Patent Publication Number: US-11660895-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for printing

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/942,347, titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRINTING,” filed Jul. 29, 2020, which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/854,875, titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRINTING,” filed Dec. 27, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,773,537, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to improvements in printers, and more particularly, for apparatus and methods for a hand-held printer. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally speaking, a legacy printer is a stationary device comprising a printer mechanism. Instructions and content are input to the legacy printer causing the legacy printer to print the content on media, such as a label. This legacy printer design lacks flexibility, especially when a mobile printer environment is desired. 
     Therefore, a need exists for apparatuses and methods for portable or mobile printer architectures and mechanisms. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces printers such as hand-held printers and mobile/portable printers. One exemplary embodiment includes “print as you glide” (PAYG) devices. Such printers may comprise a modular print engine that is removable from the printer and may allow a user to easily access and load the ribbon in the mobile print engine. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a device comprises: a modular print engine comprising a modular print head and a media encoder; a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a processor; and a main body comprising the modular print engine and the printed circuit board. The modular print engine is removable from the main body to allow a user to load a new ribbon in the modular print engine. When the modular print engine and a media are in contact and there is movement between the modular print engine and the media, the modular print engine prints on the media. 
     When the device presses against the media, a burn line of the modular print head presses a ribbon against the media. In response to the device starting to slide across to the media, the media encoder sends a signal to the processor with an instruction to start a print operation. The media encoder generates the signal based on a rotation in the media encoder caused by the device sliding across the media. The modular print engine comprises a rotating arm with a spring mechanism, associated with the media encoder. Based on a direction of rotation of the media encoder, the modular print engine either stops printing, or continues printing. The main body comprises a battery. The modular print head is removable from the modular print engine. The device comprises a fine needle opening located at one end of the device, wherein, when an adapter plug is inserted in the fine needle opening, silicon rubber of the adapter plug conforms to a shape of the adapter plug and creates a seamless water proofing seal between the adapter plug and the device. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a method comprising the steps of: opening, by a user, a cover from a main body of a printer; removing, by the user, a modular print engine from a casing of the main body; loading, by the user, a ribbon roll in the modular print engine; inserting, by the user, the modular print engine in the casing of the main body; and closing, by the user, the cover on the main body. Loading the ribbon roll in the modular print engine comprises installing a new ribbon on a ribbon supply shaft, and removing an old ribbon from a ribbon rewind shaft. A media encoder determines if the modular print engine is depleted of ribbon. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method comprise the steps of: removing, by a user, a modular print engine from a main body of a printer; loading, by the user, a ribbon roll into the modular print engine; re-installing, by the user, the modular print engine in the main body of the printer positioning and pressing, by the user, a print head and a media encoder of the modular print engine on a media located on a horizontal surface; and sliding, by the user, the print head across the media causing the media encoder to sense a movement of the media relative to the print head and send a signal to a processor of the printer. The processor sends an instruction to the print head to begin a print operation. 
     If the user continues to slide the print head across the media, the print head continues the print operation. If the user does not continue to slide the print head across the media, the processor sends another instruction to the print head to stop the print operation. Removing the modular print engine from the main body of the printer comprises the user removing a cover from the modular print engine and removing the modular print engine from a casing of the main body of the printer. When the print head presses against the media, a burn line of the print head presses ribbon against the media. The media encoder pulls ribbon pass a burn line as the printer slides across the media. The print head is removable from the modular print engine. 
     The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  provides a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the components of a printer. 
         FIG.  1 B  provides a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of the operation of a printer. 
         FIG.  1 C  provides a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of another portion of the operation of a printer. 
         FIG.  2 A  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a printer. 
         FIG.  2 B  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an exploded view of a printer. 
         FIG.  2 C  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a print engine of a printer and its positioning in the printer. 
         FIG.  2 D  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a subsystem of a modular print engine assembly of a printer. 
         FIG.  2 E  illustrates an exemplary embodiment the process of loading a ribbon in a printer. 
         FIG.  2 F  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the process of installing a modular print engine into the main body of a printer. 
