Patent Abstract:
Methods and systems are disclosed for controlling cutting depth of a label media such that the depth of cut is media-specific, that is, specific to the media being cut. The method includes: providing a plotter cutter and a force-generating mechanism; providing a memory device for electronic communication with the plotter cutter, the memory device having a label media-specific value stored thereon; reading the label media-specific value from the memory device; converting the label media-specific value to a label media-specific current signal; providing a label media-specific current based on the label media-specific current signal; applying the label media-specific current to a force-generating mechanism; generating a label media-specific cutting force based on the label media-specific current; and transferring the label media-specific cutting force to the plotter cutter to control plotter cutting at the label media-specific cutting depth. The methods and systems work towards eliminating waste or scrap plotter test cuts by plotter cutting a label media using information from, for example, a memory device associated with a label media supply. The methods and systems obviate the need for manual resetting of plotter cutter depth from one label media to another.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to cutting a label media. In one aspect, the invention relates to a method and system for automatically controlling plotter cutting depth when plotter cutting a label media. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method and system for plotter cutting a label media. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electronic label printing machines are often used to generate adhesive labels having images (e.g., indicia, graphics, art, specialized instructions, warnings, slogans, advertising, etc.) to facilitate identification, tracking and pricing of goods. Such label printers typically include: a print head, an assembly (e.g., a label media cartridge) for supplying and feeding a label media past the print head in order to be printed, a microprocessor, a read-only memory (ROM) programmed with appropriate instructions therein to operate the microprocessor, a random access memory (RAM), a keyboard with letter, number, and function keys for entry of alphanumeric information requisite to printing the indicia on the label media, and a visual display such as a light emitting diode (“LED”) or liquid crystal display (“LCD”) screen to convey information to a machine operator. These components function together to achieve the end goal of creating high quality and accurate labels from the label media using the electronic label printing machine. 
     Labels are made from a label media. The label media itself typically is made up of a roll of pressure sensitive tape that is attached, typically along a side containing an adhesive, to a continuous support roll of release liner material. The label media is fed in a media direction along a media path through the label printer. Discrete labels are formed by cutting the label media. Complex label shapes can be obtained by plotter cutting the tape layer only of the label media. The label media can be end cut (i.e., cutting through the tape and the release liner layers) or portioned into an end cut label media portion in order to obtain as many discrete labels in a continuous row as is desired. In other words, one or more than one discrete label can reside on an end cut label media portion. An end cutting operation can occur with or without a plotter cutting operation first having taken place. Following label media cutting, the discrete labels can be removed from the release liner and attached, as appropriate, to the particular application requiring identification. Since there are many types of label applications, there are many combinations of tape and release liners that can provide labels of varying sizes, colors, formats, and characteristics. 
     One type of label printer employs a thermal transfer print head. In general, the use of thermal print heads in label printers has increased as the quality and accuracy of thermal print heads has improved. Thermal transfer printing uses a heat-generating print head to transfer an ink, or the like, from a thermal transfer ribbon to a label media to form a label image on the media. A microprocessor determines a sequence of individual thermal, typically resistive, print head elements to be selectively heated or energized. Energizing the sequence of elements in turn heats the ribbon so as to transfer the ink from the ribbon, creating the desired image on the label media, and specifically, on the label tape. The label printer can be fed label media from a label media cartridge. Simultaneously, a thermal transfer ribbon can be fed from a ribbon cartridge. While the label media runs between the print head and a support (platen) roller, the transfer ribbon can run between the print head and the support roller. Thus, the label media and the transfer ribbon can run together in an overlay relationship between the print head and the support roller. 
     When it is desired to print a color image on a label media, it is generally required to print the image by passing the label media several times past the print head. To accomplish each pass, the label media is fed, retracted, and then re-fed again past the thermal print head. With each pass, a different primary color, for example, in a traditional color scheme, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, is printed from a continuous ink ribbon onto the label media using the print head. In this manner, based on the amount of each color printed, a composite color image can be printed onto a label media. 
     It is continually desirable to improve the functionality, performance and/or efficiency of various components, or combinations of components (also called “assemblies” or “subassemblies”) that make up label printers. For example, it would be desirable to improve the process of plotter cutting in label printers. 
