U.S. patent application number 15/053848 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-23 for printing apparatus and controller therefor.
The applicant listed for this patent is SANFORD, L.P.. Invention is credited to David Allen, Vladimir Buzuev, Steven M. Calde, Wayne Greenwood, Chia-Kai Hsu, Nelson Hsu.
Application Number | 20160179441 15/053848 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42246013 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160179441 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Allen; David ; et
al. |
June 23, 2016 |
PRINTING APPARATUS AND CONTROLLER THEREFOR
Abstract
A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, said
computer program configured to control a controller to: output, to
a display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display, in a first area of the
display, a plurality of images including a first image, wherein the
plurality of images are representative of a plurality of respective
different types of label data field, and to display a second image
representative of the appearance of a label medium occupying a
second area of the display that is different from the first area;
and in response to receiving, from a selector, information
comprising data representative of an operation of the selector by a
user to select the first image and data representative of a
position within the second area, output, to the display driver,
data for causing the display driver to drive the display to display
a revised version of the second image representative of the
appearance of the label medium; wherein the revised version of the
second image comprises a label data field of the type of label data
field of which the first image is representative, and wherein the
label data field comprised in the revised version of the second
image is located at a location determined in dependence on said
position within the second area.
Inventors: |
Allen; David; (Albany,
CA) ; Calde; Steven M.; (Sherwood, OR) ; Hsu;
Chia-Kai; (San Jose, CA) ; Hsu; Nelson; (New
York, NY) ; Buzuev; Vladimir; (Castro Valley, CA)
; Greenwood; Wayne; (Lahonda, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SANFORD, L.P. |
Downers Grove |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
42246013 |
Appl. No.: |
15/053848 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12767499 |
Apr 26, 2010 |
9304671 |
|
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15053848 |
|
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61172590 |
Apr 24, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/1205 20130101;
G06F 3/1243 20130101; G06F 3/1256 20130101; G06F 40/103 20200101;
G06F 3/1204 20130101; G06F 3/0488 20130101; G06F 3/04847 20130101;
G06F 3/1284 20130101; G06F 40/166 20200101; G06F 3/1257 20130101;
G06F 3/1208 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/12 20060101
G06F003/12 |
Claims
1-19. (canceled)
20. A method, comprising: outputting, from a controller to a
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display, in a first area of the
display, a plurality of first images representative of the
appearance of a plurality of respective labels that have previously
been edited by a user using the printing apparatus, and to display,
in a second area of the display that is different from the first
area, a label design workspace; and in response to receiving, at
the controller from a selector, information representative of an
operation of the selector by a user to select one of the respective
labels, outputting, from the controller to the display driver, data
for causing the display driver to drive the display to display a
revised version of the label design workspace; wherein the revised
version of the label design workspace comprises a second image
representative of the appearance of the label selected.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the plurality of first
images are displayed in an order determined in dependence on the
time since each of the respective labels was last edited.
22. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein each of the first
images is representative of the appearance of a respective label
that is saved as a file in a memory location.
23. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the plurality of first
images are displayed in an order determined in dependence on the
time since each of the respective labels was saved.
24. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein each of the first
images is representative of the appearance of a respective label
for which print instructions have been generated.
25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the plurality of first
images are displayed in an order determined in dependence on the
time since print instructions were generated for each of the
respective labels.
26. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the selected first
image is representative of the appearance of a label comprising
first label data arranged according to a first template, and
wherein the second image representative of the appearance of the
label selected comprises the first label data arranged according to
the first template.
27. A method as set forth in claim 26, wherein the first label data
is arranged in one or more types of label data field.
28. A method as set forth in claim 27, wherein the one or more
types of label data field comprise one or more of: a text data
field, a barcode data field and an image data field.
29. A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein the plurality of
first images are representative of the appearance of labels with
label data arranged according to respective templates that have
previously been applied to labels edited using the printing
apparatus.
30. A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein the plurality of
first images are representative of the appearance of labels with
label data arranged according to respective templates that have
previously been applied to labels printed using a print head of the
printing apparatus.
31. A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein the plurality of
first images are representative of the appearance of labels with
label data arranged according to different templates.
32. A method as set forth in claim 20, further comprising: (a)
receiving, at the controller from a selector, information
representative of an insertion and/or edit to label data in the
second image representative of the appearance of the label
selected; and (b) outputting, from the controller to the display
driver, data for causing the display driver to drive the display to
display a second revised version of the label design workspace;
wherein the second revised version of the label design workspace
comprises a third image representative of the appearance of the
image representative of the appearance of the label having the
inserted and/or edited label data.
33. An apparatus, comprising: a controller configured: to output,
to a display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display, in a first area of the
display, a plurality of first images representative of the
appearance of a plurality of respective labels that have previously
been edited by a user using the printing apparatus, and to display,
in a second area of the display that is different from the first
area, a label design workspace; and in response to receiving, from
a selector, information representative of an operation of the
selector by a user to select one of the respective labels, to
output, to the display driver, data for causing the display driver
to drive the display to display a revised version of the label
design workspace; wherein the revised version of the label design
workspace comprises a second image representative of the appearance
of the label selected.
34. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, said
computer program configured to control a controller to carry out
the steps of claim 20.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/172,590, filed Apr. 24, 2009,
and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus and
in particular but not exclusively to a printing apparatus for
printing an image onto a label. It also relates to a controller
suitable for use in a printing apparatus, to a method of operating
such a controller, and to a computer program embodied on a computer
readable medium for controlling such a controller to implement the
method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Known tape printing apparatus are disclosed in EP-A-322918
and EP-A-322919 (Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha) and EP-A-267890
(Varitronic). The printers each include a cassette receiving bay
for receiving a cassette or tape holding case. In EP-A-267890, the
tape holding case houses an ink ribbon and a substrate tape, the
latter comprising an upper image receiving layer secured to a
backing layer by an adhesive. In EP-A-322918 and EP-A-322919, the
tape holding case houses an ink ribbon, a transparent image
receiving tape and a double sided adhesive tape which is secured at
one of its adhesive coated sides to the image tape after printing
and which has a backing layer peelable from its other adhesive
coated side. With both these apparatus, the image transfer medium
(ink ribbon) and the image receiving tape (substrate) are in the
same cassette.
[0004] It has also been proposed by the present applicants in, for
example, EP-A-578372 to house the ink ribbon and the substrate tape
in separate cassettes.
[0005] In all of these cases, the image receiving tape passes in
overlap with the ink ribbon to a print zone consisting of a fixed
print head and a platen against which the print head can be pressed
to cause an image to transfer from the ink ribbon to the image
receiving tape. There are many ways of doing this, including dry
lettering or dry film impression, but the most usual way currently
is by thermal printing where the print head is heated and the heat
causes ink from the ink ribbon to be transferred to the image
receiving tape.
[0006] In other known tape printing apparatuses, so-called direct
thermal tapes are used, in which an image is created directly onto
the direct thermal tape without the interposition of an ink ribbon
cassette. Elements of a print head are heated, and the heat causes
chemicals within the direct thermal tape to react and produce an
image in or on the tape.
[0007] The image receiving tape may be in the form of a continuous
tape. An image is printed and the tape is then cut by the label
printer to the appropriate length. It is also known that the image
receiving tape may comprise a backing layer on which there is a
plurality of discrete or die cut labels.
[0008] The printing apparatuses may be hand held or desktop
stand-alone printers. Alternatively each printing apparatus may
comprise a printer connected to a personal computer (PC), or the
like.
[0009] Known hand held or stand-alone printing apparatuses have
displays which an apparatus (such as a controller, processor, chip,
or chip set) can cause to display information to help a user create
a label for printing. Similarly, known printers for connection to a
PC receive print data defining an image to be printed onto a label
from the PC. In that case, the PC can include a display that such
an apparatus (which is usually also part of the PC) can cause to
display information to help a user create a label for printing by
way of the print head of the printer connected to the PC.
[0010] A problem associated with these known printing apparatuses
is that, although the displays can be used to add and manipulate
data fields for inclusion in a label to be printed, several steps
are required to be performed by a user before the data field is
located at a desired position relative to an image representative
of the label. Several steps are also required to alter the display
to show a particular portion of a label being created.
[0011] It is possible using these known devices to create labels of
different types, the different types of labels having different
dimensions or shapes. It is also known to arrange data on labels
according to different predetermined layouts or templates. However,
it can often be difficult for a user to easily find a desired
template to use when creating a label, and/or for a user to select
a desired label type suitable for a particular duty.
[0012] Similarly, although labels, once designed, can be saved in
memory in known printers and PCs, it can be difficult for a user to
easily find a particular saved or previously printed label e.g. to
allow them to then reprint the saved or previously printed
label.
[0013] Moreover, when ordering stock of label supplies, it is often
not easy for a user or consumer to identify and successfully order
a desired type of label supply. Although different types of labels
and label supplies can have different respective identifying codes
to distinguish them, errors of transcription can occur leading to
the user ordering the wrong labels. Furthermore, some suppliers of
labels are known to offer labels of relatively poor quality. Poor
quality labels may accept ink in an inferior way compared to better
quality labels, leading to poor print quality. They may even cause
a printer to jam or otherwise malfunction. Usually a user will not
know of the quality of a label they have ordered until they have
received and used it.
[0014] Furthermore, addresses printed onto mail or onto labels
adhered to mail often take a format which is not readily
comprehendible by the postal organisation(s) which will have to
deliver them. This can lead to delay in such mail being delivered,
and in the worse cases could lead to the mail being delivered to an
address other than that intended.
[0015] When looking for technical support or other information
relating to a printer that a user is currently using, it can be
difficult to find the printer's exact product name or reference
code which is needed to identify e.g. the page of the
manufacturer's website relevant to that printer. Furthermore, if
the user needs to write down the name or code before viewing the
website and using the information written down, errors of
transcription can also occur, leaving the user unable to find the
correct page on the website for the printer concerned.
[0016] If several printers are connected to a user's computer, when
the user wishes to print using one of the printers, it can be
difficult to identify which of several printers listed on the
screen is the desired printer.
[0017] It is an aim of some embodiments of the present invention to
address one or more of the described problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] A first aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, said
computer program configured to control a controller to: output, to
a display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display, in a first area of the
display, a plurality of images including a first image, wherein the
plurality of images are representative of a plurality of respective
different types of label data field, and to display a second image
representative of the appearance of a label medium occupying a
second area of the display that is different from the first area;
and in response to receiving, from a selector, information
comprising data representative of an operation of the selector by a
user to select the first image and data representative of a
position within the second area, output, to the display driver,
data for causing the display driver to drive the display to display
a revised version of the second image representative of the
appearance of the label medium; wherein the revised version of the
second image comprises a label data field of the type of label data
field of which the first image is representative, and wherein the
label data field comprised in the revised version of the second
image is located at a location determined in dependence on said
position within the second area.
[0019] Preferably the label data field comprised in the revised
version of the second image occupies a region that includes said
position within the second area. The label data field comprised in
the revised version of the second image may have an edge or a
corner that occupies said position within the second area.
[0020] The first image may occupy a first region within the first
area. The data representative of operation of the selector by the
user to select the first image may comprise data representative of
a first position within the first region.
[0021] Optionally the information comprises data representative of
operation of the selector by the user to perform a drag and drop
operation from said first position within the first region to said
position within the second area.
[0022] The label data field may comprise at least one of: a text
data field, a barcode data field and an image data field.
[0023] The printing apparatus may comprise a printer connected to a
computer.
[0024] A second aspect of the present disclosure may provide an
apparatus comprising: a controller configured: to output, to a
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display, in a first area of the
display, a plurality of images including a first image, wherein the
plurality of images are representative of a plurality of respective
different types of label data field, and to display a second image
representative of the appearance of a label medium occupying a
second area of the display that is different from the first area;
and in response to receiving, from a selector, information
comprising data representative of an operation of the selector by a
user to select the first image and data representative of a
position within the second area, to output, to the display driver,
data for causing the display driver to drive the display to display
a revised version of the second image representative of the
appearance of the label medium; wherein the revised version of the
second image comprises a label data field of the type of label data
field of which the first image is representative, and wherein the
label data field comprised in the revised version of the second
image is located at a location determined in dependence on said
position within the second area.
[0025] A third aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
method, comprising: outputting, from a controller to a display
driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a display of a
printing apparatus to display, in a first area of the display, a
plurality of images including a first image, wherein the plurality
of images are representative of a plurality of respective different
types of label data field, and to display a second image
representative of the appearance of a label medium occupying a
second area of the display that is different from the first area;
and in response to receiving, at the controller from a selector,
information comprising data representative of an operation of the
selector by a user to select the first image and data
representative of a position within the second area, outputting,
from the controller to the display driver, data for causing the
display driver to drive the display to display a revised version of
the second image representative of the appearance of the label
medium; wherein the revised version of the second image comprises a
label data field of the type of label data field of which the first
image is representative, and wherein the label data field comprised
in the revised version of the second image is located at a location
determined in dependence on said position within the second
area.
[0026] Preferably the label data field comprised in the revised
version of the second image occupies a region that includes said
position within the second area. The label data field comprised in
the revised version of the second image may have an edge or a
corner that occupies said position within the second area. The
first image may occupy a first region within the first area. The
data representative of operation of the selector by the user to
select the first image may comprise data representative of a first
position within the first region. Optionally the information
comprises data representative of operation of the selector by the
user to perform a drag and drop operation from said first position
within the first region to said position within the second area.
The label data field may comprise at least one of: a text data
field, a barcode data field and an image data field. The printing
apparatus may comprise a printer connected to a computer.
[0027] Another aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, said
computer program configured to control a controller to: output, to
a display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display, in a first area of the
display, a plurality of first images representative of the
appearance of a plurality of respective labels that have previously
been edited by a user using the printing apparatus, and to display,
in a second area of the display that is different from the first
area, a label design workspace; and in response to receiving, from
a selector, information representative of an operation of the
selector by a user to select one of the respective labels, output,
to the display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive
the display to display a revised version of the label design
workspace; wherein the revised version of the label design
workspace comprises a second image representative of the appearance
of the label selected.
[0028] The plurality of first images may be displayed in an order
determined in dependence on the time since each of the respective
labels was last edited.
[0029] Each of the first images may be representative of the
appearance of a respective label that is saved as a file in a
memory location. The plurality of first images may be displayed in
an order determined in dependence on the time since each of the
respective labels was saved.
[0030] Optionally, each of the first images is representative of
the appearance of a respective label that has been printed using a
print head of the printing apparatus. The plurality of first images
may be displayed in an order determined in dependence on the time
since each of the respective labels was printed.
