DE3413887A1 - HAND LABELING DEVICE WITH A THERMOGRAPHIC RECORDING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

LEINWEBER & ZIMMERMANN

PATENT ATTORNEYS european patent attorneys

Diph-Ing. H. Leinweber (ΐ33ο-7β) Dipl.-Ing. Heinz Zimmermann Dipi.-Ing. A. Gf. v. Wengersky Dipl.-Phys. Dr. Jürgen Kraus

Rosental 7, D-8000 Munich 2 2nd entrance (Kustermann-Passage) Telephone (089) 2 60 39 89 Telex 52 8191 lepat d Telegr.-Adr. Lelnpat Munich

April 12, 1984

Our reference M-4 4 5-G

Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. Dayton, Ohio (V.St.v.A.)

Hand-held labeling machine with a thermographic recording device

The invention relates generally to printing machines and, more particularly, to hand-held labeling machines, in those of thermographic Printing devices is made use of.

Thermographic printing devices and hand-held labeling machines in which use of thermographic printing devices is made are known. Examples of hand-held labeling machines with thermographic printing devices are in the US patent 4,264,396 and U.S. Patent Application No. 268,590, dated

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χ Pictured May 29, 1981.

While the devices disclosed in the publications mentioned above have already shown a way is to print a thermosensitive tape, it still lacks many of the features of the invention Device-created features. For example, when printing with a thermal printing device, particularly with a hand-operated, battery-powered printing device, the print density as a function of battery voltage. Since the battery voltage varies depending on the number of simultaneously excited pressure elements In addition, the print density changes depending on the number of elements to be used Formation of the different parts of a sign must be excited at the same time. Also is the temperature to which each pressure element is heated when it is energized, not just a function of that pressure element supplied amount of energy, but also a function of the previous history of this element, i.e. the period of time that has elapsed since the previous excitation of this element. It can also be the case with the after The prior art known devices occur that by defective pressure elements and defective cells within the battery supplying the device with energy, the printing of many defective labels causes and further, printing the same character repeatedly may cause the head to malfunction prematurely caused when the same printing elements of the

gO printhead can be energized repeatedly. The in the prior art devices used to transport the label strip past the printhead Stepper motors to only limited low speed torque.

It is therefore an aim of the invention to

to overcome parts of the systems known from the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a thermographic printing apparatus using hand-held labeling device that monitors the voltage applied to the printing elements and the excitation time the pressure element adjusts depending on the tension, thereby the pressure elements a supplying substantially constant energy and keeping the print density substantially constant.

Another object of the invention is to provide a thermal printing device by which the resistance of the individual pressure elements is measured and the excitation time of the individual pressure elements as a function its resistance is adjusted to give the various printing elements essentially constant energy and maintain a substantially uniform print density.

Another object of the invention is to provide one using a thermal printing apparatus Hand labeling device that adjusts the excitation time of the thermal printing elements depending on how shortly before the pressure elements had been energized.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a thermographic printing apparatus which through which defective pressure elements and defective battery cells can be detected.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a thermographic printing apparatus using hand-held labeling device that automatically staggered the printing of repeated characters by one

Avoid premature head wear when printing repeated characters.

Another object of the invention is also in the creation of a hand-operated thermographic printer capable of both printing alphanumeric Characters as well as barcodes such as the "Universal Product Code (UPC)" and the "European Article Number (EAN) "is enabled. ·

'

Still another object of the invention is to provide a hand-operated thermographic Labeling machine, in which the data either via a keyboard or by interfacing with a external computer can be entered.

Another object of the invention is to provide a microprocessor-controlled hand-held labeling device, das__dije length of the excitation time of the different printing elements depending on the battery voltage, the ambient temperature, the time elapsed since various elements were last energized, the The resistance of the various elements or any combination of the aforementioned factors.

'. ■. - .- · ■ ■

I.

Finally, there is also an object of the invention in the creation of a hand-held labeling machine that uses a microprocessor-controlled direct current motor used to transport the label strip.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention a hand-held labeling device using a microprocessor-controlled printing device is therefore provided, in which the microprocessor regulates the printing function in order to meet various ambient conditions; Printhead and paper parameters and the parameters of the im'Dfuck

to compensate for sensitive specific information. The microprocessor monitors to achieve this function the voltage applied to the thermographic printhead and the resistance of each printing element, as well as further parameters. The monitoring of the resistance values of the printing elements provides a. Ability to capture an interrupted or short-circuited pressure element and allows the calculation of the amount of the different pressure elements applied power. Detecting the battery voltage enables discovery a defective cell of the battery and allows the length of the excitation time of each pressure element to be adjusted depending on the battery voltage and, if desired, depending on the resistance value of the printing element to ensure a uniform print density. In addition, the length of the energization time of the elements is adjusted depending on how shortly before the elements were energized in order to compensate for the heating and cooling parameters of the elements.

·

When printing repeated characters, such as the Universal Product Code security bars are, the microprocessor staggered the code symbols in such a way that the security bars on different Labels can be printed by various printing elements. This prevents it from being printed the safety bars an essentially continuous excitation and thus a premature failure occurs A keyboard and a computer interface are provided for entering data into the device, and a A microprocessor controlled DC motor is used to transport the strip past the printhead. . - .-. ■

Further features, details and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description

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and the drawing, all of which are not mentioned in the text with regard to an essential disclosure of the invention Details are expressly pointed out. Show here:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention Hand-held labeling device,

Figure 2 is a system block diagram of the present invention logic circuitry controlling the thermographic printing device,

3 shows a plan view of one which can be used in the printing device according to the invention

thermographic. Print head,

Figure 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment

a printhead driver circuit, 20

Figure 5 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the printhead driver circuit.

