US3848257A

US3848257A - Device for printing coded labels and the like

Info

Publication number: US3848257A
Application number: US00418722A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Moss
Original assignee: Bendix Corp
Current assignee: Bendix Corp
Priority date: 1973-11-23
Filing date: 1973-11-23
Publication date: 1974-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-12
Also published as: CA1007109A; JPS5329536B2; ES432184A1; FR2252218A1; JPS5085238A; FR2252218B1; AU475873B2; DE2448291A1; GB1453530A; AU7452374A; DE2448291B2; BE822463A

Abstract

A device for printing coded labels that comprises a motor rotated printer. The printer has a series of printing elements in the form of electromagnets that are adjusted to operate at its resonant frequency and that are arranged in sets or banks on opposite sides of the rotational axis and in a row that extends through the rotational axis. Upon command that selected information be printed in code form, the reversible motor is started to rotate in one of its opposite directions and then a print cycle is initiated during which one set of the printing elements is continuously enabled whereas the other set is enabled in accordance with the information to be coded. The printer thereby develops during 180* of its rotation on half of a series of rings that are all of the same width and during the subsequent 180* of its rotation the remainder of the rings with widths determined by the coded information. Thus, logic ONES and logic ZEROS are developed which are also referred to as digital pairs. When a subsequent label is printed with the same or different coded information, rotation of the printer by the motor is in the opposite direction. Thus, the direction of rotation is changed after each label is printed. A sensor is drive connected to the printer so as to determine the print cycle and direction of rotation of the motor.

Description

United States Patent Moss Nov. 12, 1974 DEVICE FOR PRINTING CODED LABELS AND THE LIKE James R. Moss, Mt. Clemens, Mich.

The Bendix Corporation, Southfield, Mich.

Filed: Nov. 23, 1973 Appl. No.: 418,722

Inventor:

Assignee:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1973 Fulton 346/49 Primary Examiner-Morris Kaplan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-H. L. Fisher; Lester L. Hallacher [57] ABSTRACT A device for printing coded labels that comprises a motor rotated printer. The printer has a series of printing elements in the form of electromagnets that are adjusted to operate at its resonant frequency and that are arranged in sets or banks on opposite sides of the rotational axis and in a row that extends through the rotational axis. Upon command that selected information be printed in code form, the reversible motor is started to rotate in one of its opposite directions and then a print cycle is initiated during which one set of the printing elements is continuously enabled whereas the other set is enabled in accordance with the information to be coded. The printer thereby develops during 180 of its rotation on half of a series of rings that are all of the same width and during the subsequent 180 of its rotation the remainder of the rings with widths determined by the coded information. Thus, logic ONES and logic ZEROS are developed which are also referred to as digital pairs, When a subsequent label is printed with the same or different coded information, rotation of the printer by the motor is in the opposite direction. Thus, the direction of rotation is changed after each label is printed. A sensor is drive connected to the printer so as to determine the print cycle and direction of rotation of the motor.

17 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I 2a i r 9 j COMMAND l l I RoTATE 1L MPXR FF 4 UV l 1 l l 90 COUNTER l Z6 I 0; a?) I I 31% F J MV P INT l LO l 20 MOTOR r FF l l L I l DIRECTION l I 56 J l l l 6 PRINT CON 1 I a DRIVER l DEVICE FOR PRINTING CODED LABELS AND THE LIKE This invention relates to improvements in devices for printing labels and the like and particularly adapted although not exclusively for printing labels with coded information for automatic reading systems.

Devices for printing labels with coded information where the information on each of the labels is the same are well known. Usually, these devices use rotating elements which facilitate both the printing and the compactness of the printing device. If the information on the labels is changed, then there is the time consuming operation of resetting the device for providing the new coded information. Also, it is essential when providing coded information on labels that the labels can be easily read without concern for accuracy or mistakes which would render the reading system unreliable.

With the foregoing in mind a new and different print-' ing device is contemplated that can print coded labels in succession each with different coded information and such coded information can be provided by any conventional command module.