[0031] The printing apparatus may comprise a printer connected to a
computer.
[0032] Another aspect of the present disclosure may provide an
apparatus, comprising: a controller configured: to output, to a
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display, in a first area of the
display, a plurality of first images representative of the
appearance of a plurality of respective labels that have previously
been edited by a user using the printing apparatus, and to display,
in a second area of the display that is different from the first
area, a label design workspace; and in response to receiving, from
a selector, information representative of an operation of the
selector by a user to select one of the respective labels, to
output, to the display driver, data for causing the display driver
to drive the display to display a revised version of the label
design workspace; wherein the revised version of the label design
workspace comprises a second image representative of the appearance
of the label selected.
[0033] Another aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
method, comprising: outputting, from a controller to a display
driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a display of a
printing apparatus to display, in a first area of the display, a
plurality of first images representative of the appearance of a
plurality of respective labels that have previously been edited by
a user using the printing apparatus, and to display, in a second
area of the display that is different from the first area, a label
design workspace; and in response to receiving, at the controller
from a selector, information representative of an operation of the
selector by a user to select one of the respective labels,
outputting, from the controller to the display driver, data for
causing the display driver to drive the display to display a
revised version of the label design workspace; wherein the revised
version of the label design workspace comprises a second image
representative of the appearance of the label selected.
[0034] The plurality of first images may be displayed in an order
determined in dependence on the time since each of the respective
labels was last edited. Each of the first images may be
representative of the appearance of a respective label that is
saved as a file in a memory location. The plurality of first images
may be displayed in an order determined in dependence on the time
since each of the respective labels was saved. Optionally, each of
the first images is representative of the appearance of a
respective label that has been printed using a print head of the
printing apparatus. The plurality of first images may be displayed
in an order determined in dependence on the time since each of the
respective labels was printed. The printing apparatus may comprise
a printer connected to a computer.
[0035] A further aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, said
computer program configured to control a controller to: output, to
a display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display, in a first area of the
display, a plurality of first images representative of the
appearance of a plurality of respective labels, and to display, in
a second area of the display that is different from the first area,
a second image representative of the appearance of a label
comprising second label data, wherein one of the first images is
representative of the appearance of a label comprising first label
data arranged according to a first template, and wherein the first
label data comprises at least some of the label data comprised in
the second label data; and in response to receiving, from a
selector, information representative of an operation of the
selector by a user to select said one of the first images, output,
to the display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive
the display to display a third image in place of the second image;
wherein the third image is representative of the appearance of a
label comprising the first label data arranged according to the
first template.
[0036] The second label data is preferably arranged according to a
second template that is different from the first template.
[0037] The first label data may comprise the same label data as the
second label data. The first label data may comprise label data in
addition to the second label data.
[0038] The first label data may be arranged in one or more types of
label data field. The second label data may be arranged in one or
more types of label data field. At least some of the first label
data may be arranged in a first type of label data field, and at
least some of the second label data may be arranged in the same way
in the same first type of label data field.
[0039] At least some of the first label data may be arranged in a
first type of label data field, and none of the second label data
may be arranged in said first type of label data field.
[0040] At least some of the second label data may be arranged in a
second type of label data field, and none of the first label data
may be arranged in said second type of label data field.
[0041] Preferably the plurality of first images are representative
of the appearance of labels with label data arranged according to
respective templates that have previously been applied to labels
edited using the printing apparatus.
[0042] The plurality of first images may be displayed in an order
determined in dependence on the time since each of the respective
templates was last applied to a label edited using the printing
apparatus.
[0043] The plurality of first images may be displayed in an order
determined in dependence on the frequency of use during a period of
each of the respective templates.
[0044] The plurality of first images may be representative of the
appearance of labels with label data arranged according to
respective templates that have previously been applied to labels
printed using a print head of the printing apparatus. The plurality
of first images may be displayed in an order determined in
dependence on the time since each of the labels to which the
respective templates have previously been applied was printed.
[0045] The plurality of first images are optionally representative
of the appearance of labels with label data arranged according to
different templates.
[0046] The plurality of first images may be representative of the
appearance of labels with different dimensions.
[0047] One or both of the first label data and the second label
data may comprise at least one of a text data field, a barcode data
field or an image data field. The printing apparatus may comprise a
printer connected to a computer.
[0048] A further aspect of the present disclosure may provide an
apparatus, comprising: a controller configured: to output, to a
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display, in a first area of the
display, a plurality of first images representative of the
appearance of a plurality of respective labels, and to display, in
a second area of the display that is different from the first area,
a second image representative of the appearance of a label
comprising second label data, wherein one of the first images is
representative of the appearance of a label comprising first label
data arranged according to a first template, and wherein the first
label data comprises at least some of the label data comprised in
the second label data; and in response to receiving, from a
selector, information representative of an operation of the
selector by a user to select said one of the first images, to
output, to the display driver, data for causing the display driver
to drive the display to display a third image in place of the
second image; wherein the third image is representative of the
appearance of a label comprising the first label data arranged
according to the first template.
[0049] A further aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
method, comprising: outputting, from a controller to a display
driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a display of a
printing apparatus to display, in a first area of the display, a
plurality of first images representative of the appearance of a
plurality of respective labels, and to display, in a second area of
the display that is different from the first area, a second image
representative of the appearance of a label comprising second label
data, wherein one of the first images is representative of the
appearance of a label comprising first label data arranged
according to a first template, and wherein the first label data
comprises at least some of the label data comprised in the second
label data; and in response to receiving, from a selector,
information representative of an operation of the selector by a
user to select said one of the first images, outputting, to the
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive the
display to display a third image in place of the second image;
wherein the third image is representative of the appearance of a
label comprising the first label data arranged according to the
first template.
[0050] The second label data is preferably arranged according to a
second template that is different from the first template. The
first label data may comprise the same label data as the second
label data. The first label data may comprise label data in
addition to the second label data. The first label data may be
arranged in one or more types of label data field. The second label
data may be arranged in one or more types of label data field. At
least some of the first label data may be arranged in a first type
of label data field, and at least some of the second label data may
be arranged in the same way in the same first type of label data
field. At least some of the first label data may be arranged in a
first type of label data field, and none of the second label data
may be arranged in said first type of label data field. At least
some of the second label data may be arranged in a second type of
label data field, and none of the first label data may be arranged
in said second type of label data field.
[0051] Preferably the plurality of first images are representative
of the appearance of labels with label data arranged according to
respective templates that have previously been applied to labels
edited using the printing apparatus. The plurality of first images
may be displayed in an order determined in dependence on the time
since each of the respective templates was last applied to a label
edited using the printing apparatus. The plurality of first images
may be displayed in an order determined in dependence on the
frequency of use during a period of each of the respective
templates.
[0052] The plurality of first images may be representative of the
appearance of labels with label data arranged according to
respective templates that have previously been applied to labels
printed using a print head of the printing apparatus. The plurality
of first images may be displayed in an order determined in
dependence on the time since each of the labels to which the
respective templates have previously been applied was printed.
[0053] The plurality of first images are optionally representative
of the appearance of labels with label data arranged according to
different templates. The plurality of first images may be
representative of the appearance of labels with different
dimensions. One or both of the first label data and the second
label data may comprise at least one of a text data field, a
barcode data field or an image data field. The printing apparatus
may comprise a printer connected to a computer.
[0054] A further aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, said
computer program configured to control a controller to: output, to
a display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display a user interface for
designing labels, wherein the user interface comprises images
representative of the appearance of a plurality of respective label
media, and at least one link to an associated webpage, wherein each
link of said at least one link is associated with a respective one
of said label media; and in response to receiving, from a selector,
information representative of an operation of the selector by a
user to select one link of said at least one link, output, to the
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive the
display to display the webpage with which said one link is
associated, via which webpage the user is able to obtain a supply
of the label media with which said one link is associated.
[0055] Preferably the computer program is configured to control the
controller to display plural links to an associated webpage,
wherein each of said plural links may be associated with a
different one of said plurality of respective label media.
[0056] The computer program may be configured to control the
controller to display a plurality of links associated with a first
label media of said plurality of respective label media, wherein
each of said plurality of links may be associated with a respective
one of a plurality of stock keeping units associated with said
first label media.
[0057] Each of the plurality of stock keeping units may be
associated with at least one of a different quantity, colour or
material of said first label media.
[0058] The user interface may comprise an image identifying a
selectable part of the user interface, which selectable part is
associated with the first label media; wherein the computer program
is configured to control the controller to display said plurality
of links associated with said first label media in response to
receiving, from the selector, information representative of an
operation of the selector by the user to select the selectable
part.
[0059] One of said plurality of links may be a link to a webpage
that is different from a webpage that one other link of said
plurality of links is a link to.
[0060] One of said plurality of links may be a link to a common
webpage that one other link of said plurality of links is a link
to. Said one of said plurality of links and said one other link of
said plurality of links may be links to different respective
locations in the common webpage.
[0061] The printing apparatus may comprise a printer connected to a
computer.
[0062] A further aspect of the present disclosure may provide an
apparatus, comprising: a controller configured: to output, to a
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display a user interface for
designing labels, wherein the user interface comprises images
representative of the appearance of a plurality of respective label
media, and at least one link to an associated webpage, wherein each
link of said at least one link is associated with a respective one
of said label media; and in response to receiving, from a selector,
information representative of an operation of the selector by a
user to select one link of said at least one link, to output, to
the display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive
the display to display the webpage with which said one link is
associated, via which webpage the user is able to obtain a supply
of the label media with which said one link is associated.
[0063] A further aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
method, comprising: outputting, from a controller to a display
driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a display of a
printing apparatus to display a user interface for designing
labels, wherein the user interface comprises images representative
of the appearance of a plurality of respective label media, and at
least one link to an associated webpage, wherein each link of said
at least one link is associated with a respective one of said label
media; and in response to receiving, at the controller from a
selector, information representative of an operation of the
selector by a user to select one link of said at least one link,
outputting, from the controller to the display driver, data for
causing the display driver to drive the display to display the
webpage with which said one link is associated, via which webpage
the user is able to obtain a supply of the label media with which
said one link is associated.
[0064] Preferably the method comprises outputting, from the
controller to the display driver, data for causing the display
driver to drive the display to display plural links to an
associated webpage, wherein each of said plural links may be
associated with a different one of said plurality of respective
label media. The method may comprise outputting, from the
controller to the display driver, data for causing the display
driver to drive the display to display a plurality of links
associated with a first label media of said plurality of respective
label media, wherein each of said plurality of links may be
associated with a respective one of a plurality of stock keeping
units associated with said first label media. Each of the plurality
of stock keeping units may be associated with at least one of a
different quantity, colour or material of said first label
media.
[0065] The user interface may comprise an image identifying a
selectable part of the user interface, which selectable part is
associated with the first label media; wherein the method comprises
outputting, from the controller to the display driver, data for
causing the display driver to drive the display to display said
plurality of links associated with said first label media in
response to receiving, from the selector, information
representative of an operation of the selector by the user to
select the selectable part.
[0066] One of said plurality of links may be a link to a webpage
that is different from a webpage that one other link of said
plurality of links is a link to. One of said plurality of links may
be a link to a common webpage that one other link of said plurality
of links is a link to. Said one of said plurality of links and said
one other link of said plurality of links may be links to different
respective locations in the common webpage. The printing apparatus
may comprise a printer connected to a computer.
[0067] A further aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, said
computer program configured to control a controller to: output, to
a display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display data associated with
plural addresses; receive, from a selector, information
representative of at least two operations of the selector by a user
to select at least two addresses of the plural addresses, wherein
each of the operations comprises an operation to select a
respective address of the at least two addresses; cause information
associated with said at least two addresses to be sent to a server;
receive revision data from the server; and output, to the display
driver, data for causing the display driver to drive the display to
display plural status indications, in dependence on the revision
data, wherein each of the status indications is associated with a
respective address of the at least two addresses.
[0068] The data associated with plural addresses is preferably
displayed on the display in a user interface for designing
labels.
[0069] One status indication of said plural status indications may
comprise a revised version of the respective address with which
said one status indication is associated.
[0070] Each respective status indication of at least one of the
plural status indications may comprise one of an indication that
the server recognises the address with which the respective status
indication is associated, or an indication that the server does not
recognise the address with which the respective status indication
is associated.
[0071] The revision data may comprise a ZIP code for at least one
address of the at least two addresses. The revision data may
comprise the revised version of the respective address with which
said one status indication is associated.
[0072] The computer program may be configured to control the
controller to output, to the display driver, data for causing the
display driver to drive the display to display one or more further
versions of the respective address with which said one status
indication is associated, in addition to said revised version, in
dependence on the revision data. The computer program may be
configured to control the controller to receive, from the selector,
information representative of an operation of the selector by the
user to select said revised version.
[0073] The revised version of the respective address with which
said one status indication is associated may comprise new data not
comprised in the respective address with which said one status
indication is associated. The new data may comprise a ZIP code.
[0074] The revision data may comprise data associated with an
address format. One status indication of said plural status
indications may comprise a revised version of the address with
which said one status indication is associated that is formatted
according to the address format.
[0075] The computer program may be configured to control the
controller to receive, from a data input device of the printing
apparatus, information representative of an operation of the data
input device by the user to edit said revised version of the
respective address with which said one status indication is
associated, to create an edited revised version of the respective
address with which said one status indication is associated.
[0076] The computer program may be configured to control the
controller to cause information associated with said edited revised
version of the respective address with which said one status
indication is associated to be sent to the server; receive further
revision data from the server; and output, to the display driver,
data for causing the display driver to drive the display to display
a further status indication associated with said respective address
with which said one status indication is associated, in dependence
on the further revision data. The further status indication may
comprise a further revised version of the respective address with
which said one status indication is associated.
[0077] The computer program may be configured to control the
controller to store in memory the revised version of the respective
address with which said one status indication is associated.
[0078] The data associated with plural addresses may comprise
either at least a portion of each of the plural addresses or plural
names of addressees associated with the respective plural
addresses.
[0079] The information associated with said at least two addresses
may comprise either at least a portion of each of said at least two
addresses or respective unique identifiers associated with said at
least two addresses.
[0080] The printing apparatus may comprise a printer connected to a
computer.
[0081] A further aspect of the present disclosure may provide an
apparatus, comprising: a controller configured: to output, to a
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display data associated with
plural addresses; to receive, from a selector, information
representative of at least two operations of the selector by a user
to select at least two addresses of the plural addresses, wherein
each of the operations comprises an operation to select a
respective address of the at least two addresses; to cause
information associated with said at least two addresses to be sent
to a server; to receive revision data from the server; and to
output, to the display driver, data for causing the display driver
to drive the display to display plural status indications, in
dependence on the revision data, wherein each of the status
indications is associated with a respective address of the at least
two addresses.
