EP1212194B1 - Imprimante utilisee pour imprimer des etiquettes ou autres - Google Patents

Imprimante utilisee pour imprimer des etiquettes ou autres Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1212194B1
EP1212194B1 EP00955716A EP00955716A EP1212194B1 EP 1212194 B1 EP1212194 B1 EP 1212194B1 EP 00955716 A EP00955716 A EP 00955716A EP 00955716 A EP00955716 A EP 00955716A EP 1212194 B1 EP1212194 B1 EP 1212194B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
printer
recited
internet
data
intranet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00955716A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1212194A4 (fr
EP1212194A1 (fr
Inventor
Jeffrey R. Kaufman
Victor Salmons
Steven P. King
Bruce N. Alleshouse
Bret M. Anno
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ZIH Corp
Original Assignee
ZIH Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ZIH Corp filed Critical ZIH Corp
Publication of EP1212194A1 publication Critical patent/EP1212194A1/fr
Publication of EP1212194A4 publication Critical patent/EP1212194A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1212194B1 publication Critical patent/EP1212194B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J3/00Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/407Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
    • B41J3/4075Tape printers; Label printers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to printers which are configured to print labels, tags or the like, and more specifically relates to a printer which is configured to print labels, tags or the like and provides many advantages over the
  • printers which print labels, tags or the like are used in mission-critical applications.
  • a printer goes down, it can be quite costly.
  • a printer configured to print shipping labels runs out of ribbon or otherwise becomes effectively non-functional, it is possible that several hundred boxes will be placed into inventory without identification. In this case, every hour that the system or printer is unavailable can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars or more in lost productivity.
  • Prior art printers are not configured to automatically notify someone, such as an Information Technology (IT) manager who may not be located in close proximity to the printer, when there is a problem.
  • IT Information Technology
  • the operators on the assembly line may or may not notice right away that the printer has run out of ribbon. Once the problem has finally been detected, it may take awhile for the new ribbon to be located and installed in the printer, resulting in substantial downtime for the assembly line.
  • Some prior art printers have a web-server therein which provides that an IT manager can remotely view a web page that contains some basic information about the printer.
  • these prior art printers do not provide for the unsolicited transmission of critical and non-critical printer data and the routing of that data through a plurality of communication channels to an IT manager.
  • these printers do not automatically send important printer data to an IT manager via e-mail, an Internet-ready pager, a Personal Communications Service (PCS) phone or a wireless Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), thereby enabling the IT manager to respond to a problem or potential problem immediately, even though the IT manager may not have been actively monitoring the printer at the time.
  • PCS Personal Communications Service
  • PDA wireless Personal Digital Assistant
  • printers which have a web server therein are configured such that the IT manager must pro-actively monitor the printer and use a device which supports JAVA, such as a personal computer, to check on the status of the printer. Furthermore, even if a problem is detected by the IT manager in this manner, these printers do not provide that the IT manager can thereafter correct the problem by remotely interfacing with the printer. For example, prior art printers also do not provide that an IT manager can remotely access and modify a program which is operating within a printer's operating system.
  • the IT manager must access the program in the printer on site, using a computer connected to the printer's serial or parallel port, and this process must be repeated for each printer which the IT manager wants to re-program.
  • printers which are adapted to print labels, tags and the like do so according to a pre-determined, pre-programmed format.
  • a printer which is configured to print shipping labels may be configured to print a shipping label in a format wherein the shipping company's logo, name and address is printed in the upper, left-hand corner of the label and the receiving company's name and address is printed at the center of the label. If the format of the label is to be changed (for example, if the shipping company's logo or address has changed), the IT manager must change the label format on site. After changing the label format, the IT manager typically has the printer print a label to determine whether the label looks acceptable.
  • the IT manager changes the format again, and has the printer print another label. This trial and error process may have to be repeated several times and may take a substantial amount of time. Additionally, if the IT manager wants to change the label format for several printers, the IT manager must repeat the process for each printer.
  • Prior art barcode printers are configured such that an IT manager cannot remotely download a new or updated barcode rendering algorithm into the printer. Instead, prior art printers are typically sold having one or more barcode rendering algorithms resident therein and, in order to add or update a barcode rendering algorithm, an IT manager must obtain the necessary software, and load the new or updated barcode rendering algorithm into the printer on site, using a computer connected to the printer's serial or parallel port, and this process must be repeated for each printer. Additionally, prior art printers are not configured such that an IT manager can download a barcode rendering algorithm, such as from a printer manufacturer's web site, and thereafter download the barcode rendering algorithm to one or more printers.
