111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007140791B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Van Bever
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,140,791 B2
`Nov. 28, 2006
`
`(54) VERTICAL AUTOSIZING PRINTING
`SYSTEM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Mario Van Bever, Evergem (BE)
`
`(73) Assignee: DYMO, Sint-Niklaas (BE)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/975,409
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 29, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2005/0147441 Al
`
`Jul. 7, 2005
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Oct. 29, 2003
`
`(GB)
`
`............................... 90325264.0
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`B41J 21117
`(2006.01)
`B41J 11142
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................................... 400/70; 400/582
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ 400/582,
`400/70, 61, 615.2, 208, 613, 76; 345/648
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,815,871 A *
`4,927,278 A *
`4,966,476 A *
`5,230,572 A *
`5,344,247 A *
`5,456,545 A *
`
`3/1989 McGourty eta!. ..... 400/120.16
`5/1990 Kuzuya et al .............. 400/208
`10/1990 Kuzuya et al .............. 400/208
`7 I 1993 Hirono et a!.
`.. ... ... ... ... ... 400/3
`9/1994 Sakuragi eta!. ............ 400/582
`10/1995 Sims eta!. ................. 400/708
`
`5,520,469 A *
`5,540,510 A *
`5,551,785 A *
`5,649,775 A *
`5,761,338 A *
`5,987,270 A *
`6,302,603 B1 *
`6,532,078 B1 *
`6,829,058 B1 *
`6,909,525 B1 *
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5/1996 Owa ........................... 400/76
`7/1996 Sims et al .................. 400/208
`9/1996 Mori et al.
`. .................. 400/76
`7/1997 Sakuragi eta!. ......... 400/615.2
`6/1998 Kasamatsu .................. 382/176
`11/1999 Hulan et a!. .................. 399/45
`10/2001 Akaiwa et al .............. 400/613
`3/2003 Hayama .................... 358/1.15
`12/2004 Kumada .................... 358/1.15
`6/2005 Sato ........................... 358/449
`
`2/1993
`7/1996
`7/1998
`10/2000
`8/1999
`
`EP
`0557137
`EP
`0819542
`EP
`0855282
`EP
`1040928
`wo
`99/38692
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner-Andrew H. Hirshfeld
`Assistant Examiner-Wasseem H. Hamdan
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Marshall, Gerstein & Borun
`LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method for printing an image on an elongate image
`receiving medium includes the steps of: inputting data
`defining the image to be printed; selecting a vertical printing
`mode in which the image is to be printed across the width of
`the elongate image receiving medium; initiating a print
`operation for printing the image; generating print data, after
`vertical printing mode has been selected and the print
`operation has been initiated in accordance with a print data
`generation method which ensures that the image fits in the
`width of the elongate receiving medium; and printing the
`image using the print data.
`
`14 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`109
`
`Display
`
`9
`
`P.H.
`
`67
`
`D.C.
`Motor
`
`..---------+~•1 Cutter ~69
`
`192
`
`1
`
`1)4
`
`ILr~~~L~~~-
`
`Keyboard
`
`-108
`
`101~~..-! ------~~100
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1001
`Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 7,140,791 B2
`
`,--------:;;:=o:- -
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`FIG. 1
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1001
`Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 28,2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 7,140,791 B2
`
`r r
`
`I I
`I
`
`65'N
`I
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`631
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`661
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`621
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`101
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`80
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`FIG. 2
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`Esselte Exhibit 1001
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 7,140,791 B2
`
`109
`
`Display
`
`9
`
`P.H.
`
`67
`
`D.C.