     Plotter cutting effects cutting of the tape layer of the label media only. Thus, to effect proper cutting, the plotter cutter knife or blade must cut a media at a cutting depth equal to, or substantially equal to, the tape layer thickness. 
     A given label media, and in particular, the tape layer of a given label media, can be made from a variety of materials, for example, plastic, vinyl, a combination of plastic and vinyl, paper, PET (polyethylene terephthalate)—sometimes metallized, magnetic material, among others. Each of these materials have varying characteristic properties (e.g., stiffness, density, etc.). Moreover, label media typically vary in size (e.g., media thickness, width, etc.). In order to avoid cutting, or substantially cutting, the label media release sheet layer when plotter cutting, a system or method ideally would account for, and provide plotter cutter control despite these variations in label media. Since plotter cutting systems typically cut many varieties or types of label media, it would be advantageous for a single plotter cutter to be able to adjust to, and therefore accommodate, the various label media, as they change from one label-making run to another. 
     To date, however, plotter cutting operations, systems and methods have been cumbersome, requiring significant amounts of post-manufacturer user intervention, both with respect to plotter cutting set-up (e.g., manually setting an initial plotter cutter knife or blade depth) in addition to adjustment time invested throughout the plotter cutting process. Specifically, monitoring and/or controlling, in addition to setting up, of plotter cutting has been characterized as a heavily manual process based on amounts of trial and error. This has resulted in significant labor costs, increased amounts of wasted materials, particularly when the label media is varied numerous times from one label run to another. 
     Thus, it would be desirable to provide a system and method for controlling plotter cutting that would reduce material waste, and eliminate, or substantially eliminate, much of the trial and error that has characterized plotter cutting. Such a method and system would substantially reduce user intervention in the plotter cutting process and require little, if any, user intervention. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally provides a label printer plotter cutter that overcomes the aforementioned problems. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for making a media-specific plotter cut of a label media, the method comprising: providing a cutting assembly for plotter cutting the label media, the cutting assembly having frame, a force-generating mechanism connected to the frame, and a plotter cutter connected to the force-generating mechanism; supplying the label media to be plotter cut using the plotter cutter; providing a memory device for electronic communication with the cutting assembly, the memory device having a label media-specific value stored thereon, the label media-specific value corresponding to a label media-specific cutting force; reading the label media-specific value corresponding to a label media-specific cutting force from the memory device; converting the label media-specific value corresponding to a label media-specific cutting force to a label media-specific current signal; providing, based on the label media-specific current signal, a label media-specific current; applying the label media-specific current to the force-generating mechanism; generating, at the force-generating mechanism, the label media-specific cutting force based on the label media-specific current applied to the force-generating mechanism; transferring the label media-specific cutting force generated at the force-generating mechanism so that the plotter cutter will be controlled to plotter cut the label media at a label media-specific cutting depth; and plotter cutting the label media at the label media-specific cutting depth, thereby making a media-specific plotter cut on the label media. 
     Various other aspects, features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following drawings, which are provided for illustrative purposes only. The drawings illustrate a best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a label printer that can employ a label printer cutting assembly according to one aspect of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective, cutaway view of a portion of the label printer of FIG. 1 with the interior of the printer partially exposed; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a printing arrangement that can be used with the printer of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is an angled perspective view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 2 illustrating one embodiment of a label printer cutting assembly according to one aspect of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 6 illustrating one embodiment of the label printer cutting assembly where the plotter cutter is in a raised position off of a label media; 
     FIG. 8 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG. 6 illustrating one embodiment of the label printer cutting assembly where the plotter cutter is in a position lowered onto the label media; 
     FIG. 9 is a partially schematic cross-sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 8 illustrating operation of the plotter cutter in accordance with one aspect of the invention; and 
     FIG. 10 shows a top, partially schematic view of the cutting assembly plotter cutter accomplishing a plotter cutting sequence in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, in the detailed description, like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same. Various items of equipment, such as fasteners, fittings, etc., in addition to various other elements and specific principles of their operation, are omitted to simplify the description. However, those skilled in the art will realize that such conventional equipment and principles of operation can be employed as desired. Locations of various of the components, including those components shown and described herein, can be varied as desired or as the applications warrant. 