  • prior art printers are not configured such that an IT manager can remotely access (i.e. upload) the settings of a printer, change the printer settings, and download the new printer settings to the printer or to other printers.
  • the printer settings of prior art printers cannot be modified remotely, and prior art printers are not configured such that they can be cloned (i.e. to contain the same printer settings) quickly and easily from a remote location.
  • US 5,806,993 discloses a printer capable of sending data back to a host terminal.
  • the return data comprises a multi-bit data signal, different bits of which represent status data relating to the operating state of the printer.
  • the host terminal will require a specialised program, and so the printer is tied to that host terminal.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a printer which is configured to automatically transmit data, such as critical and non-critical printer data, and route that data through at least one of the plurality of communication channels and services, such as via e-mail or mobile wireless equipment (e.g. an Internet-ready pager, a personal Communications Service (PCS) phone or a wireless Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)).
  • data such as critical and non-critical printer data
  • PDA wireless Personal Digital Assistant
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer which is configured such that it can be programmed and controlled from a remote location.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide a printer which is configured such that new label formats can be added from a remote location and label formats stored in the printer can be viewed and modified from a remote location.
  • a still yet other object of the present invention is to provide a printer which is configured such that barcode rendering algorithms can be downloaded to the printer.
  • a still yet further object of the present invention is to provide a printer which is configured such that printer settings can be viewed and modified from a remote location, and thereafter can be downloaded to the printer and/or other printers in a network.
  • a printer as defined in Claim 1 and a method of programming a printer as defined in Claim 22.
  • an embodiment of the present invention provides a printer which is configured to print labels, tags or the like, where the printer includes a housing and electronics in the housing configured to determine a condition of the printer (such as a printer error or warning condition) and thereafter automatically transmit data corresponding to the condition to a remote location, such as over an Intranet, the Internet and/or over a wireless communication network.
  • the printer transmits the data via e-mail, to an Internet-ready paging device, to a Personal Communications Service (PCS) phone and/or to a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).
  • PCS Personal Communications Service
  • PDA Personal Digital Assistant
  • the printer is configured such that at least some problems can be corrected by the IT manager from the remote location by interfacing with the printer. However, some problems may require on site correction (such as if the printer is out of paper).
  • the printer is programmable and controllable from a remote location over an Intranet, the Internet and/or over a wireless communication network.
  • the settings of the printer can be viewed and modified in this manner.
  • the printer is programmable and controllable using a web browser on a personal computer connected to an Intranet or to the Internet, and is configured to display web pages on a mobile device, such as a PDA or PCS phone.
  • a label format which is stored in the printer can be viewed and modified from a remote location.
  • the printer is configured such that a barcode rendering algorithm can be downloaded to the printer, preferably in the form of executable code.
  • the printer is configured such it can control one or more peripheral devices in a stand-alone operation and acquire data, and can thereafter, without solicitation from a host, upload the data to the host (when the host is ready to receive the data) via e-mail or TCP/UDP Messaging.
  • the data is assembled into one or more databases and processed by the host in other applications.
  • the printer is configured to transmit its settings to a remote location in XML format so that the printer settings are easy to read and are viewable using, for example, a web browser on a personal computer connected to the Intranet or the Internet. Thereafter, the settings can be modified and downloaded back to the printer, or can be downloaded to other printers in order to facilitate cloning.
  • the printer 10 is (and the other printers in the cloning process) are configured such that it parses out the data from the XML and re-sets its settings in accordance with the data which is parsed out of the XML.
  • FIGURE 1 depicts a printer 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the printer 10 provides many advantages over the prior art.
  • the printer 10 is configured to automatically transmit data, such as critical and non-critical printer data, and route that data through at least one of a plurality of communication channels and services, such as via e-mail or mobile wireless equipment (e.g. an Interriet-ready pager, a Personal Communications Service (PCS) phone or a wireless Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)).
  • a person such as an IT manager, can remain apprised of the condition of the printer 10 without having to pro-actively monitor the printer 10.
  • the printer 10 can also be programmed and controlled from a remote location and label formats stored therein can be viewed and modified from a remote location. Still further, the printer 10 is preferably configured such that barcode rendering algorithms can be downloaded to the printer, and printer settings can be viewed and modified from a remote location. Thereafter, the printer settings can be downloaded to the printer 10, or the printer settings can be downloaded to other printers in a network to facilitate cloning.
