Abstract:
A method of generating messaging on a matrix having a plurality of labels with a computer in response to entries from an input means to complete a job. The matrix and/or one of the plurality of labels has at least one message thereon. At least one message is generated by entering a new message to a textbox after clicking on an first button, and selecting a standard labeling format and position to which the message will be added; and copying the message into the format from a desired messaging tab, and copying the new message into the job, and printing at least one matrix having said new message on a backing film.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/676,408 filed on Apr. 29, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a coded matrices and labels for magnetic tape cartridges and the program used to generate such matrices and labels. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Labeling of goods and products is of great significance in all aspects of industry. The accuracy of the label is critical not only for purposes of pricing but also for identification, as well. Identification of goods or products not only classifies the type of goods but also can provide additional information such as important dates regarding the goods. Such labels are often part of a larger matrix carried on a large film from which they are peeled. Frequently, such labels are read by computers that use either optical character recognition capabilites or bar code scanning to expedite processing. 
   When an array of labels are generated, for example, for a computer disk storage systems, the label often contains bar codes, numerical codes and color coded information. Similarly, the label and/or matrix that surrounds each label might contain bar codes, numerical codes as well. However, often additional indentifying information or status-related information would be very helpful in such storage systems. Status related information might be confidentiality information and government contractual information that could also be included on either or both the labels and matrix. Additionally, vendors of labeling systems could also include to both the label and the film to convey advertising specials or website information about their company. Computer labels might also contain graphical information that an individual could quickly observe without reading. Generally, the matrix and labels are capable of containing similar information. 
   Presently, there does not exist such capability to produce such labels and matrices containing such graphical information or human readable information. Accordingly, there exists a need for labels and matrices that of graphical information such as, human readable and computer readable information and an interactive computer display screens to generate such labels and matrices. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a plurality of labels in an array on a matrix, the matrix having at least two columns and containing at least one message thereon. 
   It is also an object of the present invention to provide a plurality of labels in an array on a matrix, the matrix having at least two columns and each of the labels containing a message thereon. 
   It is further the object of the present invention to provide an a plurality of labels in an array on a matrix, the matrix having at least two columns of labels and containing at least one advertisement thereon and each of the labels containing at least one message thereon. 
   It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a plurality of labels in an array, each of the plurality of labels containing a bar code and human readable information, the human readable portion being 50% to 60% the length of the bar code portion to accommodate additional messaging thereon. 
   It is yet a still further object of the present invention to generate a plurality of labels in an array on a matrix using a computer interface, the matrix having at least two columns and containing at least one message thereon. 
   It is also an object of the present invention to generate a plurality of labels in an array on a matrix using a computer interface, the matrix having at least two columns and each of the labels in the array containing a message thereon. 
   It is another the object of the present invention to generate a plurality of labels in an array on a matrix using a computer interface, the matrix having at least two columns of labels and containing at least one advertisement thereon and each of the labels containing at least one message thereon. 
   These and other objects of the invention are achieved by matrix supported on a film backing having a plurality of labels. A blank portion surrounding the plurality of labels is also positioned on the film backing. Each label has at least two columns, where one of the at least two columns has human readable characters thereon that is 50% to 60% of the length of the other of the two columns; the other of the two columns having barcodes thereon. At least one of said plurality of labels or the blank portion surrounding the plurality of labels has a message thereon. 
   A method of generating messaging on a matrix having a plurality of labels with a computer in response to entries from an input means to complete a job is provided. Either the matrix and/or one or more of the plurality of labels has at least one message thereon. The method including entering a new message to a textbox after clicking on an first button; selecting a standard labeling format and position to which the message will be added; copying the message into the format from a desired messaging tab; copying the new message into the job; and printing at least one matrix having said new message on a backing film. 
   These and other objects of the invention will be described herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of structure and: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan of a matrix having a series of labels for identifying magnetic tap cartridges according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of a single label of the series of labels of the present invention according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of a single label having a scrambled bar code according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a single label having signature messaging on the label according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of a matrix having matrix messaging and a series of labels according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 6 through 18  are display screens to create a matrix message; 
       FIGS. 19 through 25  are display screens to create a signature message; and 
       FIG. 26  is a display of a screen to generate and request assistance from the vendor. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a matrix  10  having a plurality of labels arranged in an array of labels  15  according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The array of labels  15  and the blank space  20  between the labels together form matrix  10 . Matrix  10  is a substrate that is adhesively and removable affixed to a film of paper  25 . Each label  30  in the plurality of labels  15  can be peeled from film  25  to be affixed to a magnetic tape cartridge (not shown) for identification. Blank space  20  between array of labels  15  is also removable from the film  25 . 