     Shown in FIGS. 1-2, is label printer  1 . In a preferred embodiment, printer  1  can accomplish both printing and cutting operations in a single unit, and thus, label printer  1  can also be referred to as a “label printer-cutter”. Printer  1  includes a plastic housing  2  having a front  4 , a back (not shown), a left side  6  and a right side (not shown). Printer  1  includes a cover portion  3  and a base portion  5  (FIG.  2 ). In FIG. 1, the cover portion is closed, and so printer  1  is shown in a configuration that is suitable for, for example, operation or transport. Cover portion  3  can be raised or opened to access the interior of printer  1 . Cover portion  3  can also be raised, for example, when the printer is in an idle state, or a state suitable for loading and/or unloading a label media. Cover portion  3  can be raised by releasing a temporary securing mechanism (not shown) on left side  6  of housing  2  and applying a lifting force to the cover portion. Housing  2  supports LCD screen  10  that may be pivotally mounted to housing front  4 . Printed labels (not shown) are ejected from printer  1  via exit chute  12  formed in housing side  6 . LCD screen  10  can display, among other things, printer status and error indicators to a user of printer  1 . First adjustment mechanism  13  (FIG. 1) can be included, for example, to control and/or adjust LCD screen  10  brightness. Other parameters, such as print or color intensity of an output label, can also be adjusted, for example, by second adjustment mechanism  14 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a cutaway view of a portion of label printer  1 . Housing  2  encloses various printer assemblies (some of which are not detailed herein to facilitate understanding of the invention), and these assemblies can be mounted to frame  8 . For example, cutting assembly  30  is attached to cutter assembly frame  31 , with frame  31  secured to frame  8 . 
     Label printer assemblies (e.g., cutter assembly  30 ) and LCD screen  10  are controlled by printer circuitry. Housing  2  of label printer  1  can be manufactured, along with its various assemblies, according to known manufacturing principles (e.g., injection molding) and using known materials (e.g., plastic, metal, and the like). 
     Although not shown, it is contemplated that printer  1  can be connected to, and usable with, a data entry device, such as a keyboard, for entering alpha-numeric information necessary for preparation and design of a desired output. Printer  1  can include firmware (e.g., software designed on a platform such as Windows CE™), available from Microsoft and software for controlling, in whole or in part, various printer assemblies, among them cutting assembly  30 . Frame  8  can be designed to hold programmable memory devices known as flash cards that can be used to store firmware and software routines. Flash cards are typically used during product development to facilitate updates to the firmware and other software. Flash cards can be replaced by permanently programmed memory chips. Using the above-described firmware and software and the associated memory devices, printer assemblies such as cutter assembly  30  can be activated and controlled in an automated fashion. 
     A typical thermal printing arrangement  15  is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3 since, in a preferred embodiment, the label printer of FIG. 1 can be a thermal label printer. Printing arrangement  15  includes print head  16 , support (platen) roller  17 , label media delivery roller  18   a , and label media take-up roller  18   b . Label media delivery and take-up rollers  18   a,b  can be separate components, or alternatively, they can be housed within a unitary structure (e.g., a label media supply cartridge). Print head  16  is typically equipped with a linear array of thermal elements  19 . The number of thermal elements  19  in the linear array can vary, with a characteristic print head  16  employing one thousand two hundred forty-eight (1,248) thermal elements  19 . Thermal elements  19  produce heat in response to energy supplied to print head  16 . A current is applied to thermal elements  19  to heat the thermal elements  19  to a level sufficient to transfer dots onto label media  20 . This occurs when a thermally-sensitive supply  21  (e.g., an ink ribbon) comes into thermal contact with the thermal elements  19 . Printing arrangement  15  includes thermally-sensitive supply delivery roller  22   a , and thermally-sensitive take-up roller  22   b . Thermally-sensitive supply delivery and take-up rollers  22   a,b  can be separate components, or alternatively, they can be housed within a unitary structure (e.g., an ink ribbon cartridge). It is contemplated that color printing can be accomplished as well as black (along with shades of gray). Directional arrows  23  indicate the direction of travel of platen roller  17 , label media delivery and take-up rollers  18   a,b  and thermally-sensitive supply delivery and take-up rollers  22   a,b  in printing arrangement  15 . 
