WO2003034329A1

WO2003034329A1 - Apparatus for on-demand label printing

Info

Publication number: WO2003034329A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/000131
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Anthony Knox
Original assignee: Robert Anthony Knox
Priority date: 2001-10-12
Filing date: 2002-01-11
Publication date: 2003-04-24
Also published as: GB0124510D0

Abstract

Purpose designed rugged and ergonomic apparatus for consumer on-demand label printing (1), is pre-embedded with a catalogue of ready made labels (2) and is linked to digital print engine(s) (3). The compact apparatus designed capable of being deployed by post and operated 'from the box' with single finger touch controls is used to instantly print ready made labels or tags (4) Just-In-Time, and suitable but not exclusively for item product labelling (5), or outer package labelling (6), irrespective of the individual consumer user 7's trade, skills, own printer equipment type, or worldwide location. Multiple sets of apparatus (1) are additionally synchronised to a maintained Master Label Catalogue Library (10), either by posting out small memory units (11), or by direct e-commerce connection via the Internet or other communications network (8), to central server(s) (9).

Description

APPARATUS FOR ON-DEMAND LABEL PRINTING

The apparatus comprises compact electronic apparatus sets that can be delivered by mail or other rapid means to consumers and in a ready-to-go-state. The sets having been pre-configured with a master catalogue of readymade product and packaging labels for the purpose of instantly printing copies of such labels on demand at the consumers own site(s). The apparatus can be delivered with a small digital printer or can be used with the users existing digital printer when available.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with particular emphasis to methods of design achieving a simple one finger operation of the apparatus and by reference to the accompanying drawings and suggestions for a design in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a simplified overview of the invention.

FIGURE 2 shows one appearance for the general form of the apparatus.

FIGURE 3 draws attention to one suggested internal arrangement for the apparatus.

FIGURE 4 shows essential circuitry needed for the apparatus.

FIGURE 5 (Display Mode) shows one appearance of a control layout and user display for the apparatus.

FIGURE 6 (Details Mode) represents one key view of controls on the apparatus in use.

FIGURE 7 (Find Mode) represents a second key view of controls on the apparatus in use.

FIGURE 8 (Global Mode) represents a third key view of controls on the apparatus in use.

FIGURE 9 (List Mode) represents a fourth key view of controls on the apparatus in use.

FIGURE 10 (Print Mode) represents a fifth key view of controls on the apparatus in use.

FIGURE 11 shows methods for correct material usage diagnostics.

FIGURE 12 summarises digital data requirements for the apparatus.

As shown in Figure 1 , a simplified overview of the invention depicts one example case whereby a design for the special purpose apparatus 1 , supporting the ready made label catalogue 2, is linked to digital print engine(s) 3. The facility is used to print labels or tags 4 on-demand and suitable for item product labelling 5 or outer package labelling 6 irrespective of individual consumer user 7's trade skills or worldwide location.

The small sized apparatus displacing expensive, bulky, unreliable and difficult to use computer equipment previously limiting deployment of state of art low cost digital label printers thus allowing facilities to be enjoyed by any person or business, embedded in the workplace, operational and sustainable regardless of environment. Individual sets of apparatus 1 each initially equipped with a locally enabled catalogue list of labels 2 are updated with new designs or label indicia changes on request from the users but implemented by team of experts managing a National or International Master Label Catalogue Library 10, either by posting out small memory units 11 , or by direct e-commerce connection via the Internet or other communications network 8, to central server(s) 9 and master label catalogue 10. On-line communications when established enabling continuous remote management of the sets of apparatus 1 and individual users determined labelling requirements, fully automatically and transparently, without concern to consumer users already busy with other tasks or occupations.

Referring to Figure 2 the appearance and general form of the apparatus 1 comprises a compact electronic unit designed to be delivered to consumer users by mail in a ready-to-go-state having been pre-configured with a subset copy of the master catalogue of readymade product and packaging labels for the purpose of instantly printing copies of such labels on demand at the user sites.

The apparatus being of compact design eliminates any need for bulky, expensive and unreliable computer equipment and the specialised knowledge normally associated. The equipment sets are designed to be particularly robust and sealed for trouble free operation in the face of harsh operating environments.

The apparatus supporting a minimum of a small digitally controlled preferably colour display screen 2 encompassing or in association with a small group of illuminating control buttons 3 is designed to be operable with only one finger assuming that users of the apparatus may at most times have their hands full of their products or packaging. The example in the figure and the following discussion represents a further enhancement whereby the display screen can incorporate a touch sensitive overlay and the control buttons integrated within.

The shape of the apparatus 4 is specifically designed to present the single finger controls at an angle of typically 45 degrees to the user. This angle proving the most ergonomic presentation of the simple controls allowing the apparatus to be fix mounted in a position unusually close to place of work such as to a worktop or nearby wall or pillar and such that the unit remains easily accessible at all times. The design of the unit providing suitable mountings 5 for such a purpose and the equipment powered either from main electricity power or from batteries depending on the location and portability required. A preferred design of the case for the apparatus can be of two simple mouldings or die-castings joined at the depicted waistline with a suitable gasket and or sealing compound during manufacture for great strength and resistance to a range of locations and environments to which the apparatus is intended to be deployed.

As shown in Figure 3 a plan for the internal arrangement of the apparatus is kept similarly simple and robust. Device cable attachment for print engines 4 and other externally connected equipment receive special attention by providing a strain relief bulkhead 5 and sealing cavity 6, along with short connection headers 7 linking cables to the highly integrated and shock resistant electronics module 8. Item 9 represents the position of a user removable memory item via access point 10 described in the following section.

Shown in Figure 4 is the essential circuitry needed for the apparatus. The electronic display 1 and touch screen 2 (when provided) are suitable for mounting in the upper half of the suggested two part case arrangement whilst the remainder of the electronics including the microprocessor controller 3 are located in the lower tray. A Real Time Clock (RTC) 5 provides the apparatus with time and calendar date information that can be locally or remotely synchronised to the real world date and time subject to the global location of a specific example of the apparatus.

Digital data controlling indicia representing individual features on a label and including text, barcodes, pictures and the like, now more simply referred to as indicia, are created at print time from digital data sets and functions stored in fixed non-volatile memory 7 and to avoid damage or loss of represented indicia during main power or battery failure.

Indicia for labels are duplicated in removable memory 4 presented in the form of a card, stick or removable disc or similar and the removable memory providing one means of loading new label indicia, updating indicia and copying indicia for modification, backup and support purposes.

The apparatus additionally employing embedded communications circuitry 9 to provide for add hock or regular transparent and fully automated communications between the apparatus and a remotely located central server station with master label catalogue. The telecommunication system can be configured at the time of manufacture to suit the consumer or world location including options for connection via Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Radio Telephone, Internet, Satellite or other communications network means but ensuring communications can be establishment regardless of world location. The choice of communications controller provides options to perform digital data compression and encryption methods for communications in order to minimise apparatus memory and communications traffic requirements and also to reduce the risk of corruption or direct sabotage of the stored or transmitted data.

The Input and Output I/O section 6 is provided for physical connection of the print engine(s) and manages decoded print instructions passing to and from the printer(s) during printing as well as diagnostic status messages passed pack from the printer for printer health and correct operation monitoring.

The auxiliary section 8 is included for connection of additional electronic equipment's 11 such as a barcode reading device or users weighscale for example.

DISPLAY MODE

Figure 5 shows one appearance of the ergonomically designed user display 1 with integrated user controls for the apparatus. The display and controls can be constructed from individual digital display units or a compound digital display with press button or touch sensitivity, but in the main the unit designed to ensure one finger operation with display supporting large characters and having a high degree of readability. Displays and controls with the option of changeable colour are preferred to further simplify use by colour recognition whereby the colour of an item in the display list or control button label can be made to change on user selection.

The apparatus, on connection to a local mains electricity power or battery source, illuminates the display control screen 1 enabling viewing and browsing of a complete list of labels available in the local catalogue. One suggestion for the list being displayed as a table matrix with three columns and a limited number of visible rows depending on the display type employed to maintain apparatus compactness. For each item in the primary display list two columns are used to display a summary of the labels in the list described for example by the label code 2 and a short description 3 and such that the user can be comfortable in identifying each label available in the list. The user may wish to recognise the label against a previously published list or book of sample labels when provided and perhaps using an attached barcode reader as later described.

The third column 4 shows a default quantity against each label representing the number of each label type that can be printed at print time.

The display controls allow a user to press or touch select a specific label item visible in the list as example 5 when that item illuminates or changes colour indicating its selection for instant printing as later described.