Fig. 6 is a graph showing how to obtain a substantially constant print density

.required time-voltage dependency,

7 shows a graphic representation of the heating and cooling parameters of a printing element as a function of the

'the following excitement elapsed time,

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the print head and a

Label in which the printing of a barcode and the graduation of the barcode

to reduce the likelihood

premature printhead failure is shown is, -

9 shows a further block diagram of the thermographic hand-held labeling device according to the invention, in which the control of the strip transport motor is shown, and

10 shows the use of the inventive

Labeling device in a data retrieval and remote programming system.

in the drawing, particularly FIG. 1, is a thermographic, microprocessor-controlled hand-held labeling device generally designated by the reference number 10. The labeling device 10 has a housing 12 which has a roll 14 of self-adhesive on its back Carries labels 16 which lie on a carrier strip 18. A keyboard 20 is arranged on the housing 12, the plurality of individually actuatable pushbutton switches 22 for data input into the labeling device having. A display 24, which may be a liquid crystal or a light emitting diode display, is also provided placed on the housing to allow the operator a viewing of the entered data and microprocessor generated Enable user guidance instructions. A battery pack contained in a detachable battery pack handle assembly 25 can be contained, which contains a battery 26 having an internal resistance 27, supplies electrical energy for the hand-held labeling device 10. A trigger 28 is used to initiate the label printing process is provided, and a label application roller 30 is used to apply to the adhesive label 16 to apply pressure when the label 16 is applied to an item of commerce. A label wiper (not shown) is contained within the housing 12 to separate the labels 16 from the carrier strip 18.

A plurality of guide rollers are provided to move the separated labels 16 to the front area of the device.

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to guide the housing under the label application roller 30 and to guide the carrier strip to the rear of the housing under the roller 14.

As pointed out earlier, the labeling device according to the invention is very versatile and is capable of both alphanumeric characters as well as barcodes including the Universal Product Code (UPC) and the European Article Number (EAN) to be printed. The type of format

IQ, whether alphanumeric or barcode, is selected simply by entering the corresponding format and font-defining data via the keyboard 20. The data to be printed, for example price, data defining the product and other information about the product, such as the size, color and the like, are also entered via the keyboard 20. The number of labels to be printed can also be entered. A data input / output connector 32 may also be provided on the housing to allow data to be input to the labeling device from an external source, such as a remote computer, and to allow the battery 26 to be charged.

Referring to Figure 2, the keyboard 20 is on a peripheral interface adapter 40 (peripheral interface adapter PIA), which is an interface between different Input and output devices and a microprocessor 42 creates. On the peripheral interface adapter 40 a sensor 44 is also connected, the an incision or another separation point between the label indicating license plate detected, as well as a controlled by the trigger 28 trigger switch 46 and a motor control circuit 48. Alternatively, the tip of the form sensor 44 may have a mark or scan a label on the tape transport wheel 49 which is driven by a tape transport motor 50

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α / "Λ £, 3 -r Ί 388 /

is driven. The motor control circuit responds to the microprocessor 42 via the peripheral interface adapter 40. Received data and controls the operation of the strip transport motor 50, which is a stepping motor or a DC motor, the latter because of its low speed torque characteristic is preferable. Furthermore, an acoustic alarm clock 52 is connected to the peripheral interface adapter 40, which proves to be useful for the operating

^ O person the occurrence of a problem or a potential Problem. For example, the acoustic alarm clock 52 to indicate a discharged or defective battery, a defective printhead; that in the labeling machine the labels have run out, are being used or simply for a display used that the data entered into the device has been received. In the latter case, can the acoustic alarm clock 52 for supplying an acoustic signal each time one of the pushbutton switches 22 is actuated the keyboard 20 can be used.

The display 24 is connected to the microprocessor 42 through a display driver 54. the Display 24 is used to display data that is being entered into the microprocessor as well also other messages, such as user guidance and error messages generated by the microprocessor. A read-only memory (ROM) 56 is provided for storing permanent data such as the operational sequence of the

gO device-defining program. The read-only memory 56 can either be permanently installed in the labeling device 10 or in a version or the like. removable be installed in order to change the font and / or the format by exchanging the memory 56 to enable. In addition, a random access memory (RAM) 58 is provided for storage

short-term data as entered via keyboard 20 Data, can be used, as well as a performance-independent memory with random access ~ (NVRAM) 60, which is suitable for storing such data as format data. The input / output connector 32 enables an exchange of information between the device and an external computer. The printing process is carried out using a printhead assembly 64 comprising a printhead 66 and an on the peripheral interface adapter 40 connected print head driver 68 has. One on the peripheral interface adapter 40 connected analog-to-digital converter 70 detects the battery voltage or that of the print head arrangement 64 applied voltage and provides a digital display of this voltage to the peripheral interface adapter 40, so that the microprocessor is enabled to counteract changes in the energization time of the printhead to compensate for the battery or printhead voltage. An example of the printhead assembly 64 is simplified Form shown in Fig. 3. In the illustrated embodiment, it is in the printhead assembly 64 provided printhead driver 68 and the printhead 66 arranged on a thin film substrate. One suitable for use with printhead assembly 64 The printhead assembly consists of one manufactured by Kyoto Ceramic Company Ltd. of Japan made Kyocera printhead. The Kyocera print head has a single print head which is arranged transversely to the transport direction of the carrier strip 18 Line of printing elements and is suitable because of the high density of the printing elements forming the print head 66 especially ■ for use in a hand-held labeling device, especially when both alphanumeric characters and barcodes are to be printed. A printhead assembly, particularly useful as the printhead assembly 64 employs two hundred and twenty-four Printing elements that are each 10 mil (0.254 mm) long and 4.4 mil (0.11176 mm) wide and have a center point

S- ry ~ \ 3 ■! 1 3 O 8 /

be 5.2 mils (0.13208) apart. Such an arrangement enables an effectively continuous printing Line. .