  • the printer 10 includes a label generation and communications microprocessor 30 which communicates with a parallel port 40 and a serial port 50.
  • a printserver 60 can be interfaced with the parallel port 40, and the printserver 60 may be connected to an Ethernet network 70 or some other type of network, which is thereafter connected to an Intranet and/or to the Internet, as shown in FIGURE 3.
  • a device 80 such as a personal computer, programmable logic controller (PLC), weigh scale, barcode scanner or other type of device may be connected to the serial port 50 for providing the printer 10 a data stream which the printer 10 uses to print tags, labels or the like.
  • PLC programmable logic controller
  • the label generation and communications microprocessor 30 communicates with a user interface 90 which consists of buttons and switches which are disposed mainly on the front panel 100 of the printer 10 (see FIGURE 1).
  • the label generation and communications microprocessor 30 also communicates with a printing control microprocessor 110.
  • the printing control microprocessor 110 is in communication with printer mechanics 120 which are generally conventional and well known in the art, and controls the printer mechanics 120 to print tags, labels or the like depending on information the printing control microprocessor 110 receives from the label generation and communications microprocessor 30.
  • the printing control microprocessor 110 is configured to monitor certain components and aspects of the printer mechanics 120, determine whether there is a warning condition, printer error or other problem, and report to the label generation and communications microprocessor 30.
  • the printing control microprocessor 110 is configured to determine whether the printer 10 has run out of paper, is off or on line, has run out of ribbon, whether the printhead is open or is getting too hot, etc. This type of monitoring is generally well known in the art.
  • the configuration of the label generation and communications microprocessor 30 and the fact that the printing control microprocessor 110 monitors the printer mechanics 120 and the printer 10 is connected to an Intranet and/or to the Internet provides that the printer 10 can automatically transmit critical and non-critical printer information to one or more remote devices such as, as shown in FIGURE 3, to a personal computer 130, 140 connected to an Intranet or to the Internet, or to an Internet-ready pager 150, a PCS phone 160 and/or a PDA 170, over a wireless communication network. This will be described in more detail later herein.
  • the label generation and communications microprocessor 30 is configured to be programmed and controlled using a pre-determined programming language (identified as "ZPL" in FIGURE 2).
  • ZPL pre-determined programming language
  • the printer 10 is configured such that the printer can be programmed and controlled from a remote location, such as over an Intranet, the Internet or over a wireless communications network.
  • the label generation and communications microprocessor 30 includes a web-server (which is generally embedded within the printer's operation system) which is configured to communicate in Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) (identified as "HTML" in FIGURE 2) to facilitate the display of web pages over an Intranet, the Internet or over a wireless communication network.
  • HTTP Hyper Text Markup Language
  • the printer is configured to provide the data in a simple format which does not require that the receiving device support JAVA. As such, the data can be readily processed and displayed by a pager 150, PCS phone 160 or PDA 170 which may not support JAVA.
  • the printer 10 includes a program and corresponding firmware (identified as "ZBI" in FIGURE 2) which is configured to convert a data stream from one format to another, thereby providing that the printer 10 is compatible with a plurality of different data stream formats.
  • the label generation and communications microprocessor 30 receives a data stream, for example, through the serial port 50, such as from a personal computer, weigh scale or barcode scanner. The ZBI may then convert the data stream from one format which would otherwise be incompatible with the printer 10 into another format which is compatible with the printer 10.
  • the label generation and communications microprocessor 30 uses the converted data to format a label, tag or the like, and communicates with the printing control microprocessor 110 which thereafter controls the printer mechanics 120 in order to print the label, tag or the like in accordance with the format.
  • the printer 10 is configured such that the printer 10 can interface with a device at a remote location via e-mail or TCP/UDP over an Intranet, the Internet or over a wireless communication network. This will now be described in more detail.
  • the printer 10 is configured to display web pages over an Intranet, the Internet or over a wireless communication network.
  • one of the web pages is configured such that the user can select conditions (such as printer error or warning conditions) of which the user wants to be alerted, and can select how he or she wants to be alerted.
  • the web page is configured such that the user can select a condition and can select e-mail and provide the web site with his or her e-mail address, can select PCS phone and provide the web site with his or her phone number, can select pager and provide the web site with the pager number, or can select to be alerted in some other manner via a corporate local area network (LAN) or wide-area network (WAN).
  • LAN local area network
  • WAN wide-area network
  • the printer 10 i.e. the printing control microprocessor 110
  • the printer 10 alerts the user of the condition via the means chosen (i.e. sends the user an e-mail, calls the person and displays information on the screen of the PCS phone, pages the person and displays information on the screen of the pager, or alerts the person in some manner via the corporate LAN or WAN) (see FIGURE 3).
  • the means chosen i.e. sends the user an e-mail, calls the person and displays information on the screen of the PCS phone, pages the person and displays information on the screen of the pager, or alerts the person in some manner via the corporate LAN or WAN