The one finger operation is further enhanced whereby the display and special functionality of the apparatus is further controlled using a small unique group of buttons 6 working together. The buttons working together and providing a means of one finger operation. The button group comprising for example an oblong 'mode' button 7, an oblong 'select' button 8 and two triangular 'up/down nudge' buttons 9 and 10 all arranged in a close coupled pattern and operating as now described:

The user, by activating the mode button 7 changes the overall operating mode of the group signified by the label on the button changing to a different label name and when available all buttons and or background changing to a specific recognised colour.

In the example shown one selected mode causes the label on the mode button to display QTY and all buttons in the group change colour to say yellow. The user knows the QUANTITY mode has been selected.

In this mode the label displayed on the select button 8 defaults to showing a numeric value of 1 but by tapping the select button the user can cycle the label displayed through the numeric values 0,1 ,10,100,1000. If the user leaves the select button label displayed as numeric 1 for example, by tapping (nudging) the 'up' triangular button 9 the quantity of labels to print for the selected highlighted label and indicated in the third column 4 of the main list display 1 is increased. In this example the quantity shown as numeric 10 would increment by 1 to then display numeric 11. If the user then nudged the 'down' triangular button 10 say twice (two consecutive nudges) then the quantity of labels to print would be decreased to the lower quantity selected and would then be displayed as numeric 9. The system is being controlled using one finger only.

In a similar fashion the user can press or touch select any label displayed in the list readying it for use. Then using the buttons 8, 9 or 10 in quick succession can jump the quantity of labels to print for the selected label up or down in units of 1 ,10,100 or 1000 enabling very fast setting of the label quantity requirements. Leaving the quantity set as zero (0) will disable printing of that label. An identical functionality is applied to any label selected in the list allowing rapid printing of any available label. The buttons if having advantage of touch display type can be made to simulate pressing by temporarily changing the button graphic outline to a depression appearance or by changing the colour of a pressed button to a recognised colour representing an activated button. In another example a particular selected mode causes the label on the mode button to display MOVE and all buttons in the group change colour to say green. The user knows the MOVE mode has been selected. In this mode the label displayed on the select button 8 defaults again to showing a numeric 1 but by tapping the select button the user can cycle the label displayed through the following values, 1 , PAGE, TOP/BOTTOM. If the user leaves the select button label displayed as 1 for example, by tapping (nudging) the 'up' triangular button 9 the highlighted zone moves up the available list of labels by one thus selecting the previous label. If the user then nudged the 'down' triangular button 10 say twice (two consecutive nudges) then the highlighted zone moves down two rows to select the label displayed there. If the highlighted zone attempts to move out of view off the edge of the display driven by the user action then the list automatically scrolls up or down accordingly to highlight the next selected label in the catalogue and bringing that label into the viewing area. If the select button 8 is displaying PAGE then each press of the up or down buttons causes a complete new page of labels to move into the display area in either direction. If the select button 8 is displaying TOP/BOTTOM then a single each press of the up button causes the display to move to the top most label. Similarly a single each press of the down button causes the display to move to the bottom label. In any of the modes continuing to press and hold a particular button causes the label changing or stepping through settings to repeat at a pre-set rate until the button is released. This is particularly useful for example when holding down the up button in QUANTITY mode and with selection 1 for example whereby the quantity can be continually increased to a required level and the button quickly released.

Using the buttons and display in this manor allows the user to quickly select one specific label for printing adjusting the print quantity as needed.

Additionally the user can select multiple labels and adjust the quantity of each label needed so that when printing is activated all selected labels are printed in one shot fully automatically allowing the users to perform more productive tasks during the print time.

DETAILS MODE

This mode allows the user to optionally view and adjust specific indicia to be printed on the labels. Figure 6 represents a view of the control screen designed to allow the user to view, enter or adjust these additional DETAIL(s) for indicia. To reach this display the mode button is nudged to DETAILS and all buttons in the group change colour to say orange, thus user knows the DETAILS mode has been selected. The select button is controlled by the apparatus to show one of a list of named indicia the apparatus has determined are to be printed on the label selected on the main list and thus drilling into the stored detail for that specific label. By tapping the select button the user can cycle through the indicia types the apparatus has found. The most important indicia are displayed as priority having been specifically coded for priority use before hand. These prioritised indicia are indicia that have been determined by others as needing to be altered by the user or at leased checked and confirmed for correctness. In one example say for a short life snack label the important indicia might have been pre-set as BATCH (Number), DISPLAY (until date), USEBY (date), BARCODE (number), COPIES (Labels to print). The individual indicia types and corresponding values are displayed in sequence in the box 2. One or more of the priority indicia may be initially blank and must be keyed by the user (mandatory). One or more of the indicia may be initially blank and are optionally keyed by the user (optional). One or more of the indicia may have been automatically calculated and inserted by the apparatus but needs to be optionally checked. The apparatus is set to examine a set of rules now referred to as functions stored with the indicia data. The apparatus uses these rules to create the indicia along with individual coloured text messages 3 designed to guide the user to enter or view data and in the correct format. For a batch number for example when the select button is nudged so the label displays BATCH the indicia name is displayed in say a blue colour and similarly a suggested blue message appears in the message box 3 as follows: "OPTIONAL Type in the BATCH NUMBER. Press DEL to rub out mistakes". Here the system has examined the Function for the batch number for this particular label and the rules have determined that the BATCH NUMBER is OPTIONAL and the blue colour used to emphasise this. The user can choose to enter a batch number or continue and not enter a batch number. If the BATCH label displays in red then the message also in red might alternatively read "REQUIRED Type in the BATCH NUMBER Press DEL to rub out mistakes". Here the user is forced to enter a batch number before the system will move on. The function may be designed to also control how many characters need to be entered and whether or not the batch number entered by the user is retained or erased after the label has been printed perhaps clearing the status for the next time the product is used. In the example when the BATCH (Number), has been entered the next prioritised indicia in the sequence automatically shows as DISPLAY (until date), and a calculated date appears in box 2 in red and the message "This date will be used for the display life" appears also in red. This signifying in this case that the date has been automatically calculated and inserted with no option for the user to change it (or get it wrong!). Similar messages are used to display fixed and variable indicia for each important detail and to prompt the user to simply check the detail or enter a new value where appropriate. If the user wishes it is possible to view beyond the important prioritised detail to see all other indicia stored for the selected label. This is achieved by nudging the select button until the indicia name shows as END and the messages are blank. The button group colour turns to say crimson to denote this mode is selected. Thus using the UP and DOWN arrows to move forwards and backwards through the list of stored indicia each indicia can be viewed for the selected label. Because some of the indicia can be quite long such as for food ingredients or site address for example these indicia are viewed using the larger message box 3. The user may not change some indicia representing the main body of the label such as product titles or descriptions for example. The decision to lock such indicia yet allow editing of others is set in the particular functions prior to delivery of the apparatus or updated label detail and according to the application. The functions can be similarly changed on request from suitable authorised persons perhaps the owners of a business for requesting the apparatus to operate in a particular way to match a particular employee skill level for example.

The details of indicia may be checked at will and altered where allowed or required before the labels are printed individually or by multiple selection. However a later section describes how printing may not be initiated if the apparatus detects that one or more of the user definable indicia values are not set.

The display of Figure 6 provides a numeric keypad of buttons in order that the user can enter numeric values requested by the apparatus for missing and user defined indicia. Where possible an alphanumeric keypad layout can also be provided for the entry of both numeric and character-based indicia or a combination of both. For example a batch indicia may need to be represented thus A2/00001 or a customer order number thus BESTBURGERS0001. Since the apparatus is designed for single finger operation extensive user keying is to be avoided but the provision can be enabled for exceptional requirements. FIND MODE

The catalogue of available ready-made labels could contain a variable number of stored labels typically from one to several hundred depending on the user requirements. The list could be quite long relative to the small display available making it difficult to scroll to a required label. To ease this problem another example of a particular selected mode causes the mode button to display FIND, with the select button showing GO and with all buttons in the group changing to another suitable colour. On pressing GO the user knows the FIND mode has been selected when the display changes to the display arrangement shown in Figure 7, the control button and keypad group is replicated again here for controlling this new display in a similar fashion and maintaining conformity and familiarisation for the user.

Thus the display of Figure 7 provides a numeric keypad of buttons 1 , a product code display box 2 and message box 3 as before. The user keys a product code number into the keypad and the number keyed appears in the product code display box 2. Pressing the select button labelled GO once again causes the display to revert back to the original catalogue list of labels of Figure 5 but with the found label positioned at the top of the list and selected ready for printing if desired. In the event that the apparatus cannot find the requested label detail then a new message appears in the message box as "That label not found try another".