`Motor
`
`1
`
`1>4
`
`I LF~~~L~~~,1
`
`1~2
`
`,------+~•1 Cutter ~59
`
`Keyboard
`
`,108
`
`FIG. 3
`
`15
`
`17
`)
`
`FK
`
`120
`
`122
`/
`
`8 B ~~,____ -1-09-~
`
`oooodc
`D
`D
`D
`
`CK
`
`111
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1001
`Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 2006
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 7,140,791 B2
`
`No. of
`Characters
`
`Font
`size
`
`t'---220
`
`1
`2
`3
`
`I
`f
`230--------j
`I
`r
`I
`I
`I
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`I
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`
`Font
`size
`
`L
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`M
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`
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`M
`s
`
`xs
`
`L
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`I
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`r
`
`FIG. Sa
`
`FIG. 5b
`
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`l
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`
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`r
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`
`Tape
`VVidth
`
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`No. of
`characters
`
`1
`2
`.
`.
`
`.
`
`N
`1
`2
`.
`.
`.
`
`M
`1
`2
`.
`
`X
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1001
`Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.28,2006
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 7,140,791 B2
`
`S1-......
`
`User selects
`print key
`
`l
`
`data is applied to
`character string
`
`I I .,
`s2~1 Smallest font
`l
`
`I
`
`I
`
`S3----
`
`Length of
`character string
`determined
`
`I l
`
`S4
`
`Is
`character
`strino less than
`,_
`%of width
`of tape?
`
`I
`I
`j
`
`1
`Next font size
`- - up is applied to
`character string
`
`r-S5
`
`character
`N
`string less than
`or equal to max. >----------,
`length?
`
`Display
`Error
`message
`
`SB
`
`y
`
`PRINT
`
`S7
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1001
`Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 28,2006
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 7,140,791 B2
`
`A
`B
`
`c I D
`' l
`
`(a)
`
`T
`a
`p
`e
`
`p
`r
`J
`n
`t
`e
`r
`(b)
`
`ABCD
`
`Tape
`printer
`
`(c)
`
`(d)
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1001
`Page 7
`
`

`

`US 7,140,791 B2
`
`1
`VERTICAL AUTOSIZING PRINTING
`SYSTEM
`
`2
`'Printer' are included in the character string. The words in
`the character string are separated by including a blank space
`along the length of the tape.
`The present invention relates to a method of printing an
`In label (c), each character is printed adjacent to the other
`image on an image receiving medium, such as a tape, and in
`such that the image extends across the width of the tape. In
`particular to printing the image across the width of the
`this case the length of the image is restricted by the width of
`printing medium.
`the tape. Label (d) shows another example of this type of
`There have been known for many years thermal printing
`vertical printing. Here, two words have been separated by
`devices which produce labels on an elongate medium such
`printing the words beneath the other.
`It can be seen that if a user wishes to print a label with an
`as tape. Such devices operate with a supply of tape arranged 10
`to receive an image and a means for transferring an image
`image arranged vertically as shown in FIGS. 7(c) and 7(d),
`onto the tape. In one known device, a tape holding case
`it is necessary to ensure that the image may be printed within
`holds a supply of image receiving tape and a supply of image
`the width of the tape. U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,247 (Brother
`Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha) describes a printer capable of
`transfer ribbon, the image receiving tape and the image
`transfer ribbon being passed in overlap through a print zone 15 printing an image onto a tape along the longitudinal direc(cid:173)
`tion of the tape. The printer is also capable of rotating the
`of the printing device. At the print zone, a thermal print head
`image such that the image is printed in a rotated fashion with
`cooperates with a platen to transfer an image from the
`respect to the longitudinal direction of the tape. After the
`transfer ribbon to the tape. A printing device operating with
`image has been rotated, an iterative process incrementally
`a tape holding case of this type is described for example in
`20 reduces the length of the rotated image comparing the length
`EP-A-0267890 (Varitronics Inc.). In this printing device, the
`image receiving tape comprises an upper layer for receiving
`of the image and the width of the tape after each iteration,
`an image which is secured to a releasable backing layer of
`until it is eventually determined that the image is a size that
`adhesive.
`can be printed on the tape.