   Each label  30  in the array has a human readable column  35  and a column  40  containing machine readable bar codes  42 . Each column  35  and  40  has machine readable characters. Column  35  has human readable characters  37  that are readable by a scanner equipped with optical character recognition capability. Column  35  has a sequence of continuous letters and numbers. Human readable characters  37  are on a color coded background that corresponds to a respective character. For example, all of the human readable characters  37  of a number “8” have an orange background. Barcode column  40  has a series of light and dark dashed or barcodes  42  that correspond to one of the human readable characters  37  in column  35 . Barcodes  42  of column  40  are readable by a scanner using a charge coupled device (CCD). 
   Human readable characters  37  of column  35  and column  40  are arranged in a parallel orientation relative to each other although other configurations could also be used. Column  40  extends substantially the entire length of each label  30 . Human readable column  35  extends approximately 50% to 60% of the length of the column  40 . The shorter column  35  portion allows additional material to be printed in label  30  in a blank space  32  that is traditionally occupied by human readable portion. 
   The information that can be included on each label  30  in blank space  32  can be identifying material for the contents of the magnetic tape cartridge. For example, the additional information could be logos, company names, other barcodes or color designations. The additional information could also be classifiers such as “classified”, “proprietary”, “Confidential”, or “Unclassified”, etc. Further, date designations to could also be used to indicate the length of time that a tape is to be retained pursuant to a government contract, for example. 
   In  FIG. 2 , a second embodiment of the magnetic tape cartridge label  50  is shown. Label  50  of this embodiment has human readable characters  55  that are non-continuous. This example shows letters that are separated from the numbers; however, any configuration of letters and numbers could have been chosen. For example, two of the letters in the human readable characters  55  could be spaced from a letter together with three of the numbers. Any combination of spaced letters and numbers is also possible. In this embodiment, additional information as in the example above, could be stored in the blank portion of the label. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a label  60  is shown having a bar code column  62  and a human readable column  64 . Bar code column  62  has barcode characters  61  and a human readable column  64  having characters  63 . Human readable characters  63  are scrambled. Scrambling exists when no two corresponding bar code characters  61  and human readable characters  63  from columns  62  and  64 , respectively, are side-by-side. The term “side-by-side” includes the configuration in which each character of column  61  is diagonally adjacent to its corresponding character of column  64 . The scrambling of the human readable characters  63  will allow for accurate identification of the magnetic tape cartridge by an charge coupled device even if label  60  has a substantial portion that is missing or obliterated. Similarly, barcode column  61  can also be scrambled and the human readable characters  63  can be in the unscrambled sequence. By having either the human readable column  64  or the bar code column  62  scrambled, the likelihood that a damaged label will be human or machine readable is increased. 
   In  FIG. 4 , a fourth embodiment of the magnetic tape cartridge label  70  is shown. In this embodiment, the label has identifying material called a signature message  76  located in the blank space  72  immediately adjacent to the human and machine readable characters  74  and  78 , respectively. By having a signature message  76  on label  70 , a redundant identifier can be inserted or additional information can be stored with regard to the magnetic tape cartridge. While  FIG. 4  shows the human-readable characters  74  in a continuous sequence, the sequence  74  could have been scrambled, non-continuous or scrambled and non-continuous. 
   In  FIG. 5 , a matrix  80  having a matrix message  85  and two columns of labels  90  according to a fifth embodiment is shown. One of the labels  95  has a signature message  100 . In this embodiment, matrix message  85  is on the non-label portion of the substrate  105  between two columns of labels  90 . Matrix message  85  can be similar to the information used for the signature message  100  on any of the labels and any combination of messages. Matrix message  85  could include, for example, additional information, such as, logos, company names, other barcodes or color designations. Such information could also include classifiers such as “classified”, “proprietary”, “Confidential”, or “Unclassified”, etc. Further, coupons, offers, specials or advertising from other vendors could also be used. 
     FIG. 6  shows a display screen  120  that includes various user entry areas to commence the process for generating matrix messaging on the matrix having labels, similar to the matrix  80  of  FIG. 5 . The matrix generating process is supported on a windows based operating system. Matrix messages  85  that appear between labels in  FIG. 5 , can support graphics and text formats. Matrix messages support PDF  417 , which is a 2 dimensional, scannable barcode format. Additionally, several matrix messages per sheet in different positions can be created. The user entry areas on display screen  120  or the display screens of any of the other Figures are user selectable options from which the user through operation of a key board and mouse (not shown) can input or edit indicia and/or attributes for a matrix, a label or a series of matrices and labels. 