Further contemplated is a label printing device that utilizes rotational movement for printing the labels and has novel provision for avoiding the use of slip rings or the like for energizing electrically the devices printing elements.

Also contemplated is a new and different label printing device that provides a simple sensor for controlling and initiating opposite rotation of the printing device and also controlling theprinting cycle so that the same or different coded information is printed on successive labels with rotation being reversed each time a new label is printed.

Another objective is to provide a label printing device that utilizes a printer that is rotated in one direction while printing selected coded information on a label and then can be rotated in the opposite direction while printing different coded information on a subsequent label, thereby provide instantaneous and successive labels each with different coded information. A further objective is to provide a printing device that has a printer that oscillates during successive printing cycles and different coded information is then printed on successive labels that employ a series of electrically energized printing elements arranged in sets on opposite sides of the rotational axis of the printer and in a row that extends through the axis of rotation and that during rotation through 360 can provide a printed label with accurate coded information that is easily read and that is subsequently reversed in rotation in the opposite direction to print the next label with a different or the same coded information and that employ a simple position sensor for controlling the reversible motor for obtaining the reversing of the rotation also controls the printing cycle with relatively simple logic circuitry.

Another objection is the unique provision whereby each of the novel printers electrically energized printing devices operates at its own resonant frequency so as to minimize the power consumed.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1, is a schematic diagram of a printing device incorporating the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2, is an elevational view, which is partially schematic, of the sensor employed by the FIG. 1 device;

FIG. 3, is a sectional view taken in the direction of arrows 3-3 in FIG. 1 of the printer and one of the series of printing elements; and

FIG. 4, is a view of a label that can be printed by the FIG. 1 device.

Referring first to FIG. 1, the numeral 20 denotes a command module that may be some form of teletype or typewriter that supplies after typing the selected number binary bits utilizing an appropriate BCD to binary converter and also provides clock pulses for the device. Ultimately, the information from the command module is printed in coded form by a printer, shown generally at 22, which is controlled by a printer control 24. A reversible motor 26, preferably a stepping motor or the equivalent, rotates the printer 22 and is operated by a motor control 28. A sensor 30, as will be explained, combines with the motor control 28 and the printer control 24 to initiate rotation and the direction of rotation of the reversible motor 26 and to initiate the print cycle and for the printer 22 so that labels 32 are each printed with encoded information 34 in the form of circular rings. These labels 32 are on a continuous roll of sticky paper 36 that is driven past the printer 22 in coordination of the printing thereof by any suitable drive means (not shown); that is, the drive of the sticky paper 36 with the labels 32 coordination with the printing which can be controlled by the command module after which the labels 32 with the printed and coded information 34 are removed by a suitable type knife like device (not shown). Carbon paper can be included between the labels 32 and the printer 22. Appropriate provision can be made for marking ink to be supplied to the printer 22.

Considering first the printer 22 as shown in FIG. I, the printer 22 includes an elongated printer head 38 that forms a housing for a series of printing elements, such as electromagnets 40, that are arranged in a row extending through the axis of the printer head 38. On one side of the printer head 38, the electromagnets 40 form a set or bank having odd numbers 1 through 15 as depicted. On the opposite side a set or bank of electromagnets 40 assigned even numbers 2 through 16 are provided. These banks of odd number electromagnets 40 are staggered relative to the position of the bank of even number electromagnets 40 as will be explained.