`In another device, the construction of the image receiving
`Such methods for printing an image across the width of
`25 the tape involve complex algorithms that require a large
`tape is such that the upper image receiving layer is trans(cid:173)
`parent and receives an image on one of its faces printed as
`amount of processing. This increases the memory require(cid:173)
`a mirror image so that it is viewed the correct way round
`ments for the printer and thus increases cost.
`It is therefore an aim of the invention to overcome the
`through the other face of the tape. In this case, a double sided
`adhesive layer can be secured to the upper layer, this double
`problems identified in the prior art and to provide an
`30 improved method for printing vertical images.
`sided adhesive layer having a releasable backing layer. This
`The present invention seeks to overcome these problems
`latter arrangement is described for example in EP-A-032918
`when printing within a predefined area, such as across the
`and EP-A-0322919 (Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha).
`Printing devices of this type also include display means
`width of the tape.
`and an input means such as a keyboard for selecting char(cid:173)
`According to a first aspect of the present invention there
`acters to be printed. Selected characters are displayed on the
`35 is provided a method for printing an image on an elongate
`display means and in this way a user can compose a label to
`image receiving medium comprising the steps: inputting
`be printed. When a label has been composed a print instruc(cid:173)
`data defining the image to be printed; selecting a vertical
`tion is given and the printing device proceeds to print a label.
`printing mode in which the image is to be printed across the
`Printing devices of this type also include cutting means to
`width of the elongate image receiving medium; initiating a
`cut off the printed portion of the tape to enable it to be used
`40 print operation for printing the image; generating print data,
`as a label. For use as a label, the releasable backing layer is
`after vertical printing mode has been selected and the print
`removed from the upper layer to enable the upper layer to be
`operation has been initiated in accordance with a print data
`secured to a surface by means of the adhesive layer. In this
`generation method which ensures that the image fits in the
`way, labels having a character arrangement determined by
`width of the elongate receiving medium; and printing the
`the user can be made.
`45 image using the print data.
`The image may be printed on the tape in either a hori(cid:173)
`In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the
`zontal or vertical orientation to the length of the tape. When
`print data generation method operates without iterative
`calculation of size data of at least one character defining the
`the image is printed horizontally, that is along the length of
`image to be printed.
`the tape, the user may determine the length of the image,
`practically without a limit. However, when an image is 50
`In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the
`print data generation method further comprises the steps of
`printed vertically, that is across the width of the tape, the
`comparing a calculated length of the image to a predeter(cid:173)
`length of the image is limited to the width of the tape. This
`mined range, selecting a second character size as a result of
`may present a number of problems to the user when deter(cid:173)
`mining whether an image can be printed across the width of
`the comparison and printing said image with said second
`55 character size.
`the tape and whether the printed image will be legible when
`printed. Printing text in a vertical direction is however very
`In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the
`method further comprises the steps of enlarging the image
`desirable since it is very useful for spine labels and the like.
`FIG. 7 shows four labels (a)-(d), each having text
`with a second character size if the calculated length of the
`image is less than said a predetermined length, calculating
`arranged in a vertical orientation. Each label has characters
`60 the length of the image enlarged with the second character
`arranged such that each character is orientated vertical to the
`length of the tape. In label (a), each character is printed
`size and comparing the calculated length to the first prede(cid:173)
`beneath the other, such that although the characters are
`termined length.
`printed vertically, the image is printed along the length of the
`In a further alternative embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tape. In this case, the length of the image is not limited to the
`tion the character size is determined from a look up table.
`width of the tape. Label (b) shows another example of where 65
`According to a second aspect of the present invention
`characters are printed vertically and the image is printed
`there is provided a printer arranged to print an image on an
`along the length of the tape. Here two words, 'Tape' and
`elongate image receiving medium comprising: input means
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1001
`Page 8
`
`

`

`US 7,140,791 B2
`
`3
`for inputting data defining the image to be printed; selecting
`means for selecting a vertical printing mode in which the
`image is to be printed across the width of the elongate image
`receiving medium; print operation initiating means for ini(cid:173)
`tiating a print operation for printing the image; print data
`generating means arranged to generate print data after
`vertical printing mode has been selected and the print
`operation has been initiated in accordance with a print data
`generation method which ensures that the image fits in the
`width of the elongate receiving medium; and printing means 10
`arranged to print the image using the print data.