Each of the pressure elements forms a heating resistance element 80 (Fig. 4), which is individually driven by the print head driver circuit 68 is excitable, which has a heater driver transistor 82 for each of the pressure elements 80 having. A gate 84 controls each of the heater driver transistors 82 as an input register 86 and a data register 88 control the operation of the gates 84. If therefore as the printhead 66 a head with 224 elements is used, 224 driver transistors 82 and 224 logic elements must be used 84 may be provided, while the input register 86 and the data register 88 each at least 224 Must have steps.

The input register 86 receives the data serially from a data input line 90 under the control of Clock signals that are applied to a clock line 92. When the input register 86 is full, the data in parallel under the control of a latch signal applied to data register 88 through a line transferred to the data register 88. The input register 86 is then connected to a reset line 96 by a applied reset pulse is reset and the input register is loaded with new data.

^Since the resistive heating elements 80 draw a significant amount of current, for example about 50 milliamperes per element, and because of the extreme density of the elements, for example about 200 elements per inch (25.4 mm), the current drain from the battery 26 would be excessive if all Elements 80 would be turned on at the same time. For this reason, the heater driver transistors 82 are scanned by the logic gates 84 in such a way that

that no more than a quarter of the heater drivers 82 can be energized at the same time.

In the embodiment shown in FIG The sampling is done by using AND gates with three inputs as the gates 84 and brought about by a group-wise excitation of the linking elements 84. This is done through the Provision of two group excitation signals BEI and BE2 on lines 100 and 102 respectively and of sampling pulses ST1 and ST2 accomplished on lines 104 and 106, respectively. Each of the group excitation signals becomes one half each of the gates 84 supplied so that one half of the gates 84 is energized when the BEl signal is high and the other half is energized when the BE2 signal is high. The STl signal is sent to one half of the BEl signal receiving logic elements 84 and to one half of the logic elements 84 receiving the BE2 signal created. In the same way, the ST2 signal is sent to the logic elements to which the ST1 signal is not applied created. After receiving one of the group excitation signals for full excitation of each link and one of the scanning signals is required, in this way becomes only a quarter at any given time the gates 84 energized. Hence the data from the data register 88 is applied to the heater driver transistors 82 in four steps such that for each given time no more than a quarter of the transistor interferers 82 can be excited.

An alternative embodiment of the printhead driver device is shown in FIG. The embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is similar to that in Fig. with the exception that the input register 86 is divided into a plurality of smaller registers.

3 + 1 3 8 8

in the embodiment shown, for example, seven 32-stage shift registers 86 '. Such an arrangement has the advantage that it is faster Enables data entry into the system and thus allows a higher printing speed. This is why the case where each of the seven shift registers 86 'is fed in parallel from seven separate data lines 90' can be. As a result, the data need only be shifted 32 times to load the register 86 ', as a difference to the 224 fold shift required to load input register 86. However, with Load shift register 86 'defining each line 224 bits are not fed serially into the shift register 86 ', but the bits have to be grouped so that they can be applied to the appropriate registers. This is done by that every 32nd bit of the data defining a line is taken over and sent to the relevant shift register 86 ' is created. For example, if 224 bits are used to define a line, the 32nd, 64th, 96th, The 128th, 160th, 192nd and 224th bits are selected and applied to seven levels of a buffer 108 (Fig. 5). These bits are then fed in parallel to the shift register 86 '. Then the 31st, 63rd, 95th, 127th, 159th, 191st.

and 223rd bits are applied to buffer 108 and transferred to registers 86 '. The process is repeated as long as through the 1st, 33rd, 65th, 97th, 129th, 161st and 193rd bits are loaded into the buffer 108 and supplied to the registers 86 ' are. At this point in time the seven registers 86 'contain bits 1 to 32, 33 to 64, 65 to 96, 97 to 128, 129 to 160, 161 to 192 and 193 to 224. Since this data completely defines a line, the data can be made out registers 86 "to a data register such as data register 88 (FIG. 4) or to a plurality of individual ones Data registers 88 '(Fig. 5) are transferred. The output of the latching registers 88 'can be on

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a plurality of the three-input AND gates 84 or any suitable limiting device the number of simultaneously excitable individual elements.

In the embodiment shown in FIG

will be the sampling function that will count the number simultaneously excitable elements limited, caused by a plurality of circuits 83. Each of the circuits 83

IQ has 32 AND gates with two inputs and a suitable driver circuit for controlling the print head 66. Such a system is somewhat simpler than the system shown in Fig. 4, since only AND gates with two inputs instead of AND-

I ^ gates with three inputs are required. By providing three scanning signals S1, S2 and S3, the number of pressure elements that can be excited at the same time is limited to approximately one third of the total number of pressure elements.