   To produce the screen shown in  FIG. 6 , the user locates the Matrix Messaging screen and selects the Options and Default Option. To set up the messaging, the user selects the Default Matrix Printing Setting that is appropriate for the particular application. If a Radio Button  135  in an Off setting, the user must set Radio Button  140  to an On setting to commence matrix printing, particularly if matrix messaging is not frequently used. If the user normally customizes the matrix area  80 , the On setting should be selected and every time the user prints, the print dialog will appear with messaging turned On. If the user prints several jobs with Matrix On, then another batch Off, the Use Previous Setting Radio Button  130  should be selected and the print dialog will remember the last Matrix print setting from the previous print. 
   The user can create “Quick messages” as during Matrix Messaging. To do this, the user clicks New button  145  of  FIG. 6 , and enters the Quick message name, in this example, “Special sale” in the text field  151 . Using Drop Down Menu  153 , an embedded variable of “date” is chosen. The user then chooses the text style at menu  152 , font at menu  154 , bitmaps at checkbox  158 , justifications at menu  156 , etc. The cursor  152  is placed after the text “Special sale” and using Variable Insert Button  162  a centered text message  164  “Special sale “&lt;%date%&gt;” in 15 point Arial with a blue colored font is created. 
   In  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 11 , at screen  170  and screen  200 , respectively, the job is identified and its position is selected. At the Job Tree View  205  including the labeling format, the user right clicks on Job Name and chooses edit to select the job to add the Matrix Message. In this example, a job using Digital Liner Tape (DLT), a labeling format know in the labeling industry, is chosen from at Job Tree View  205  as well as its position. The user then selects the last Tab  174  named “Matrix Messaging”. At  FIG. 8 , at the Quick message Dropdown menu  178 , the user selects the desired message (in this case the “special sale” message) and clicks “Copy Quick message” to copy the selected quick message into the job at the top position and then edit at button  172  to move to the next screen. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , at screen  180 , after copying the quick message that appears in preview screen  182 , the user clicks edit to add any text to the Text field  184 . In this example, the user adds “DLT” to the front of the Text in Text field  184 . Additionally the user checks box  186  for an embedded graphic to be entered into the matrix message, and selects the bitmap called “sticky.bmp”. Using the Color Box  188 , the color of the text may be changed. 
   In  FIG. 9 , after clicking the “OK” button  189 , the user can add a second message to the left border at screen  190  of  FIG. 10 . The “Left” column position is selected, and a variable message for the pages is selected using Insert Variable Box  194 . In this example, the Embedded Bitmap Graphic Box  196  not activated, therefore only the text message appears. Alternatively, the Bitmap Box could be checked to allow for both text and graphics to appear. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , the user has created two messages for this DLT Job that are previewed on screen  200 . The user exits the Job editor and right clicks on the Job to see “Sheet View”. In screen  200 , the user has created a top matrix message  202  and a let side matrix message  204 . From the example that the user is creating, the top and left margins contain the Matrix messages. Future printouts will contain those messages with the variables containing the actual print time values. 
   In  FIG. 12 , screen  210  is used if different text and variables need to be created each time a job is printed. The message may contain details concerning the date the message was created using the Edit Job Message button  215 . Alternatively, messages to indicate the machine being used can be added. Referring to  FIGS. 13 through 15 , for example, at  FIG. 15 , the Tektronix Phaser 850DP printer is chosen at Dialog Box screen  250  and the Apollo Server is being selected. At screen  220  of  FIG. 13 , the cursor  227  is placed before “Page &lt;%CURR_PAGE%&gt; of &lt;%TOTAL_PAGE%&gt; to insert the text of “Apollo Server” as a variable at that location in the text. This information is inserted before the “Page x of y” text to indicate the machine that will be used. When Insert Variable Button  225  pressed, screen  240  showing the new variable in the Message Preview box  244 . Further, the “Print Matrix Message” text box  256  is activated to ensure that the field “Apollo Level 2” at Field  255  will be printed. 
   The “Custom Text and Messaging Box  260  shows that [200 sheets remaining]” is shown. If the Messaging sheet count gets too low, the user will need to order additional messages. In Print Labels as Sample Box is checked, the user is able to “test print” the Job without consuming any remaining Messages. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , at screens  270  and  280 , respectively, a reminder box will appear when printing. Referring to  FIG. 18 , at screen  290 , the user can set an appropriate “Warning Level” at field  285 . . The user goes to Matrix messaging—options and default settings to set the re-order point. In the screen, the field “Message Reorder point” is at 50 and Current Message count is 199. When the message count gets down to 50, a warning box will appear at print time, like the one shown at screen  280 . To get more messages, the user can press the “Order Messages” button  275  in the Matrix options dialog. 