`For a better understanding of the present invention, and to
`show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will
`now be made by way of example to the accompanying
`drawings in which:-
`FIG. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of a tape
`printing device embodying the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of a tape
`printing device in accordance with an alternative embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic sketch showing control circuitry
`for the printing device of FIG. 1 according to an embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a plan view of the top surface of the printing
`device.
`FIGS. Sa and b representations of look up tables used in
`an embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an alternative embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIGS. 7a-d show examples of vertical printing.
`FIG. 1 shows in plan view a tape printing device 61
`embodying the present invention which has a cassette 60
`arranged therein. Typically this tape printing device 61 is a
`hand-held or small desktop device. The cassette 60 is located
`in a cassette bay 62 and contains a supply spool 64 of image
`receiving tape 63. The cassette bay 62 also accommodates a
`thermal print head 9 and a platen 10 which cooperate to
`define a print zone 65. The cassette 60 also has an ink ribbon
`supply spool 48 and an ink ribbon take up spool 50. An ink
`ribbon 12 is guided from the ink ribbon supply spool 48
`through the print zone 65 and taken up on the ink ribbon take
`up spool 50. The image receiving tape 63 passes in overlap
`with the ink ribbon 12 through the print zone 65 with its
`image receiving layer in contact with the ink ribbon12. The
`print head 9 is movable so that it can be brought into contact 45
`with the platen 10 for printing and moved away from the
`platen 10 to enable the cassette 60 to be removed and
`replaced. In the operative position, the platen 10 is rotated to
`cause the image receiving tape 63 to be driven past the print
`head 9 and the print head is controlled to print an image on 50
`the image receiving tape 63 by thermal transfer of ink from
`the ink ribbon 12. The printhead 9 comprises a thermal print
`head having an array of printing elements connected in
`parallel, each of which can be thermally activated in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the desired image to be printed. The image 55
`receiving tape 63 is guided by a guide mechanism (which is
`not shown) through the cassette 60 to an outlet 66 of the tape
`printing device 61.
`The platen 10 is driven by a DC motor 67 (see FIG. 3) so
`that it rotates to drive the image receiving tape 63 through 60
`the print zone 65 of the tape printing device 61 during
`printing. In this way, an image is printed on the tape and fed
`out from the print zone 65 to the outlet 66.
`The image is printed by the print head 9 on the image
`receiving tape 63 on a colunm by colunm basis with the 65
`colunms being adjacent one another in the direction of
`movement of the tape 63. Pixels are selectively activated in
`
`4
`each colunm to construct an image in a manner well known
`in the art. The DC motor 67 is provided with a shaft encoder
`for monitoring the speed of rotation of the motor. Sequential
`printing of the colunms of pixels by the printhead 9 is
`controlled in dependence on the monitored speed of rotation
`of the motor 67. The control of the speed of the motor 67 is
`achieved by the microprocessor chip 100 (see FIG. 4) to
`generate data strobe signals each of which causes a colunm
`of pixel data to be printed by the print head 9.
`The tape printing device 61 may include at cutting loca(cid:173)
`tion 68 a cutting mechanism 69 which carries a blade 70.
`The blade 70 cuts the image receiving tape 63 then enters a
`slot 71 located in the cassette 60.
`FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the present
`15 invention. FIG. 2 shows a printer having two cassettes
`arranged in a cassette receiving bay 62' of a printing device.
`The upper cassette 72 contains a supply of the image
`receiving tape 63' which passes through a print zone 65' of
`the printer to an outlet 66' of the printer. The image receiving
`20 tape 63' comprises an upper layer for receiving a printed
`image on one of its surfaces and having its other surface
`coated with an adhesive layer to which is secured to a
`releasable backing layer. The cassette 72 has a recess 80 for
`accommodating a platen 10' of the printer. The platen 10' is
`25 mounted for rotation.