Next referring to FIG. 3, the details of the electromagnets 40 are shown. Each electromagnet 40 is the same and that depicted is typical and comprises two

coils

42 and 44 wound respectively on cores 46 and 48 which are in side by side relation. These cores 46 and 48 are suitably attached to a laminated base 50. Each

coil

42 and 44 is wound on plastic inserts 52 and 54 respectively which are over or fit on the corresponding cores 46 and48. The

coils

42 and 44 are joined in parallel relationship so as to be connected to output conductors 56 and 58 respectively which in turn are coupled to the printer control 24. A movable head 60 is positioned above the cores 46 and 48 to form therewith respectively gaps 62 and 64. The cores 46 and 48, laminated base 50 and the movable head 60 provide a flux path and are made of a relatively good flux conducting magnetic material; for example, steel or the equivalent. The head 60 is secured to a pivot post 66, carried by the laminated base 50, by a flexible strip 68. This flexible strip 68 is suitably insulated from post 66 and at its opposite end is joined to a marker or an elongated pin 70 by a nut 72. The elongated pin 70 extends downwardly substantially midway between the cores 46 and 48 through the laminated base 50 and terminates in a marking point 74. This marking point 74 is biased to the illustrated no print position by another flexible strip 76. This strip 76 is also attached to the post 66. When the electromagnet 40 is installed in the printer head 38 and held in place by screws or the like, an adjusting set screw 78 can be installed so as to engage the nut 72 and change the spacing of the gaps 46 and 48. In this manner each of the gaps for the electromagnets 40 can be individually adjusted to that each operates at its resonant frequency; i.e., the mechanical frequency of each electromagnet 40 is made equal or substantially equal to the energizing frequency for the

coils

42 and 44. Thus, a minimum amount of energy is required to energize each electromagnet 40 inoperative when energized, the resultant magnetic flux will move the movable head 60 downwardly as viewed in FIG. 3 to close or reduce the gaps 62 and 64. Correspondingly, the marking point 74 is moved to its marked position with a minimum amount of energy.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the printer control 24 controls the energization of the electromagnets 40 and correspondingly the actuation of the marking points 74 to trol and driver logic circuitry 86 the start of the print cycle by the printer 22 so as to print the encoded information received from the command module 20 by way of the multi-plexer 80. This will be explained more in detail.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, the motor 26 as mentioned, is reversible and is of any suitable type of stepping motor. The motor control 28 functions to initiate the operation of the motor 26 in accordance with a clock pulse received from the command module 20 and rotates in a direction that is clockwise or counterclockwise in accordance with the logic received from the sensor 30. The clock pulse from the command module 20 for initiating operation of the motor 26 is supplied to a rotate flip-flop 88. This clock pulse resets the rotate-flip-flop so that a rotate or motor start pulse is supplied to an appropriate motor control and driver logic circuitry 90 and starts the motor 26 to initiate rotation. This same clock pulse is supplied to a direction flip-flop 92 along with the logic information from the sensor 30. The combination of the two cause the direction flipflop 92 to remember-whether the motor 26 during a previous print cycle was rotated clockwise or counterclockwise. If clockwise, then the motor 26 is activated by the direction flip-flop 92 so as to during the next printing cycle to rotate in the opposite or counterclockwise direction. Hence, when each successive label 32 is printed, themotor 26 in this way is caused to reverse rotation and thus, avoid the need for. slip-rings or the like for all of the conductors 56 and 58 that are connected to the print control and driver logic circuitry 86. This is because the various conductors are wound during, for example, clockwise rotation during one print cycle and unwound during counterclockwise during the next print cycle. To stop the motor after a print cycle, the sensor logic provided by the sensor 30 is supplied to a counter 94 that after three counts, in this embodiment, enables a multi vibrator 96 which pulses the rotate flip-flop so as to reset it and develop an output stop rotation signal that is supplied to the motor control and driver logic circuitry and then to the motor 26 after rotation, for example, through 380.