The user may decide to try to find another or by pressing the END key the display reverts back to the main catalogue list without any FIND operation taking place. A variation of the FIND mode is added to the above whereby the user can rapidly find a specific item in a large list by the apparatus again energising an alpha keypad allowing the user to one finger key the item acronym code, (short code representing the item made up of first letters of the description e.g. Short Sleeved White Shirt Size XXL is agreed to be coded as SSWSXXL). Some consumers find this advantageous over numeric label searching since the code can relate directly to the item being sought, yet retain a fast method of data entry. The code method used is usually pre-specified for the consumer since the consumer is not normally of a mind to think about special coding for electronic indexing and searching in this way, a suggestion for an ACRONYM type coding pattern is made on behalf of the user and the codes configured into the catalogue entries for that user.

GLOBAL MODE

The previous mode allowed viewing and some setting of individual labels indicia. This mode allows the user to control some indicia to achieve a common or 'global' settings for all labels. Figure 8 represents a view of the control screen designed to allow the user to enter or adjust common or GLOBAL settings that affect the way that the apparatus controls certain indicia common to all labels in a particular catalogue list. The catalogue of available ready made labels may contain labels that when selected for printing the apparatus used the functions associated with that indicia to automatically calculate and inset special purpose indicia including for example the current date, time, display-until-date, and useby-date as well as prompting the user for user specified indicia such as a batch number previously described. For the calculated display-until- date and best-before date functions typically used for food labelling the date indicia to be printed on the label is calculated by reading a 'today's date' setting from the apparatus real time clock and then adding the stored number of days, weeks, months or years of life expectancy for the product to which the label will be attached. In this example it is necessary to provide a means of simple date correction such that the calculated date(s) to be displayed on each label can be user adjusted to compensate for consumers working say just after 2400 hours midnight since if the product to be labelled is say a food snack that has a display life / useby life of only a few days, then there may be a requirement to force the calculated day backwards by one day to maximise the time the product can be displayed or used. The GLOBAL mode facility uses an identical keypad and button arrangement allowing the user to see the today's date read from the clock but also the corrected date once the user has nudged the date say backwards by one day. Though planned to be automatically synchronised by the communications system it is also necessary to provide a simple means for the user to check and set the date and time of the clock. A further requirement is to allow the user to key in GLOBAL label indicia such as a BATCH number or other indicia or messages the user wishes to appear on every label. For all settings here a particular selected mode of the control button group causes the label on the mode button to display GLOB(al) with the select button alternatively showing the options of DATE, TIME, OFFSET(date), BATCH, QUANTITY, PRINTER TO USE, etc, at each press and the user providing the desired settings or indicia when prompted. A further GLOBAL option is that of SELECTED PRINTER. The apparatus can be connected to one or more printers and in the example of the apparatus discussed herein a two-printer system has been proposed to maximise efficiency supporting PRINTER 1 and PRINTER2. The data set defining the original label design and indicia to be used is also set with the dimensions and specification of the labels as described with the default preferred printer type to be used also specified in order to minimise the risk of problems during printing. The apparatus automatically monitors the functions controlling printer selection by reading the label dataset before and during printing and 'steers' each label identified to the correct preferred printer. One printer for example could be loaded with oblong shaped sandwich labels and the other with oval shaped baguette labels to maximise flexibility. However should one printer fail it will be a requirement to say print all labels on the remaining printer so as to retain 50% print capacity rather than a full stoppage of production. In such a case the GLOBAL mode allows the user to set either of the printers as the default printer thus overriding the automatic selection. In the case where the label shape was originally different and a standby layout has been made available the apparatus can simply print all designs to a common shape. In the case where the label designs are printed to the same shaped blanks then the apparatus simple drops to 50% of the output capacity available with twin printers. Additionally the user can choose to select GLOBAL mode as ON or OFF. If the GLOBAL MODE is OFF then the GLOBAL values are not used on labels as they are printed, the apparatus uses the default or calculated value originated from the designed label functions. Therefore for certain indicia the user can accept the original values set in the design or can force GLOBAL values to be used. If the GLOBAL MODE is ON then the GLOBAL values are used on every label as they are printed. The user can use the GLOBAL settings to set QUANTITY to 1 for example to print one sample copy of each labels in the list, or set the QUANTITY to ZERO (0) to zero the list so as to make a fresh start planning and entering the new required quantities. In the GLOBAL mode the user can select to force a test print of a pair of labels or a simple reminder message to accomplish this manually before each main print run is started. The GLOBAL mode is protected by a password system whereby the user or users manager must enter a PIN number before the apparatus allows the user to modify any of the global settings.

The apparatus can provide a means, again coupled with an alpha keypad display, allowing the user to type a GLOBAL message that will appear on all labels printed until the message is changed or deleted. For example a shopkeeper might add the message "Happy New Year" to each label or a similar greeting message as appropriate. LIST MODE

It is easy to imagine how the main catalogue list of labels can be quite large and too general purpose. Figure 9 represents a view of the control screen designed to allow the user to create new short lists of favourite labels from the larger catalogue list. This facility is added so that the user might for example pick out the favourite labels from the catalogue and add them to a smaller list and then use that more manageable list to print from each day. Alternatively in the example of the sandwich manufacturer the user may wish to bring all labels normally used on the first working day of the week Monday into a List 1 , and all label used on a Tuesday into List 2, etc, creating a short list of specific products for each of seven days of the week. Then the user simply selects a specific list to print just that days needs. In a similar fashion list can be created for say an individual person's delivery round where the list represents products needed for those specific customers delivery route. Indeed the variations here are endless save to say that by allowing the user to create simple lists the repetitive tasks of searching for individual labels is eliminated and the apparatus becomes more flexible to the user. The user can use the now familiar MODE and SELECT buttons to delete a created list if no longer required but the main catalogue list cannot be deleted. A suitable control arrangement is shown in the figure where the display is split into a top list 1 and a bottom list 2. Either of the two panels can be made to show the labels in the main large catalogue or new lists created by the user and the apparatus allowing the user to move labels from one list to the other and back again as required using the special chevron style button group 5.

This display mode is entered by selecting LIST on the mode button and the control group buttons changing to the arrangement shown in the right hand centre of the figure. The upper section of control button group 5 and control button group 3 are colour coded and display a common colour to the upper panel visibly linking the controls to the upper panel. Similarly the lower section are colour keyed to the lower panel. Additionally the right hand button control group 3 changes appearance and the UP and DOWN arrows lengthen to each incorporate a select box 4. Each select box is used to show the lists that are available for display in each of the top and bottom panels. List 1 is the initial default display which represents the full catalogue list. List 2 to List N represents a number of user created lists. Consider the example show whereby the main catalogue LIST 1 is shown in the top panel and a new list say List 2 is being created in the bottom panel. When the user touches anywhere in the top panel that panel is deemed selected and highlights by an increase in intensity or colour. The user can use the UP and DOWN controls and the FIND mode as previously described to select a particular label. Then by pressing the single DOWN chevron button of control group 5 a copy of that label is added to the list new list being created in the lower panel. Similarly if the label is found and selected in the lower panel pressing the UP chevron a copy of that label is transferred to the top panel (except if the list is a master catalogue list whereby the original list cannot be added to). The double UP and DOWN chevron buttons facilitate the copying of all the displayed labels from one panel list to another. For the list being created in the in the lower panel 2 the user can also choose the QUANTITY mode previously described to nudge the quantity to print displayed here to a new value and this lower list is used for the main DISPLAY MODE when the mode button is finally nudged to DISPLAY and the select button showing GO is activated returning the user to the original default DISPLAY MODE. Any number of smaller user created lists can be made this way. When selecting a list to modify the currently displayed active list is denoted by an additional asterisk or suitable highlight in the List selection display, i.e. if the range of lists created shows as Listl , List2*, Lists, List4 etc then its List2 that is currently being used in the main display and for printing from. The apparatus can provide an automatic list create mode whereby the equipment uses a CATEGORY indicia or perhaps the described ACRONYM indicia in the labels catalogue to automatically sort the labels into the categories specified. The CATEGORY detail can be pre-configured with the master labels or individually entered by the user using the DETAILS mode. To sort to the CATEGORY the user first selects the list required for sorting in the top panel and nudges the select button to show SORT. Then by pressing either of the DOWN chevron buttons the system makes a split copy of the master list forming a number of new lists each with the same CATEGORY of labels. In the sandwich example the user can set the CATEGORY to say DAIRY, or MEAT, or FISH and create new lists grouped in this way so that all FISH labels can be printed in one session. This is useful when segregating production to minimise risk of cross contamination and to say print all DAIRY labels onto a specific coloured label say yellow in this example.