`The lower cassette 74 contains an ink ribbon 12 which
`extends from a supply spool 76 to a take up spool 78 within
`the cassette 74. The ink ribbon 12 extends through the print
`zone 65' in overlap with the image receiving tape 63'. The
`30 cassette 74 has a recess 71 for receiving the printhead 9' of
`the printer. The print head 9' is movable between an opera(cid:173)
`tive position, in which it bears against the platen and holds
`the ink ribbon 12' and the image receiving tape 73 in overlap
`between the print head 9 and the platen 10 and an inopera-
`35 tive position in which it is moved away from the platen to
`release the thermal transfer ribbon and the image receiving
`tape. In the operative position the platen 10 is rotated under
`the action of a DC motor 67' in a manner as described in
`relation to FIG. 1. The print head is controlled to print an
`40 image onto the image receiving tape by thermal transfer of
`ink from the ribbon.
`The ink ribbon can be omitted in certain embodiments
`where the image receiving tape is of a thermally sensitive
`material. In this case, the image is printed by the thermal
`print head directly onto the thermally sensitive image receiv(cid:173)
`ing tape.
`FIG. 4 is a view of the printer from above. The cassette
`receiving bay 62 is covered by a lid 15 hinged along the line
`17 at the rear of the printer and which can be opened from
`the front to reveal the cassette, or cassettes (depending on
`the embodiment) in the cassette receiving bay 62. The
`printer also has a keyboard 108 which has a plurality of
`character keys CK designated generally by arrow 111 and a
`plurality of function keys FK designated generally by 120.
`The basic circuitry for controlling the present invention of
`the printing device is shown in FIG. 3. There is a micro(cid:173)
`processor 100 chip having a read only memory (ROM) 102,
`a microprocessor 101 and random access memory capacity
`(RAM) 104. The microprocessor chip 100 outputs data to
`drive a display via a display driver chip 109 to display a label
`to be printed (or part thereof) and/or a message for the user.
`The display driver alternatively may form part of the micro(cid:173)
`processor chip. The microprocessor receives an input from
`keyboard 108. Additionally, the microprocessor chip 100
`also outputs data to drive the print head 9 to form a label.
`The microprocessor chip 100 also controls the DC motor 67
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1001
`Page 9
`
`

`

`US 7,140,791 B2
`
`6
`In an alternative embodiment of the invention, vertical
`print mode may be operational for different tape widths. In
`such embodiments, the maximum printable length of an
`image printed across the tape will depend on the width of the
`tape, since the length of the printed image cannot exceed the
`width of the tape.
`In further embodiments of the invention, the width of the
`tape installed in the printer may exceed the height of the
`print head. In such embodiments the maximum length of an
`10 image printed across the width of the tape will be equal to
`the height of the print head. For example, if the print head
`height is 13.5 mm the maximum length of an image printed
`across 19 mm width tape will be 13.5 mm.
`In accordance with an embodiment of the invention when
`vertical print mode is selected, print data is not generated
`until a print operation is executed. When vertical mode is
`selected and a character string is entered, the characters are
`displayed on the display as each character is selected on the
`keyboard as, discussed above. An icon indicating that ver-
`tical mode has been activated, may also be displayed on the
`display.
`In a preferred embodiment of the present invention when
`the user selects vertical mode, the printer disables any
`facility that enables the user to manually select the size of
`the image.
`When the user has completed entering the character string
`to be printed, the user may execute a print command by
`selecting a print key.
`As previously described, font data may be stored in the
`ROM. In this embodiment bit map data is stored for small
`'S' and extra small 'XS' fonts only. In response to the
`execution of a print command the microprocessor retrieves
`character width information for the small 'S' font data from
`the ROM for each character in the character string. The
`35 length of the character string in the small font is then
`calculated and the microprocessor executes the following
`algorithm:
`
`5
`driving the platen 10. The microprocessor may also control
`the cutting mechanism 69 to allow lengths of tape to be cut
`off.