[0082] A further aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
method, comprising: outputting, from a controller to a display
driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a display of a
printing apparatus to display data associated with plural
addresses; receiving, from a selector, information representative
of at least two operations of the selector by a user to select at
least two addresses of the plural addresses, wherein each of the
operations comprises an operation to select a respective address of
the at least two addresses; causing information associated with
said at least two addresses to be sent to a server; receiving, at
the controller, revision data from the server; and outputting, from
the controller to the display driver, data for causing the display
driver to drive the display to display plural status indications,
in dependence on the revision data, wherein each of the status
indications is associated with a respective address of the at least
two addresses.
[0083] The data associated with plural addresses is preferably
displayed on the display in a user interface for designing labels.
One status indication of said plural status indications may
comprise a revised version of the respective address with which
said one status indication is associated.
[0084] Each respective status indication of at least one of the
plural status indications may comprise one of an indication that
the server recognises the address with which the respective status
indication is associated, or an indication that the server does not
recognise the address with which the respective status indication
is associated. The revision data may comprise a ZIP code for at
least one address of the at least two addresses. The revision data
may comprise the revised version of the respective address with
which said one status indication is associated.
[0085] The method may comprise outputting, from the controller to
the display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive
the display to display one or more further versions of the
respective address with which said one status indication is
associated, in addition to said revised version, in dependence on
the revision data. The method may comprise receiving, at the
controller from the selector, information representative of an
operation of the selector by the user to select said revised
version.
[0086] The revised version of the respective address with which
said one status indication is associated may comprise new data not
comprised in the respective address with which said one status
indication is associated. The new data may comprise a ZIP code. The
revision data may comprise data associated with an address format.
One status indication of said plural status indications may
comprise a revised version of the address with which said one
status indication is associated that is formatted according to the
address format.
[0087] The method may comprise receiving, at the controller from a
data input device of the printing apparatus, information
representative of an operation of the data input device by the user
to edit said revised version of the respective address with which
said one status indication is associated, to create an edited
revised version of the respective address with which said one
status indication is associated.
[0088] The method may comprise causing information associated with
said edited revised version of the respective address with which
said one status indication is associated to be sent to the server;
receiving further revision data from the server; and outputting, to
the display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive
the display to display a further status indication associated with
said respective address with which said one status indication is
associated, in dependence on the further revision data. The further
status indication may comprise a further revised version of the
respective address with which said one status indication is
associated.
[0089] The method may comprise causing the revised version of the
respective address with which said one status indication is
associated to be stored in memory.
[0090] The data associated with plural addresses may comprise
either at least a portion of each of the plural addresses or plural
names of addressees associated with the respective plural
addresses. The information associated with said at least two
addresses may comprise either at least a portion of each of said at
least two addresses or respective unique identifiers associated
with said at least two addresses. The printing apparatus may
comprise a printer connected to a computer.
[0091] Another aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, said
computer program configured to control a controller of a computer
to: receive information indicative of a type of label printer
connected to the computer; cause data indicative of the type of
label printer connected to the computer to be sent to a server;
receive data from the server; and output, to a display driver, data
for causing the display driver to drive a display of the computer
to display printer information associated with the type of label
printer connected to the computer in a webpage in a user interface
for designing labels, in dependence on the data received from the
server.
[0092] Plural different types of label printer may be connected to
the computer. The computer program may be configured to control the
controller to cause data indicative of at least two different types
of the plural different types of label printer connected to the
computer to be sent to the server. The computer program may be
configured to control the controller to receive data associated
with each of said at least two different types of label printer.
The computer program may be configured to control the controller to
receive information representative of an operation of the selector
by the user to select an identifier representative of one of the at
least two different types of label printer; and output, to the
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive the
display to display, in the webpage, printer information associated
with the type of label printer represented by the identifier. The
identifier may be an entry in a drop down list displayed in the
webpage.
[0093] The computer program may be configured to control the
controller to cause the data indicative of the type of label
printer to be sent to the server in response to receiving, from a
selector, information representative of an operation of the
selector by a user of the computer to select a link comprised in
the user interface displayed on the display.
[0094] When plural different types of label printer are connected
to the computer, the computer program may be configured to control
the controller to: receive information representative of an
operation of the selector by the user to select one of the plural
different types of label printer; cause data indicative of said one
of the plural different types of label printer selected to be sent
to the server; receive second data from the server; and output, to
the display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive
the display to display, in the webpage, printer information
associated with said one of the plural different types of label
printer selected, in dependence on the second data received from
the server.
[0095] The computer program may be configured to control the
controller to cause data indicative of at least one of a country
and a language to be sent to the server.
[0096] The printer information may comprise at least one of:
technical support information for the type of label printer
connected to the computer, information relating to a supply of
label media that is usable in the type of label printer connected
to the computer, tips for using the label printer connected to the
computer, news or special offers relating to the label printer
connected to the computer, and contact details.
[0097] Another aspect of the present disclosure may provide an
apparatus, comprising: a controller of a computer, the controller
being configured: to receive information indicative of a type of
label printer connected to the computer; to cause data indicative
of the type of label printer connected to the computer to be sent
to a server; to receive data from the server; and to output, to a
display driver, data for causing a display driver to drive a
display of the computer to display printer information associated
with the type of label printer connected to the computer in a
webpage in a user interface for designing labels, in dependence on
the data received from the server.
[0098] Another aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
method, comprising: receiving, at a controller of a computer,
information indicative of a type of label printer connected to the
computer; causing data indicative of the type of label printer
connected to the computer to be sent to a server; receiving data
from the server; and outputting, from the controller to the display
driver, data for causing a display driver to drive a display of the
computer to display printer information associated with the type of
label printer connected to the computer in a webpage in a user
interface for designing labels, in dependence on the data received
from the server.
[0099] Plural different types of label printer may be connected to
the computer. The method may comprise the controller causing data
indicative of at least two different types of the plural different
types of label printer connected to the computer to be sent to the
server. The method may comprise the controller receiving data
associated with each of said at least two different types of label
printer. The method may comprise the controller receiving
information representative of an operation of the selector by the
user to select an identifier representative of one of the at least
two different types of label printer; and outputting, to the
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive the
display to display, in the webpage, printer information associated
with the type of label printer represented by the identifier. The
identifier may be an entry in a drop down list displayed in the
webpage.
[0100] The method may comprise the controller causing the data
indicative of the type of label printer to be sent to the server in
response to receiving, from a selector, information representative
of an operation of the selector by a user of the computer to select
a link comprised in the user interface displayed on the
display.
[0101] When plural different types of label printer are connected
to the computer, the method may comprise the controller: receiving
information representative of an operation of the selector by the
user to select one of the plural different types of label printer;
causing data indicative of said one of the plural different types
of label printer selected to be sent to the server; receiving
second data from the server; and outputting, to the display driver,
data for causing the display driver to drive the display to
display, in the webpage, printer information associated with said
one of the plural different types of label printer selected, in
dependence on the second data received from the server.
[0102] The method may comprise the controller causing data
indicative of at least one of a country and a language to be sent
to the server. The printer information may comprise at least one
of: technical support information for the type of label printer
connected to the computer, information relating to a supply of
label media that is usable in the type of label printer connected
to the computer, tips for using the label printer connected to the
computer, news or special offers relating to the label printer
connected to the computer, and contact details.
[0103] Another aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, said
computer program configured to control a controller of a computer
to: output, to a display driver, data for causing the display
driver to drive a display of the computer to display plural images
representative of the appearance of respective plural label
printers connected to the computer, wherein each image of the
plural images is visually distinct from each other image of the
plural images; receive, from a selector, information representative
of an operation of the selector by a user to select one of the
plural images; and setting a label printer of the plural label
printers as being for use in subsequent printing onto a label
medium, of which label printer said one of the plural images
selected is representative.
[0104] Preferably the plural images are displayed in a user
interface for designing labels. The plural images may comprise only
images representative of the appearance of respective label
printers that are capable of printing based on printing
instructions generated by the software application for designing
labels.
[0105] The user interface may comprise an image representative of
the appearance of a label medium, wherein the computer program may
be configured to control the controller to output, to the display
driver, data for causing the display driver to drive the display to
display an indication of which of the plural label printers are
capable of printing onto the label medium.
[0106] The computer program may be configured to control the
controller to: in response to receiving, from a selector,
information representative of an operation of the selector by the
user to select a second label medium that is different from the
label medium; output, to the display driver, data for causing the
display driver to drive the display to display an indication of
which of the plural label printers are capable of printing onto the
second label medium.
[0107] The user interface may comprise an image representative of
the appearance of a label medium, wherein the computer program may
be configured to control the controller to output, to the display
driver, data for causing the display driver to drive the display to
display an indication of which of the plural label printers are
incapable of printing onto the label medium.
[0108] The computer program may be configured to control the
controller to: in response to receiving, from a selector,
information representative of an operation of the selector by the
user to select a second label medium that is different from the
label medium; output, to the display driver, data for causing the
display driver to drive the display to display an indication of
which of the plural label printers are incapable of printing onto
the second label medium.
[0109] The user interface may comprise an image representative of
the appearance of a label medium, wherein said plural images
comprise only images representative of the appearance of respective
label printers that are capable of printing onto said label
medium.
[0110] The computer program may be configured to control the
controller to: in response to receiving, from a selector,
information representative of an operation of the selector by the
user to select a second label medium that is different from the
label medium; output, to the display driver, data for causing the
display driver to drive the display to display a plurality of
images representative of the appearance of respective plural label
printers, wherein said plurality of images comprises only images
representative of the appearance of respective label printers that
are capable of printing onto the second label medium.
[0111] A first image of the plural images may be representative of
a first label printer of the plural label printers, which first
label printer has two printing mechanisms. Said first image may
occupy a first area of the display and said computer program may be
configured to control the controller to: receive, from the
selector, data representative of an operation of the selector by
the user to select a position within the first area; and select one
of the two printing mechanisms for use in the subsequent printing
in dependence on the position selected.
[0112] The first image may include a first indication of a first
one of the two printing mechanisms, and said computer program may
be configured to control the controller to select said first one of
the two printing mechanisms for use in the subsequent printing,
when the controller receives from the selector information
representative of an operation of the selector by the user to
select said first image.
[0113] A second image of the plural images may include a second
indication of a second one of the two printing mechanisms, and said
computer program may be configured to control the controller to
select said second one of the two printing mechanisms for use in
the subsequent printing, when the controller receives from the
selector information representative of an operation of the selector
by the user to select said second image.
[0114] A first one of the two printing mechanisms may comprise a
first print head and a second one of the two printing mechanisms
comprises a second print head.
[0115] A first one of the two printing mechanisms may comprise a
first source of label media and a second one of the two printing
mechanisms may comprise a second source of label media.
[0116] Another aspect of the present disclosure may provide an
apparatus comprising a controller of a computer, the controller
being configured: to output, to a display driver, data for causing
the display driver to drive a display of the computer to display
plural images representative of the appearance of respective plural
label printers connected to the computer, wherein each image of the
plural images is visually distinct from each other image of the
plural images; to receive, from a selector, information
representative of an operation of the selector by a user to select
one of the plural images; and to set a label printer of the plural
label printers as being for use in subsequent printing onto a label
medium, of which label printer said one of the plural images
selected is representative.
[0117] Another aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
method, comprising: outputting, from a controller of a computer to
a display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of the computer to display plural images representative of
the appearance of respective plural label printers connected to the
computer, wherein each image of the plural images is visually
distinct from each other image of the plural images; receiving, at
the controller from a selector, information representative of an
operation of the selector by a user to select one of the plural
images; and setting a label printer of the plural label printers as
being for use in subsequent printing onto a label medium, of which
label printer said one of the plural images selected is
representative.
[0118] Preferably the plural images are displayed in a user
interface for designing labels. The plural images may comprise only
images representative of the appearance of respective label
printers that are capable of printing based on printing
instructions generated by the software application for designing
labels.
[0119] The user interface may comprise an image representative of
the appearance of a label medium, wherein the method comprises the
controller outputting, to the display driver, data for causing the
display driver to drive the display to display an indication of
which of the plural label printers are capable of printing onto the
label medium.
[0120] The method may comprise the controller: in response to
receiving, from a selector, information representative of an
operation of the selector by the user to select a second label
medium that is different from the label medium; outputting, to the
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive the
display to display an indication of which of the plural label
printers are capable of printing onto the second label medium.
[0121] The user interface may comprise an image representative of
the appearance of a label medium, wherein the method comprises the
controller outputting, to the display driver, data for causing the
display driver to drive the display to display an indication of
which of the plural label printers are incapable of printing onto
the label medium.
[0122] The method may comprise the controller: in response to
receiving, from a selector, information representative of an
operation of the selector by the user to select a second label
medium that is different from the label medium; outputting, to the
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive the
display to display an indication of which of the plural label
printers are incapable of printing onto the second label
medium.
[0123] The user interface may comprise an image representative of
the appearance of a label medium, wherein said plural images
comprise only images representative of the appearance of respective
label printers that are capable of printing onto said label
medium.
[0124] The method may comprise the controller: in response to
receiving, from a selector, information representative of an
operation of the selector by the user to select a second label
medium that is different from the label medium; outputting, to the
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive the
display to display a plurality of images representative of the
appearance of respective plural label printers, wherein said
plurality of images comprises only images representative of the
appearance of respective label printers that are capable of
printing onto the second label medium.
[0125] A first image of the plural images may be representative of
a first label printer of the plural label printers, which first
label printer has two printing mechanisms. Said first image may
occupy a first area of the display and said computer program may be
configured to control the controller to: receive, from the
selector, data representative of an operation of the selector by
the user to select a position within the first area; and select one
of the two printing mechanisms for use in the subsequent printing
in dependence on the position selected.
[0126] The first image may include a first indication of a first
one of the two printing mechanisms, and the method may comprise the
controller selecting said first one of the two printing mechanisms
for use in the subsequent printing, when the controller receives
from the selector information representative of an operation of the
selector by the user to select said first image. A second image of
the plural images may include a second indication of a second one
of the two printing mechanisms, and the method may comprise the
controller selecting said second one of the two printing mechanisms
for use in the subsequent printing, when the controller receives
from the selector information representative of an operation of the
selector by the user to select said second image.
[0127] A first one of the two printing mechanisms may comprise a
first print head and a second one of the two printing mechanisms
comprises a second print head. A first one of the two printing
mechanisms may comprise a first source of label media and a second
one of the two printing mechanisms may comprise a second source of
label media.