  • the web page provides that the user can also elect to be alerted that a condition has been cleared (i.e.
  • a warning condition or printer error which has been detected by the printer 10 has been since corrected).
  • This is advantageous because it may prevent the user, such as an IT manager, from spending time trying to correct a problem which has already been corrected, such as by personnel who are on site at the printer 10.
  • another web page is configured such that the user can view the printer's configuration.
  • other web pages are configured such that the user can view and modify printer settings, for example, the printer's general setup, serial communications setup, network communications setup, media setup, calibration, as well as view and modify other printer settings.
  • the user can direct the web page to have the printer 10 print its settings onto a tag, label or the like for viewing on site.
  • the web pages are configured such that the user must enter a password to adjust the printer's settings.
  • the media setup preferably the user can specify the media type and sensor type as well as the print method and the print width and maximum length within acceptable ranges.
  • the printer 10 is configured such that a user 180 can upload the printer's settings in a format such as XML, can view and modify the settings using a web browser, and can thereafter download the settings back to the printer 10, or to other printers (10a, 10b, 10c, etc.) in the network to facilitate cloning.
  • a user 180 can upload the printer's settings in a format such as XML, can view and modify the settings using a web browser, and can thereafter download the settings back to the printer 10, or to other printers (10a, 10b, 10c, etc.) in the network to facilitate cloning.
  • a web page of the printer 10 is configured such that the user can view the status of memory in the printer 10 and can view a directory listing of different objects which are stored in and used by the printer 10 (i.e. used by the label generation and communications microprocessor 30 and/or the printing control microprocessor 110).
  • Such listings may include programs which run in the printer's operating system, as well as graphic images, fonts, label formats and programs relating to the ZBI (discussed hereinabove).
  • the printer 10 is configured such that the user can direct the printer to stop or run a program, and can add or modify an existing program, wherein the new or modified program is thereafter downloaded to the printer 10 and the printer 10 becomes effectively re-programmed.
  • the web pages are configured such that the user must enter a password to add, run, stop or modify any of the programs.
  • FIGURE 5 illustrates a user controlling (i.e. running or stopping) the ZBI from a remote location as well as uploading the ZBI, modifying the ZBI and downloading the modified ZBI to the printer.
  • the printer 10 is configured to display the ZBI in the form of a web page at a remote location and provides that a user can direct the ZBI to open TCP/UDP or e-mail ports to the Internet or an intranet to send messages to or from the printer for communicating with other systems on the Internet or intranet.
  • the printer 10 is configured such that a user can upload (see FIGURE 3) label formats which are stored in the printer 10 which the printer 10 uses to print labels, and can thereafter view and modify the format.
  • the printer 10 is configured such that after modifying the format, the user can direct the web page (i.e. the printer) to display how the label would look if it were actually printed by the printer (i.e. a label preview), or can direct the printer to actually print the label. If the label does not look as desired, the user can further modify the format and again view a label preview or print the label until the label looks as desired.
  • the user can direct the web site to download the modified, finalized format to the printer 10 (or to one or more other printers) which thereafter uses the modified format to print labels, tags or the like.
  • the printer 10 and web pages are also configured such that the user can format a new label and can download the new label format to the printer for use.
  • the printer 10 is preferably configured such that web pages can be viewed using a web browser
  • the printer 10 may also be configured to communicate over an Intranet or the Internet (see FIGURE 3) with a computer which is running a utility program which is specifically directed at monitoring the printer 10 and provides for the centralized management of a plurality of printers in a network.
  • the printer 10 is configured such that the printer 10 can process data in a stand-alone application, such as by receiving data through the serial port 50 (see FIGURE 2) and acting on the information by printing tags, labels or the like, and can thereafter, without solicitation from a host 190, unpload the processed data to the host 190 when the host is ready to receive the data.
  • a stand-alone application such as by receiving data through the serial port 50 (see FIGURE 2) and acting on the information by printing tags, labels or the like, and can thereafter, without solicitation from a host 190, unpload the processed data to the host 190 when the host is ready to receive the data.
  • the printer is configured such that a user can download barcode rendering algorithms to the printer for the printer to use in interpreting data streams and generating a barcode.
  • the printer and web pages are configured such that a user can download barcode rendering algorithms, such as from a printer manufacturer's web site, and can thereafter download the barcode rendering algorithms to the printer. As such, it is easy for the user to keep the printer updated with regard to new or updated barcode standards, and can do so from a remote location.
  • the printer is configured such that the barcode rendering algorithms can be downloaded to the printer in the form of executable code, and the printer can execute the code to print a barcode from a stream of data, which is possibly received by the printer through the serial port 50 (see FIGURE 2).