In the embodiment shown in FIG

the scanning signal S1 is applied to the first two and the last of the switching circuits 83. The scanning signal

52 is applied to the third and fourth of the circuits and the sample signal S3 to the fifth and sixth of the Circuits 83 applied. Consequently, no more than two out of seven pressure elements can be excited at the same time, if either the sample signal S2 or the sample signal

53 occurs.When the scanning signal Sl occurs, can

QQ are indeed excited theoretically three of seven elements, however, the print line as the width in. Practice is rarely so wide, the print head 66 so that it is therefore unlikely that more than half of the total elements in the first and last of circuits 83 is energized.

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34. ^3i13887

Although the number of heating resistor elements 80 which can be excited at the same time is limited, there is due to the internal resistance of the battery has a certain fluctuation in the battery voltage depending on the number of excited heating resistance elements. For this reason, the analog-to-digital converter 70 (FIG. 2) is used in conjunction with the peripheral interface adapter 40 and the microprocessor 42 are used to determine the length of the time during which each of the heating resistor elements 80 is energized, to be adjusted depending on the battery voltage .

In order to maintain a constant print density, the amount of money expended on the heating resistor elements must be Joule heating remains essentially constant with a change in voltage. The amount the Joule heating generated in each heating element is given by the following formula

J = ^{v2 x t} ,

where J generated die-in each heating resistor element Joule heat, ν the voltage applied to the heating resistor element, R the resistance value of the heating resistor element and t represents the length of time during which the heating resistor element is energized.

As discussed above, it is desirable to keep the Joule heating substantially constant hold to maintain a substantially constant print density. Constant Joule heating is therefore given by the following formula

R.

where K is a constant.

Solving the above equation for time t, the following relationship is obtained

₌ KR

This relationship is shown in FIG. 6 by curve 110.

The relationship described above applies to thermographic printheads that are formed on substrates that are relatively insulating, such as, for example, on glass or ceramic substrates. For not so well insulated printheads or for those that can be used in ambient conditions with a relatively low temperature, however, the constant Joule input heating energy does not always provide optimal results because the head cools relatively quickly during the extended heating period. For example, in the diagram shown in FIG. 6, if the voltage V _? a time of T 1 is required to deliver the desired Joule heating input energy. Then, when the voltage drops to V1, a longer time T_ is required to provide the same amount of Joule heating. If the head is well insulated and _{little or no heat is lost between T 1} and T ₉ , the print density will not be compromised. If, however, a significant amount of heat is lost in the time interval between T- and T_, additional heat must be supplied to compensate for this heat loss. Consequently, in such cases it is necessary to increase the Joule heating input energy when the printhead voltage drops in order to compensate for such additional heat loss.

One relationship in which the Joule heating input energy is increased linearly as a function of time is

3 -V Ί 3 8 8 33.

given by the following context

^{X t} = K + Ct

where C is a constant corresponding to the cooling characteristic of the printhead. As from the above equation As can be seen, it agrees with the equation for constant Joule heating with the exception that the term Ct has been added such that the amount of additional Joule heating is a function of the Is the time during which the printhead must be energized to avoid any additional heat loss that occurs during the additional excitation time of the head occurs, too

retire. Solving this equation for t gives the following result

t = ^KR

This relationship is represented by curve 112 of FIG. 6, wherein, according to FIG. 6, when using a head exhibiting a significant heat loss, the Excitation time must be extended beyond T- to T- to compensate for the additional heat loss.

Another factor in need of compensation exists in the temperature rise of a printing element that occurs when the printing element is sequentially energized will. For example, when a voltage V (Fig. 7) is applied to a printing element, the temperature of the increases Pressure element from the ambient temperature (T,)

amb

a temperature sufficient to cause a printing process, which is represented by curve 120. When the application of voltage to the printing element is stopped, the printing element cools exponentially, which

is represented by curve 122. When power is again applied to the printing element, the temperature rises of the element again, which is represented by curve 124. However, if the head is aroused again, before the printing element had sufficient time to cool down to ambient temperature, the peak temperature reached at the next excitation of the head is higher than the previous one Peak temperature. This phenomenon is cumulative, as shown by the cool-down and heat-up curves 126 and 128 with the peak temperature reached during each heating cycle being higher than that during the previous one Heating cycle reached peak temperature. If no compensation is provided, the peak temperature may the maximum temperature load of the pressure element

(T) exceed and damage the pressure pmax ^ ^y

evoke elements. If the energy supplied to the elements is reduced, the The temperature of the heads has not reached the minimum temperature (T.) Required for printing. Also is

pm in

it can be seen that with a change in the ambient temperature (T.) Also changes the peak temperature reached by the printing element. It is therefore desirable the excitation time of the printing elements as a function of the elapsed time between successive excitations Adjust time and ambient temperature in order to compensate for these factors to reach. Such compensation techniques are covered in a later part of this discussion.

As can be seen from the discussion above,

For example, the factors or circumstances affecting print density can be divided into two general classes.

The first class includes those factors that relate to the environment in which the printer operated is and includes such factors as battery condition,

³ⁱ ' ¹³⁸⁸⁷

Ambient temperature, the parameters of the paper, the speed at which the paper is transported past the head the tightness of contact between the paper and the head and other factors. The second Class includes factors related to the characters to be printed insofar as the characters, the order of excitation of the elements and the frequency of excitation of the elements. Some factors can go into both the environment-dependent class and the character-dependent class Class fall. An example of such a factor is voltage, which is both a function the battery condition (related to the environment) as well as a Function of the number of simultaneously excited pressure elements (character-related).