[0128] A further aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, said
computer program configured to control a controller to: output, to
a display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display a user interface for
designing labels, wherein the user interface comprises a first
image representative of the appearance of a label medium and an
image representative of a slide bar, wherein the slide bar
comprises a slider at a first position on a track; and in response
to receiving, from a selector, information representative of an
operation of the selector by a user to select a second position on
the track, which second position is different from the first
position; output, to the display driver, data for causing the
display driver to drive the display to display a second image
representative of the appearance of the label medium, wherein the
second image representative of the appearance of the label medium
has a size dependent on the location of the second position on the
track.
[0129] The information is preferably representative of an operation
of the selector by the user to perform a drag and drop operation
from the first position on the track to the second position on the
track. The information may comprise data representative of a series
of other positions between the first position and the second
position.
[0130] The computer program may be configured to control the
controller to output, to the display driver, data for causing the
display driver to drive the display to display successively a
series of images representative of the appearance of the label
medium, and wherein each image of said series of images is
associated with a respective one of said series of other positions
between the first position and the second position, and wherein
each image of said series of images has a size dependent on the
distance between the first position and said respective one of said
series of other positions with which said image of said series of
images is associated.
[0131] The second image representative of the appearance of the
label medium may be larger than the first image representative of
the appearance of a label medium. The computer program may be
configured to control the controller to: in response to receiving,
from the selector, information representative of an operation of
the selector by the user to select a third position on the track,
which third position is different from each of the first position
and second position; output, to the display driver, data for
causing the display driver to drive the display to display a third
image representative of the appearance of the label medium, wherein
the third image representative of the appearance of the label
medium is smaller than the first image representative of the
appearance of a label medium. Preferably the first position on the
track is located between the second position on the track and the
third position on the track. The printing apparatus may comprise a
printer connected to a computer.
[0132] A further aspect of the present disclosure may provide an
apparatus comprising: a controller configured: to output, to a
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a
display of a printing apparatus to display a user interface for
designing labels, wherein the user interface comprises a first
image representative of the appearance of a label medium and an
image representative of a slide bar, wherein the slide bar
comprises a slider at a first position on a track; and in response
to receiving, from a selector, information representative of an
operation of the selector by a user to select a second position on
the track, which second position is different from the first
position; to output, to the display driver, data for causing the
display driver to drive the display to display a second image
representative of the appearance of the label medium, wherein the
second image representative of the appearance of the label medium
has a size dependent on the location of the second position on the
track.
[0133] A further aspect of the present disclosure may provide a
method, comprising: outputting, from a controller to a display
driver, data for causing the display driver to drive a display of a
printing apparatus to display a user interface for designing
labels, wherein the user interface comprises a first image
representative of the appearance of a label medium and an image
representative of a slide bar, wherein the slide bar comprises a
slider at a first position on a track; and in response to
receiving, at the controller from a selector, information
representative of an operation of the selector by a user to select
a second position on the track, which second position is different
from the first position; outputting, from the controller to the
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive the
display to display a second image representative of the appearance
of the label medium, wherein the second image representative of the
appearance of the label medium has a size dependent on the location
of the second position on the track.
[0134] The information is preferably representative of an operation
of the selector by the user to perform a drag and drop operation
from the first position on the track to the second position on the
track. The information may comprise data representative of a series
of other positions between the first position and the second
position.
[0135] The method may comprise outputting, from the controller to
the display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive
the display to display successively a series of images
representative of the appearance of the label medium, and wherein
each image of said series of images is associated with a respective
one of said series of other positions between the first position
and the second position, and wherein each image of said series of
images has a size dependent on the distance between the first
position and said respective one of said series of other positions
with which said image of said series of images is associated.
[0136] The second image representative of the appearance of the
label medium may be larger than the first image representative of
the appearance of a label medium. The method may comprise, in
response to receiving at the controller from the selector
information representative of an operation of the selector by the
user to select a third position on the track, which third position
is different from each of the first position and second position;
outputting, to the display driver, data for causing the display
driver to drive the display to display a third image representative
of the appearance of the label medium, wherein the third image
representative of the appearance of the label medium is smaller
than the first image representative of the appearance of a label
medium. Preferably the first position on the track is located
between the second position on the track and the third position on
the track. The printing apparatus may comprise a printer connected
to a computer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0137] For a better understanding of the present disclosure and as
to how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be
made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0138] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first label printing device using
a two cassette set system;
[0139] FIG. 2 is plan view of the second label printing device
using a one cassette set system;
[0140] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic sketch showing the control
circuitry in an embodiment of the printing apparatus of the present
invention;
[0141] FIG. 4 is a representation of the contents of a display
shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the present
invention;
[0142] FIG. 5 is a representation of the contents of another
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0143] FIG. 6 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0144] FIG. 7 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0145] FIG. 8 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0146] FIG. 9 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0147] FIG. 10 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0148] FIG. 11 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0149] FIG. 12 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0150] FIG. 13 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0151] FIG. 14 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0152] FIG. 15 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0153] FIG. 16 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0154] FIG. 17 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0155] FIG. 18 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0156] FIG. 19 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0157] FIG. 20 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0158] FIG. 21 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0159] FIG. 22 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0160] FIG. 23 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0161] FIG. 24 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0162] FIG. 25 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0163] FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic sketch showing the control
circuitry in a further embodiment of a printing apparatus embodying
the present invention;
[0164] FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic sketch showing the control
circuitry in a further embodiment of a printing apparatus embodying
the present invention;
[0165] FIG. 28 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0166] FIG. 29 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0167] FIG. 30 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0168] FIG. 31 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0169] FIG. 32 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0170] FIG. 33 is a representation of the contents of a further
display shown on display of a printing apparatus embodying the
present invention;
[0171] FIG. 34 shows a flow diagram illustrating the steps of a
method performed by a controller of a printing apparatus embodying
the present invention;
[0172] FIG. 35 shows a flow diagram illustrating the steps of a
further method performed by a controller of a printing apparatus
embodying the present invention;
[0173] FIG. 36 shows a flow diagram illustrating the steps of a
further method performed by a controller of a printing apparatus
embodying the present invention;
[0174] FIG. 37 shows a flow diagram illustrating the steps of a
further method performed by a controller of a printing apparatus
embodying the present invention;
[0175] FIG. 38 shows a flow diagram illustrating the steps of a
further method performed by a controller of a printing apparatus
embodying the present invention;
[0176] FIG. 39 shows a flow diagram illustrating the steps of a
further method performed by a controller of a printing apparatus
embodying the present invention;
[0177] FIG. 40 shows a flow diagram illustrating the steps of a
further method performed by a controller of a printing apparatus
embodying the present invention; and
[0178] FIG. 41 shows a flow diagram illustrating the steps of a
further method performed by a controller of a printing apparatus
embodying the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0179] Some embodiments may provide a controller of a display,
which controller can be operated by a user to insert a label data
field at a desired location in an image representative of the
appearance of a label being created. This can be by way of, after
selecting a type of desired label data field, sending to the
controller of the display information representative of the desired
location to make the controller cause the display to display the
label data field at the desired location in the image. Thus, a
minimum number of steps are required to be performed by the user
before the data field is located at the desired location in the
label being designed. The user can thus also accurately position
the data field at the desired location.
[0180] Some embodiments may be such that a user is able to alter a
display of a printer to show a particular desired portion of a
label being created. In particular, some embodiments provide the
user with the option of "zooming in" to an image representative of
the appearance of the label being edited or created, in order to
help them more accurately position label data. Some embodiments
provide the user with the option of "zooming out" of an image of
the label being edited or created, to provide them with a display
showing all of, or a greater portion of, the label. This is helpful
for the user since it can give them an indication of the overall
layout of the label. Such zooming in or out may be achieved by the
user dragging a slider along a track of a slide bar shown on a
display.
[0181] Some embodiments may be such that one or more images
representative of the appearance of respective labels with label
data arranged according to respective templates are displayed on a
display. A user can therefore easily find a desired template to use
when creating a label. The label data may comprise at least some of
the same label data that is comprised in a current label being
edited in a label design workspace. The user is therefore provided
with a visualisation of what the current label would look like were
the respective template(s) to be applied to the label data of the
current label, rather than having to estimate what the current
label would look like based on e.g. a reference number or file name
associated with the template(s). By selecting one of the images, at
least some of the label data of the label being edited can be
quickly and easily reformatted according to the template indicated
by the selected image.
[0182] In some embodiments, one or more images representative of
the appearance of different label types are displayed on a display.
The images may show respective outlines, shapes or colours of the
different label types, which may have different shapes and/or
dimensions. A user can therefore easily visualize different label
types and select a desired label type suitable for a particular
duty.
[0183] Some embodiments may provide that one or more images
representative of the appearance of labels that have been
previously printed, or saved to memory, are displayed on a display.
This makes it easier for a user to find a particular saved or
previously-printed label, so that they can easily produce the same
label again without having to re-enter label data. In some
embodiments the user can select one of the images and then choose
to edit or reprint it.
[0184] Some embodiments may be such that an image representative of
the appearance of a label medium, and also supply-reordering
information associated with the label medium, are displayed on a
display. The supply-reordering information may comprise a link,
such as a hyperlink, to a source from which a user is able to order
the label medium with which the link is associated. This helps the
user to order the correct type of label medium, since no
information such as a stock reference number needs to transcribed
to order the label medium. Instead, they are provided with a
visualisation of the label medium and can be directed (e.g. by the
application running on their printer or PC) to a reputable source
of the desired label stock, which source can provide authorised and
high quality label media.
[0185] Some embodiments may be such that the format and/or content
of addresses entered into a printing apparatus for printing onto a
label is revised by the printing apparatus to place the addresses
in an optimum state for recognition by the postal organisation(s)
that will be responsible for delivering the mail to which the label
will be adhered. This makes it easier for the postal
organisation(s) to determine the address to which the mail is to be
delivered, and thus the user can be more confident that the mail
will be correctly delivered.
[0186] Some embodiments may be such that a display of a computer is
controlled to display information relating to the type of label
printer (or printers) connected to the computer. This may be
achieved, for example, by way of the computer receiving
identification about the connected printer(s) from the printer(s)
itself, or by way of otherwise telling the computer (e.g. by
installing a printer driver at the computer) what type of
printer(s) is/are connected. Thus the user does not themselves need
to know or determine the type(s) of printer connected to the
computer in order to find the information relating to that type of
label printer.
[0187] Some embodiments control a display such that it shows a
visually-distinct representation of the appearance of each of the
printers connected to the device comprising the display, such as a
computer. When a user of the device wishes to print to a particular
one of the printers, they can easily identify which of several
printers shown on the screen is the desired printer by comparing
the image on the screen with the appearance of the printer in
reality. The user has means for selecting one of the images on the
screen, thus ensuring that the desired printer is used.
[0188] FIG. 1 shows in plan view a first label printing device
which has two cassettes arranged therein. Typically, this label
printing device 1 is a handheld or small desktop device which is
powered by batteries at least part of the time. Alternatively the
label printing device may be mains powered. The upper cassette is
located in a first cassette receiving portion 26 and contains a
supply of image receiving tape 4 which passes through a print zone
3 of the tape printing device 1 to an outlet 5 of the tape printing
device 1. The image receiving tape 4 comprises an upper layer for
receiving a printed image on its upper surface and has its other
surface coated with an adhesive layer to which is secured a
releasable backing layer. The upper cassette 2 has a recess for
accommodating a platen 8 of the tape printing device 1, and guide
portions 22 and 24 for guiding the tape through a print zone 3. The
platen 8 is mounted for rotation within a cage moulding 10.
Alternatively the platen could be mounted for rotation on a
pin.
[0189] The lower cassette 11 is located in the second cassette
receiving portion 28 and contains a thermal transfer ribbon 12
which extends from the supply spool 30 to a take-up spool 32 within
the cassette 11. The thermal transfer ribbon 12 extends through the
print zone 3 in overlap with the image receiving tape 4. The
cassette 11 has recess 14 for receiving a print head 18 of the
label printing device 1 and guide portions 34 and 36 for guiding
the thermal transfer ribbon 12 through the print zone 3. Print head
18 is moveable between an operative position shown in FIG. 1, in
which it is in contact with the platen 8 and holds the thermal
transfer ribbon 12 and the image receiving tape 4 in overlap
between a print head 18 and the platen 8, and an inoperative
position in which it is moved away from the platen 8 to release
thermal transfer ribbon 12 and image receiving tape 4. In the
operative position, the platen 8 is rotated to cause the image
receiving tape 12 to be driven past print head 18 and the print
head 18 is controlled to print an image on the image receiving tape
4 by thermal transfer of ink from the ribbon 12. Each of plural
printing elements on the print head 18 is activatable separately
and is activated in accordance with the desired image to be
printed. The label printing device 1 has a lid (which is not shown)
which is hinged along the rear of the cassette receiving portions
26 and 28 and which covers both cassettes when in place.
[0190] A DC motor 207 (see FIG. 3) continuously drives the platen
8. The platen is arranged to drive the image receiving tape 4
through the print zone 3 by the actuation of its own rotation. In
other embodiments, transport of the image receiving tape across the
print head can be done by other means, such as by a separate driven
roller of the printer or of the cassette, or by a pair of
cooperating rollers positioned on opposite sides of the tape, or by
other means.
[0191] The image is printed by the print head 18 on the image
receiving tape on a column by column basis with the columns being
adjacent one another in the direction of movement of the tape
4.
[0192] FIG. 2 illustrates in plan view a cassette bay of a second
printing device 1' which uses a one cassette system. Like reference
numerals are used for those parts which are also shown in FIG. 1.
The cassette bay is shown by the dotted line 40. The cassette bay
40 includes a thermal print head 18 and a platen 8 which cooperate
to define a print zone 3.
[0193] The print head 18 is pivotable about a pivot point so that
it can be brought into contact with the platen 8 for printing and
moved away from the platen 8 to enable the cassette to be removed
and replaced, as in the first embodiment. A cassette inserted into
the cassette bay 40 is denoted generally by reference numeral 44.
The cassette 44 holds a supply spool 46 of image receiving tape 4.
The image receiving tape 4 is guided by a guide mechanism (which is
not shown) through the cassette 44, out of the cassette 44 through
an outlet O past the print zone 3 to a cutting location C. The same
cassette 44 also has an ink ribbon supply spool 48 and an ink
ribbon take up spool 50. The ink ribbon 12 is guided from the ink
ribbon supply spool 48 through the print zone 3 and taken up on the
ink ribbon take up spool 50. As with the first embodiment, the
image receiving tape 4 passes in overlap with the ink ribbon 12
through the print zone 3 with its image receiving layer in contact
with the ink ribbon 12. The platen of this second embodiment is
also driven by a motor 207. The motor rotates to drive continuously
the image receiving tape through the pint zone 3 during printing.