     Referring to FIG. 4, an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 2 illustrating one embodiment of label printer cutting assembly  30  connected to frame  31  of printer  1  is shown according to one aspect of the present invention. Cutting assembly  30  includes a plotter cutter  32  to effectuate plotter cutting of label media  20  (shown in phantom) to form one or more discrete labels. The cutting assembly further includes end cutter  36  to effect end cutting (also called “shear cutting” or “cutting off”) of a label media. It will be recognized that end cutting can take place with or without plotter cutting of the label media having first taken place. Cutting assembly  30  is generally driven using a drive mechanism, here shown as step motor  38 . The manner in which cutting assembly  30  is driven is described in greater detail with reference to various figures below, but it is noted that belt  40  is a timing belt that is used generally to effectuate proper cutting of label media  20  via the cutting assembly. As shown, timing belt  40  is driven by step motor  38  via pulleys  39   a,b  that are connected to shafts  41   a,b , respectively, with shaft  41   a  connected to step motor  38  and shaft  41   b  connected to bracket  43 . Bracket  43  is connected to frame  31 . Step motor  38  is also connected to frame  31  by bracket  44 . As shown, in a preferred embodiment, end cutter home sensor  42  and plotter cutter home sensor  45  are included in the cutting assembly connected to frame  31 . Sensor  42  is used to determine when end cutter  36  has reached, or is located at, a home or rest position. Similarly, sensor  45  is used to determine when plotter cutter  32  has reached, or is located at, a home or rest position. As a practical matter, the home or rest position for the end cutter (and similarly for the plotter cutter) can be reversed, or at any convenient location within frame  31 , since the firmware and/or software associated with the label printer can accommodate such positional variation. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 4 is shown illustrating one embodiment of cutting assembly  30 . Cutting assembly  30  includes plotter cutter  32  and end cutter  36 . Plotter cutter  32  comprises knob  50  and a plotter cutter pin blade  52 . Knob  50  is used to adjust plotter cutter cutting depth, such as an initial cutting depth of plotter cutter cutting pin blade  52 . The initial blade cutting depth (i.e., blade protrusion) may be measured and set to a specific value at the time of label printer manufacture. Knob  50  adjusts cutting depth via connecting section or nose  51 , and the depth is adjusted with respect to label media  20 . Label media  20  rides on label support  53 , which is connected to frame  31  of label printer  1 , here via connections  57 . Label cutting pad  55  can be included below pin blade  52  between label media  20  and label support  53 . Cutting pad  55  protects pin blade  52  so as to increase pin blade cutting life. Cutting pad  55  is typically made from materials such as nylon or delrin (acetal). 
     Still referring to FIG. 5, plotter cutter  32  engages and slides along plotter cutter slide rail  46  and end cutter  36  engages and slides along end cutter slide rail  48 . End cutter slide  48  rail is fixedly mounted to cutter assembly frame  31 . End cutter  36  comprises clamp  64  and clamp wheel  65  to permit the end cutter to slidably engage end cutter slide rail  48  via extension  66 . End cutter  36  further comprises cutter blade  68  to accomplish cutting off or shear cutting of label media  20 . Plotter cutter slide rail  46  is pivotally mounted to cutter assembly frame  31  via pivot  54  (e.g., a pin, screw or other rotation-permitting connector). A solenoid  56 , or other force-generating mechanism (e.g., a motor and lever mechanism), is connected to plotter cutter slide rail  46  via a connection or armature  58 . Rollers  74   a,b  and  76   a,b  rotate and serve to position label media  20  in cutting assembly  30  for cutting. Rollers  74   a  and  76   a  rotate in the same direction (i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise) and rollers  74   b  and  76   b  will both corresponding rotate in an opposite direction to rollers  74   a  and  76   a . End cutter home sensor  42  senses when end cutter extension or flag  70  activates (e.g., using an optical sensing technology) the sensor via end cutter home sensor slot  42   a . Belt  40  drives plotter cutter  32  and end cutter  36  to effect proper cutting of label media  20  in cutting assembly  30 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  4 . More specifically, FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of plotter cutter  32  in a label printer cutting assembly  30 . Cutting assembly  30  is connected to a cutter frame  31  which is secured, as noted above, to frame  8 . Plotter cutter  32  is used to effect cutting of a label media  20  to form one or more discrete labels. Again, plotter cutter  32 , as noted above, is generally carried by timing belt  40 , which is driven by step motor  38  (shown in phantom). Solenoid  56 , or other force-generating mechanism, is secured to frame  31  in a conventional manner. Solenoid  56  is also attached, via connection or armature  58 , to plotter cutter slide rail  46 . Spring  60  is shown and includes an upper end  60   a  and a lower end  60   b . Spring  60  attached at lower end  60   b  to cutter frame  31  via anchor  61 . Spring  60  is attached at its upper end to plotter cutter slide rail  46 . 