   Referring to  FIG. 18 , a re-order screen  290  is shown. In this example, 500 messages are being ordered. They will be added to the remaining 49, to provide a total of 549 messages. While 500 messages are being ordered, any number of messages could be ordered depending on the users system requirements. This dialog box is similar to the Netc Label Inventory Assistant dialog box. The user must choose the quantity, press the “Generate Refill Request” and email the Request string. When NetC LLC responds with the Refill Response, the user types it in clicks Apply refill. The remaining sheet count is adjusted. Both Matrix messages and Signature messages will consume the Message count. Signature messages are only available with certain sheet types and appear on label, while matrix messages are available for nearly all Label Template types and appear off label. 
   Referring to  FIG. 19 , at screen  300 , the labels for the Signature Messaging are configured. The Page Attributes  305  are added including margins and orientations are entered in the appropriate boxes. 
   In  FIG. 20  at screen  310 , the signature labels are further edited and customized by adding customized messages to the individual labels  30  of the matrix  10  at the signature tab  320 . Similar to Matrix messaging, Signature messaging can support graphics and text. The first step for signature messaging is to configure the Label Template. The two types of signature messaging to choose from are contiguous at Radio Box  315  and embedded messages at Radio Box  345 . Both types will appear in the human readable section of a label. The difference is that a contiguous Signature Message appears to the side of the human readable information, while an embedded Signature Message appears within the human readable information. Normally, the Contiguous Signatures allow for more room, and therefore afford a longer text length/font size than Embedded Messages. 
   Referring to  FIG. 20 , the user will access the Human Readable tab to create the message. The Signature Tab after configuring for a Contiguous Signature message is shown. The user has configured the signature to be to the left of the Human Readable portion by activating Radio Button  330 . Additionally, the user has allocated 50% of the space to the signature message by entering “50” in Box  335 . If the use wishes to turn off Signature messages for this Label Template, “No Signature” Radio Button can be selected. Alternatively, the user could activate Radio Button  345  to switch to an Embedded Signature format. 
   By pressing the OK button  344  at screen  310 , the template is configured to create the signature label. Referring to  FIG. 21 , the user must edit the Signature Message using the Barcode and Human Readable Data tab  355  at screen  350 . By entering desired text in Field  360  and clicking on box  365  a signature message is added or edited. The user edits label templates either 1) From the Edit menu, select “Label template . . . ” or 2) if editing a Job, on the general attributes tab, by selecting the button “Edit label Template”. In the example of  FIG. 21 , the user configures a DLT template for a Contiguous Signature Message in the Label Template Edit Dialog box. In  FIG. 21 , the new signature is entered into box  360  and is edited by clicking button  365 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 22 , the screen  370  shown in the Message Preview box  375  is a Signature Message of “Netc Signature”. For a date to be printed in this message, the user must scroll down in the Drop Down Menu  373  and insert the variable by clicking on Insert Variable Box  376 . Similarly, the changes to the font, size and justification for further customization. 
   In  FIG. 23 , at screen  390 , the Job Name variable  392  is inserted using the Insert Variable Button  393 , to further customize the signature message. As shown in  FIG. 24 , at screen  400 , the variable is visible in the Message Preview Screen  402 . Signature messages must be smaller that Matrix Messages generally, due to the smaller amount of room, therefore a smaller font is required. A font such as 10 pt font is chosen at Field  404 , although others could be used. 
   As shown in  FIG. 25  at screen  410 , embedded graphics may be used instead of text in the Signature Message. The user takes a desired bitmap, copies it to the graphics directory under the installation directory, then goes back and edits the Signature message. The user would turn off the text Check Box  412 , enable the bitmap checkbox  415  and select the bitmap. In  FIG. 25 , the bitmap sticky.bmp was chosen with a left justification. 
   When bitmaps are used for either Signature or Matrix messages, they are stretched to fit the space in which they are placed. Accordingly, a larger sized bitmap will be shrunk to size and a smaller one will be expanded in size to best fit the space. A more refined appearance will be achieved using a bitmap if an initially larger bitmap is used. A bitmap may have only a few colors or many colors. Bitmaps with many colors create a better appearance than those with fewer colors because the printer can likely produce a better looking bitmap from a larger color palette. 
   Further, bitmaps are not rotated when placed in vertical messages. If the user must rotate the bitmap, then a second rotated version of the original bitmap should be created called for example sticky180.bmp. Then, when using bitmaps in messages, use the rotated one for vertical messages. 
   Referring to  FIG. 26 , at screen  420 , the user may click on the Report Messaging Problem button  425  when any problems are encountered any problems with the matrix and signature message program. The user is then instructed how to email a Message report file to the vendor with necessary prompts. 
   The present invention has been described with particular reference to the preferred embodiment. It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions and examples are only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications thereof can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.