In either of the embodiments, it is possible that the tape be
driven in a step wise manner by a stepper motor.
[0194] An image is printed on the tape, and then fed out from the
print zone to the cutting location C which is provided at a
location in a portion of the wall of the cassette 44 which is close
to the print zone 3. The portion of the wall on the cassette 44
where the cutting location C is defined is denoted by reference 52.
A slot 54 is defined in the wall portion 52 and the image receiving
tape 4 is fed past the print zone 3 to the cutting location C where
it is supported by facing wall portions on either side of the slot
54.
[0195] The second label printing device 1' includes a cutting
mechanism 56 including a cutter support member 58 which carries a
blade 60. The blade 60 cuts the image receiving tape 4 and then
enters the slot 54. In other embodiments the slot is not present.
It should be appreciated that the first embodiment will usually
also include a cutting mechanism.
[0196] These example label printing devices 1 and 1' may be a
stand-alone printing apparatus including the controller of the
present disclosure to receive inputs from a user and to alter what
is displayed on a display of the printing apparatus. Alternatively,
the label printing devices 1 and 1' may be printers that are
connectable or connected to a computer, and it is the computer
which includes the controller of the present disclosure to receive
inputs from a user and to alter what is displayed on a display of
the label printing devices or of the computer.
[0197] Basic circuitry 200 for controlling a stand-alone version of
the tape printing device 1 of FIG. 1 or the tape printing device 1'
of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3. There is a microprocessor chip 201
(i.e. a controller or control means), a non-volatile memory 202,
which is for example a read only memory (ROM) or a flash type of
memory, and volatile memory (e.g. random access memory capacity
indicated diagrammatically by RAM) 204. The microprocessor chip 201
is connected to receive label data input to it from a data input
device 206 such as a keyboard. The microprocessor chip 201 may also
be connected to receive signals (i.e. information/data) from a
selector 205 operable by a user. The selector comprises some form
of means, such as a mouse, touchscreen sensor, digital pen or
tracker ball, for enabling a user to send commands to the
microprocessor chip 201. Thus, the selector 205 could be some form
of input means or selection means. The microprocessor chip 201
outputs data to drive a display 208 via a display driver chip 209
to display a label to be printed (or a part thereof) and/or a
message for the user. The display driver alternatively may form
part of the microprocessor chip. Additionally, the microprocessor
chip 201 also outputs data to drive the print head 218 so that the
label data is printed onto the image receiving tape to form a
label. Finally, the microprocessor chip 201 also controls the motor
207 for driving the platen. The microprocessor chip 201 may also
control the cutting mechanism to allow a length of tape to be cut
off. In alternative embodiments at least part of the cutting
mechanism may be manually operated.
[0198] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment where all these components
shown in FIG. 3 are included in a stand-alone printing apparatus.
Alternative arrangements, in which printing apparatuses embodying
the present disclosure comprise a printer connected to a PC, are
described below with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27.
[0199] In other embodiments, the printing apparatus does not
include an ink ribbon and the print head creates an image directly
onto direct thermal tape. In those embodiments similar circuitry
200 can be provided.
[0200] FIG. 4 shows a display 208 of a printing apparatus embodying
one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the
display 208 is a monitor of a personal computer (PC) connected to a
printer and the circuitry 200 described above is included in the
personal computer. However, as discussed above, in other
embodiments the printing apparatus is a stand-alone printer and the
display 208 and circuitry 200 are included within the stand-alone
printer. Such a stand-alone printer may be a portable and,
possibly, handheld printer.
[0201] The display 208 is driven to display a user interface (such
as a graphical user interface, or GUI) for designing labels. The
user interface may be a user interface of software for running on a
personal computer (such as a software application), or a user
interface of software that runs in a stand-alone printer. The user
interface comprises several images 311 representative of the
appearance of plural respective labels in a first area 310 of the
display 208. The images 311 shown in this first area 310 are
representative of different types of labels that a user may apply
print data to, and/or manipulate label data for, using the printing
apparatus. The different types of labels in this example comprise
labels of different dimensions. In other embodiments, the labels
may differ in other respects or characteristics, such as the type
of material that the different labels are made of. The display 208
also displays a label design workspace 321 in a second area 320 of
the display 208. In this embodiment, the second area 320 is
different from the first area 310. The label design workspace 321
is an area of the display within which a user can add and/or delete
and/or manipulate label data for inclusion in a label to be
printed. Such label data includes, but is not limited to, text
(including numbers, letters, and other text characters such as
punctuation marks and text symbols), images, shapes, symbols and 1D
and 2D barcodes.
[0202] In FIG. 4, a representation of the appearance of a video
cassette label 322 is shown in the label design workspace 321. When
a user wishes to create an alternative type of label, they use an
input device (such as a mouse, tracker ball, digital pen,
touchscreen, or other selector 205 or "selection means" or "input
means") to move a cursor (not shown) on the display 208 to select
(e.g. "click on") a label whose appearance is represented by one of
the images 311 shown in the first area 310. By clicking on a first
image 312 of the plural images 311 shown in the first area 310, the
display 208 is driven by the display driver 209 (or, in other
embodiments, the controller 201 itself) to display in a separate
window plural label layouts 313 that are applicable to the first
image 312 and selectable by the user, as shown in FIG. 5. In
alternative embodiments, the plural label layouts 313 may be
displayed in the first area 310 previously discussed.
[0203] The first image 312 corresponds to the appearance of an
address label of the dimensions 31/2''.times.11/8'', although in
other embodiments a different type of label with different
dimensions is selected. Some of the label layouts 313 include a
predetermined arrangement of predefined label data, such as
barcodes, images, and text including names and addresses. Although
the user could select one of the label layouts including such
predefined label data, in this scenario the user chooses to select
a blank label 314, which excludes predefined label data.
[0204] By using their input device (i.e. selector 205), the user
selects (e.g. "clicks on") the blank label 314. This selecting of
the blank label 314 causes information (i.e. data or some form of
signal), representative of an operation or activation of the
selector 205 by the user to select the label 314, to be sent from
the selector 205 to the controller 201. In dependence on receiving
this information (or data or signal), the controller 201 outputs
data to the display driver 209 for causing the driver 209 to drive
the display 208 to display in the label design workspace 321 in the
second area 320 a second image 323 representative of the appearance
of the selected label that was represented by the first image 312,
as shown in FIG. 6.
[0205] In the illustrated embodiment, when a user selects the label
whose appearance is represented by the first image 312 in the first
area 310, they are presented with the plural label layouts 313. In
alternative embodiments, the plural label layouts 313 are not
displayed. Instead, the selecting of the label whose appearance is
represented by the first image 312 causes information,
representative of an operation of the selector 205 by the user to
select the label, to be sent from the selector 205 to the
controller 201. In dependence on receiving this information, the
controller 201 outputs to the driver 209 data for causing the
driver 209 to drive the display 208 to display in the label design
workspace 321 in the second area 320 a second image 323
representative of the appearance of the selected label that was
represented by the first image 312, again as shown in FIG. 6.
[0206] In the illustrated embodiment, the topmost one of the images
311 is a first image 312 which is representative of the label type
that has been most recently used. Thus, the user would not
necessarily need to scroll through all possible label types when
looking for a label type that they have recently used. In other
embodiments the images 311 may be presented in a different order in
the first area 310, such as by frequency of use of the different
label types over a period of time.
[0207] Another aspect of the present disclosure will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows a display
208 displaying an image 323 representative of the appearance of a
label medium in an area 320 of the display 208, which label medium
is being edited in the label design workspace 321. Shown in a
further area 330 of the display 208 is a slide bar 331, comprising
a slider 332 at a first position on a track 333.
[0208] As indicated by characters 334 adjacent the slide bar 331,
the image 323 is shown on the display in FIG. 6 at "100%" zoom.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide the user with
the option of "zooming in" to the image 323 of the appearance of
the label medium being edited in the label design workspace 321, in
order to enlarge the image 323 to help them more accurately
position label data within a label being edited or created.
[0209] By selecting a second position on the track 333 to the right
of the slider 332 of the slide bar 331 in FIG. 6, the display 208
is caused to refresh and display an enlarged version of the image
323 in the area 320 of the display 208, as shown in FIG. 7. The
slider 332 also moves to the selected second point on the track
333. As indicated by characters 334 adjacent the slide bar 331 in
FIG. 7, the image 323 is shown on the display in FIG. 7 at "221%"
zoom, i.e. 2.21 times larger than in FIG. 6. With reference to the
controller 201 shown in FIG. 3, the controller is arranged to
output to the driver 209 data for causing the driver 209 to drive
the display 208 to show the enlarged version of the image 323
representative of the appearance of the label medium (in place of
the original image of the label medium), in response to receiving
from the user's input device (again, which could be a mouse,
tracker ball, digital pen, touchscreen, or other selector 205)
information representative of an operation of the selector 205 by
the user to move the slider 332 to the second position on the track
333, wherein the second position is to the right of the initial
first position of the slider 332 shown in FIG. 6. This process is
also illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 41.
[0210] Of course, the user could have selected a different point
along the track 333 to the right of the slider 332 of the slide bar
331 in FIG. 6 to select a different degree of "zooming in", and
thus a different degree of enlargement of the image 323. In this
embodiment, selecting the right-most point of the linear track 333
of the slide bar 331 provides a maximum zoom of 400% (not shown).
In other embodiments, the maximum available zoom may be larger or
smaller than this figure.
[0211] In a similar manner, embodiments of the present disclosure
also provide the user with the option of "zooming out" of the image
323 of the label medium being edited in the label design workspace
321, in order to help them see more, or all, of the label being
edited or created.
[0212] Starting with the image 323 shown in the area 320 of the
display 208 shown in FIG. 6, by selecting a third point on the
track 333 to the left of the slider 332 of the slide bar 331 in
FIG. 6, the display is caused to refresh and displays a smaller
version of the image 323 in the area 320 of the display 208 (not
shown). Again, the slider 332 also moves to the selected third
point on the track 333. The characters 334 adjacent the slide bar
331 may then indicate that the image 323 is shown on the display
at, say, "50%" zoom. The controller 201 is configured to output
data to the driver 209 to cause the driver 209 to drive the display
208 to display the smaller version of the image 323 representative
of the appearance of the label medium, in response to receiving
from the user's input device information representative of the user
operating the selector 205 to move the slider 332 from the initial
first position on the track 333 shown in FIG. 6, to the third
position of the slider 332. The third position is different from
each of the first and second positions, and indeed in this
embodiment the initial first position of the slider 332 on the
linear track 333 is located between the second and third
positions.
[0213] Of course, the user could have selected a different point
along the track 333 to the left of the slider 332 of the slide bar
331 in FIG. 6 to select a different degree of "zooming out", and
thus a different degree of reduction of the image 323. In this
embodiment, selecting the left-most point of the linear track 333
of the slide bar 331 provides a minimum zoom of 25% (not shown). In
other embodiments, the minimum available zoom may be larger or
smaller than this figure.
[0214] In some embodiments the track 333 may not be linear, but may
instead be curved or otherwise non-linear. The slider 332 is
positionable at different positions between the left-most point of
the track 333 and the right-most point of the track 333. In this
embodiment, the distance between the position of the slider 332 and
the left-most point on the track 333 is proportional to the degree
of zoom applied to an image displayed with a degree of zoom
represented by the slider 332 being at the left-most position. In
other embodiments, this distance may not be proportional. Instead,
the degree of zoom applied to an image which is displayed with a
degree of zoom represented by the slider 332 being at the left-most
position may increase exponentially as the slider 332 is moved
rightwards along the track 333.
[0215] In an alternative embodiment, selecting the slider 332 with
the user's input device (a mouse, tracker, digital pen,
touchscreen, or any other selector 205) and moving the slider 332
to the left or to the right while keeping the slider selected, will
respectively zoom out or zoom in to image 323 while the user sees
image 323 decreasing or increasing. In other words, the information
received at the controller 201 from the selector 205 is
representative of an operation of the selector 205 by the user to
perform a drag and drop operation by dragging from the initial
position of the slider 332 on the track 333 to a different position
on the track. In some embodiments, the information comprises data
representative of a series of other positions between the initial
position and the different position. The controller 201 then
outputs, to the driver 209, data for causing the driver 209 to
drive the display 208 to display successively a series of images
representative of the appearance of the label medium, each of which
images being associated with a respective one of said series of
other positions. Each image of the series of images may therefore
have a size (or zoom factor) dependent on the distance between the
initial position and the respective one of the series of other
positions with which the image of the series of images is
associated. In any case, because the user can see image 323
successively decreasing or increasing in real time while he's
moving the slider 332 to the left or the right, this allows the
user to select the desired amount of zoom action very
accurately.
[0216] With the image 323 of the label displayed in the label
design workspace 321 in the second area 320, as shown in FIG. 7,
the user can add label data in data fields, prior to printing the
label. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide the feature
that the user can easily add such data fields to a desired
location, using for example a "drag and drop" procedure. So, the
user selects the "Designer" tab 315b at the top of the first area
310 using a selector 205, which causes the controller 201 to output
data to the driver 209 to cause the display 208 to display plural
images 316 representative of plural respective different types of
data field in the first area 310, as shown in FIG. 8. Again, the
first area 310 is different from the second area 320.
[0217] As shown in FIG. 8, the user can then operate the selector
205 to select a "text" data field. In this embodiment, this is
achieved by locating a cursor controlled by the selector 205 at a
first position within the bounds of the image 317 representative of
the text data field occupying a first region of the first area 310,
and activating an actuator of the selector 205 to maintain the
selection of the image 317. So, if the selector 205 is a mouse the
actuator could be a button, and the activating of the actuator
could comprise the user clicking and holding the button while
positioning the cursor controlled by the mouse at a first position
within the image 317 to maintain selection of the image 317.
Alternatively, if the user was using, say, a touchscreen display,
the actuator would be a touch sensitive portion of the touchscreen
display. The user would touch and maintain pressure on the part of
the touch sensitive portion of the touchscreen display
corresponding to a first position within the image 317 in the first
region to maintain selection of the image 317. Activation of the
actuator in this way causes a further image 317a representative of
the text data field to be displayed at the position of the cursor
while moving (not shown).