PRINTING MODE

In prior art printers and printer PC control software little feed back is provided to the user to help distinguish faults when printing except for say a red light when the printer stops and perhaps a limited message system such as 'no paper'. The apparatus is designed to correct this and providing much more feedback information to the user to overcome operational difficulties experienced. This can be at two levels, simple help messages and more corrective instructions forming a type of artificial intelligence within the unit or provided via the Internet. Figure 10 represents a view of the control screen designed to monitor the progress of the printing operations and to keep the user informed of the progress of the printing and if any faults occur during printing. The display comprises a panel 1 indicating the progress of printer 1 and a similar panel below it indicating the progress of printer 2. A transport control arrangement 5 comprising a group of control buttons of familiar and standard layout of a commercially available audio or video recorder is used to assist the user to provide common control types for the print engines during printing.

The print mode display is entered when the user selects the mode PRINT ONE or PRINT ALL from the default DISPLAY MODE screen. The arrangement shown in Figure 10 then appears. For each printer connected there appears a corresponding panel 1 and the box 2 within the panel labelled JOBS shows the user the total number of jobs in the list to print and also the job currently being printed. The latter increments until it is equal to the total jobs at which point all jobs are complete. Also shown is a box 3 labelled LABELS and this box shows the user the total number of labels required in the current job and also the number of labels to go before the print that job is finished. The latter decrements to zero (0) at which point the labels for that particular job are complete. The transport control 5 operates on the selected printer panel according to the user having touch selected the panel and that panel display intensity increasing denoting selection whereupon:

Pressing the PAUSE key 7 during printing temporarily pauses the job from printing on the selected printer until such times as the PLAY key 9 is pressed whereupon printing continues. This to allow the user to withhold printing operations on either or both printers during a work break or a telephone call for example. Pressing the STOP Key 8 stops all printing of jobs to that particular printer. Pressing the REWIND key 6 following the STOP key 8 allows the user to reposition the selected job backwards in the selected list in order to reprint that job from the start and the printing recommenced by pressing the PLAY key 9.

Pressing the FAST FORWARD key 10 following the STOP key 8 allows the user to reposition the selected job forwards in the list in order to skip jobs or reposition the pointer to repeat a job from the start and the printing recommenced by pressing the PLAY key 9.

During all printing progress indication and repositioning the dynamically changing indicators indicating the current jobs and labels to go reporting the exact current status or position of the printer(s) greatly assisting the user to be aware of the progress and reprint operations as required.

In addition, because the apparatus is designed to continuously monitor print performance, messages automatically appear in the lower section of each printer related panel should a fault be detected in the print engine. Automatically detected faults generate a PAUSE situation for the offending printer a suitable correction message prompting the user to correct the problem. Messages appear including for example corrective action suggested for PAPER END, PAPER JAM, RIBBON END, RIBBON JAM, RIBBON TENSION ERROR, PRINT HEAD OPEN, PRINT HEAD OVERHEAT, PRINT ENGINE PAUSED, PRINTER NOT SWITCHED ON, etc. These messages are print engine specific and are pre-recorded into the specific label catalogue entries at the time of design and testing of the new label design layout.

Pressing the STOP key 8 twice in rapid succession causes a display message in both printer panels "Cancel all printing and return to the DISPLAY MODE, press STOP for YES and PLAY for NO". This provides for a fast way of stopping all queued printing events.

Before launching into the print mode and whilst the user is present, the apparatus automatically checks all indicia variables are available before starting the print run. If any indicia are missing (such as a required batch number entry for example) the apparatus reports the problem for suitable user action. If required the apparatus can control the printing of one or more test print labels on one or more of the connected printers such that the basic print functionality and label detail can be checked before launching a large print run. This can be accomplished by touch selecting the respective print progress panel, then pressing the box 3 once for one label or pressing and holding the box 3 while a number of labels print, then letting go. With continuous labels on rolls it is important to test the label will feed correctly and is registered with the label gap and label length before continuing.

The apparatus then controls the printing working through the current label list printing the correct number of labels set for each item. For each label encountered the apparatus automatically checks if Globally set or individually set indicia are to be used. It accomplishes this on the basis that for each variable indicia, if the indicia detected has a pre-set value either from origination or by user setting then that value is used. If the indicia value stored is blank the apparatus uses the GLOBAL set value for the label.

The apparatus incorporates a system whereby the equipment is able to recognise if a label has been partially printed and will automatically reprinu that label when the problem causing the partial print is corrected. This is particularly important if the label carries a counting or serial number indicia.

Depending on the printer type used the apparatus, on detecting a certain type of fault, can cause an automatic reset of the printer in an attempt to clear the fault on the fly where possible, therefore eliminating unwanted stoppages. In some cases print engines require a power off reset to clear a paper jam type error and the apparatus can be fitted with suitable controls to automatically cause a temporary disconnect of the printer power in such circumstances.

These automatic diagnostics and user prompts are dependent on the printer type but since most modern printers can be interrogated for operating status these diagnostic and intelligent help messages can be useful features for the user.

The apparatus can be equipped to store more narrative guided help information to correct a particular detected problem and a corrective action guidance message displayed in paragraph sequence to the user. In this was the user can be guided to correction most faults without needing further assistance or engineer call to site.

MATERIAL DIAGNOSTICS

The apparatus is specifically designed to make label printing simple and fault free. It has been noted from experience that additional problems causing print stoppages are caused by the loading or use of incorrect materials.

For example loading too small a label roll size for a specific design will mean the printer only prints half the design or can never achieve correct print register on continuous roll labels. Similarly loading the incorrect print ribbon may induce incompatibility of ink media and label media surfaces causing poor print keying to the surface or at worst no print at all. It has been a purpose of the design to facilitate storage of all of the required and tested specification detail for each of the labels stored in the library catalogue. This includes running conditions and media requirements. Therefore it is possible, using the apparatus holding such a specification, to test the media for suitability before loading or after loading.

Figure 11 shows two suggested methods the apparatus can use to semi-automatically and fully automatically check the correct media is loaded before printing is established. Normally the main embodiment of the apparatus 1 is connected to one or more print engines 2 for the purpose of printing from the catalogue of labels. In apparatus capable of detecting the media semi-automatically the apparatus is equipped with a low cost barcode reader 7 and the user is prompted to employ the reader to automatically recognise the media barcode 8. The barcode has been previously encrypted with a code number of identical code to a number stored in the label data within the label catalogue being used. The encryption being carried out under controlled circumstances during label manufacture and label design print testing as one of the procedures for establishing the label catalogue and such that any foreign or incorrect label can be rejected by the system, or the user warned of a potential conflict, before the user is allowed to trigger the apparatus to commence printing. In practice reading the barcode can be carried out once during media loading but then automatically confirmed as correct as each label is queued ready for printing. In apparatus capable of detecting the media fully automatically the apparatus is designed to incorporate a print engine having two major but separate parts, the print engine itself 3 and the an exchangeable media magazine 4. The print engine 3 is fitted with an automatic identification device preferably a Radio Frequency (RF) Tag reader 5 or similar that is positioned to read a smart label or coded device 6 positioned at an adjacent point on the media magazine. Thus when the exhausted exchangeable magazine is swapped for a replenished one the apparatus can automatically detect the media type and therefore continue at all times to ensure correct operation only notifying the user of a problem should a mistake be made. The detection means could employ any suitable automatic identification method and be applicable to the label media, ribbon media or both simultaneously. An alternative system to that described would be to fully integrate the print apparatus with a print engine(s) and media magazine(s) in order to provide closer coupling of the discussed systems for greater ease and reliability of automatic diagnostics maximising the trouble free operation.

REMOTE CONTROLED MANAGEMENT

The apparatus is intended to be stand alone during normal operation but can also be temporarily or permanently connected to a communications system for communication of new labels and label revisions transparent to the user. The communications system can also be configured to provide remote management of the apparatus when agreed on behalf of the user. This can be to carry our managed functions including regular monitoring the health of the unit and say print head, and to monitor material consumption and stock levels to assist the user to avoid stock outs. The apparatus by virtue of detailed monitoring of the printer operation and knowledge of label specifications can also monitor the amount of each label and ink media type used. By comparing monitored levels with delivered stock levels the apparatus can detect a potential low stock situation and warn the user before a stoppage results. Furthermore, with suitable authorisation and agreement with the user, the apparatus can communicate messages to the central server in order that new supplies of media are automatically scheduled for delivery and delivery executed in timely manor. This is particularly useful feature since the majority of label consumable manufacturers do not keep stock and so are unable to provide labels on demand if the consumer user runs out. Using the apparatus in this way will allow sufficient advanced warning for the media supplier to make and deliver the labels without causing a production stoppage at the user site, thus raising the efficiency of all users operating the apparatus. In another example a manager at the user site having IT skills and available computer equipment at the site could make available a table of indicia in simple say SPREADSHEET form for electronic communications to the server and for subsequent data conversion and use in labels back at the apparatus, thus providing a means to handle business communications relating to labels and label requirements. In another example the apparatus could collect data from locally connected user equipment such as a weighscale for example and facilities provided to capture the weight data locally in 'catch weight' situations where the weight is used directly as a function indicia on the label as described, or the weights are part of a product weight sampling mission such as to measure the weights of individual ingredients of a recipe such that the sample weights can be subsequently communicated to the server and used by the server and library to create nutritional data indicia for the catalogue for food labelling for example or the creation of other calculated functions or look up tables for labels indicia.