Although the amount of compensation required to compensate for the various factors is continuous Lich can be calculated to keep the print density constant, it has been found useful to provide the required Compensation factors for the various circumstances to be determined in advance and in a search table save. The compensation factors can be stored in a multidimensional look-up table, where the applicable compensation factor is retrieved depending on the various circumstances to be considered ■ can be. Alternatively, the compensation factors are stored in a series of single-parameter search tables, each of which has compensation factors for contains a single circumstance. In this case, the total compensation is made through a series of individual steps accomplished.

For example, with regard to a voltage compensation, to obtain a satisfactory Print quality at different voltages required time either calculated or empirically determined

become true. Because of the large number of heating and the cooling characteristic of a print head, the empirical approach leads to the more direct Objective because the pressure parameters can be easily measured and saved.

j Because of the fact that the different, the

Print density controlling factors can be divided into character-dependent and environment-dependent factors, they can also be treated separately so that the character generation circuit can be operated independently of the environmental condition compensation circuit and vice versa . This is an advantage because it makes it possible to make changes in the character generation circuit without affecting the environmental condition compensation circuit and vice versa. Separate circuitry may also be provided to control the strip transport motor 50 to make the motor control function independent of the pressure control and environmental compensation circuitry.

It is therefore desirable to have the data defining the characters to be printed prior to the actual printing operation of the characters, as this enables all character-dependent compensation factors can be specified prior to the actual printing of a character or group of characters. For example can for the type of print head used in the illustrated embodiment, the printing process on a typical label can be defined by 100 rows of 224 points each. That way you will be laying down the information to be printed data that define the individual characters to be printed from a search table which defines the various characters. The data retrieved in this way determine which of the 224 elements, if any, for each of the 100

3-f13887

rows to be printed must be excited. In addition to that fixing elements that must ^ be excited by the 224 elements in each of rows 100, it is necessary to set the time period during ^ö which the elements have to be excited. Typically, this length of time is a function of how recently each of the energized elements was previously energized and the number of elements to be simultaneously energized for each row. On the basis of these factors ^u , data specifying the energizing time or the burning time are stored for each series of points. Typically, one byte in the memory is sufficient to define the burning time for each row, especially when bar codes are printed, since the same elements are always excited when the bar codes are pressed and therefore the main parameter influencing the excitation time is given by the number of elements excited at the same time . For alphanumeric characters in which different printing elements are energized while different areas of the character are being printed, the past history or the time that has elapsed since the last energization of each element becomes more important, so that additional information is required to determine the energization time can. For example, different areas of a line can have different burn times, which result from different previous histories, which would require additional information to determine the different burn times.

The circuit would also have to be more complex than that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 if more than three or four different burn times per line are required. In extreme cases, an individual control each of the printing elements may be required.

With regard to environmental conditions, which the

Influencing pressure parameters is provided by the battery condition one of the most critical conditions. As a result, the battery voltage is reduced by the analog-digital converter 70 monitored under various conditions. For example, the battery voltage with an open circuit, monitored under load or under both conditions. One suitable for voltage monitoring purposes The strip transport motor 50 represents load because it represents a more constant load on the battery than the print head 64. Based on the battery condition, the battery voltage can be calculated accordingly Time correction factors by solving one of those discussed earlier Joule heating equations or by empirical determination. Provided the correction factors Once they have been determined, they can be found in a look-up table as a function of the battery voltage when the battery is open Circuit or the battery voltage are saved under load in order to avoid changes in the battery condition to deliver the necessary burning time corrections.

During battery discharge, the voltage delivered by battery 26 does not change significantly, on the contrary, the internal resistance 27 increases. This size can be based on a value from a fraction of an ohm for a fully charged battery to a value on the order of a few Ohms for a battery approaching its discharge state. It was found that the value of the internal resistance 27 can be easily measured and that this value is a convenient way of compensating for the burning time opened depending on the battery condition. For example, the value of the internal resistance 27 can through a measurement of the voltage across the terminals of the battery pack 25 in the unloaded state or below a light load, such as the microprocessor 42 and associated equipment, and further under a heavy load,

such as motor 50 or printhead 64 or both will. Knowing the ones pulled during the light load condition and the heavy load condition Currents and by knowing the difference in terminal voltage across the battery pack 25 opposite In the light load condition, the value of the internal resistance 27 can be easily calculated. For example, if the battery current under the light load condition is 100 milliamps and the voltage across the terminals of the battery IQ stapeis 25 is 12.6 volts, and when the terminal voltage drops when the current is increased to 1.1 amps the heavy load condition drops to 10.6 volts, follows from that caused by the 1 ampere increase in current Voltage drop of 2 volts that the value of the internal resistance 27 is 2 ohms.

If once the value range of the internal resistance 27 for that used in the labeling device 10 Battery type is known, the required burn time can be as a function of the value of resistor 27 calculated or determined empirically. As soon as this determination is made, you can look at the value of the resistor 27 based burning time correction factors stored in a look-up table and used to compensate for the Burn times can be used depending on the battery condition.

In addition to gathering information for a Establishing time correction factors makes monitoring the battery an easy discovery damaged cell in a multicell battery. For example, knowing the voltage .pro. Cell and the number of cells in the multi-cell battery, the battery voltage when functioning properly known. Therefore, if a cell should fail, the battery voltage will drop by the voltage of one cell, see above

that the change can be easily detected and a cell damage warning can be given. For example, in one Nickel-Cadmium Bätterie the voltage about 1.25 volts per cell. Therefore, when a cell is completely discharged to the dead center, the waste can be easily detected and advising the operator of damage to the battery. Typically is the voltage measurement used to detect an inverted cell under an open circuit condition performed or with the microprocessor 42 and the associated components as the only load, there the microprocessor load is so small that it approximates an open circuit condition .