         FIG.  2 G  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of two views of modular print engine that identifies the media encoder and ribbon encoder. 
         FIG.  2 H  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a view of main body including media encoder, ribbon roll and media. 
         FIG.  2 I  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of modular print engine assembly including ribbon rewind shaft comprising gear teeth at one end of the ribbon rewind shaft. 
         FIG.  2 J  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a close-up view of ribbon roll and modular print engine. 
         FIG.  2 K  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of printer sliding relative to media with two orientations. 
         FIG.  2 L  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the media encoder generating the signal based on a rotation in the media encoder caused by the printer sliding across the media. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an exemplary flowchart for a process to access the print head of a printer. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an exemplary flowchart for a process to print with a printer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention embraces printers such as mobile, portable or hand-held printers. One exemplary embodiment includes “print as you glide” (PAYG) devices. A printer based on the present invention may comprise a modular print engine that is removable from the printer and may allow a user to easily access and load the ribbon in the modular print engine. The modular print engine may comprise a modular print head and a media encoder that may determine the movement of the print head relative to a stationary media. When a printer is pressed against the media, the print head&#39;s burn line may be resting on the media. When the printer is stationary relative to the media, the media encoder may not trigger the printing. Once a PAYG device begins to slide or glide across the media, the media encoder may start to rotate and then may send a signal to a processor, causing the printer to start printing. One skilled in the art may recognize that the terms “stationary media” means that the media, e.g., a label, is stationary relative to the modular print engine. In another embodiment, the modular print engine may be stationary, and the media moves relative to the modular print engine. For either embodiment, the print operation may start when there is relative movement between the modular print engine and the media. 
     The modular print engine may include a ribbon encoder that may determine if the modular print engine is depleted of ribbon. The modular print head may removable from the modular print engine. 
     To support battery charging or direct powering of the printer, a very fine needle opening is present on the main body of the printer for an adapter plug. Upon insertion of the adapter plug, the silicon rubber, with its stretchable ability, conforms the shape of the adapter plug and creates a seamless water proofing seal between the adapter plug and the printer. Effectively, the silicon rubber is part of the housing of the printer. When the adapter plug is inserted into the housing, the silicon rubber may stretch itself to confirm to the shape of the mating part. 
       FIG.  1 A  provides a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the components of printer  100 . Printer  100  may be a PAYG device. As shown, handle  104  of printer  100  may be configured to provide a removable engagement with user  102 . In one embodiment, the user  102  may pick-up handle  104  and hold printer  100  in their hand, per  FIG.  1 A . 
     Printer  100  may further comprise ribbon supply shaft  116  and ribbon rewind shaft  114 . The ribbon supply shaft  116  may comprise a roll of ribbon such as a new ribbon, and the ribbon rewind shaft  114  may include old or used ribbon. Printing may be facilitated with print head  108  and media encoder  112 . Print head  108  may be a near edge print head. Located on a horizontal surface may be the media  106 . As illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , media  106  may be a pasted label Media encoder  112  may determine the movement of print head  108  relative to media  106 . 
       FIG.  1 B  provides a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of the operation of printer  120 . As shown, user  102  may engage with and hold handle  104  of printer  120 . User  102  may proceed to press down the print head  108  and media encoder  112  with force  134 . When printer  120  is pressed against media  106 , print head  108 &#39;s burn line is resting on media  106 . If printer  120  is stationary, media encoder  112  may not trigger the printing. 
       FIG.  1 C  provides a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of another portion of the operation of a printer  140 . As shown, user  102 , while engaged with handle  104 , may pull printer  140  across media  106  with force  142 . Concurrently, media encoder  112  may rotate and may start to fire print head  108 . Subsequently, ink  160 , wax or other material suitable for thermal transfer may be deposited on media  106 . Hence, once printer  140  starts to slide (or glide), media encoder  112  may start to rotate and send a signal to a processor of printer  140 , causing a print operation to start. The media encoder  112  pulls in loose ribbon as the printer slides across the media  106 . The specifics of this action are described herein in  FIGS.  2 G,  2 H,  2 I and  2 J . 