The apparatus can be also used to display news messages to the user generated at the central server. Such news message could include information regarding the recommended upkeep or update procedures required to keep the system in top working order and for the messages to guide the user to any action required of the user. It is not intended for the user to have the skill to compose messages and use the system to send messages back to the central station, though this is a possible option as is a voice channel for support. Marketing information could also be posted to the user for display on the screen.

LABEL LIBRARY

Figure 12 shows the important digital data components required for each label stored in the label library catalogue and for use and interpretation by the apparatus described in more detail as follows: The Consumer Location Address is a unique reference to the site where a particular apparatus is to be installed, it incorporates a reference to the consumers business name, address and telephone and fax details that can also constitute label indicia for consumers requiring a contact address or similar site related detail on selected labels. Also included is a unique site number comprising a site location and floor / location number allowing for multiple occurrences of the apparatus in large buildings for example. The Label Identification Number is a unique number used by the system to avoid label duplication and also to index labels in the catalogue library. The number is transparent to the user since the number will be quite long and references all labels across all users. When the labels are displayed in the apparatus they are numbered locally for the purpose of the local display staring at 01 , 02 etc.

The Tested Printer Type and Settings contain digitally recorded data relating to the preferred printer type used to test the labels and ink media including the specifications for printer speed and heat where appropriate.

The Label Media Specification contains digitally recorded data relating to the label itself including a unique specification number comprising the label leading edge size, length size, gap size/registration mark type, material type, winding type, roll diameter, core size, preferred sensing mode, etc.

The Ink / Ribbon Media Specification contains digitally recorded data relating to the ink media including a unique specification number comprising the ink type or grade, capacity, width, length, cartridge or bobbin type according to the media construction used.

The Label Indicia Specification contains digitally recorded data relating to the label design itself including individual specifications for each indicia whether fixed or variable. The individual indicia and indicia functions are given names that are recognised and matched both at the apparatus and the central library catalogue.

For the variable indicia the apparatus operates on such indicia automatically adjusting the indicia according to a range of electronic function rules defined for each type of indicia. The majority of these functions are not new and are used in prior art computer systems. However the popular functions are described here for completeness with reference to the specific example taken from requirements in the fast food supply and labelling sector:

Fixed Indicia Specification

Indicia that are defined as fixed in the original master label design do not have any specially defined functions and cannot be altered by the user. These and other indicia described are stored along with parameters describing the position of the indicia on the label, the font to be used, the scale of the characters and justification information.

Special Function Indicia such as Batch numbers and other user prompted indicia. The batch number is initially blank and the user prompted using a suitable instruction message appearing in a message box so as to key a unique batch number for the product. Since batch numbers cannot usually be predetermined the controller knows to prompt the user for the batch number. If a GLOBAL batch number is set and forced as described then that GLOBAL batch number is substituted. Indeed any variable requiring user data keying can be defined and will prompt the user to key the data accordingly. The function additionally controls the length of the keyed variable in numbers of characters to present a fixed length box for keying equal to the length of the indicia required and such that the user can be forced to fill the box for fixed length requirements or to provide the option to not fill accordingly.

The default PRICE for example is automatically inserted having been retrieved from the data set. The price can be overridden by the user only by secure PIN number access to the GLOBAL mode and selecting override mode there in which case the DETAILS screen can be used to change the price. In an example the default price of the product is 3.49 established in the catalogue may not be correct at this instant, the price needing authorised and rapid adjustment to say 3.52 in order to correctly label the product and before the price change can be notified and the stored the stored default updated for ongoing correct use.

Date indicia.

The date is automatically inserted according to preset functions as follows. The current date can be used and inserted determined by the label design. Alternatively an offset date can be specified for use and calculated. Here the label data stores numeric indicia representing date offset values representing the longest advised display shelf life time of the product typically as days, or weeks for fresh product and months or years for frozen product and also a similar offset indicia for the expected usable life of the product once in user circulation. The controller contains a real time clock and calendar date function. The time and date having been accurately synchronised and remotely monitored and regularly re-syncronised where possible with the time and date pertaining in the country and location of use an set either manually or automatically as previously described. The controller, having read and determined the instantaneous date and time prevailing, and by reference to the selected stored offset indicia then calculates new indicia representing offset dates in the future suitable for display and subsequent printing against the specific indicia of the example say having in this case calculated values of 'display until 10/01/2999 and 'use by' 14/01/2999 or similar. The date can be additionally shifted forwards or backward to correct the packing date when working near to 2400 hours again as previously described.

Counting indicia.

Incrementing or decrementing counter numbers where the start value may be preset to zero or user set at some higher or lower number then the controller function automatically incrementing or decrementing the counter number and transferring the changing counter number to each printed label, and a selectable function whereby 1 , 2 or more labels can be printed with the same number before moving to the next indicia value, and the counter returning to the original value on completion of the printed quantity for the selected item or next label.

Rolling and retained serial number indicia.

Incrementing or decrementing serial numbers where the start value may be preset to zero or user set at some higher or lower number, then the controller function automatically incrementing or decrementing the serial number and transferring the changing serial number to each printed label, and a selectable function whereby 1 , 2 or more labels can be printed with the same serial number before moving to the next indicia value, and the serial number last reached being stored in that label dataset catalogue entry ready for the next product that needs labelling and in which case the indicia continues to increment or decrement from the stored value. The stored value kept in non volatile memory and remotely and automatically backed up along with all other label data in the sets such that the retained value is never lost and automatically reading and reusing the next highest or lowest serial number the next time any one label is produced for the selected product. Typically used for medial product labelling and asset tracking or labelling of any product where a precise recorded serial number is issued for each item.

Indicia coded within automatic identification symbols such as barcodes. Enabling one dimension barcodes or two dimension matrix codes or other suitable automatic identification data coding system where the indicia contains digital data representing a unique code describing the correct type of barcode to be printed and with or without human readable characters in pre-configured positions such as below or above the barcode and including facilities where needed to program smart (chipped) labels or Radio Frequency (RF) tag devices or similar remote recognition means as an alternative to labels. In most cases the created indicia is then converted to a barcode graphic by the print engine firmware itself according to control parameters laid in the indicia function.

Chained indicia.

Chaining of indicia whereby the chain function automatically chains one or more previously specified indicia together, a requirement particularly suited to creating chained indicia and the chained indicia perhaps converted to a long barcode on the label such that on subsequent reading of the code the user or users customer can interrogate the code by means or a portable or fixed code reading device and such that one or more of the stored or chained indicia can be transferred to the reading device then onto an Electronic Point Of Sale (EPOS) system, computer system or other remote processing system. For a short life food product is popular to chain together the product code and useby date and create one barcode form the chained indicia.

User choice indicia.

Alternative selection indicia whereby the controller informs the user that there are one or more alternatives available for user selection and on touching the associated button or prompt box the user can nudge through the alternatives and leave the preferred alternative selected for inclusion in the label at that time. For example a clothing garment being manufactured an needing to be labelled may have a well defined data set completely specifying the garment description, size, price and barcode number but for simplicity the data set presents a range of alternative main fabric colours available as Midnight Blue, Fern Green and Poppy Red. There is a common price for the colour range available and so the function allows the user to specify the colour for the label and the selected colour being printed on the label but not affection the price. This is useful to keep the total count of individual stored labels down to a minimum where possible.

Logo Indicia.

Controlling the automatic selection, displaying and subsequent printing of a stored company's logo or third party insignia required on the label. Perhaps to satisfy the upsurgance of 'own label' product marketing.

Picture indicia.

Controlling the automatic selection, displaying and subsequent printing of a stored picture or graphic required on the label. Perhaps a simple line drawing or colour picture of the product for example needed for product recognition purposes in a store or warehouse. Auxiliary equipment generated indicia.

Equipment such as a weighscale for example could be connected to and forming an integrated part of the apparatus and such that the apparatus can automatically capture the 'catch weight' of a product about to be labelled. Or perhaps to capture the weights of a products constituent parts in a recipe ingredient mix situation. It is not indented that the system control batch mixing although this could be a possible extension, moreover to capture the weight for a product weight indicia. Or to sample weights in the example of the sandwich snack whereby as each component is added to the sandwich the sandwich weight is samples and such that the individual weights for each ingredient are logged and communicated to the server for more powerful nutrition analysis there against standard food nutrition tables and the resultant scaled and totaled indicia representing the total content of the energy, fat, protein, carbohydrates, etc, stored in the catalogue and thus communicated back to the apparatus as part of the label library stored there and for inclusion of the nutrition data on each label.