     Cutting assembly  30  is more fully described in a co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Label Printer End and Plotter Cutting Assembly” filed concurrently herewith and which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, plotter cutter  32  is shown in a rest position (i.e., a position in which plotter cutting does not take place). Compressive force of spring  60 , indicated by arrow  63 , rotates plotter cutter slide rail  46  about pivot  54 , with the rotation about the pivot indicated by arrow  67   a . Accordingly, plotter cutter  32  and its blade  52  are lifted, as indicated by arrow  62   a , off of label media  20  when plotter cutting is not taking place. 
     FIG. 8 generally shows the plotter cutter  32  in a plotter cutting position, that is, a position to effect plotter cutting of label media  20  into discrete labels. Solenoid  56  imparts a force to move armature  58  upwardly, indicated by arrow  67 . The solenoid force overcomes the compressive force of spring  60  (FIG.  7 ), thereby extending the spring in tension, so as to rotate or tilt plotter cutter slide rail  46  about pivot  54 , indicated by arrow  67   b . As a result, plotter cutter  32  is lowered, along with its blade  52 , downwardly, into contact with label media  20 . The downward motion of plotter cutter  32  is indicated by arrow  62   b . Plotter cutter  32  is thus placed in a plotter cutting position to cut label media  20 , with the position located generally over cutting pad  55 . 
     FIG. 9 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 8 as well as a partially schematic representation of the operation of plotter cutter  32  imparting a plotter cut on label media  20  in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. Specifically, plotter cutter  32  cuts, blade  52 , label media  20  over cutting pad  55  disposed on label support  53 . 
     The types of label media stored in a label media cartridge can vary. As a result, the force necessary to cut a specific label media will vary with that specific media. A memory device (e.g., a memory chip, or referred to simply as “memory”)  120  can be associated with, or attached to, a label media supply cartridge  122 . In this manner, the force necessary to cut label media (i.e., label media-specific cutting force) can be stored on a memory device attached, for example, to the cartridge holding that same label media. As a practical matter, memory device  120  can store label media specific cutting force value(s) directly, or as value(s) representative of the cutting force. Memory device  120  can alternatively store values thereon from which the force can be derived. The values stored on the memory device can be current-proportional values that are representative of the media-specific cutting force. In general, it is well understood that memory devices store data. Values can be stored in a memory device in any form that can be read and processed by electronic devices to which the memory device may be connected. 
     A power source  124  is used to provide, via an electrical connection  128 , power to controller  126 . An electrical connection  130  can be established between memory device  120  and label printer controller  126 . By this connection, controller  126  can read or otherwise obtain from memory device  120  the values or data stored on the device that are representative of the media-specific cutting force. In one embodiment, the values are dimensionless values that can be read and processed by label printer controller  126 . The controller can convert, using computerized instructions programmed therein, the label media-specific value(s) into corresponding, media-specific current signal(s). 
     A media-specific current can be provided by power source  124  based on the media-specific current signal supplied by controller  126  to the power source, as illustrated, via electrical connection  132 . The media specific current can then be applied to force-generating mechanism  56  (e.g., a solenoid), via an electrical connection  134 . The current is preferably between 0 and 1 amp, and more preferably about 0.5 amp. 
     In general, force-generating mechanism  56  will provide a force that is proportional to the current applied to it. Therefore, at force-generating mechanism  56 , a media-specific cutting force can be generated based on the applied label specific current. In a preferred embodiment, the force-generating mechanism includes armature  58  that applies a media-specific cutting force to plotter cutter  32 . Armature  58  is responsible for imparting the media-specific cutting force to plotter cutter  32  through various intermediate physical connections, all of which are shown schematically as dashed line and arrow  136  and portion  138 . In a preferred embodiment, illustrative physical connections include, among other items, cutter pivot  54 , to transfer the media-specific cutting force, illustrated by arrow  140 , either directly or indirectly, to plotter cutter  32  via, for example, a rotational movement, indicated by arrow  139 . 