Considering next FIG. 2 and the details of the sensor 30. As depicted, there is a feed back disk 98 driven by the motor 26 so that its position corresponds to that of the printer head 38. Fixed relative to the revolvable feedback disk 98 is an optoelectronic element 100, which can be a type TIL 138 source and sensor assembly made by Texas Instruments, Incorporated. This optoelectronic element can comprise a pair of light emitting diodes (not shown) that cooperate with a pair of phototransisters (not shown) or the equivalent arranged opposite each other with the periphery of the feedback disk 98 in between. This pair of light emitting diodes and phototransisters and their output are hereinafter identified as a print control channel 102 and a motor control channel 104. The periperiphery of the feedback disk 98 in the path of the motor control channel 104 has an arcuate slot 106 and a notch 108 which provide the three counts during a cycle of rotation. The motor control channel 104 will have a logic ONE level output starting at the notch 108 when proceeding clockwise, logic ZERO level output at the step 110, a logic ONE level at the arcuate slot 106 and then a logic ZERO level until again the notch 108 is encountered. There is developed three counts from these changes in the logic level duringthis cycle of rotation. The print control channel 102, if clockwise rotation is again assumed, starting at the notch 108, still has a logic ONE level, then at step 110 a logic ZERO level, and when a step 112 is encountered it will have again a logic ONE level until after 380 or at the position shown at the arcuate slot 106, it will have a logic ZERO level again because of the step 11p, and this will end the clockwise rotation. The opposite is true with both

channels

102 and 104 if the disk 98 is revolved in the counterclockwise rotation.

Finally, referring to FIG. 4 and the details of one of the labels 32. The encoded information 34 is in the form of a series of

concentric rings

114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 all developed about a center 130. These rings have an upper half 132 and a lower half 134. The printer head 38 is shown superimposed on the label 32 with each of its electromagnets 40 of the odd and even numbers arranged in a row that extends through the center 30 and divides or separates the upper half 132 from the lower half 132 at approximately the point. The label 32 and the information on how it is arranged is described in the patent application Ser. No. 273,083 to Johnson et al., entitled Symmetrically Encoded Label For Automatic Label Reading Systems and filed July 19, 1972. For purposes of demonstratiomthe lower half 134 as will be noted, has rings 114 through 128 all of the same thickness because the even numbered electromagnets 40 are continuously printing. The upper half 132 shows the ring 128 and the ring 116 of double width because these advise the scanner, which may be a laser scanner or any other suitable type that decodes the information from the label 32,

where and that it is scanning in the uper half 132. The ring 134 indicates when the coded information is first encountered. Of course, if the upper half wide rings 116 and 128 are not encountered, then it is known that it is scanning the lower half 134. Scanning the lower half 134 and moving towards the center 130 the wide upper half of the ring 128 informs the scanner when the encoded information is encountered, whereas the wide upper half 132 of the ring 116 indicates when the scanned information is completed and finally when the ring 114 is encountered it knows that the scan terminated.

If any one of the upper halves of the rings 118 through 126 is wide because one of the corresponding odd number electromagnets 40 is printing along with its adjacent even number electromagnets 40, a logic ONE will be provided. These two marks switched can also be called a digital pair. If onlythe even number electromagnet 40 is printing, then there is a thin ring in the upper half as illustrated comprising a light area and a dark area. This represents a logic ZERO because the odd number electromagnet 40 is not printing.

In operation the command module 20 is activated to provide information in hit form to the multi-plexer 80 which information is then provided to the print control driver and logic circuitry 86. At the same time, a clock pulse is provided to the rotate flip-flop 88 which resets it and provides the motor control and driver logic circuitry 90 with a rotate signal so that the motor 26 starts to rotate. The same clock pulse is provided to the direction flip-flop 92 which, as mentioned, remembers what state channel 102 was in. For example, if the channel 102, after complete cycle of counterclockwise rotation, there will be a logic ONE level provided by channel 102 to the direction flip-flop 92. When the clock pulse is supplied, it will copy this logic ONE level and in effect set the direction flip-flop for clockwise rotation. Of course, the opposite occurs if a complete cycle is completed in the clockwise direction, because the channel 102 will have a logic ZERO level and the clock pulse will copy this ZERO logic level and in effect reset the direction flip-flop 92 for counter clockwise rotation.