Landscapes

  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Labeling Devices (AREA)
  • Dot-Matrix Printers And Others (AREA)
  • Printers Characterized By Their Purpose (AREA)

Claims (31)

  1. Imprimante (10) qui est configurée pour imprimer des étiquettes, des inscriptions ou similaire, ladite imprimante incluant un boîtier et un circuit électronique (20) dans le boîtier qui est configuré pour déterminer une condition de l'imprimante (10), ladite imprimante étant caractérisée en ce que le circuit électronique (20) dans le boîtier est configuré pour transmettre de manière automatique des données correspondant à la condition selon soit un format XML, soit un format HTML jusqu'à une localisation à distance sur au moins un élément pris parmi un Intranet, l'Internet et un réseau de communication sans fil, ledit circuit électronique étant configuré de telle sorte que l'imprimante (10) puisse ensuite être reprogrammée à distance.
  2. Imprimante selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante est configurée pour transmettre des données via un courrier électronique.
  3. Imprimante selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante est configurée pour transmettre les données par l'intermédiaire du réseau de communication sans fil jusqu'à au moins un élément pris parmi un dispositif de recherche de personne/messagerie disponible par Internet (150), un téléphone de service de communication personnelle (PCS) (160) et un assistant numérique personnel (PDA) (170).
  4. Imprimante selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante est configurée pour traiter des données et pour charger les données traitées sur un hôte (190) lorsque l'hôte (190) est prêt à recevoir les données, ladite imprimante étant configurée pour poursuivre un fonctionnement lorsque l'hôte (190) n'est pas prêt à recevoir les données.
  5. Imprimante selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante inclut un microprocesseur (110) et un port (40, 50,) ledit microprocesseur étant en communication avec ledit port et étant configuré pour transmettre les données par l'intermédiaire dudit port jusqu'à au moins un élément pris parmi l'Intranet, l'Internet et le réseau de communication sans fil.
  6. Imprimante selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante est configurée pour déterminer si oui ou non une condition de l'imprimante a été mise à zéro puis pour transmettre ensuite de manière automatique un message jusqu'à un utilisateur à distance, le message consistant en ce que la condition a été mise à zéro.
  7. Imprimante selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ledit circuit électronique (20) dans le boîtier est configuré pour assurer qu'un format d'étiquette qui est stocké dans l'imprimante est visualisable et modifiable en un emplacement à distance sur au moins un élément pris parmi un Intranet, l'Internet et un réseau de communication sans fil.
  8. Imprimante selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante est configurée pour assurer que le format d'étiquette qui est stocké dans l'imprimante est au moins un format soit visualisable, soit modifiable via au moins un élément pris parmi un ordinateur personnel (130, 140) qui est connecté à l'Internet, un téléphone de service de communication personnelle (PCS) (160) et un assistant numérique personnel (PDA) (170).
  9. Imprimante selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante est configurée pour assurer que le format d'étiquette qui est stocké dans l'imprimante est au moins un format soit visualisable, soit modifiable en utilisant un navigateur web sur un ordinateur personnel (130, 140) qui est connecté à au moins un élément pris parmi l'Intranet et l'Internet.
  10. Imprimante selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante inclut un microprocesseur (110) et un port (40, 50), ledit microprocesseur étant en communication avec ledit port et étant configuré pour transmettre des données de format d'étiquette par l'intermédiaire dudit port jusqu'à au moins un élément pris parmi l'Intranet, l'Internet et le réseau de communication sans fil.
  11. Imprimante selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le circuit électronique (20) dans le boîtier est configuré pour assurer que l'imprimante est programmable et commandable depuis une localisation à distance sur au moins un élément pris parmi un Intranet, l'Internet et un réseau de communication sans fil.
  12. Imprimante selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante comporte un système d'exploitation et au moins un programme stocké dedans, lequel programme fonctionne à l'intérieur du système d'exploitation, ladite imprimante étant configurée pour assurer que le programme est au moins un programme commandable, modifiable ou visualisable via un ordinateur personnel (130, 140) qui est connecté à au moins un élément pris parmi l'Intranet et l'Internet.
  13. Imprimante selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante est configurée pour assurer que l'imprimante est programmable et commandable via au moins un élément pris parmi un ordinateur personnel (130, 140) qui est connecté à l'Internet, un téléphone de service de communication personnelle (PCS) (160) et un assistant numérique personnel (PDA) (170).
  14. Imprimante selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante est configurée pour assurer que l'imprimante est programmable et commandable en utilisant un navigateur web sur un ordinateur personnel (130, 140) qui est connecté à au moins un élément pris parmi l'Intranet et l'Internet.
  15. Imprimante selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que ledit circuit électronique (20) dans le boîtier est configuré pour assurer que l'imprimante reçoit un algorithme de rendu de code à barres par l'intermédiaire d'un port (40, 50).