There is also the resistance of the individual pressure elements to determine what occurs during excitation The amount of Joule heating that matters is a knowledge of the resistance of each of the pressure elements he wishes. The resistance can be measured simply by placing a below through each of the pressure elements the current required to produce the pressure passing a small current through it to measure the resistance of each element. The measurement can either be by passing a known current through each element and measuring the voltage across it the element for calculating its resistance can be accomplished or by having a known resistance connected in series with one of the supply lines of the printhead and the voltage across the known resistor

...., stood when the excitation of each element is measured.

Such a measurement serves two functions. It provides resistance values for use in Joule's heating equation or in the burning time value or the burning time correction search table. When particularly high accuracy is required, the individual resistance

³ " ¹³⁸⁸⁷

values of each element can be used, but if this is not the case, an average resistance from all elements can be used instead. Second, by setting maximum and minimum limits for the resistance of each pressure element, it is possible to locate an interrupted or short-circuited element and to inform the operator if such an element is found.
10

Other factors that affect print density include ambient or substrate temperature, the characteristics of the thermal paper used for the strip, the speed of the paper moving past the print head, and the pressure between the print head and the paper. These factors can also be compensated for, if desired. For example, the substrate temperature can be measured by means of a thermistor, the output signal of which is fed to an analog-to-digital converter, which in turn can be used to address corresponding locations in a substrate temperature search table which contains suitable burn time values or correction factors depending on the substrate temperature. If necessary, a shutdown feature can be provided to terminate the printing operation if a printhead becomes excessively hot. The paper speed and the contact pressure between the print head and the paper _may: also measured and appropriate corrections are taken from lookup tables. The characteristics of different types of thermal paper can also be stored in a look-up table and accessed manually by entering the type of paper currently being used via the keyboard 20 or in some other way.

As stated earlier, labeling the invention propertyless ability _2O printing both bar codes and alphar.Tmerischen characters. When printing bar codes, the bars forming the bar code are preferably printed longitudinally along the strip in a direction transverse and perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal extension of the rear head 66 (FIG. 8). The code shown in FIG. 8 is the Universal Product Code, but the device according to the invention has the ability to print any bar code including the European Article Number or other codes. However, since the Universal Product Code is a widely used code, it is used for explanatory purposes

The Universal Product Code contains both barcodes and numeric characters (Fig 8) The zero to the left of the barcode indicates that it is the item to which the code is attached is a product (as opposed to a voucher, which usually bears the number five). Ten digits that can be read in plain text are arranged below the barcode and represent the value of the code bars immediately above the digits. Typically, the first five digits identify a manufacturer and the last five digits a product. A series of protective lines that have a greater length as the dashes denoting the manufacturer and the product are left and right of the Manufacturer and the product-identifying digits arranged and serve to the scanning circuit Indicate the beginning and the end of the code. These protective bars are independent of in the Universal Product Code the manufacturer and product identification information contained in the code always the same.

Since the protective lines are always the same,

3h13887

When printing a series of labels, printing the protective bars requires the same elements over and over again get excited. As a result, the elements used to print the protective lines move more quickly wear out than the elements used to print the manufacturer and product identification codes because the identification codes are changeable. Hence, according to another important aspect the invention periodically changes the position in which the code is printed in relation to the print head 66, so that for printing the protective bars different printing elements from the printing elements 80 of the head be used. Such a shift is indicated by the dashed arrows in FIG. 8 and can be implemented in a number of ways.

For example, the shift can be done by adding zeros in front of or behind the information loaded into the input registers 86 (Fig. 4) or 86 '(Fig. 5) are loaded. the Shift can be brought about at different times, such as after each time Print a batch of labels every time the labeler is turned on after Print every single label or even randomly. Of the various possible When the code is shifted, the code shift appears after each batch or after every time the device is switched on as preferred.

Although various types of motors including stepper motors as the strip transport motor 50 are usable, it has been found that a DC motor is particularly useful as a strip transport motor 50 is suitable, due in part to its good low speed torque characteristic is. However if a DC motor is used

it is necessary to have a circuit for control the speed and position of the shaft of the DC motor. To that end it has It has been found advantageous to have a separate microprocessor within the motor control circuit 48, such as an engine control processor 130 (Fig. 9). Such an arrangement has two advantages. First, it enables the microprocessor 42 to perform its pressure control and environmental compensation functions free and, secondly, creates greater flexibility in the structure and mode of operation, by taking the motor control function from the pressure control and Environmental condition compensation function is made independent. For the sake of clarity, the various components necessary to carry out the pressure control and compensation functions are not shown in Fig. 9; however, it should be understood that the microprocessor 42 of FIG the printing function must be coupled with components that have the components shown in FIG match or are comparable with 'these.

Control of the DC motor 50 can either be by an open loop control system or be accomplished with closed loop control.

However, because of the digital nature of engine control processor 130, it is advantageous in either case to increase speed and the torque of the motor 50 by applying a pulse width modulated signal to the Control motor 50. For example, the motor 50 can be provided with motor drive pulses by the motor control processor 130 fed at a constant frequency and the pulse width to change the speed or des Torque of the motor can be changed. Alternatively, pulses can be of constant width and variable Frequency used, yet the use has increased

({$ · 3 ^ 1 3887

of constant-frequency pulses of variable width in the illustrated embodiment as preferred proven; however, this need not be the case under all circumstances.