Assuming rotation is clockwise, the motor 26 will start rotation in the clockwise direction and in this embodiment for purposes of demonstration and with reference to FIG. 2, the feedback disk 98 will be moved until the optoelectronic element 100 encounters the step 110 on the beedback disk 98, which can be after any selected amount of rotation; e.g., There will now be a change in the logic level of channel 102 from a logic ONE to a logic ZERO. This change is used to enable the print control multivibrator 82 and accordingly the print flip-flop 84 is set for printing and this signal is provided to the print control and driver logic circuitry 86. This same transition in channel 102 is supplied both to the multi-plexer 80 and the print control and driver logic circuitry 86 so as to establish which half of the label 32 is to be printed. Since channel 102 is at the logic ZERO level bits 6-10 are selected and the upper half 132 of the label 32 is printed first. The supply of this transition from the logic ONE to the logic ZERO level signal in channel 102 to the print control and driver logic circuitry 86 initiates the code printing. That is, initiates the energization of the proper electromagnets 40. After approximately 180 of travel, the channel 102 will change from a logic ZERO level to a logic ONE level at step 112 and bits l-5 will be printed or the lower half 134 of the label 32 will be printed. It should be kept in mind that the even numbered electromagnets 40 are continuously energized throughout 360 of rotation and the adjacent one of the odd numbered electromagnets 40 is energized or deenergized to either provide respectively a logic ONE or logic ZERO so as to provide the mentioned digital pair of coded information. Thus, the change of the logic level at the step 112 sets the multi-plexer so as to select the lower half 134 of the encoded information and provides a corresponding logic level signal to the print control and driver logic circuitry 86 so as to print the lower half 134 of the encoded information. Rotation continues for another 180 until the step 110 is again encountered when the logic level of channel 102 changes from a logic ONE to a logic ZERO. This change in level enables the multi vibrator 82, which in turn, resets the print flip-flop 84 so as to stop the print cycle. Rotation however, continues until the arculate slot 106 in the feedback disk 98 is encountered which constitutes the third logic level change in the channel 104 or third count sensed by the counter 94 in the motor control 28. This results in the enabling pulse being supplied to the multi-vibrator 96 which then resets the rotate flip-flop 88 to stop rotation. The resultant stop signal to the motor control and driver logic circuitry 90 occurs approximately 10 after the print cycle has been completed. When subsequently the command module 20 is activated and the clock pulse is again provided, the same sequence of events occurs. However, now the direction flip-flop 92 in response to the ZERO logic level at the completion of clockwise cycle will copy the .ZERO level and reset the direction flip-flop 92 so that the motor 26 is rotated counterclockwise. The rotation will have been initiated by the rotate flip-flop 88, and the cycle of events thereafter is the same except that opposite logic level changes occur.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that on the spot changes can be made in encoded information supplied to each label and that the reversing of the rotation merely winds and unwinds the wiring to the printer head electromagnets 40. Hence, complicated slip ring structures are not required.

The invention to be limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for printing labels, each with selected coding comprising command means supplying command signals with the select coding, printing means revolvably.positioned opposite the labels and operable in response to the print command signals to print a label with the selected coding during a print cycle thereof, reversible motor means arranged to rotate the printing means in opposite directions during each successive print cycle, sensing means responsive to the position of the printing means and operative to develop motor control signals and print cycle signals, the motor means being operable in response to the command signals to start rotating the printing means and in response to the control print cycle signals to rotate the printing means in one of the opposite directions for a predetermined angular amount, the printing means being operable in response to the print cycle signal to print the selected coding for a certain portion of the rotation thereof by the motor means.

2. A device for printing labels as described in claim 1, wherein the printing means includes a series of printing elements operable when enabled to mark the label and means enabling certain ones of the printing elements in response to the command signals so as to provide a mark of the selected coding on the label during the print cycle.

3. A device for printing labels as described in claim 2, wherein the printing elements are arranged in a row extending through the axis of rotation of the printing means and on opposite sides thereof.

4. A device for printing labels as described in claim 3, wherein the printing elements in the row on one side of the printing means axis of rotation are continuously enabled during the print cycle.

