer to print information representing symbols, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing memory in said printer addressable by said computer;
storing in said memory a plurality of application programs which are each executable by said computer;
selecting one of said application programs;
executing said selected application program on said computer to operate said printer in accordance with said selected application program;
receiving information for controlling printer operation from a host computer entered via a graphical user interface operating at the host computer in which said selected application program operates in accordance with said received information;
storing in said memory font files representing data defining an outline of characters to be printed, and a character rendering program;
executing said character rendering program on said computer in accordance with said selected application program;
scaling the outline of each of said characters defined by said font files to a certain size for printing;
storing said outline of each of said characters as an image in said memory;
filling in said outline of said characters in said image stored in said memory; and
printing said characters from said image stored in said memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A system for communicating with a portable printer from a computer to control the operation of said printer comprising:
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a computer and a display coupled to said computer;
a portable printer having means for communication with said computer;
means operable at said computer for providing at least one screen on said display which enables a user to input data representing settings of different parameters of printer operation; and
means for sending said data to the printer to control the operation of the printer. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer system for a printer wherein a plurality of application programs are implemented and used for controlling a printer mechanism in said printer to print information representing symbols, said system comprising:
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memory in said printer addressable by said computer of said printer;
an operating system program stored in said memory which operates on said computer when said computer is activated;
a plurality of application programs stored in said memory, each of said application programs being executable by said computer in which at least one of said application programs utilizes a character rendering program for scaling fonts of characters to be printed; and
said operating system providing means for selecting one of said application programs and executing said selected application program on said computer to operate said printer in accordance with said selected application program, in which said selected application program operates in accordance with data received from a host computer to set parameters of printer operation in which said data is entered by a user via a graphical user interface provided for at said host computer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer system for a portable printer utilizing a barcode scanner which provides scan data representative of a barcode, said system comprising:
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memory in said printer addressable by said computer of said printer;
an operating system program stored in said memory which operates on said computer when said computer is activated;
at least one application program stored in said memory which controls the printer mechanism and is capable of utilizing a barcode decoding program stored in said memory for decoding the scan data from said barcode scanner;
said operating system providing means for executing said application program on said computer to operate said printer in accordance with said application program; and
said application program operates in accordance with data received from a host computer to set parameters of printer operation in which said data is entered by a user via a graphical user interface provided for at said host computer. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method for a portable printer for controlling a printer mechanism in said printer to print information representing symbols, and a barcode scanner controllable by said computer which can provide scan data representative of a barcode, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing memory in said printer addressable by said computer;
storing in said memory at least one application program executable by said computer in which said application programs controls the printer mechanism and provides for barcode decoding of the scan data from the barcode scanner;
executing said application program on said computer to operate said printer in accordance with said application program; and
receiving information for controlling printer operation from a host computer entered via a graphical user interface operating at the host computer in which said application program operates in accordance with said received information.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeZebra Technologies Corporation
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Original AssigneeZIH Corp. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
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InventorsViolette, Raymond P., Amani, Majid, Petteruti, Steven F.
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Primary Examiner(s)Wallerson, Mark
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Assistant Examiner(s)HASKINS, TWYLER LAMB
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Application NumberUS09/632,550Time in Patent Office690 DaysField of Search358/1.18, 358/1.16, 358/1.15, 358/1.14, 358/1.6, 358/1.9, 235/462-467US Class Current358/1.18CPC Class CodesG06F 3/1293 Printer information exchang...G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing ...G06K 2215/0002 Handling the output dataG06K 2215/0097 Printing on special media, ...