In a typical system, the microprocessor 42 issues a command to the engine control processor 130, which signals the engine control processor 130 - that the engine should be started.

If so, the motor control processor 130 applies the pulses of the appropriate pulse width the engine 50 on. The motor 50 drives a tachometer 132 which generates pulses, one related to speed of the motor 50 have proportional frequency.

While various types of tachometers can be used for the tachometer 132, such as Magnetic tachometer, it has proven advantageous to use a light interrupter tachometer, to generate the speedometer pulses between a light source, such as a light-emitting diode and a light sensor set slotted or perforated wheel used. These pulses are sent to the engine control processor 130 is applied, preferably via a peripheral interface adapter, such as the peripheral interface adapter 40. The pulses are processed by engine control processor 130 which then sends a Generated label position signal and fed to the microprocessor 42 to the position of a label with respect to display the printhead. Likewise, through the engine control processor 130 in response to the speedometer pulse generates a print start signal which the Microprocessor 42 indicates that a printable area of the label is in position below the printhead. The print start signal may be a two-level signal, i.e. high level if a printable one, for example Area below the printhead and

low level when there is a non-printable area. The paper position signal can simply be a rectangular shaped version of the output signal .des Tachometer 132 or a multiple or a fraction of the frequency of the tachometer signal.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the motor control processor 130 counts the tachometer pulses and a paper position signal provides the number of tachometer pulses counted during the transport of a specific label represents. The engine control processor operates to determine the location of the beginning of a label 130 also together with the start of form sensor, which is the separation points between the individual Label 16 indicating identification, such as an incision or a printed mark on the Strip 18 is detected to thereby provide a positional reference for the system.

As previously discussed, the control of the motor 50 can be either in an open loop or take place in a closed control loop. In the case of the open control loop, the parameters of the Motor 50 can be determined empirically or otherwise to determine the width of the drive pulses to be used Obtaining the desired speed or torque characteristic must be applied to the motor 50. These Values for the pulse width can be stored in a look-up table, for example in a read-only, memory 134, which is either internally in the motor control

OQ processor 130 or can also be provided externally. A large amount of pulse width can be used to allow for fairly sophisticated motor control. formation be stored in the memory 134. This data may include data that indicates an increase in engine speed allow a constant printing speed to be maintained when the engine is initially started.

and then slow down the motor when printing is complete. It must therefore have the required printing speed delivering pulse width defining information is stored as well as a sequence of pulse widths, which provides the initial startup and subsequent shutdown upon completion of the push.

In the case of the open control loop discussed above, the tachometer pulses are taken from the Tachometer 132 simply used to provide location information, whereas in the 'system with closed Control loop can also be used to control engine speed. In the system with closed Control loops are used instead of storing pulse width information for the purpose of speed control the frequencies of the speedometer pulses corresponding to different engine speeds, stored in memory 134. The frequency of the tachometer pulses is used to control the motor speed determined and at the speed corresponding to the desired, in the read-only memory 134 stored frequency compared. Based on this comparison, the engine control processor 130 enter the width of the drive pulses for the motor 50 until the frequency of the speedometer pulses from the tachometer 132 corresponds to the frequency stored in the read-only memory 134. As in the case the open control loop can ramp up the working speed and the shutdown is accomplished by setting the frequencies for the various Operating phases are stored in the read-only memory 134.

Since the motor 50 as shown in FIG.

is pulsed with voltage pulses, it is possible to measure the speed of the motor 50 the voltage or back EMF generated by the motor between the voltage pulses. this

° can be done by an analog-to-digital converter such as a Analog-to-digital converter 136, which is used to convert the output from the motor 50 between the voltage pulses applied to the motor 50 (back emf). Since the back emf of a motor is related to the speed of rotation of the motor, it provides an indication of the speed of motor 50, eliminating the need for a tachometer, such as tachometer 132, in one

Closed loop system is eliminated. 15th

When in a closed loop system using the back EMF to control the motor speed is used, the analog-to-digital converter 136 samples the back emf generated by the motor 50 at periodic intervals and provides a digital representation of the sampled voltage to engine control processor 130 (or to another microprocessor such as microprocessor 42 if as in Case of Fig. 2, no engine control processor is used). This digital representation is then with the stored digital representations of the various operating speeds required associated voltage compared and the width (or frequency) of the pulse applied to the motor 50 such is adjusted until the back EMF generated by the motor 50 is one of the stored digital voltage representations is equivalent to. As in the closed loop case discussed earlier the ramp-up, the operating speed and the ramp-down are accomplished in that in the read-only memory 134 digital representations of the

The different voltages required for the various operating phases (back EMF) are stored will. -

Since the labeling device according to the invention has data processing capabilities owns, it can be used to collect and receive data from a remote station Source, such as a central computer 138 (FIG. 10), which with the labeling device 10 through a suitable interface 140 can be coupled. For example, there is a possibility of using it the labeling device according to the invention for data collection in that the labeling device in the memory Stores number of different types of labels that were printed when the label was attached to the goods became. This information can later be accessed by the computer 138 via the connector 32 connected Data interface 140 can be read out. Such information would be helpful for inventory control, by informing the central computer 138 of the type and quantity of the goods which are labeled and in In addition, a person doing an inventory could manually enter data into the labeling device according to the invention, which type and quantity of items in stock Define goods in order to collect inventory data which is then transmitted to the central computer 138 will. Furthermore, the central computer 138 could be used to load the labeling device 10 with data, which the information to be printed on the labels and the number of labels to be printed determine. This would reduce the likelihood of errors caused by incorrect data entry the operator are reduced and the possibility is created for the operator to apply the labels to individual goods.

without having to enter any data. Such a system eliminates the need for Pre-printing the labels, which is sometimes done with stationary desktop printers, and avoids the need for the spatial transport of the labels from the printer to the goods, which makes it possible to attach them the labels on the wrong types of goods is discounted.