       FIG.  2 A  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of printer  200 . Printer  200  is shown in a physical position as the PAYG device may be normally used in a print operation. Printer  200  may comprise a main body  201 . Main body  201  provides the functionality for handle  104  of  FIG.  1 A ,  FIG.  1 B , and  FIG.  1 C . In one embodiment, main body  201  may be designed with a single span surface where the surface is smooth. The main body  201  may also comprise a handle area  207  having a rubber surface. Handle area  207  is located on the bottom portion of main body  201 . The rubber surface may comprise a silicon material. The rubber surface may assist in improving the engagement of the grip of user  102  on printer  200 . 
       FIG.  2 B  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an exploded view of a printer  210 . Printer  210  may comprise main body  201 , cover  212 , modular print engine  213 , battery  215  and battery cap  216 . Printer  210  may be positioned proximate to media  214  that may be positioned on a horizontal surface. 
       FIG.  2 C  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a modular print engine  227  of printer  220  and is positioning in the main body  228  of printer  220 . As shown, modular print engine  227  may be positioned in a lower portion of the main body  228 . Located in the upper portion of the main body may be a printed circuit board (PCB)  221  which may contain logic, circuitry, and a processor for printer operation. Modular print engine  227  may comprise ribbon roll  222 , engine holder  223 , ribbon encoder  224 , rotating arm  225 , and a modular print head  226 . Ribbon encoder  224  may determine if ribbon roll  222  is depleted of ribbon. 
       FIG.  2 D  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a subsystem of a modular print engine assembly  230  for printer  200 . Modular print engine assembly  230  may comprise ribbon supply shaft  231 , ribbon roll  222 , ribbon rewind shaft  233 , engine holder  223 , a spring mechanism  235 , rotating arm  225 , a modular print head  226  and a ribbon encoder  224 . Note that  FIG.  2 C  and  FIG.  2 D  have some equivalent elements. 
     The modular print head  226  may be a replaceable component. Ribbon encoder  224  may determine if the roll of ribbon on ribbon supply shaft  231  is depleted of ribbon. In this case may be appropriate for a new ribbon to be loaded in the modular print engine. The other encoder, equivalent to media encoder  112  of  FIG.  1 A , may be located on the other side of rotating arm  225 , but is not shown on  FIG.  2 D . 
     Pressing down on modular print head  226  may cause a swivel of rotating arm  225 . When modular print head  226  is slid across media  214 , as illustrated in  FIG.  2 B , the media encoder senses a movement of the media relative to the print head and sends a signal to a processor of the printer. In one exemplary embodiment, a wheel associated with media encoder  112 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B and  1 C , rotates and causes a signal to be generated. The signal, with instructions to begin a print operation, is coupled to a processor of the printer. Rotating arm  225  further comprises spring mechanism  235 . 
       FIG.  2 E  illustrates an exemplary embodiment the process of loading a ribbon in a modular print engine assembly  240 . As shown, ribbon roll  222  may be engaged or installed in the modular print engine assembly  240 , as indicated by the downward arrow. Ribbon rewind shaft  233  may be available to support the old or used ribbon. Dotted line  242  indicates the rotation of rotating arm  225 . Ribbon may be easily installed in modular print engine assembly  240  to provide an assembled modular print engine  244 . In other words, the modular print engine is removed by the user from the main body of the device by (i) removing a cover of the main body, and (ii) picking up the modular print engine from a casing of the main body. With the removal of the modular print engine from the main body, the user loads the new ribbon on a ribbon supply shaft and removes an old ribbon from a ribbon unwind shaft. 
       FIG.  2 F  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the process  250  of the installing modular print engine  227  into the printer  200 . As shown, modular print engine  227  may begin to be inserted in in main body  251 . In main body  252 , the insertion of modular print engine  227  may be completed. Finally, in main body  253 , a cover is placed on main body  253  to protect and secure the modular print engine  227  in printer  200 . 