Compound indicia.

Compound indicia allow for manipulation of data from different sources. In a specific example for food Nutrition details required on a food label and specifically say Energy Per Pack, Carbohydrate Per Pack, Fat Per Pack, the values for each of the indicia having been calculated based on data soured both from the user of the apparatus provided in the form of product recipe constituent ingredients, by weight for example (perhaps captured directly from a weighscale) and then referenced to related data provided by the server in the form of standard known Nutrition values per say a 100 grams sample of that ingredient and available for each and every food ingredient pre- registered in the catalogue library. The compound function operating for the result either at the time of labelling or being prior calculated and stored ready for use before a labelling requirement.

LABEL LIBRARY CATALOGUE CODING METHOD

There follows one example of a digital electronic coding method for indicia and special function indicia to create the label library or catalogue. The coding method normally to be applied to the ASCII TEXT form of the indicia before compression or encryption. Digital data packets comprising The Consumer Location Address, Label Identification Number, Tested Printer Type and Settings, Label Media Specifications, Ink/Ribbon Media Specifications, Fixed Indicia Specifications and Special Function Indicia Specifications can be stored as a two dimensional table or array. Each data packet represented by one row in the table or array. As can be seen some of the data packet controls the location of the individual apparatus address and the labels to be used at that address. Some of the data controls how the separate indicia will be printed on the labels. Some of the data contains special functions or operators to be used to convert the indicia data at print time. In any event the columns headers are labelled with human and machine recognisable names both for manual sorting and fully automatic control.

Thus one simplified and unencrypted catalogue entry might look something like this: (Condensed here for clarity)

Apparatus Site Location, Building location and Global World Label Identity Number

LocSite LocFloor GlobLabel

000000001 0000000001 0000000001

Label User Code, Printer Settings

Label Material Specification

LabMat Colours LabAdhes LabWwidth LabLength LabGap LabCore

CC106 2 AP50 100 150 3 44

LabRollDia

175

Ink Media Sp ecification

InkCode Colours InkWidth LabLength LabGap LabCore LabRollDia

BX102AG2 B 100 150 3 44 175

Indicia Header

Indicia In redients

Indicia Nutrition

Indicia Nutrition Continued

Indicia Variables

And as an example of extended detail to a specific indicia using the Best Beore Date as an example the specific detail for this indicia might look like this

Indicia Plot Function

Indicia Control Function

The master catalogue data is filtered to extract label details for a particular apparatus located at a particular address when the apparatus is first established with its local catalogue of labels. Then when updating of a label PRICE is required is required for example the change is made to the PRICE cell in the main catalogue for that specific labels and the change transferred to the local apparatus catalogue. In this way the transfer message can be kept very small such as in this example a message to change the PRICE may be as simple as follows: 000000001 ,0000000001 ,0000000001 , PRICE, 3.99

Considering the data extracted from the local catalogue and used to print the labels prior art to control the position for any indicia on a label is by co-ordinate control of X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) positions from the top left corner of the label. Then the location indicia is simply represented by a set of charters example as follows: 0010,0010 meaning the indicia is located 10mm down and 10mm across from the top left corner for example. Further controls are stored and added to send messages to the print engine to determine print control factors such as the width and height of each character, the character type face to be used and if the indicia is to be centered in the label, thus the message becomes as follows: 0010, 0010, 005, 005, 001 ,C as indicated in the above example.

Where the apparatus is constructed using electronics with minimum data storage functionality the indicia data can be kept in a simple two-dimensional table. Here the system can be made to link indicia data with pre-configured indicia location data in order that the apparatus can complete the plotting and printing ability. The label layout data would have to be created and kept as separate character strings which are then merged with the label data at print time. As an example of an indicia string consider the need to add a main title to a label. The indicia is given a name such as TITLE1 and the name included in square brackets [TITLE1] to allow for automated recognition by the apparatus as a main indicia. The name can then be combined with the position and font selection data to make the complete position string as follows [TITLE1], 0010, 0010, 005, 005, 001 ,C. The separate segments of the data packet being separated by simple comma delimiters. For later parsing and automatic recognition. Special printer specific codes can be appended such as C, a control to ensure centering of the indicia on the label. The line of code itself is then allocated a unique prefix number for reference of that indicia within the specific label and a suffix end of line delimiter such as a pipe (|). Thus code to control the positioning of a TITLE1 on a label thus becomes for example:

00001 , [TITLE1], 0010, 0010, 0050, 0050, 001 , C, |

When the literal value for the title is found and extracted from the database the string sent to the printer may look like this.... 00001 , HAM, 0010, 0010, 005, 005, 001 , C, |

The code for a second TITLE 2 on the same label and in the same size and font but in a in a position shifted 25mm below the first might be represented by the code:

00002, [TITLE 2], 0010, 0035, 005, 005, 001, C, |

TITLE 1 and TITLE 2 each reference the column name of data cells on the corresponding row of the table or array where the literal text for each title has been defined and stored during the creation of the library. Thus during printing the apparatus is able to extract the two titles and substitute the literal test values and print them in the correct positions relative to the label datum and each other and centered in the label for example:

ROAST CHICKEN AND CRISPY SALAD

In the case of special function indicia such as for the BestBeforeDate for example the coding can be simple enclosure of the item in square brackets as before but now including further parameters that the apparatus can detect and process to achiever the correct function.

Consider the following example:

00003, [DISPLAY, LIFE, PERIOD, FORMAT, COUNTRY], 0010, 0010, 002, 002, 001 ,

C, |

Producing the smaller label indicia

DISPLAY UNTIL: 23 SEPTEMBER 2999

The function item DISPLAY tells the apparatus to find the display text and print it, in this case the phrase 'DISPLAY UNTIL:'

The apparatus then searches for the life of the product by referencing a column named LIFE containing the recommended shelf storage life as a numeral say 2, and searched for the PERIOD units to use as DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, YEARS, in this example DAYS (it's a fresh sandwich). The FORMAT references a column containing the type of date format to be used as LONG, MEDIUM, SHORT, to display the date in this case LONG (the full date display format). Finally the optional reference to COUNTRY is used to specify if the date needs to be displayed in ENGLISH (shown) or AMERICAN (reversed day and month) or other format to suit the target country. The apparatus takes the information on the fly and using the current date reads from the real time clock and calculates a new offset date for displaying on the labels, in this case 2 days ahead. Display and useby dates are automatically calculated in this manor and are non user alterable (save for the GLOBAL offset method discussed) such that it is impossible for the user to get a date wrong when printing.

Thus the three indicia code functions working together produce a part finished label with both fixed and variable indicia:

ROAST CHICKEN AND CRISPY SALAD

DISPLAY UNTIL: 23 SEPTEMBER 2999

Other indicia described can be similarly coded, stored, subsequently interpreted and printed by the apparatus.

Where a more powerful electronic system can be employed all of the catalogue data can be stored in a local relational type database whereby the multiplicity of individual indicia position and functional information cells can be referenced to the associated label number by way of a fully relational arrangement as can be achieved on the central server catalogue.

METHODS FOR LABEL LIBRARY CATALOGUE CREATION A number of commercially available PC based computer software publishing type package with 'drag and drop' facilities can be used to produce original plotter type code that can be hand converted to digitised indicia suitable for combining into the label library. Alternatively by using the drag and drop facilities of a simple to use high level language such as 'VISUAL BASIC OR 'Ca custom support system can be designed to create or convert label designs quickly and also provide a means of embedding all the other required data into a single table, array or a fully relational database in order to create the master catalogue library for use with the apparatus.

METHODS FOR CHANGING INDICIA

It is a requirement of the invention that users can request changes or updates to indicia and that these are performed fully automatically and at great speed allowing the user to print labels with modified indicia within a few hours perhaps minutes of the change request. The apparatus allows for this by storing and referencing all individual indicia in a coded fashion in the master catalogue.

Thus for example the user, USER NUMBER 0123245, can request verbally or by fax that the PRICE indicia for a particular snack label reference number 0213456 needs to be changed from 1.89 to 1.99 currency units. Using the apparatus a fully automatic system can be constructed whereby as soon as the skilled operator of the server searches and edits that particular cell in the server database then the system recognises a change has occurred and creates a small data message similar to below:

0123245,0213456,PRICE,1.99

The message is routed to the correct apparatus and the apparatus updates its local catalogue and from then on the new price is printed on that particular label.