  16. Imprimante selon la revendication 15, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante est configurée pour recevoir ledit algorithme de rendu de code à barres en tant que code exécutable et est configurée pour ensuite exécuter le code pour imprimer un code à barres.
  17. Imprimante selon la revendication 15, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante est configurée pour recevoir un algorithme de rendu de code à barres depuis une localisation à distance sur au moins un élément pris parmi un Intranet, l'Internet et un réseau de communication sans fil.
  18. Imprimante selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le circuit électronique (20) dans le boîtier est configuré pour assurer que des réglages de l'imprimante sont visualisables et modifiables depuis une localisation à distance sur au moins un élément pris parmi un Intranet, l'Internet et un réseau de communication sans fil.
  19. Imprimante selon la revendication 18, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante est configurée pour assurer que des réglages de l'imprimante sont au moins soit visualisables, soit modifiables en utilisant au moins un élément pris parmi un téléphone de service de communication personnelle (PCS) (160), un dispositif de recherche de personne/messagerie disponible par Internet (150) et un assistant numérique personnel (PDA) (170).
  20. Imprimante selon la revendication 18, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante est configurée pour assurer que l'imprimante est programmable et commandable en utilisant un navigateur web sur un ordinateur personnel (130, 140) qui est connecté à au moins un élément pris parmi l'Intranet et l'Internet.
  21. Imprimante selon la revendication 18, caractérisée en ce que ladite imprimante est configurée pour transmettre des données selon un format XML sur l'Internet, lesdites données correspondant aux réglages de l'imprimante (10), lesdites données étant visualisables et modifiables en utilisant un navigateur web sur un ordinateur personnel (130, 140) qui est connecté à au moins un élément pris parmi l'Intranet et l'Internet.
  22. Procédé de programmation d'une imprimante (10) qui est configurée pour imprimer des étiquettes, des inscriptions ou similaire, ladite imprimante comprenant un boîtier et un circuit électronique (20) dans le boîtier qui est configuré pour déterminer une condition de l'imprimante (10), ledit procédé étant caractérisé en ce que l'imprimante (10) transmet de manière automatique des données correspondant à la condition selon soit un format XML, soit un format HTML jusqu'à une localisation à distance sur au moins un élément pris parmi un Intranet, l'Internet et un réseau de communication sans fil et en ce qu'il reprogramme ensuite l'imprimante (10) à distance.
  23. Procédé selon la revendication 22, caractérisé en ce que l'imprimante (10) transmet les données via un courrier électronique.
  24. Procédé selon la revendication 22, caractérisé en ce que l'imprimante (10) transmet les données par l'intermédiaire du réseau de communication sans fil jusqu'à au moins un élément pris parmi un dispositif de recherche de personne/messagerie disponible par Internet (150), un téléphone de service de communication personnelle (PCS) (160) et un assistant numérique personnel (PDA) (170).
  25. Procédé selon la revendication 22, caractérisé en ce que l'imprimante (10) traite des données et charge les données traitées sur un hôte (190) lorsque l'hôte (190) est prêt à recevoir les données et l'imprimante (10) continue à fonctionner lorsque l'hôte (190) n'est pas prêt à recevoir les données.
  26. Procédé selon la revendication 22, caractérisé en ce que l'imprimante (10) transmet les données par l'intermédiaire d'un port (40, 50) jusqu'à au moins un élément pris parmi l'Intranet, l'Internet et le réseau de communication sans fil.
  27. Procédé selon la revendication 22, caractérisé en ce que l'imprimante (10) détermine si oui ou non une condition de l'imprimante (10) a été mise à zéro puis transmet ensuite de manière automatique un message jusqu'à un utilisateur à distance, le message consistant en ce que la condition a été mise à zéro.
  28. Procédé selon la revendication 22, caractérisé par la visualisation et la modification d'un format d'étiquette qui est stocké dans l'imprimante (10) en un emplacement à distance sur au moins un élément pris parmi un Intranet, l'Internet et un réseau de communication sans fil.
  29. Procédé selon la revendication 22, caractérisé par la visualisation et la modification d'un format d'étiquette qui est stocké dans l'imprimante (10) en une localisation à distance en utilisant au moins un élément pris parmi un ordinateur personnel (130, 140) qui est connecté à l'Internet, un téléphone de service de communication personnel (PCS) (160) et un assistant numérique personnel (PDA) (170).
  30. Procédé selon la revendication 22, caractérisé par la visualisation et la modification d'un format d'étiquette qui est stocké dans l'imprimante (10) en une localisation à distance en utilisant un navigateur web sur un ordinateur personnel (130, 140) qui est connecté à au moins un élément pris parmi l'Intranet et l'Internet.
  31. Procédé selon la revendication 22, ladite imprimante (10) comportant un système d'exploitation et au moins un programme stocké dedans, lequel programme fonctionne dans le système d'exploitation, ledit procédé étant caractérisé par au moins un élément pris parmi la commande, la modification et la visualisation du programme via un ordinateur personnel (130, 140) qui est connecté à au moins un élément pris parmi l'Intranet et l'Internet.
EP00955716A 1999-08-20 2000-08-18 Imprimante utilisee pour imprimer des etiquettes ou autres Expired - Lifetime EP1212194B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14996699P 1999-08-20 1999-08-20
US149966P 1999-08-20
US16278999P 1999-10-29 1999-10-29
US162789P 1999-10-29
PCT/US2000/022746 WO2001014146A1 (fr) 1999-08-20 2000-08-18 Imprimante utilisee pour imprimer des etiquettes ou autres