`The ROM 102 stores font data defining alphanumeric
`characters. Characters to be printed by the printhead are
`derived from the font data. Characters for display by the
`display means may also be derived from the same font data
`stored in the ROM used to derive print data, or may be
`derived from separate font data stored at a separate location
`in the ROM. Font data may be stored as compressed data e.g.
`Bezier as or bitmap information. It will be appreciated that
`different variations of the characters can be produced from
`the font data stored in the ROM by manipulation by the
`microprocessor 101 using the memory capacity of the RAM
`104. For example, characters of different sizes to be printed 15
`can be produced. In order to print a character from Bezier
`data an appropriate scaling factor may be applied to the font
`data. Alternatively, an already sized bit map version of the
`character can be used.
`Characters to be printed are entered into the printing 20
`device using the character keys designated generally
`referred to by the block 111 but in practice comprising a
`plurality of lettered and numbered keys CK. As each char(cid:173)
`acter is entered using the keyboard 108, the keyboard inputs
`information to the microprocessor 101 which drives the 25
`display 109 to display the characters as they are inputted. To
`do this, for each character which is entered, the micropro(cid:173)
`cessor calls up the stored font data for forming that character
`from the ROM 102. The font data for that character is copied
`to the RAM 104 and is manipulated by the microprocessor 30
`101 to generate pixel data representing the character. This
`pixel data is transferred to the display 108 and the character
`is displayed. The generation of print data from the stored
`font data will be described herein after.
`In an embodiment of the present invention, the printing
`device may be arranged to print on image receiving tapes of
`different widths. Therefore, the printing device may be
`provided with a sensing arrangement to determine the width
`of the tape in the cassette installed. When a cassette holding
`an image receiving tape is inserted into the printing device, 40
`the sensing arrangement (not shown) determines the width
`of the tape. The determined width is then stored in the RAM
`of the microprocessor. A suitable sensing arrangement is
`disclosed in our European Patent EP0574165, the contents
`of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
`In a further embodiment of the present invention, tape
`width is detected by the location of a tape size switch.
`Cassettes having tapes of different sizes have a recess in
`different positions. A tape size switch is located in the
`cassette bay. The user is required to adjust the switch to the
`correct location to match the recess such that the tape
`cassette can be inserted, thus indicating the width of the tape.
`An arrangement of this kind is disclosed in our European
`Patent EP0634274, the contents of which are hereby incor-
`porated by reference.
`Various functions of the printing device may be selected
`using function keys FK. Vertical printing mode may be
`selected by selecting a vertical mode function key 122.
`Vertical printing mode causes an image such as a character
`string to be printed such that the character string extends
`across the tape width, i.e., the image is printed perpendicular
`to the length of tape, with characters rotated through 90
`degrees, see FIG. 7.
`In an embodiment of the present invention, the vertical
`printing mode is only operational when a tape having a
`particular tape width is installed, e.g., the largest width.
`
`50
`
`45
`
`Start
`0 <~ (length based on S font < tapewidth I 4 )
`decision: L font
`tapewidth 14 <~ length based on S font < tapewidth I 2
`decision: M font
`tapewidth 12 <~ length based on S font < tapewidth
`decision: S font
`tapewidth <~ length based on S font
`if XS-length > tapewidth then error
`if XS-length < tapewidth then decision XS
`Stop
`
`55
`
`When executing the algorithm, the microprocessor com(cid:173)
`pares the calculated length to distinct ranges in sequence.
`Firstly the length of the character string is compared to the
`range 0-tape width/4. If the length falls within this range,
`the microprocessor determines that the character string is to
`be printed in large font 'L'. If the length does not fall within
`this range the calculated length is compared to the second
`range tape width/4-tape width/2. If the calculated length
`falls within this range, the microprocessor determines that
`60 the character string is to be printed in medium font 'M'. If
`the length does not fall within this range the calculated
`length is compared to a third range tape width/2-tape
`width. If the calculated length falls within this range, the
`microprocessor determines that the character string is to be
`65 printed in small font 'S'.