     Using the media-specific cutting force  140  applied from force-generating mechanism  56 , a label media-specific plotter cut can be made. “Label media-specific plotter cut” means plotter cutting of a label media at a media-specific cutting depth, denoted in FIG. 9 as “D”. 
     Label media  20  includes tape layer  20   a , an adhesive layer (not shown), such that the tape is releasably attached to release or substrate layer  20   b . Again, plotter cutting, as here used and shown, results in cutting label media tape layer  20   a  (along with the adhesive layer). Release or substrate layer  20   b  is not cut or substantially cut via plotter cutting of plotter cutter  32 . Accordingly, media-specific plotter cutting depth “D” can generally correspond to the thickness of tape layer  20   a.    
     Some label media materials will require a lesser cutting force than others to achieve cutting depth “D”. A lesser cutting force necessarily will require less current, and therefore, less energy. Accordingly, an energy savings can be realized using the present invention. Perhaps even more significantly, because the force transferred by the force-generating mechanism will correspond to a specific cutting depth, a plotter cutter blade need not be manually adjusted for each specific label media that is desired to be cut. 
     Label material (e.g., plastic, vinyl, etc.) and dimension (e.g., height, width, thickness) can vary from one label-making run to another. Since each media cartridge housing a given label material can be provided with an operably-associated memory device, each media cartridge can be said to be equipped with its own label media depth “pre-programmed” into the memory device associated with the cartridge. In this fashion, plotter cutter cutting depth can be controlled in a fashion that results in repeatable, accurate, and label media-specific plotter cuts. 
     FIG. 10 shows a top, partially schematic view of plotter cutter  32  accomplishing a plotter cutting sequence along a cutting path  170  in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. Cutting path  170  is representative of a plotter cut that has already taken place. Cartesian coordinates  150  are included for clarification purposes. Plotter cutter  32  is driven, as noted previously, by a drive mechanism, such as step motor  38 , via shaft  41   a  connected via pulley  39   a  to belt  40 . Plotter cutter  32 , as shown, can move in both positive and negative x directions, as indicated by arrows  154   a  and  154   b , respectively. Label media  20  is driven by a drive mechanism, such as step motor  156 . Motor  156  drives label media  20  in a positive or negative y direction, indicated by arrows  158   a  and  158   b , via driving rollers  74   b  and  76   b  (shown in phantom). Specifically, rollers  74   b  and  76   b  are connected to step motor  156  via shafts  160  and  162 . Belt  164  and pulleys  166 ,  168  permit step motor  156  to drive both rollers  74   b  and  76   b . Rollers  74   a  and  76   a , as shown, are pinch or passive rollers. 
     Plotter cutter  32  is shown having traversed, from a right edge  26  to a left edge  28 , of label media  20  in a negative x direction to create cutting path  170 . During the cutting operation that has taken place to institute a plotter cut along path  170 , label media  20  has been moved in both positive and negative y directions. 
     More specifically, cutting path  170  includes cutting path portions  170   a-f , where each of the portions corresponds to plotter cutter  32  and/or label media  20  movement as follows: portion  170   a  corresponds to negative x cutting by plotter cutter  32  while label media  20  remains stationary; portion  170   b  corresponds to positive y movement of label media  20  while plotter cutter  32  cuts, but remains stationary; portion  170   c  corresponds to negative x cutting by plotter cutter  32  while label media  20  remains stationary; portion  170   d  corresponds to negative y movement of the label media  20  while plotter cutter  32  cuts, but remains stationary; portion  170   e  corresponds to negative x cutting by plotter cutter  32 , as well as negative y movement of label media  20 ; and portion  170   f  corresponds to negative x cutting by plotter cutter  32  while label media  20  remains stationary. 
     While a particular preferred embodiment has been shown and described above, it is apparent that the teachings of this invention may be applied utilizing other hardware performing the same or equivalent functions. It is contemplated that cartridges for holding and/or supplying one or both of the ribbon and/or label media supplies can be of the “re-usable” (also called “refillable”) type, but preferably are of the “disposable” type. 
     Methods have been described and outlined in a sequential fashion. Still, elimination, modification, rearrangement, combination, reordering, or the like, of the methods is contemplated and considered within the scope of the appending claims. 
     In general, while the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1