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1212194A1 EP1212194A1 (fr) 2002-06-12
EP1212194A4 EP1212194A4 (fr) 2002-11-13
EP1212194B1 true EP1212194B1 (fr) 2007-02-28

Family

ID=26847192

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00955716A Expired - Lifetime EP1212194B1 (fr) 1999-08-20 2000-08-18 Imprimante utilisee pour imprimer des etiquettes ou autres

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1212194B1 (fr)
JP (4) JP2003507228A (fr)
AT (1) ATE355174T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU6787000A (fr)
CA (1) CA2382198A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60033672T2 (fr)
HK (1) HK1043089A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001014146A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016133520A1 (fr) * 2015-02-19 2016-08-25 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L. P. Configuration de dispositif à basse puissance

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030020954A1 (en) * 2001-07-26 2003-01-30 Charlie Udom Versatile printing from portable electronic device
JP2002321392A (ja) 2001-03-02 2002-11-05 Oce Technologies Bv プリンタおよびインクカートリッジの構成方法
EP1239407B1 (fr) * 2001-03-02 2008-10-01 Océ-Technologies B.V. Procédé de configuration d'une imprimante et une cartouche d'encre
DE20307514U1 (de) 2002-05-13 2003-12-04 Esselte N.V. Etikettendrucker
JP2009069914A (ja) * 2007-09-10 2009-04-02 Max Co Ltd ラベルプリンタ管理システム
WO2009034974A1 (fr) * 2007-09-10 2009-03-19 Max Co., Ltd. Imprimante d'étiquettes, dispositif de gestion d'informations, et système de gestion d'imprimante d'étiquettes utilisant ceux-ci
US9001958B2 (en) 2010-04-21 2015-04-07 Holtec International, Inc. System and method for reclaiming energy from heat emanating from spent nuclear fuel
US9521280B2 (en) 2013-12-04 2016-12-13 Hellermanntyton Corporation Systems and methods for display of regulatory information related to labeling
JP6672870B2 (ja) * 2016-02-18 2020-03-25 セイコーエプソン株式会社 印刷装置、印刷装置の制御方法