It can be seen that the change message in this case and before encryption need only be say 26 characters or so. Thus the communications traffic for operating updates can be contained to small quick messages allowing updates to be controlled without great amounts of data traffic and allowing large numbers of users to benefit from the apparatus.

Claims

CLAIMS SUMMARY WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. Apparatus purposely designed to facilitate on-demand digital labelling and tag printing to the mass-market irrespective of individual user's trade, skills or world location.

2. A system of claim 1 whereby the apparatus comprises compact electronic apparatus delivered to users in a ready-to-go-state having been pre-configured with a local catalogue library of readymade product and or packaging labels for the purpose of instantly printing copies of such labels on demand at any users site.

3. A system of claim 2 whereby the user is provide with such compact apparatus and with special fixings allowing it to be embedded in the workplace eliminating any need for bulky, expensive and unreliable computer apparatus normally associated.

4. A system of claim 2 whereby the housing of the apparatus is unusually compact, specially sealed, very robust and ergonomically designed to be operational and sustainable regardless of environment.

5. A system of claim 2 whereby the apparatus can be operated by any person without need for IT knowledge or specialist training normally associated.

6. A system of claim 2 whereby the apparatus operates independently of a specific printer but can connect to and operate with any type of digital printer(s) or print engine(s).

7. A system of claim 2 whereby the user controls are minimised and presented to the user in such a manor that the apparatus can be operated using a single finger.

8. A system of claim 2 whereby the apparatus is powered either from mains electrical power or from rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries depending on the location.

9. A system of claim 2 whereby the library catalogue of indicia representing readymade product labels is stored in electronic coded form within the apparatus and particularly in fixed non-volatile memory to avoid damage or loss of indicia during main power or battery failure.

10. A system of claim 2 whereby the catalogue of label indicia can be copied back and forth to removable memory and the removable memory providing one means of loading new label indicia, updating indicia and copying indicia to and from a master electronic library catalogue of label indicia stored and backed up at a remote location.

11.A system of claim 2 whereby a integrated telecommunication electronics embedded in the apparatus provides a means of on-line communications for loading and backing up indicia from a remote location and the means being manually triggered or preferably operating fully automatically between a multiplicity of apparatus sets and a central server station equipped with a the master label library catalogue for the purpose of ensuring high speed updating of indicia in the multiplicity of the apparatus sets.

12. A system of claim 11 whereby the communications allow label indicia stored in the apparatus sets to be synchronised with the master library catalogue.

13. A system of claim 11 whereby the communications means can be configured at time of manufacture or subsequent service exchange to suit the consumer locality requirements and technology available but including present day options for Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Radio Telephone Technology, Internet and other communications network means but sustaining communications regardless of apparatus world location.

14. A system of claim 11 whereby indicia are stored and communicated between the apparatus and the central server in a coded, compressed and encrypted form in order to minimise apparatus memory requirements, communications traffic and risk of corruption or direct sabotage.

15. A system of claim 2 whereby the apparatus can accept connection to external user equipment including automatic identification barcode readers, weighscales and the like in order to capture locally sourced variable data for combination with label indicia as required.

16. A system of claim 2 whereby the library catalogue of labels is first created (mastered) and fully tested to run on a controlled sample of the apparatus with a specific printer type, label type and ink media type to be operated by a user and in order to record the ideal settings for each indicia, store them in the catalogue and thus help ensure maximum print performance.

17. A system of claim 16 whereby the resultant printed labels created on the controlled apparatus then undergo an approval stage against documented technical and Government standards. For example conforming to established arrangements for specific label indicia and or overall label appearance whereby the standards of conformity are examined and an approval issued if the label conforms to the standards laid down and before any release of the labels for use in the apparatus.

18. A system of claim 2 whereby each indicia comprising the label catalogue pre-loaded into the apparatus is described by a compound coded electronic data packet of information embodying the main tested and approved elements of: - an apparatus identification number address for which the label indicia is intended, a unique label identification number to which the indicia belongs, the type and model of printer or print engine the label indicia has been tested and approved for, the specific printer operational settings known to reproduce the label indicia with the best quality of print, the material type size and nature of the consumables (label material and ink material) known to produce the best quality print, details of the construction and positioning of the indicia in a coded form that the specific printer will understand and interpret.

19. A system of claim 18 whereby special function indicia are included such that the apparatus recognises such indicia and knows to generate and insert new calculated indicia, import indicia from externally connected equipment or request manual entry of indicia from the user.

20. A system of claim 18 whereby each component of each indicia is stored in an electronic memory cell in the apparatus and at the server and the corresponding cell given a name for both manual and automatic (machine) recognition and synchronisation.

21.A system of claim 18 whereby special functions relating to indicia contain parameters describing the position of the indicia on the label, the font to be used, the scale of the characters and justification information.

22. A system of claim 18 whereby special functions relating to user entered indicia cause additional automatic recognition by the apparatus to prompt the user to enter the information required for the indicia for whatever reason or purpose and the apparatus able to check by reference to the function as to the number of characters the user has to enter and if the apparatus has to perform a clear of the user entry after printing ready for the next time. The apparatus providing or emulating (touch screen) a numeric or alphanumeric keypad for the purpose of manual data entry.

23. A system of claim 18 whereby a special function is provided allowing the transfer of the real time clock instantaneous reading of date and or time to separate indicia and hence to a label if specified.

24. A system of claim 18 whereby special functions relating to a labelled products shelf display life are calculated from stored values representing the described products shelf life in suitable increments such as days, weeks, months or years and the shelf life value being used in product dating calculations to display advised maximum storage time prior to product sale.

25. A system of claim 18 whereby special functions relating to product useable life are calculated from stored values representing the described products usable life in suitable increments such as days, weeks, months or years and the useable life value being used in product dating calculations to advise consumers of maximum or advised usage time following product purchase.

26. A system of claim 18 whereby special functions relating to any requirement for user defined indicia, such as a manually entered batch number, cause the apparatus to request the user to enter the indicia and again to preset rules described in the function.

27. A system of claim 18 whereby special functions relating to indexing by incrementing or decrementing indicia causes the apparatus to increment or decrement the indicia in numeric or character form for each label printed. The default in movement set as one but selectable as 'n' numbers or characters incremented at a time and either up or down.

28. A system of claim 18 whereby special functions relating to serial numbering causes the reading of a stored indicia value from that specific indicia function, the incrementing or decrementing thereof, and the returning of the new finished value to a stored place on completion of the label printing ready run for the next run.

29. A system of claim 18 whereby special functions relating to chaining of indicia defines one or more indicia to be concatenated into one contiguous string of characters.

30. A system of claim 18 whereby special functions relating to barcode conversion specifies an individual indicia or chain of indicia to be converted to a barcode and the type and height of the required barcode are defined, correctly interpreted and printed.

31.A system of claim 18 whereby special functions relating to indicia can be used to locate and insert pictures or logos into the label.

32. A system of claiml 8 whereby special functions relating to indicia can be used allow the user to chose between a short range of indicia values at print time when selecting for example an item colour from a preset range of say Red, Blue or Green or similar whereby the short list is contained in the function.

33. A system of claim 18 whereby special functions allow the compound manipulation of data from different sources whether internally stored, externally communicated or manually entered.

34. A system of claim 2 whereby the apparatus, on connection to a local mains electricity power or battery source, illuminates a display screen enabling controlled viewing of a complete list of labels available in the catalogue.

35. A system of claim 34 whereby the list of products can be scrolled up and down using one finger and allowing a long list to be viewed.

36. A system of claim 34 whereby simply touching one product in the list causes selection of that product for printing with the option of additionally causing a copy of that label to be instantly printed out.

37. A system of claim 1 whereby the general control of the apparatus is simplified using a small group of four buttons working together enabling the desired one finger operation. The group comprising of an oblong 'mode' button, an oblong 'select' button and two triangular 'up/down nudge' buttons arranged in a close coupled pattern and operating as described.

38. A system of claim 37 whereby the buttons and display means are so selected during manufacture as to facilitate colour change according to selected function enhancing the ergonomic design.

39. A system of claim 34 where a user can touch select a specific item in the list and for the selected item and using the control button group of claim 37 the user can enter a QUANTITY mode and nudge the quantity of labels to print up or down by pre-set increments of 1 , 10, 100, 1000 for fast print quantity setting.

40. A similar system of claim 39 whereby one selectable mode allows a user to set a selected a item print quantity to zero (0) ensuring no label are printed for that item.

41.A similar system of claim 39 whereby one selectable mode allows a user to move up or down the list one item at a time, move up or down the list a page at a time or move directly to the top or bottom of the list all using a single finger operation.

42. A similar system of claim 39 whereby one selectable mode allows a user to rapidly find a specific label in a large list by energising a numeric keypad or integrated touch screen keypad allowing the user to finger key the required code number and the apparatus fast finding the required label.

