US 4,903,232 A · Electronic programmable stamping marking device

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an improved programmable marking device in two preferred embodiments thereof. In a first embodiment, the device includes a keyboard-display portion into which is mounted a removable portable marking device with the marking device having circuitry therein which is electrically connected with the computer in the keyboard-display portion when the removable portable marking device is inserted into a specially designed receptacle in the keyboard-display portion. In the operation of the first embodiment, the keyboard is used to type the message which is desired to be printed by the marking device and the desired message is displayed on the display and corrected as desired while the marking device is plugged into the receptacle. That which is displayed in the display has also been transmitted electrically to a memory device contained within the removable portable marking device. When it is desired to print the message, the marking device is removed from the receptacle and placed on the substantially planar surface at the location where it is desired to mark a message. A button is depressed to activate the marker and the message is printed exactly as it was presented in the display of the keyboard-display portion. In the second embodiment of the present invention, all of the functions described above are contained within a single self-contained portable unit. In either embodiment, other functions may be included such as time and calculation.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An improved programmable marking device comprising:

a microcontroller having memory means for storing data;
input means connected to said microcontroller for inputting said data to said memory means;
display means connected to said microcontroller for displaying said data substantially simultaneously with the inputting thereof;
printer means controlled by said microcontroller for printing said data;
said printer means including a print head means for placement against and for printing said messages on a substantially planar surface;
print activation means for activating said printer means;
and
means for disabling said print activation means until said print head means is placed on a substantially planar surface;
such that data may be inputted, substantially simultaneously displayed on said display means stored in said memory means and thereafter selectively printed on said substantially planar surface located externally of said housing.

6 more elements

An improved programmable marking device, comprising:

a keyboard-display housing including a socket therein;
a microcontroller within said keyboard-display housing and having a first memory means for storage of messages;
input means mounted to said keyboard-display housing and connected to said microcontroller for inputting said messages;
display means mounted to said keyboard-display housing and connected to said microcontroller for displaying said messages substantially simultaneously with the input thereof;
said socket including contacts mounted therein connected to said microcontroller;
a portable marking device housing, separate and distinct from said keyboard-display housing, sized to snugly fit into said socket of said keyboard-display housing;
a portable power source mounted within said portable marking device housing;
terminal means on said portable marking device housing for electrically connecting with said contacts of said socket of said keyboard-display housing when said portable marking device housing is fit snugly within said socket;
a further microcontroller, mounted within said portable marking device housing, and connected to said portable power source and having a further memory means for storage of said messages upon transmission thereof from said first memory means via said contacts and said terminal means;
printer means, mounted in said portable marking device housing and controlled by said further microcontroller, for printing said messages.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electronic programmable stamping marking device

Life of this patent

Electronic programmable stamping marking device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22