[0218] While maintaining activation of the actuator, the user
operates the selector 205 to drag the cursor and further image 317a
from the first area 310 into the label medium 323 occupying an area
in the label design workspace 321 in the second area 320, as shown
in FIG. 9. By deactivating the actuator of the selector 205 when
the cursor and further image 317a are at a position overlying part
of the image 323 representative of the appearance of the label
medium, the image 323 representative of the appearance of the label
medium is revised such as to include an empty text data field 327
at a position determined by the location of the cursor and further
image 317a when the actuator is deactivated, as shown in FIG. 10.
In other embodiments, the further image 317a is not displayed.
[0219] In terms of signalling between the selector 205 and the
controller 201, information comprising data representative of the
operation of the selector 205 by the user to select the image 317
(such as data representative of a first position in the first
region in the first area 310) and data representative of a position
within the bounds of the image 323 representative of the label
medium is sent from the selector 205 to the controller 201. The
controller 201 then outputs data to the driver 209 to cause the
driver to drive the display 208 to display a text data field 327 at
a location determined in dependence on the location of the position
within the bounds of the image 323.
[0220] In some embodiments, the data field included in the revised
image 323 occupies a region that includes the position within the
bounds of the image 323. The data field may have an edge or a
corner that occupies the position within the bounds of the image
323. In other embodiments, the data field added to the image 323
may occupy a space that does not include the position within the
bounds of the image 323, but is nevertheless determined in
dependence on the location of the position within the bounds of the
image 323.
[0221] Data fields other than text data fields, such as barcode
data fields, image data fields, counter data fields, shape data
fields, date and/or time data fields, and address data fields, can
also be added within the image 323 of the label in this way.
[0222] Thus, by this method the user can accurately position
selected data fields within the image 323 of the label being
created or edited.
[0223] In other embodiments the user does not operate the selector
205 to necessarily drag the cursor (and optionally the further
image 317a) from the first area 310 into the label design workspace
321 in the second area 320. Instead, the user could operate the
selector 205 to send to the controller 201 information comprising
data representative of an operation of the selector 205 by the user
to select the image 317 representative of the text data field
(preferably by selecting a location within the bounds of the image
317) and data representative of the user operating the selector 205
to select a position within the bounds of the image 323
representative of the label medium, to cause the controller 201 to
output data to the driver 209 to cause the driver 209 to drive the
display 208 to display a data field 327 at a location determined in
dependence on said position within the bounds of the image 323.
This could be achieved, for example, by the user "clicking" on the
image 317 and then clicking on the position within the image
323.
[0224] In any case, the controller ultimately causes the display to
alter the image 323 representative of the appearance of the label
medium by adding to it a label data field 327 of the type of label
data field of which the first image 317 is representative. The
label data field 327 added to the image 323 representative of the
appearance of the label medium may occupy a second region of the
display 208 that includes the position within the image 323. This
process is further illustrated in the flow diagram of FIG. 34.
[0225] In other embodiments the user operates the selector 205 to
send to the controller 201 information comprising data
representative of an operation of the selector 205 by the user to
select twice in quick succession (i.e. "double click") the first
image 317, to cause the controller 201 to output data to the driver
209 to cause the driver to drive the display 208 to display a
revised version of the image 323 that includes the data field 327
occupying a second region of the display 208. Again, the controller
ultimately causes the display 208 to alter the image 323
representative of the appearance of the label medium by adding to
it a label data field 327 of the type of label data field of which
the first image 317 is representative.
[0226] The data field 327 shown in FIG. 10 includes a prompt to the
user to enter text in the data field. By using the actuator of the
selector 205, the user can click/select the data field, and
populate the data field with text spelling "Richard Brown" by
operating, say, a keyboard or other data input apparatus 206, as
shown in FIG. 11.
[0227] In an embodiment the user can add an image to the image 323
of the label to be printed, by selecting the image 318
representative of an "image" data field in the first area 310, and
operating the selector to drag the cursor and a further image 318a
from the first area 310 into the label design workspace 321 in the
second area 320, as shown in FIG. 12. By deactivating the actuator
of the selector when the cursor and further image 318a are
overlying part of the image 323 representative of the appearance of
the label, an empty image data field (not shown) is displayed in
the label image 323 at the position of the cursor and further image
318a. The user can then use a browsing facility of the apparatus to
cause a picture image 328 from memory to be added to the image 323
representative of the label to be printed, as shown in FIG. 13.
Again, as described above, in other embodiments the user does not
operate the selector 205 to necessarily drag the cursor and further
image 318a from the first area 310 into the label design workspace
321 in the second area 320. In some embodiments the further image
318a is not displayed.
[0228] The user could operate the selector 205 to send to the
controller 201 information comprising data representative of an
operation of the selector 205 by the user to select twice in quick
succession (i.e. "double click") the image 318 representative of
the "image" data field in the first area 310, to cause the display
208 to display the picture image 328. Again, the controller would
ultimately cause the display 208 to alter the image 323
representative of the appearance of the label medium by adding to
it a label data field of the type of which the image 318 is
representative.
[0229] The user can more accurately position the picture image 328
relative to the previously-added text, or indeed the outline of the
image 323 of the label, by zooming in to the label (as described
above) to be presented with the display in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14 it
can be noted that maximum zoom (of 400%) has been instructed. By
activating the actuator of the selector 205 while the cursor (not
shown) is located within the bounds of the picture image 328, the
user can drag the picture image 328 to another position relative to
the rest of the image 323 representative of the label, as shown in
FIG. 15.
[0230] The user may then add and/or delete further label data
fields to the image 323 representative of the label to be printed
until they are happy that the label is ready to print, as shown in
FIG. 16. In FIG. 16 it can be seen that a "shape" data field
populated with a vertical line, and an "address" data field
populated with an address, have been added to the image 323
representative of the appearance of the label medium.
[0231] The printing apparatus can be instructed to print the label
by the user operating their selector 205 and/or actuator to click
on the print button 335 at the bottom-right of the display 208. The
controller 201 then causes print data, representative of the label
data for inclusion in the label to be printed, to be sent to the
print head 218, 18 of the printing apparatus, and printing elements
of the print head 218, 18 are selectively heated to create the
desired label.
[0232] In some embodiments the printing apparatus includes a cutter
or cutting means which can be operated to cut the printed label
from a supply of blank labels. In some embodiments the cutter is
operated automatically by the printing apparatus without
intervention of the user. In other embodiments the user can operate
a button or lever or similar to cut the printed label from the
supply. In still further embodiments, the printed label may be
created using an individual blank label, and so the printed label
is not attached to any further supply of blank labels. In those
embodiments no cutter or cutting means may be provided.
[0233] Once the label has been printed, the user can design other
label(s). If they later want to print again the label created and
printed during the process illustrated in part with reference to
FIGS. 4 to 16, they can select, using the selector 205, the
"Labels" tab 315a shown at the top of the first area 310 in FIG. 6,
and then select the "Recently Printed Labels" tab 319c at the
bottom of the first area 310. This causes the controller 201 of the
printing apparatus to send data to the driver 209 to cause the
driver 209 to drive the display 208 to display, in the first area
410, images 411 representative of the appearance of labels that
have been previously created or edited using the apparatus and
printed using the print head of the apparatus, as shown in FIG. 17.
A label design workspace 421 is shown in a second area 420 of the
display. In the embodiment, the images 411 are presented in an
order in dependence on the time since each of the labels was
printed, so the topmost one of the images 411 is a first image 412
which is representative of the appearance of the label that has
been most recently printed. In other embodiments the images 411 may
be presented in a different order in the first area 410, such as
time since each of the labels was edited.
[0234] The controller 201, in response to receiving from the
selector 205 information representative of an operation of the
selector 205 by the user to select the label represented by the
first image 412, causes the display 208 to display a second image
423 representative of the appearance of the label selected in a
revised version of the label design workspace 421 in the second
area 420, as shown in FIG. 18. The information may be, for example,
representative of a single click or a double click of a button
(actuator) of a mouse, when the selector 205 is a mouse and the
mouse has been used to locate a cursor on the screen at a position
corresponding to the first image 412 of the label to be selected.
This process is further illustrated in the flow diagram of FIG.
35.
[0235] Thus, by this method the user can easily create a label with
the same appearance and layout of label data as one previously
printed, to maintain consistency of printed labels.
[0236] A user may want to save a label for future use, without
first printing it. For example, the user may create the image 523
of a label shown in the second area 520 in FIG. 19. The user can
then save data defining the image 523 representative of the
appearance of the label to a position in memory, such as a position
in the read only memory shown in FIG. 3. To do this, the user
clicks on the "Save" icon 524 displayed on the display above the
second area 520 in FIG. 19, in a manner that is well known in the
art. In alternative embodiments, the data defining the image 523
can be saved in other memory in the printing apparatus, or in
memory external to the printing apparatus, such as a smart card,
chip card, memory card or the like. The user can then create and
work on an alternative label, such as that shown in FIG. 20.
[0237] If the user later wants to view and/or edit and/or print the
label shown in FIG. 19, which is now stored in the memory, they can
select, using the selector 205, the "Labels" tab 515a shown at the
top of the first area 510 in FIG. 20, and then select the "Saved
Labels" tab 519b at the bottom of the first area 510. This causes
the controller 201 of the printing apparatus to output data to the
display driver 209 to cause the display driver 209 to drive the
display 208 to display in the first area 510 images 511
representative of the appearance of labels that have been saved as
a file in memory, or otherwise stored in memory, as shown in FIG.
21. In the embodiment, the top image of the images 511 is a first
image 512 which is representative of the appearance of the label
created and saved during the procedure discussed above with
reference to FIG. 19. In other embodiments the images 511 may be
presented in a different order in the first area 510, or the image
512 may be the only image displayed in the first area 510. The
plurality of images 511 may be displayed in an order determined in
dependence on the time since each of the respective labels was
saved or edited.
[0238] The controller 201, in response to receiving from the
selector 205 information representative of an operation of the
selector 205 by the user to select the label whose appearance is
represented by the first image 512, causes the display 208 to
display a second image 523, representative of the appearance of the
label selected, in a revised version of the label design workspace
521 in the second area 520, as shown in FIG. 22. The information
may be, for example, representative of a single click or a double
click of a button (actuator) of a mouse, when the selector 205 is a
mouse and the mouse is used to locate a cursor on the screen at a
position corresponding to the first image 512 of the label to be
selected. Again, this process is further illustrated in FIG.
35.
[0239] Thus, by this method the user can interrupt the creation or
editing of a particular label, save the label, and come back to it
at a later date without losing the work and effort already invested
by the user in the design of the label.
[0240] By providing the saved labels in a single step operation in
the first area 310 of the display 208, the user doesn't have to
access a folder structure to find a saved label. He can simply
select the saved labels button 519b and be presented with the saved
labels in the first area 310.
[0241] When a user decides that they wish to order some label stock
in order to print a desired label, embodiments of the present
disclosure provide a feature that helps to ensure the user orders
the correct label stock. For example, the user may decide they need
to order some 31/2''.times.11/8'' address labels. With reference to
FIG. 6, below the image 312 representative of the appearance of an
address label of the dimensions 31/2''.times.11/8'' in the first
area 310 of the display 208 of the user interface of the software
application for designing labels is located an icon (a letter "i"
in a circle) associated with the address label of the dimensions
31/2''.times.11/8''. Indeed, below respective plural images
corresponding to respective plural label types shown in the first
area 310 are provided plural such icons. In other embodiments, an
icon associated with only one of the labels may be displayed.
[0242] These icons are examples of images identifying selectable
parts of the user interface. In other embodiments the selectable
parts may comprise different images or alternatively or
additionally text or a symbol.
[0243] The user can operate the selector 205 in a similar manner to
that discussed above to click on the icon below the image 312. This
causes information to be sent to the controller 201, which causes
the controller 201 to output data to the display driver 209 to
cause the display driver 209 to drive the display 208 to display an
information page comprising links to associated webpages, wherein
each of the links is associated with the label represented by the
image 312, as illustrated in FIG. 23. In alternative embodiments,
it is not necessary for the user to select an icon to display the
links on the display 208. In such embodiments, the links may be
displayed adjacent the image 312. In any case, this process is
further illustrated in FIG. 37. In other embodiments, such links
may not be displayed for each of the images in the first area 510,
but only for one or at least one of the images.
[0244] In the illustrated embodiment, the links comprise a series
of hyperlinks 611. Each hyperlink is associated with a different
stock keeping unit (SKU) 613, but each of the hyperlinks is
associated with address labels of the dimensions
31/2''.times.11/8'', i.e. the type of label represented by the
image 312. In this embodiment, each of the SKUs 613 represents a
different quantity and/or colour and/or material of the label
represented by the image 312. In alternative embodiments, there may
be provided only one hyperlink per label represented by an
image.
[0245] As can be seen in FIG. 23, the links are displayed in a
second area 620 of the display, which second area 620 partially
overlaps the first area 610 of the display 208. In alternative
embodiments the first and second areas do not overlap and may be
adjacent each other. In further embodiments, the second area 620 is
within the first area 610. In that case, the links may be displayed
within the image 312 representative of the appearance of the label
medium.
[0246] When the user uses the selector 205 to select one of the
hyperlinks 611 in the illustrated embodiment, the controller 201
receives from the selector 205 information representative of an
operation of the selector 205 by the user to select the hyperlink.
In response to this, the controller 201 outputs data to the driver
209 to cause the driver 209 to drive the display 208 to display a
page (not shown) via which a user is able to order, from a trusted
supplier, the label represented by the image 312 with which the
hyperlink is associated. In this embodiment the page is a webpage
on the internet which is displayed in the user interface of the
label design software application. In alternative embodiments, the
page may be a webpage accessible via a web browser that is not
integrated with the user interface in this way, or a page on an
intranet controlled e.g. by the user's employing company, via which
page the user is able to order stocks of the labels from a
stationery department within the company. Each of the hyperlinks
may link to a different respective page or to a different
respective location in a common webpage to which each of the
hyperlinks links.
[0247] In some embodiments, the controller 201 is also configured
to pass country and/or language information to server hosting the
page requested. The server hosting the page can then use that
information to ensure suitable data is sent to the controller 201
such that the user is presented with a page in a language the user
would understand.
[0248] Thus, by this method the user can reorder a supply of
labels, safe in the knowledge that the supplier is trusted. The
apparatus also helps the user select the correct type of label by
associating the links for a label with that label, and not
requiring any transcription to be carried out.
[0249] In creating the label shown in FIG. 16, the user may decide
that they wish to apply a different layout (or template) to the
arrangement of the label data included in the image 323
representative of the appearance of the label being created. To do
this, the user can use the selector 205 to select the button 324
labelled "Change Layout". The controller 201 then outputs data to
the driver 209 to cause the driver 209 to control the display 208
to show the display illustrated in FIG. 24.