43. A similar system of claim 39 whereby one selectable mode allows the user to rapidly find a specific item in a large list by energising an alpha keypad or integrated touch screen keypad allowing the user to one finger key the item acronym code, (short code representing the item made up of first letters of the description e.g. Short Sleeved White Shirt Size XXL coded as SSWSXXL)

44. A similar system of claim 39 whereby one selectable mode allows the user to rapidly find a specific item in a large list by energising an automatic identification reader device connected to the apparatus such as a barcode reader. The reader device used to automatically read an existing item code on an actual item or read a code from a barcoded list of labels, coded pictures or directly from a sample label or catalogue of samlple labels.

45. A similar system of claim 39 whereby one selectable mode allows the user to trigger the printing of just the selected label and the apparatus printing out the quantity of labels indicated in the third column.

46. A similar system of claim 39 whereby one selectable mode allows the user to trigger the printing of all labels in the stored catalogue list where the individual label quantity for each label has been pre-set to at least 1 or greater.

47. A system of claim 46 whereby once triggered the apparatus automatically sequences and monitors the successful printing of all label types requiring printing.

48. A system of claim 47 whereby the apparatus automatically checks all indicia variables are available for all labels before launching the print run so as to avoid stoppages due to missing information and providing the user with a chance to abort that label print or provide the missing information required to complete the run.

49. A system of claim 47 where the user can if required call for one or more test print labels to be printed at one or more of the connected print engine(s) such that the basic print functionality and label detail can be checked for correctness before launching a large print run.

50. A system of claim 47 whereby the apparatus automatically directs each label type encountered to the correct printer (multiple printers) where each printer may be loaded with different and specific size, shape or pre-print arrangement of a label suitable to carry that items indicia, or where multiple printers are loaded with identical media type in order to automatically complete the task of printing all the scheduled labels by using the maximum resource available protecting against individual printer failure.

51.A system of claim 47 whereby the apparatus automatically monitors and provides the user with a dynamic display of the progress of individual printers during the print run indicating for each active printer the status of each printer, the total jobs to go, the current job in progress and labels left to print for the current job.

52. A system of claim 47 where additional transport (tape recorder/video type controls of Stop, Play. Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward) buttons are provided allowing the user overall control of the printing progress so as to be able to pause, continue, stop and reposition the current position in the print queue and using familiar tape recorder type controls.

53. A system of claim 47 where the apparatus automatically recognises the specific printer or print engine type attached and monitors the health of the printer throughout the print run and in the event of a problem occurring during printing can additionally automatically recognise and analyse the problem providing the user with specific text messages suggesting one or more possible cures for the problem.

54. A system of claim 47 whereby the apparatus automatically monitors and thus ensures successful completion of each individual label printed, automatically managing reprinting of labels not correctly completed or reporting potential problems to the user.

55. A system of claim 47 where in recognising a printer related problem the apparatus automatically pauses printing on that printer and can redirect labels for printing on any additional connected printer(s) attached if suitable for the label types in hand.

56. A system of claim 47 whereby in recognising a printer related problem the apparatus may be configured to automatically attempt one or more resets of the printer in an attempt to clear faults on the fly where possible.

57. A similar system of claim 34 whereby one selectable mode allows alternative short lists of products or items to be created from the main catalogue list then individually stored displayed and printed.

58. A system of claim 57 whereby the apparatus provides a split display incorporating two lists displayed one above the other and allowing the user to move or copy an individual label or all labels between the lists in order to create new lists.

59. A system of claim 57 whereby a label added to create any new short list can again be removed if that item is not then required in that list.

60. A system of claim 57 whereby newly created list can be saved and recalled whenever required and the user can use an example of the mode selection described to switch between list and modify lists at will.

61.A system of claim 57 whereby any user created list (but not the main catalogue list) can be deleted if no longer required avoiding confusion and memory wastage.

62. A system of claim 57 whereby the user can select to have concise lists automatically created by the apparatus. The new lists being created by automatic sorting of a preset 'CATAGORY or 'ACRONYM' indicia for each label type.

63. A similar system of claim 37 whereby one selectable mode allows the user to select and view, check, and if allowed edit individual label indicia values to be used on that specific label.

64. A system of claim 63 where the view of indicia detail for a specific selected label is presented to the user and automatically configured by the apparatus so as to initially present individual display boxes as a scrollable list showing by priority a small number of indicia classed by the system as important particularly if one or more of the prioritised indicia need to be checked or changed by the user prior to print run initialisation.

65. A system of claim 63 where the view of indicia detail presented to the user can be further expanded beyond the important items to allow interrogation and editing where allowed for all items of indicia and other stored parameters governing print performance.

66. A similar system of claim 37 whereby one selectable mode allows the user to display and edit 'global' settings in order to set various common parameters controlling the basic functionality of the apparatus.

67. A system of claim 66 whereby the user can reset all label print quantity values in a selected list to zero (0) such that the print requirements for the list may be reconfigured from scratch.

68. A system of claim 66 whereby the user can set all label print quantity values in a selected list to 1 such that the user can print one of each label say for sample purposes and particularly to create a reference book of sample labels for a user.

69. A system of claim 66 whereby the user can key in a common batch number to be used for all batch number indicia on labels in the selected list regardless of individual set values.

70. A system of claim 66 whereby the user can set a common date to be used for all date indicia in the selected list regardless of individual set values.

71.A system of claim 66 whereby the user can move an offset date (normally positioned at today's date) forwards or backwards a day at a time. The offset date being used in all automatic date indicia calculation functions and therefore adjustable to correct the printed date of packing or labelling when working just prior to or just following 2400 hours midnight.

72. A system of claim 66 whereby the user can type a global message into the apparatus that will appear on all labels in all lists and printed until the message is changed or deleted.

73. A system of claim 66 whereby the user can manually set or correct the system date and time clock.

74. An alternative system of claim 73 whereby the central server can remotely synchronise the apparatus date and time clock to the central server date and time clock and corrected for world time zone differences according to apparatus world location.

75. A system of claim 66 whereby an authorised user perhaps a manager using valid pin number password gains access to global settings whereas non-authorised persons are excluded.

76. An extension to the apparatus of claim 2 whereby additional apparatus is provided to detect and recognise the loaded media type (label or print ribbons for example), then the media type checked for correctness for the listed types and action automatically generated to avoid use of incorrect media thus reducing the possibilities of media jams and poor print quality.

77. A system of claim 76 whereby the apparatus prompts the user to use manually operate automatic identification equipment such as a barcoded reader to read and identify a barcoded label affixed to the label, tag and ink media consumables stock supplies and in order that the system can perform, cross checks and ensure the correct media types are selected and loaded ready for use.

78. An alternative system of claim 76 whereby the apparatus automatically detects for correctly loaded media by facilitating the apparatus with media supply magazines and magazine receptors capable of automatic detection using automatic identification means, for example Radio Frequency (RF) tagging or similar.

79. A system of claim 78 whereby the apparatus, determining the media type, automatically prompts the operator to check any necessary mechanical or electrical settings on the printer involved that may be important in determining correct label feed and print quality for that specific media type.

80. An alternative system of claim 2 whereby inbuilt print engine(s) are provided such that additional monitoring features and improved running diagnostics are provided by closer coupling of apparatus and print engine.

81.A system of claim 2 whereby the apparatus automatically records material consumption and thus monitors media stock volumes used for automatic reporting of replenishment requirements.

82. A system of claim 81 whereby a messaging system is used to warn the user and central server of a pending low material stock threshold. This system with the option to facilitate a semi-automated (with authorisation) and fully automatic (schedule agreement) materials replenishment order in accordance with agreed replenishment volume and delivery timing requirements thus eliminating the possibility of user activity stoppages due to label material stock outs.

83. A system of claim 2 whereby a text or graphic messaging system is implemented between the apparatus and the central server station for the purposes of communicating and displaying messages to users whether for general news about the system or specific information for a user.

84. A system of claim 83 whereby given sufficient bandwidth of communication means the apparatus can be equipped with a voice channel and or computer support link for use when the apparatus requires user interaction and with the central server support operatives say to correct an operational problem.

85. A system of claim 2 whereby packets of data collected from externally connected equipment can be transferred to the central station analysed and converted to indicia for use on the labels back at the apparatus for whatever purpose.

86. A system of claim 2 whereby the apparatus can use label indicia created at the server using consumer sourced data either in hand-written or electronic form then suitably coded or converted at the server for use in the apparatus.

87. A system of claim 2 whereby the supporting central server can include a combination of commercially available prior art and custom programmed systems used to master label designs and the label library catalogue and management functions in support of the deployed apparatus sets as described.

End of claims.