5. A device for printing labels as described in claim 2, wherein the printing elements are enabled so as to print according to the selected coding, a plurality of digital pairs defining either a logic ZERO or a logic ONE.

6. A device for printing labels as described in claim 4, wherein the printing elements in the row on the opposite side of the printing means from the continuously enabled printing elements are enabled so as to combine with the continuously enabled printing elements to print according to the selected coding a plurality of digital pairs defining either a logic ZERO or a logic ONE.

7. A device for marking labels as described in claim 2, wherein the printingelements include electromagnets and a marker arranged to be driven by the associated electromagnet and wherein the enabling means is a power source of a certain frequency and the printing means further includes'means adjusting the extent of movement of the marker by the electromagnets so that the electric frequency and the mechanical frequency are equal and the printing element operates at the resonant frequency thereof thereby consuming a minimum of power.

8. A device for printing labels as described in claim 6, wherein each printing element includes an electromagnet and a marker driven by the electromagnet and wherein the enabling means is a power source having a certain frequency and the printing means further includes means adjusting the extent of movement of the marker by the electromagnets so that the printing element operates at the resonant frequency thereof so as to consume a minimum of ,power.

9. A device for marking labels as described in claim 1, wherein the motor means includes means controlling the motor means, the motor controlling means having the input thereof coupled both to the command means and the sensing means so as to be responsive to the command signals, the motor control signals and the print cycle signals and the output thereof coupled to the motor means, whereby the motor controlling means controls the starting, stopping, direction of rotation and extent of rotation during each print cycle in accordance with said signals.

10. A printing device as described in claim 9, wherein the motor controlling means, after the motor means is stopped following the completion of a print cycle and the printing of a label with the selected coding, causes the motor means to rotate in the opposite direction of rotation during the next print cycle and print a subsequent label with or without a different selected coding.

11. A device for printing labels as described in claim 10, wherein the extent of rotation during each print cycle is approximately 360.

12. A device for printing labels as described in claim 1, wherein the sensing means includes feedback means revolvable with the printing means and an electronic sensor responsive to the angular position of the feedback means so as to provide in response to the angular position thereof, both the motor control signals and the print cycle signals.

13. A device for printing labels as described in claim 12, wherein the feedback means is a disk like element drive connected to the printingmeans and having a print cycle signal developing channel and a motor control signal developing channel. V

14. A device for printing labels as described in claim 12, wherein the electronic sensor is of the optoelectronic type.

15. A device for printing labels as described in claim 2, wherein the rinting means further includes printing control means liaving the input thereof coupled to the command means and the sensing means and the output thereof coupled to the printing elements so as to enable certain of the printing elements in accordance with the selected coding when the sensing means supplies a print cycle signal thereto.

16.. A device for marking labels as described in claim 1, wherein the motor means includes means controlling the motor means, the motor controlling means having the input thereof coupled both to the command means and the sensing means so as to be responsive to the command signals, the motor control signals and the print cycle signals, and the output thereof coupled to the motor means, whereby the motor controlling means controls the starting, stopping, direction of rotation and extent of rotation during each print cycle in accordance with said signals and after the motor means is stopped following the completion of a print cycle and the printing of a label with the selected coding, causes the motor means to rotate in the opposite direction of rotation during the next print c cle and print a sugsequent label with or without a di ferent selected coding, the printing means includes a series of printing elements operable when enabled to mark the label and means enabling certain ones of the printing elements in response to the command signals so as to provide a mark of the selected coding on the label during the print cycle, the printing elements each including an electromagnet and a marker arranged to be driven by the associated electromagnet and wherein the enabling means is a power source of a certain frequency and the printing means further includes means adjusting the extent of movement of the marker by the electroma 'nets so that the electric fre uency and the mechanica freuency are equal and t e printing element operates at t e resonate frequency thereof thereby consuming a minimum of power; the sensing means includes feedback means revolvable with the printing means and an electronic sensor responsive to the angular position of the feedback means so as to provide in response to the angular position thereof, both the motor control signals and the print cycle signals.

