System and method for automatic selection of printer control parameters
AssigneeIntermec Corporation
InventorsPixie A. Austin, Duane M. Fox, Christopher A. Wiklof
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for the automatic selection printer operating parameters using a preprinted bar code image on a portion of a selected print medium or a separate sheet of bar code parameters and commands. The bar code image specified characteristics of the selected print medium. A bar code scanner operates in conjunction with a bar code printer and scans the bar code image. The system automatically selects printer operating parameters, such as print speed, print head pressure, and burn duration to configure the printer for optimal operation with the selected print medium. The bar codes can also be used for test and service, label design, data entry, or work in process.
Claims24
A printing control system comprising:
- a print medium on which an output image can be printed, said print medium including a symbology containing a print characteristic of said print medium;
- a reader to read said symbology and generate control signals representative of said print characteristic;
- a printer to print said output image on said print medium, said printer having an adjustable printer operating parameter which controls the printing of a first output image;
- a controller responsive to said control signals to selectively adjust said printer operating parameter of said printer to control the printing of said first output image on said print medium by said printer;
- and
- an analyzer to monitor said first output image and determine a quality value for said first output image, said analyzer dynamically altering said printer operating parameter in response to said quality value to alter the printing of a second output image printed subsequent to said first output image.
A printing control system for use with a print medium on which an output image can be printed, the system comprising:
- a printer to print the output image on the print medium, said printer having an adjustable printer operating parameter which controls the printing of the output image;
- a symbology containing printing commands, including a print characteristic of the print medium;
- a reader to read said symbology and generate control signals representative of said printing commands and said print characteristic, said reader, at a first time, generating initial control signals representative of said print characteristic to select an initial value for said printer operating parameter, said reader, at a second time subsequent to said first time, generating additional control signals to alter said initial control signals and thereby change said printer operating parameter;
- and
- a controller responsive to said control signals to selectively adjust said printer operating parameter of said printer to control the printing of the output image on the print medium by said printer.
A method for controlling printing for use with a print medium on which an output image can be printed, the method comprising the steps of:
- reading a symbology containing a print characteristic of the print medium;
- generating control signals representative of said print characteristic;
- in response to said control signals, selectively adjusting an adjustable printer operating parameter of a printer which controls the printing of a first output image on the print medium by said printer;
- printing said first output image on the print medium using said selectively adjusted printer operating parameter to control the printing of said first output image;
- monitoring said output image and determining a quality value for said first output image;
- and
- altering said printer operating parameter to optimize said quality value for a second output image printed subsequent to said first output image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.