[0250] In FIG. 24, the display 208 displays in a first area 710
plural images 711 representative of the appearance of labels,
including a first image 712 representative of the appearance of a
label comprising first label data arranged according to a first
template. The display 208 also displays, in a second area 720, the
label design workspace 721 containing what will be termed a second
image 722 representative of the appearance of a label comprising
second label data. The label data fields or data objects in the
second image are arranged differently to the label data fields or
data objects in the first image. (In some embodiments the second
label data is arranged according to a second predefined template,
which is different from the first template). The first label data
comprises at least some of the label data comprised in the second
label data. The first label data in some embodiments comprises the
same label data as the second label data, and in other embodiments
the first label data comprises label data in addition to the second
label data.
[0251] In this embodiment, most of the images 711 show data
arranged according to different templates. In other embodiments,
all of the images 711 may show data arranged according to different
templates. The different templates each include one or more
different types of label data field, such as address, text,
counter, date and time, barcode, shape, and image data fields. The
second label data in the second image 722 in this embodiment is
also arranged in one or more types of label data field.
[0252] In this embodiment, the arrangement and content of data in
label data fields included in the different templates in the images
711 of the first area is identical to the arrangement of data in a
corresponding label data field of the same type in the second image
722. So, in this example, at least some of the first label data is
arranged in a first type (in this case an "image" type) of label
data field, and at least some of the second label data is arranged
in the same way in the same first type of label data field.
[0253] However, some of the images 711 also show data provided in
one or more data fields that are of a different type from the data
fields comprised in the second image 722. In some embodiments, at
least some of the first label data may be arranged in a first type
of label data field, and none of the second label data is arranged
in that first type of label data field.
[0254] Some of the images 711 also show a smaller number of data
fields than the number of data fields comprised in the second image
722, and thus some of the images 711 do not include all the label
data included in the second image 722. In this example, at least
some of the second label data is arranged in a second type of label
data field (in this case a "shape" type label data field), and none
of the first label data is arranged in this second type of label
data field.
[0255] The user can decide to apply the first template to label
data comprised in the label represented by the second image 722, in
order to arrange the label data of the label being created in a
different manner relative to the image representative of the
appearance of the label medium itself. Thus, the user uses the
selector 205 to select the first image 712. This causes the
selector 205 to send to the controller 201 information
representative of an operation of the selector 205 by the user to
select the first image 712 representative of the appearance of the
label, which causes the controller 201 to output data to the driver
209 to cause the driver to drive the display 208 to display in the
label design workspace 721 a third image 723 representative of the
appearance of the label selected, as shown in FIG. 25. The third
image 723 representative of the label selected replaces the second
image 722 representative of a label previously displayed in the
label design workspace 721, and comprises the first label data
arranged according to the first template. This process is further
illustrated in FIG. 36.
[0256] It is to be noted that the third image 723 includes only the
address data field and the image data field that were included in
the second image 722. In other embodiments, applying a new template
to an image representative of the appearance of a label may
maintain all the existing data fields/objects and/or introduce new
data fields/objects to the image and/or replace existing data
fields/objects. In any case, at least one of the first label data
and the second label data may comprise at least one of a text data
field, an address data field, a barcode data field, a shape data
field, and an image data field.
[0257] By the first image 712 in first area 710 the user is
provided with an indication, before changing the layout, as to
which label data fields will be the same, which will be removed and
which will be added. This allows the user to make well-considered
choices without unintentionally losing label data.
[0258] In this or alternative embodiments, the user may similarly
be able to apply a "recently used" template to a label being
created. To do this, instead of selecting button 324, they select
button 325 illustrated in FIG. 16. The user could then be presented
with one or more different images representative of the appearance
of labels with templates that have been recently applied to images
of labels, or printed by the printing apparatus, similar to the
images 711 discussed above. The user can then select one of the
different images to apply its template to the label currently being
created. In the scenario in which the "recently used" templates are
representative of the templates of recently-printed labels,
multiple labels with the same layout may not be displayed. In other
words, the images 711 may each be representative of the appearance
of labels with label data arranged according to different
templates. In some embodiments, each of the images 711 represents
the appearance of a label with dimensions and/or colour that are
different from dimensions and/or colour of labels whose appearance
the others of the images 711 represent. So only one example of a
template applied to each of the different sized recently-used
labels may be displayed.
[0259] In the illustrated embodiment, the topmost one of the images
711 is a first image 712 which is representative of the template
that has been most recently used in editing or creating a label.
The images 711 are displayed in an order determined in dependence
on the time since each of the respective templates was last applied
to a label edited using the apparatus. Thus, the user would not
necessarily need to scroll through all possible templates when
looking for a template to apply. In other embodiments the images
711 may be presented in a different order in the first area 710,
such as by frequency of use over a period of time, time since they
were each last printed or time since they were each saved.
[0260] Thus, by either of these methods the user can easily change
the arrangement of label data fields, without losing the work and
effort already invested by the user in the design of the label.
[0261] One type of label that may be designed and printed using the
present disclosure is an address label. Address labels are labels
which may be adhered to an envelope or parcel for delivery to the
address indicated on the label. The present disclosure may provide
the user with a facility for checking the format and/or content of
addresses, e.g. before they are printed onto address labels.
[0262] Starting e.g. from the display shown in FIG. 6, the user
selects the "Address Book" tab 315c at the top of the first area
310 using the selector 205, which causes the controller 201 to
cause the display 208 to display data 350 indicative of plural
addressees 353 in the first area 310, as shown in FIG. 28. Plural
items of data, each indicative of one of the plural addressees, are
simultaneously displayed. However, only some of the available
plural items of data are visible at the same time in the display
208 of FIG. 28. It will be noted that further items of data, each
indicative of one of the plural addressees, are viewable by the
user if the user operates the selector 205 to select one of the
arrows 357, 358 to scroll up or down, respectively, through the
data 350.
[0263] In other embodiments, all of the available plural items of
simultaneously displayed data are visible in the display 208 at the
same time, i.e. the user does not need to scroll up or down. In
still further embodiments, only one of the items of data may be
visible at a time, and the user then needs to operate the selector
205 to select one of the arrows 357, 358 to scroll up or down,
respectively, through the data 350 to view other ones of the
simultaneously displayed plural items of data. Generally speaking,
one or more of the simultaneously displayed items of data
indicative of respective addressees are visible at the same time.
In preferred embodiments, two or more simultaneously displayed
items of data indicative of respective addressees are visible at
the same time.
[0264] The user can click on one, some, or all of the data
indicative of the addressees to select addressees 353 for whom
address labels are to be printed. In other words, the user performs
a separate operation of the selector 205 to select each respective
addressee for whom address labels are to be printed. The selected
addressees 353 are highlighted.
[0265] The displayed data 350 in this embodiment is the name of the
respective addressees. Each of the names of the plural addressees
353 has associated with it an address stored in a local database.
In other embodiments, the data 350 may comprise at least a portion
of each of the addresses stored in the local database, and the user
may perform a separate operation of the selector 205 to select each
respective address for which an address label is to be printed. The
local database may be stored in the memory in the printer when the
printer is a stand-alone device, in memory in a PC connected to a
printing apparatus, or in other memory. In some embodiments the
address information is stored in local memory without being stored
in a database.
[0266] By using the selector 205 to select the "Address Fixer"
button 351, the controller 201 causes contact to be made with a
server or processor at an external organisation. In this
embodiment, the external organisation is an entity that licenses
address data from the US Postal Service, so contact is made via the
internet. For this purpose, the printing apparatus needs to include
a connection to the internet. In other embodiments, the external
organisation may be reached without having a connection via the
internet. In some embodiments, the external organisation may be a
postal organisation, such as the US Postal Service itself, or a
different entity that has access to suitable address data.
[0267] As contact with the server of the external organisation is
being established, the controller 201 causes the display 208 to
show the display illustrated in FIG. 29. The display 208 thus lists
the addresses 354 associated with the selected addressees 353 in
the address format in which they are stored in the local database.
The printing apparatus is configured to send, to the server of the
external organisation, information associated with the addresses
354 selected by the user. In this embodiment, this information
comprises at least a portion of the selected addresses 354. In
other embodiments it may comprise other data such as respective
unique identifiers for the selected addressees 353, or respective
unique identifiers for the respective addresses 354 of the selected
addressees 353. The printing apparatus is further configured to
receive revision data from the server of the external organisation.
In this embodiment, the revision data comprises information
indicative of one or more respective address formats associated
with the addresses selected. These address formats are formats
which are recommended or required by the postal organisation that
will be responsible for delivering the mail to which the address
label will be attached, to help them deliver the mail. Once the
information indicative of the one or more respective address
formats has been received, in this embodiment the printing
apparatus is configured to compare the format of the selected
addresses stored in the local database with the received
information.
[0268] In other embodiments, the comparison step may be carried out
at the external organisation, rather than in the printing
apparatus. In that case, the printing apparatus may be configured
to send information indicative of the respective addresses selected
by the user to the external organisation. After receiving this
information, the processor at the external organisation would then
compare the received information with the respective one or more
address formats or content required by the postal organisation, and
then return to the printing apparatus revision data indicating or
comprising a revised version of the addresses, for those addresses
with a format or content that is currently not aligned with that
required/preferred by the postal organisation.
[0269] For each selected address, the controller 201 is configured
to output data to the driver 209 to cause the driver to drive the
display 208 to display a status indication 355, 356, 359 associated
with that address, in dependence on the revision data received. For
each selected address which could be identified or recognised by
the processor of the external organisation from the information
sent by the printing apparatus, the controller 201 is configured to
output data to the driver 209 to cause the driver to drive the
display 208 to display a revised version of the address 355 in a
format according to the format preferred or required by the postal
organisation. So, as shown in FIG. 30, adjacent the first, third
and fourth listed addresses 354, revised versions 355 of the
addresses are displayed. This revised version of the address 355 is
one example of such a status indication. In other embodiments the
display 208 may be driven to display a revised version of the
address 355 with content preferred or required by the postal
organisation. A revised address may include additional data or less
data than the originally-selected address, and it might include new
data that replaces some of the data of the originally-selected
address. For instance, an address without a ZIP code or including a
5-digit ZIP code might be revised to include a more accurate
9-digit ZIP code. A revised address may also include capital
letters in place of previous lowercase letters, or additional or
less punctuation. This process is further illustrated in FIG.
38.
[0270] For one or more of the selected addresses, the information
sent to the server of the external organisation might be such that
the external organisation returns to the controller 201 revision
data associated with the format or content of more than one
address, in the case where the above comparison step is performed
by the printing apparatus. In the case where the comparison step is
carried out at the external organisation, the external organisation
might return to the controller 201 data indicative of or comprising
more than one revised version of any one of the selected addresses.
For example, the server might return information defining multiple
destinations corresponding to the information sent to the server by
the printing apparatus. In either case, the controller 201 outputs
data to the display driver 209 to drive the display 208 to display
two or more revised addresses that match the information sent to
the server, and the user is able to operate the selector 205 to
select which of the displayed two or more revised addresses is the
one they desire to use. The user can also use their keyboard 206
and/or selector 205 to edit any of the revised addresses if they
wish. These operations are further described below.
[0271] In this embodiment, the status indication displayed adjacent
each of the selected addresses which the external organisation
could recognise comprises a tick 359. Other embodiments may not
include the display of a tick 359, and only the respective revised
address(es) are displayed. For any selected addresses which could
not be identified or recognised by the external organisation from
the information sent by the printing apparatus, in this embodiment
a suitable status indication is displayed on the display 208. So,
again as shown in FIG. 30, adjacent the second listed address a
cross 356 is displayed. In this embodiment, the second listed
address does not have an associated revised address since the
external organisation only has access to address format/content
information for United States addresses. The non-revised address is
an address in Switzerland, and Switzerland is clearly not in the
US.
[0272] Of course the ticks 359, cross 356 and revised address(es)
355 discussed above are only examples of status indications that
could be displayed. In other embodiments the status indications may
comprise different symbols, characters, text or images. Each status
indications may comprise one or more of: an indication that the
external organisation recognises the selected address with which
the status indication is associated, an indication that the
external organisation does not recognise the selected address with
which the status indication is associated, an indication of whether
a revised version of the address with which the status indication
is associated has been created (or may be created), an indication
as to whether the address is incorrect, or an indication as to
whether the address is correct (and thus may not need
revising).
[0273] Although in the discussed embodiment a status indication is
provided for all of the selected addresses, in other examples a
status indication may only be provided for one or more of the
selected addresses.
[0274] The user can use their keyboard 206 and/or selector 205 to
edit e.g. the second listed address, in order to create an edited
revised version of the second listed address. The user could edit
more than one of the addresses. Once the edited revised version of
the second listed address has been created, the user clicks on a
"Fix Again" button, and the connection with the server is made
again for the edited revised version and the process is repeated.
So, information associated with the edited revised version of said
address is sent to the server, further revision data is received
from the server, and the controller is configured to output, to the
display driver, data for causing the display driver to drive the
display to display a further status indication associated with the
second listed address, in dependence on the received further
revision data.
[0275] The further status indication may take the form of any of
the status indications discussed above. In this embodiment, the
further status indication comprises a further revised version of
said second listed address.
[0276] Again, the user could create edited revised versions of more
than one of the addresses. In that case, clicking on the "Fix
Again" button would cause information associated with each of the
edited revised versions to be sent to the server. Further revision
data for each of the edited revised versions would be received from
the server, and the controller would cause the display driver to
drive the display to display further status indications associated
with at least one of the addresses, in dependence on the received
further revision data.
[0277] Through this approach errors in address data can be reviewed
and corrected both by the user and by the printing apparatus and/or
server, and the process can be repeated until the user is provided
with an address that is in the best manner for the appropriate
postal organisation to deliver to the desired destination.
[0278] Of course, in other embodiments the external organisation
may have access to address format or address content information
for countries or regions other than the US, and may have access to
address format/content information for the whole world or part of
the world, such as Europe, Asia, Australasia, South America, North
America or Africa. It may have access to address format/content
information for certain countries, such as the UK, Germany, France,
Belgium, Spain, etc. In further embodiments, the printing apparatus
may have means for making contact with plural different external
organisations. The choice of organisation contacted may be
determined by analysing an address selected by the user to
determine which country or region the address is in, and then
contacting an external organisation with access to address format
or content information for that country or region.
[0279] Once the revised address(es) have been displayed, the user
is given the option of updating the addresses stored in the local
database such that they have the format and/or content
required/preferred by the postal organisation, by operation the
selector to select the "Update X Addresses" button 352 (where X is
the number of revised addresses), as shown in FIG. 30. Thus, when
these addresses are later applied to a label to be printed, they
will have an optimum format and/or content. The revised 355, or
non-revised 354, addresses can be printed using the print head of
the printing apparatus.