     The media encoder  112  pulls in loose ribbon as the printer slides across the media  106 . In other words, the media encoder pulls ribbon pass a burn line as the printer slides across the media This action is illustrated in  FIG.  2 G  and  FIG.  2 H .  FIG.  2 G  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of two views of modular print engine  227  that identifies the media encoder  112  and ribbon encoder  224 .  FIG.  2 H  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a view of main body  228  including media encoder  112  and media  106 .  FIG.  2 H  also illustrates an exemplary embodiment of another view of modular print engine  227  including ribbon roll  222 , media encoder  112  and media  106 . The media encoder  112  pulls in ribbon roll  222  as the main body  228  (printer) slides across the media  106 .  FIG.  2 I  and  FIG.  2 J  illustrate the action to pull in loose ribbon as the printer slides across the media  106 .  FIG.  2 I  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of modular print engine assembly  230  including ribbon rewind shaft  233  comprising gear teeth at one end of the ribbon rewind shaft  233 . Also illustrated are the gear teeth on the other side of the media encoder  112 .  FIG.  2 J  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a close-up view of ribbon roll  222  that is not load in modular print engine assembly  240  (not shown) and ribbon roll  222  loaded in modular print engine  227 . The media encoder  112  pulls in loose ribbon as the printer slides across the media  106  utilizing the gear structure illustrated in  FIG.  2 I  and  FIG.  2 J . 
       FIG.  2 K  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of printer  200  sliding relative to media  214  with two orientations. With print orientation  1 , the printer  200  is sliding backward relative to media  214 . Print orientation  1  is the designed print orientation mode. With print orientation  2 , the printer  200  is sliding forward relative to the media  214 . Printing must be prevented with print orientation  2 . 
     Detection control may be utilized to prevent an incorrect orientation for printing. When firmware detects encoder rotation in the wrong direction, printing may stop.  FIG.  2 L  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the media encoder  112  generating the signal based on a rotation in the media encoder  112  caused by the printer  200  sliding across the media  106 . With print orientation  1 , media encoder  112  rotates counter clockwise. In print orientation  2 , media encoder  112  rotates clockwise.  FIG.  2 L  also includes a flowchart  260  describing the method for initiating and stopping printing. The method includes the following steps: 
     Does the encoder rotate clockwise? (A) (step  262 ) 
     If yes, stop printing. (step  268 ) 
     If no, initiate printing. (step  264 ) 
     Is the rotating stop? (B) (step  266 ) 
     If no, continue printing at step  264 . 
     If yes, stop printing at step  268 . 
     As used herein, media  106  and media  214  may be considered equivalent. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates an exemplary flowchart for a process  300  to access the print head of a printer. The process  300  comprises the following steps by a user: 
     Removing a cover from the main body of a printer. (step  302 ) 
     Picking-up the modular print engine from a casing of the main body. (step  304 ) 
     Loading a ribbon roll in the modular print engine (step  306 ) 
     Inserting the modular print engine in the casing of the main body (step  308 ) 
     Closing the cover on the main body. (step  310 ) 
     Loading the ribbon roll in the modular print engine comprises installing a new ribbon on a ribbon supply shaft, and removing an old ribbon from a ribbon rewind shaft. Closing the cover allows a print operation to begin. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates an exemplary flowchart for a process  400  to print with a printer. The process  400  comprises the following steps by a user: 
     Removing a modular print engine from a main body of a printer. (step  402 ) 
     Loading a ribbon roll in the modular print engine. (step  404 ) 
     Re-installing the modular print engine in the main body of the printer. (step  406 ) 
     Positioning and pressing a print head and an encoder of the modular print engine on a media located on a horizontal surface. (step  408 ) 
     Sliding the print head across the media causing the encoder to rotate and send a signal to a processor of the printer. (step  410 ) 
     The processor sends an instruction to the print head to begin a print operation. (step  412 ) 
     Does the print head continue to slide across the media? (step  414 ) 
     If the user continues to slide the print head across the media, the print head continues the print operation. (step  416 ) 
     If the user does not continue to slide the print head across the media, the processor sends an instruction to the print head to stop the print operation. (step  418 ) 
     To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:
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     In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.