`If the calculated length does not fall within the third
`range, the microprocessor retrieves small 'XS' font data
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1001
`Page 10
`
`

`

`US 7,140,791 B2
`
`7
`from the ROM for each character in the character string. The
`length of the character string in the extra small font is then
`calculated. If the length of the character string in extra small
`font is less than the tape width the microprocessor deter(cid:173)
`mines that the character string is to be printed in extra small
`font. However if the length of the character string in extra
`small font is larger than the tape width, an error message is
`displayed.
`If it is determined that the character string should be
`printed in either large or medium font, the microprocessor 10
`then applies the appropriate decompression algorithm to the
`small font data forming each character in the character string
`retrieved from the ROM and copied to the RAM to generate
`print data representing each character. Alternatively, if it is
`determined that the character string should be printed in 15
`either small or extra small font, the font data is simply
`retrieved from the ROM and used to generate print data. This
`print data is then transferred colunm by colunm to the print
`head for printing.
`In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, 20
`when the tape width exceeds the height of the print head, the
`algorithm used to calculate the font size uses the ranges
`'0---print head height/4'; 'print head height/4-print head
`height/2'; and 'print head height/2-print head height' as the
`first second and third ranges respectively.
`In an alternative embodiment of the present invention,
`when the user selects the vertical mode, look up tables stored
`in the ROM may be used to indicate the printed size of the
`font of each character in the character string.
`A separate look up table may be stored in the ROM for 30
`each width of tape which may be used in the printing device.
`The width of the tape may be input by the user or may be
`sensed using the tape width sensing arrangement described
`earlier. The microprocessor 100 uses the input tape width
`value to determine which look up table should be referred to 35
`in the vertical mode.
`As shown in FIG. Sa, the look up table stores a list of font
`sizes, in colunm 220, that correspond to a list of the number
`of characters entered in the character string in colunm 230.
`The value of the number of characters, ranges from 1 to a 40
`maximum value N. N is a fixed value for each tape width,
`equal to the maximum number of characters that may be
`printed across the width of the tape in the smallest font.
`Since the maximum number N of characters that can be
`printed across the tape, for each tape width is fixed, it may 45
`be advantageous to alert the user may to the maximum
`number of characters that may be input on one line. This
`may occur each time the user selects the vertical mode.
`In another embodiment of the present invention a single
`look up table may be stored having a colunm that includes
`different tape widths as shown in FIG. Sb.
`As described previously, when the user selects alphanu(cid:173)
`meric keys on the keyboard 108, display data is generated in
`the RAM and displayed on the display. When the print
`command is executed by the user, for example, by selecting
`a print function key on the keyboard the microprocessor
`determines the number of characters in the character string.
`Using the number of characters in the character string, and
`the width of the tape, the microprocessor refers to the look
`up table to determine the size print font to be used. The 60
`microprocessor then applies this size to the font data form(cid:173)
`ing each character in the character string that has been
`copied to the RAM to generate print data representing each
`character. This print data is then transferred colunm by
`colunm to the print head for printing.
`In an embodiment of the invention, when the vertical
`mode is activated, the user may be prevented from entering
`
`8
`a greater number of characters than the maximum number of
`characters N that may be printed across the detected tape
`width.
`In a further embodiment of the invention, if the number of
`characters in the character string exceeds the number of
`characters N that may be printed across the detected tape
`width, an error message will be displayed to the user when
`the user executes a print operation. Alternatively, or addi-
`tionally, printing may be inhibited.
`In a further embodiment of the invention, if the number of
`characters in the character string exceeds the number of
`characters N that may be printed across the detected tape
`width, the microprocessor will generate print data for, and
`print each set of N characters of the character string on
`adjacent lines until the entire character string has been
`printed.
`An alternative embodiment of the present inve