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5887216A (en) * 1997-03-19 1999-03-23 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Method and system to diagnos a business office device based on operating parameters set by a user
JPH09223062A (ja) * 1996-02-16 1997-08-26 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd サービス提供形態のカスタマイズ方法およびその方法の実施に使用可能なサーバ装置
SE518132C2 (sv) * 1996-06-07 2002-08-27 Ericsson Telefon Ab L M Metod och anordning för synkronisering av kombinerade mottagare och sändare i ett cellulärt system
US5806993A (en) * 1997-03-18 1998-09-15 Comtec Information Systems, Inc. Portable interactive miniature printer
EP0872792A3 (fr) * 1997-04-17 2000-04-26 Adobe Systems, Inc. Communication de réseau avec un système d'impression
JPH10301874A (ja) * 1997-04-22 1998-11-13 Internatl Business Mach Corp <Ibm> 遠隔操作方法、ネットワークを介して端末から遠隔操作されるサーバ及びhtmlファイルを格納する記憶媒体
JP3862372B2 (ja) * 1997-08-29 2006-12-27 キヤノン株式会社 ディジタル複合装置及びその制御方法
JP3077640B2 (ja) * 1997-09-05 2000-08-14 日本電気株式会社 ファクシミリ装置
JPH11190920A (ja) * 1997-12-25 1999-07-13 Sharp Corp 画像形成装置
JP2000097754A (ja) * 1998-09-28 2000-04-07 Toshiba Tec Corp ラベルプリンタ付き電子料金秤

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016133520A1 (fr) * 2015-02-19 2016-08-25 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L. P. Configuration de dispositif à basse puissance

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU6787000A (en) 2001-03-19
JP2003507228A (ja) 2003-02-25
ATE355174T1 (de) 2006-03-15
DE60033672T2 (de) 2007-11-08
EP1212194A4 (fr) 2002-11-13
JP2012091519A (ja) 2012-05-17
HK1043089A1 (zh) 2002-09-06
DE60033672D1 (de) 2007-04-12
JP2011141891A (ja) 2011-07-21
CA2382198A1 (fr) 2001-03-01
WO2001014146A1 (fr) 2001-03-01
JP2013030198A (ja) 2013-02-07
EP1212194A1 (fr) 2002-06-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7126716B1 (en) Printer for printing labels, tags or the like
JP2013030198A (ja) ラベルフォーマットを改変するための方法
EP0930757B1 (fr) Transmission de données avec prévisualisation des données
US10180870B2 (en) Information transmission system
US5121113A (en) Printer status and control panel
CN100418050C (zh) 按附加打印输出的请求调整复制份数的网络打印机及系统
US5823689A (en) Computer system with bi-directional communication and method
US20040143651A1 (en) System and method for distributing configuration changes made to a printing device
CN110603789B (zh) 打印机、能够由计算机读取的存储介质以及通信系统
EP1150185B1 (fr) Dispositif de traitement de biens et systeme de gestion
US6903831B1 (en) Operating system for a printing machine, and method of updating the operating system
US6985241B1 (en) Image forming device, an image forming system, and a method of facilitating ordering of an imaging consumable
US6948866B2 (en) Printing device
JP2006331436A (ja) 端末情報通知システム、端末情報通知方法及びネットワーク端末装置
US9367777B2 (en) Communication system, terminal device, and peripheral device for setting a value of the peripheral device from the terminal device
US20050018233A1 (en) Methods and systems for providing web content to a printing device
MXPA02001768A (en) Printer for printing labels, tags or the like
JP2003241932A (ja) プリンタおよびプリンタシステム
EP4221174A1 (fr) Interface utilisateur pour un système d&#39;impression
JP2004272468A (ja) Webブラウザによるラベル印刷システム及びWebサーバ
US7224479B2 (en) Image forming apparatus in use with a network
JP2004213578A (ja) 電子機器の制御方法
JP2004157867A (ja) 印刷データ管理装置,印刷データ管理プログラム
KR20000060131A (ko) 네트워크 프린터를 원격으로 제어하는 시스템
JP2005084854A (ja) 商品受発注システム、サーバコンピュータ及び商品発送状況報知方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20020225

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20021002

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A4

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Free format text: 7B 41J 2/00 A, 7G 06F 3/12 B, 7B 41J 3/407 B

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20031211

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070228

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070228

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070228

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070228

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070228

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070228

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070228

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60033672

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20070412

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070608

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070730

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

EN Fr: translation not filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20071129

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070831

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070529

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20071019

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070820

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070228

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: HK

Ref legal event code: WD

Ref document number: 1043089

Country of ref document: HK

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070818

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20190404 AND 20190410

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 60033672

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: HASELTINE LAKE KEMPNER LLP, DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R081

Ref document number: 60033672

Country of ref document: DE

Owner name: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, LINCOLNSHIRE, US

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: ZIH CORP., WILMINGTON, DEL., US

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20190722

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20190722

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R071

Ref document number: 60033672

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20200817

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20200817