17. A device as described in claim 16, wherein the feedback means is a disk like element drive connected to the printing means and having a print cycle signal developing channel and a motor control signal developing channe and the printing means further includes rinting control means having the input thereof coup ed to the command means and the sensing means and the putput thereof coupled to the printing elements so as to enable certain of the printing elements in accordance with the selected codin when the sensing means supplies a print cycle signal t ereto. I l

Claims

1. A device for printing labels, each with selected coding comprising command means supplying command signals with the select coding, printing means revolvably positioned opposite the labels and operable in response to the print command signals to print a label with the selected coding during a print cycle thereof, reversible motor means arranged to rotate the printing means in opposite directions during each successive print cycle, sensing means responsive to the position of the printing means and operative to develop motor control signals and print cycle signals, the motor means being operable in response to the command signals to start rotating the printing means and in response to the control print cycle signals to rotate the printing means in one of the opposite directions for a predetermined angular amount, the printing means being operable in response to the print cycle signal to print the selected coding for a certain portion of the rotation thereof by the motor means.

7. A device for marking labels as described in claim 2, wherein the printing elements include electromagnets and a marker arranged to be driven by the associated electromagnet and wherein the enabling means is a power source of a certain frequency and the printing means further includes means adjusting the extent of movement of the marker by the electromagnets so that the electric frequency and the mechanical frequency are equal and the printing element operates at the resonant frequency thereof thereby consuming a minimum of power.

8. A device for printing labels as described in claim 6, wherein each printing element includes an electromagnet and a marker driven by the electromagnet and wherein the enabling means is a power source having a certain frequency and the printing means further includes means adjusting the extent of movement of the marker by the electromagnets so that the printing element operates at the resonant frequency thereof so as to consume a minimum of power.

11. A device for printing labels as described in claim 10, wherein the extent of rotation during each print cycle is approximately 360*.

13. A device for printing labels as described in claim 12, wherein the feedback means is a disk like element drive connected to the printing means and having a print cycle signal developing channel and a motor control signal developing channel.

15. A device for printing labels as described in claim 2, wherein the printing means further includes printing control means having the input thereof coupled to the command means and the sensing means and the output thereof coupled to the printing elements so as to enable certain of the printing elements in accordance with the selected coding when the sensing means supplies a print cycle signal thereto.

16. A device for marking labels as described in claim 1, wherein the motor means includes means controlling the motor means, the motor controlling means having the input thereof coupled both to the command means and the sensing means so as to be responsive to the command signals, the motor control signals and the print cycle signals, and the output thereof coupled to the motor means, whereby the motor controlling means controls the starting, stopping, direction of rotation and extent of rotation during each print cycle in accordance with said signals and after the motor means is stopped following the completion of a print cycle and the printing of a label with the selected coding, causes the motor means to rotate in the opposite direction of rotation during the next print cycle and print a sugsequent label with or without a different selected coding, the printing means includes a series of printing elements operable when enabled to mark the label and means enabling certain ones of the printing elements in response to the command signals so as to provide a mark of the selected coding on the label during the print cycle, the printing elements each including an electromagnet and a marker arranged to be driven by the associated electromagnet and wherein the enabling means is a power source of a certain frequency and the printing means further includes means adjusting the extent of movement of the marker by the electromagnets so that the electric frequency and the mechanical frequency are equal and the printing element operates at the resonate frequency thereof thereby consuming a minimum of power; the sensing means includes feedback means revolvable with the printing means and an electronic sensor responsive to the angular position of the feedback means so as to provide in response to the angular position thereof, both the motor control signals and the print cycle signals.

17. A device as described in claim 16, wherein the feedback means is a disk like element drive connected to the printing means and having a print cycle signal developing channel and a motor control signal developing channel, and the printing means further includes printing control means having the input thereof coupled to the command means and the sensing means and the putput thereof coupled to the printing elements so as to enable certain of the printing elements in accordance with the selected coding when the sensing means supplies a print cycle signal thereto.