[0280] Thus, the present disclosure can make it easier for postal
organisation(s) to determine the address to which mail is to be
delivered, and the user can be more confident that the mail will be
correctly delivered.
[0281] Some embodiments of the present disclosure include means for
detecting the type of printer included in the printing apparatus.
So, in the scenario in which the printing apparatus comprises a
printer connected to a PC, a controller 201 of the PC may receive
(either from the printer itself or by way of a printer driver being
installed in the PC or by way of a user entering the information
via an input device) information indicative of the type of
connected printer. The controller 201 then outputs, to the display
driver 209, data for causing the display driver 209 to drive the
display 208 to display a user interface for designing labels,
wherein the user interface comprises a link 326. In the present
embodiment, this link is a button 326 labelled "DYMO Online", as
shown in FIG. 16. The link could alternatively comprise text rather
than an image.
[0282] When the user operates the selector 205 to select the button
326, the controller 201 receives from the selector 205 information
representative of an operation of the selector 205 by the user to
select the link. In response to this, the controller 201 causes
data indicative of the type of label printer connected to the
computer to be sent to a server. In this embodiment, data
indicative of a language spoken in the user's location is sent to
the server and in some embodiments data indicative of the location
such as a country (instead of or as well as a language) is sent to
the server. In response, the server sends data back to the
controller 201. The data received at the controller is data
suitable for that language and/or location. Having received this
data, the controller 201 causes the display 208 to display printer
information associated with the type of printer in a webpage, in
dependence on the data received from the server. So the printer
information is displayed in a language that the user at that
location would understand.
[0283] The webpage is preferably displayed in the user interface of
the software application for designing labels running at the
printing apparatus. The webpage may thus replace the
currently-displayed user interface in the window. Alternatively,
the webpage could occupy a different window. Either way, the
content of the page may be received via the internet or via an
intranet. This process is further illustrated in FIG. 39.
[0284] In FIG. 31 it is shown that the webpage includes information
about a DYMO LabelWriter 450 Turbo printer, which is the printer
connected to the PC with the display 208 in this embodiment. The
page may comprise information such as technical support information
for the printer, information relating to supplies of label media
that may be utilised in the connected printer, contact details for
sales and/or repair of the printer, printer-specific tips,
printer-related news, special offers, or other information.
[0285] In some embodiments, the button 326 comprises a hyperlink
including a variable which the controller 201 of the printing
apparatus sets to a value indicative of the connected printer. The
target page of the hyperlink may include code which detects this
value such as to provide information relevant to the connected
printer.
[0286] If plural different types of label printer are connected to
the computer, then data indicative of at least two of the plural
different types of label printer is sent to the server. This data
may be in the form of a list. In response, the controller 201
receives, from the server, data associated with each of the at
least two different types of label printer.
[0287] The resultant webpage displayed may include an identifier
(such as an option in the drop down list 327 in FIG. 31) indicative
of one of the plural different types of printer. If the user uses
the selector 205 to select this data, then the page is refreshed to
display information relating to the selected connected printer
type. Alternatively, the information relating to the selected
connected printer type may be shown in a separate window.
[0288] In alternative embodiments where plural different types of
label printer are connected to the computer, data indicative of
only one of the plural type of printer is sent to the server. In
this case, the controller 201 receives information representative
of an operation of the selector 205 by the user to select one of
the plural different types of label printer. For example, the user
might select one of several icons on the screen, where each icon is
representative of a different one of the different types of
printer. The controller 201 then causes data indicative of said one
of the plural different types of label printer selected to be sent
to the server. "Second data" is then received from the server at
the controller 201, and the display is driven to display, in a
webpage, printer information associated with the type of label
printer selected, in dependence on the second data received from
the server.
[0289] In any case, the user is able to find information relating
to a type of label printer connected to the computer, without
having to find the printer's product name or reference code which
is needed to identify e.g. the page of the manufacturer's website
relevant to that printer. The user also does not need to write down
any information, and thus errors of transcription are avoided.
[0290] In some embodiments of the present invention, in which the
printing apparatus comprises one or more printers connected to a
PC, the display may comprise visually distinct images
representative of the appearance of each of the printers that are
connected (or connectable) to the PC, whether that be one printer
or more than one printer, in the user interface of the software
application for designing labels.
[0291] So, as illustrated in FIG. 32, when the user has created a
label to print they can operate the selector 205 to select button
336. Button 336 comprises an image 801 representative of the
appearance (e.g. the external appearance) of a selected connected
or connectable printer. When the user operates the selector 205 to
select the button 336, the controller 201 receives from the
selector 205 information representative of an operation of the
selector 205 by the user to select the button 336. In response to
this, the controller 201 outputs data to the driver 209 to cause
the driver 209 to drive the display 208 to display the images
representative of the appearance of each of the at least one
printers connected or connectable to the PC. So, as illustrated in
FIG. 32, in addition to the image 801 of the currently selected
"LabelWriter DUO Label" printer, an image 802 representative of a
"LabelWriter DUO Tape 128" printer that is also connected or
connectable to the PC is displayed. The user can then use the
selector 205 to select one of the displayed images 801, 802 to set
the corresponding printer as being that to which subsequent print
data is to be sent to print onto a label medium. This process is
illustrated in FIG. 40.
[0292] In this embodiment, although additional printers beyond
those illustrated in images 801 and 802 are connected to the PC,
those additional printers are not suitable for printing labels
using the software application. Thus, the plural images 801, 802
comprise only images representative of the appearance of respective
label printers that are capable of printing based on printing
instructions generated by the software application for designing
labels.
[0293] The user interface displayed on the display 208 includes an
image 823 representative of the appearance of a certain size or
type of label medium. In some embodiments, plural images 801, 802
comprise only images representative of the appearance of respective
label printers that are capable of printing onto that type of label
medium. If the user uses the selector 205 to select a second type
of label medium that is different from the label medium illustrated
by image 823, then the controller 201 may be configured to output,
to the display driver 209, data for causing the display driver 209
to drive the display 208 to display only images representative of
the appearance of respective label printers that are capable of
printing onto the second label medium.
[0294] In contrast, in the present illustrated embodiment, all
printers capable of working with the software application are
displayed, but the controller outputs to the display driver data
for causing the display driver to drive the display to display an
indication of which of the plural label printers indicated by
images 801, 802 are capable of printing onto the label medium
illustrated by the image 823. In this example, the image 823 in
FIG. 32 is representative of the appearance of a certain size of
address label. Therefore, image 801 (which is representative of a
printer for printing onto that type of address label) comprises a
full-colour image to indicate that that printer is capable and
selectable for printing. On the other hand, image 802 (which is
representative of a printer for printing onto a tape) comprises a
greyed-out image to indicate that that printer is not capable of
printing onto the illustrated label medium, and as such is not
currently selectable for use in printing. The image 802 also
includes a red "cross" 802a to further indicate the non-suitability
of the printer (that image 802 represents) for printing onto the
label medium, and in other embodiments the image 801 could include,
say, a green "tick" to further indicate the suitability of the
printer (that image 801 represents) for printing onto the label
medium. Moreover, in some embodiments, when the user hovers a
cursor over the image 802, a message reading: "current label type
is not supported" is displayed to the user. Similarly, when the
user hovers the cursor over the image 801, a message reading:
"ready" is displayed to the user.
[0295] In the illustrated embodiment, if the user uses the selector
205 to select a second type of label medium that is different from
the label medium illustrated in image 823, then the controller 201
is configured to output, to the display driver 209, data for
causing the driver 209 to drive the display 208 to display an
indication of which of the plural label printers illustrated by
images 801, 802 are capable of printing onto the second label
medium and an indication of which of the plural label printers
illustrated by images 801, 802 are incapable of printing onto the
second label medium. Thus, the user is aware of which of the
connected or connectable printers supports the current label medium
type that is being worked on.
[0296] In some embodiments a selectable printer may include two or
more selectable printing mechanisms, e.g. print heads and/or
selectable sources of label media. FIG. 33 illustrates such an
embodiment. After the user has selected button 336, the controller
201 causes the display 208 to display image(s) representative of
the appearance of each of the at least one selectable print heads
or label media sources connected or connectable to the PC. As
illustrated in FIG. 33, selecting button 336 causes the display 208
to show images of all of the connected or connectable printers,
including a first image 803 of a "LabelWriter Twin Turbo" with its
left-hand selectable label media source or printhead 803a
highlighted, and a second image 804 of the same type of printer
with its right-hand selectable label media source or printhead 804a
highlighted. The user can then use the selector 205 to select one
of the displayed first and second images 803, 804 to select the
left-hand printing mechanism or the right-hand printing mechanism,
respectively, for use in the subsequent printing.
[0297] In an alternative embodiment, one of the images
representative of the appearance of a printer with two printing
mechanisms that is connected to the PC occupies a first area of the
display. As the user moves a cursor over different parts of the
image in the first area, the image changes to highlight different
ones of the printing mechanisms. When the controller 201 receives,
from the selector 205, data representative of an operation of the
selector 205 by the user to select a certain position within the
first area, then the controller 201 sets one of the two printing
mechanisms for use in the subsequent printing in dependence on the
position selected. For example, the image occupying the first area
may be of a printer with a left-hand printing mechanism and a
right-hand printing mechanism and the image may include a
representation of each of those printing mechanisms. When the
cursor is positioned over the representation of the left-hand
printing mechanism, the representation of the left-hand printing
mechanism may alter to highlight the left-hand printing mechanism.
Also, if the user operates the selector 205 to select a position
within the representation of the left-hand printing mechanism, then
the controller 201 may set the left-hand printing mechanism for use
in the subsequent printing. A similar operation is possible also
for the right-hand printing mechanism.
[0298] In some embodiments, the controller 201 is configured to
output, to the display driver 209, data for causing the driver 209
to drive the display 208 to display an indication of which of the
connected plural label printers is online, and which is
offline.
[0299] In some embodiments, data indicative of the last type of
label printed is stored in the volatile or non-volatile memory 202,
204. The data may indicate the dimensions of the last printed
label. When the user later begins editing or creating a different
type of label (e.g. a label with different dimensions to the last
printed label) then, when the user hovers the cursor over the print
button 335, a message reading: "last printed label is different
from the current" is displayed to the user. This message is an
indication to the user that the currently-installed label medium
installed in the connected printer may not be suitable for printing
the label being designed.
[0300] In any case, the user thus may be provided with means for
notifying them of the status and/or availability of the connected
printer(s), and means for ensuring that a desired printer is
selected for use in subsequent printing.
[0301] In the illustrated embodiments, the various images
representative of the appearance of labels or label media each
comprise an outline of the label or label media. In alternative
embodiments, one or more of the images representative of the
appearance of labels or label media comprises an image of a label
or media with an appearance different from that of an appearance of
a background within which the image is located. So, the image may
be white and the background may be shaded, or vice versa, or the
image may be plain coloured and the background patterned, or vice
versa, for example. The term "image representative of the
appearance of . . . " used in this application is preferably
intended to mean that the image has the same proportions and
possibly the same colouring or rendering as the real life label
medium, label, or printer that it represents. The images are
preferably sufficiently representative for a user of the printing
apparatus to be able to visualize what the label medium, label, or
printer would look like in reality.
[0302] If the printing apparatus of the present disclosure
comprises a printer connected to a PC printer, rather than a
stand-alone printer, the keyboard (data input device) and display
means of the printer itself are not essential as the data may be
input and displayed via the components of the PC. The PC then acts
as an input device for the printer. Alternatively, other apparatus
may be used to input data to the printer for printing. For example,
in an embodiment of the invention a digital camera or a mobile
phone may be used to input data to the printer for printing,
possibly via the PC. Images may alternatively be input using a
smart card, chip card, memory card or the like.
[0303] In some embodiments of the present invention, the printing
apparatus comprises a printer connected to a PC. In those
embodiments, the printer may not have a data input device or
display. However, in some embodiments the printer will additionally
have the display and data input device.
[0304] FIG. 26 illustrates a printing apparatus embodying the
present disclosure in which the printhead 218' and motor 207' are
included in a printer connected via a link 210' to a PC, and the
display 208', display driver 209', selector 205', data input
apparatus (e.g. keyboard) 206', controller 201', non-volatile
memory 202', and volatile memory 204' are part of the PC. The
printer may include a further controller or control means
(illustrated as 211') for facilitating communication between the
controller 201' of the PC and the printhead 218' and motor 207' of
the printer. The link 210' may be a wired link, e.g. involving a
parallel or serial connection or a USB interface, or a wireless
link, e.g. involving Bluetooth technology or an infrared link. The
printer and the PC together form a printing apparatus.
[0305] FIG. 27 illustrates a variation of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 26, in which variation both the printer and the PC (together
forming the printing apparatus) respectively include a display
208'', display driver 209'' and a data input apparatus 206''.
[0306] While the term "controller" has been used extensively
throughout this description, it is to be appreciated that different
types of apparatus may be used to control the display. Such
apparatus includes a processor, a chip, a set of chips (i.e. a chip
set), or other form of control means. Such a controller or control
means may be configurable to output data to a display driver on the
same chip as the controller or on a chip separate from the
controller. Thus the term "output" in this respect is intended to
mean transferring the data from the controller to the display
driver. Even when the display driver is comprised in the same chip
as the controller, some degree of communication or "output" is
carried out between the controlling part and the display driving
part of the chip. This data is for causing the display driver to
drive the display to display a certain image or images. The
controller or control means may generate this data, or it may be
generated elsewhere (e.g. on another chip or in a different part of
a chip) and then provided to the controller for outputting to the
display driver.
[0307] The display discussed in this description and illustrated in
the accompanying figures is one example of display means. The
display means may comprise one of an LCD display, a plasma display,
a cathode ray tube, an OLED display or other form of display.
[0308] The keyboard discussed in this description and illustrated
in the accompanying figures is one example of a data input device
or data input means. The data input device or data input means may
comprise one of a keyboard, keypad, touchpad, touchscreen, or other
form of device for inputting data.
[0309] The skilled person would appreciate that any of the methods
described herein may be implemented using a computer program
embodied on a computer readable medium (such as a CDROM or memory
within a computer or stand-alone printer) for controlling a
controller (or other similar apparatus as discussed above).
[0310] The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the
invention. Various modifications and alterations to the described
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of
the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those
skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous techniques
which, although not explicitly described herein, embody the
principles of the invention and are thus within scope of the
invention, as defined by the claims.
* * * * *