List of reference signs

Hand-held labeling machine with a thermographic recording device

10 hand-held labeling device

12 housing

14 role

16 labels

18 support strips

20 keyboard

22 'push button switch 10

24 Display

25 Battery pack handle assembly

26 battery

2 7 internal resistance

28 trigger 15

30 Label Applicator Roll

32 data input / output connector

40 Peripheral Interface Adapters

42 microprocessor

44 probe 20

46 Trigger Switch

48 Motor Control Circuit

49 Strip transport wheel

50 strip transport motor

52 acoustic alarm 25

54 Display Driver

56 Read-only memory secure

58 Random Access Memory

60 performance-independent memories with random access

64 Print arrangement 30

6 6 printhead

68 print head driver

70 analog-to-digital converter

80 resistance element

82 Heater driver transistor 35

83 circuit

84 Logic element 86 Input register 86 'Shift register 88, 88' Data register 90 data input line 90 'data line 92 clock line 94 line

96 ■ Reset line 100, 102 lines 104, 106 lines 108 'buffer

110, 122, 124, 126, 128 curve 130 engine control processor 132 speedometer 134 Read-only memory 136 Analog-digital converter 138 Central computer

140 interface 20

Claims (1)

3Ά13887 Claims 1. Handheld labeling machine with a one in hand to be held handle part (25) having housing (12), the 5 a device for holding a label supply roll (14) from one detachably adhering to a support strip (18) Has labels composite tape, one for printing a label (16) in a printing position serving device (64), one for peeling off the printed label from the carrier strip (18) serving Device, a label application device arranged adjacent to the pull-off device, one for a Transport of the tape for peeling off a printed label from the carrier strip (18) on the peeling device and for Transport of the printed label into a label application position with respect to the label application device and for transporting a further label into the printing position serving facility, one selected for input device (20) serving to print data, one in the 20th Printing device (64) provided thermographic print head (66), the a plurality of individually excitable, from one electrical energy source (26) with energy supplied printing elements for printing a thermographic Has labels in the printing position, one for selection ven excitation of the predetermined means (42,68) serving under the pressure elements, means (70) for Detection of the voltage applied to the printhead (66), a device for determining the resistance of the Printing elements in the printhead, and one on the / applied voltage Printhead (66) and the resistance of the printing elements responsive device (42) for changing the duration of the excitation of the various printing elements as a function of the printing element resistance and the printing head ^tension 2. Hand-held labeling machine with a one in hand to be held handle part (25) having housing (12), which is a device for holding a_ label supply roll (14) of a tape composed of releasably adhering labels on a carrier strip (18) comprises, a device (64) serving for printing a label (16) in a printing position, a for peeling off the printed label from the support strip (18) serving device, one adjacent to the Label application device arranged with a pull-off device, one for transporting the tape for peeling off the printed label from the carrier strip (18) on the Removal device and for transporting the printed label into a label application position with respect to the label application device and the device serving to transport a further label into the printing position, a device (20) used for inputting selected data to be printed, one in the printing device (64) provided thermographic printhead (66), which has a plurality of individually energizable, of an electrical energy source (26) with energy supplied printing element for printing a thermographic Has labels in the printing position, one for selectively energizing predetermined ones among the printing elements means (42) serving during predetermined time intervals, means for forming one the energization order of each of the pressure elements representing digital indication, means (58) for storing the digital indication, and one on the digital information responsive digital device for changing the predetermined time intervals as a function from the stored digital information. . 3. Hand labeling device with a housing (12) having a handle part (25) to be held in the hand, the one device for holding a label 3 ^ 13887 Advisory role (14) one from releasable on a flower strip (18) has adhesive labels composed 3andes, one for printing a label (16) on a printing station serving device, one for peeling off the printed labels from the carrier strip (18) serving device, one adjacent to the pulling device arranged label Aufbnr.geinrichtung, one for a transport of the tape to pull off a printed label from the carrier strip (IS ^ on the ¹ ^ pulling device as well as for transporting the printed label into an application position with respect to the label application device and for transporting a further label into the printing station serving device, a device (20) serving to input selected data to be printed, one in the printing device (64 ) thermographic print head (66) located at the printing station, which has a plurality of individually excitable, rectilinear field arranged transversely to the direction of transport of the tape and supplied with energy by an electrical energy source (26) for printing a thermographic label at the printing station , means for selectively energizing predetermined elements among said elements having a predetermined mutual spatial relationship to produce a predetermined bar code pattern, and means for selectively energizing them different therefrom predetermined relational elements among the elements to produce the same bar code pattern on the tape at a location laterally spaced from the predetermined bar code pattern. 4. Hand labeling device with a housing (12) having a handle part (25) to be held in the hand, the one device for holding a label supply roll (14) from a releasable on a carrier strip BATH ORIGINAL (18) having adhesive labels, one for printing a label (16) in a printing position serving device (64), one for peeling off the printed label from the carrier strip (18) serving device, a label application device arranged adjacent to the peeling device, one for one: transport of the tape for peeling off a printed label from the carrier strip (18) on the pull-off device and for transporting the printed label into a label application position with respect to the label application device and for transporting a further label into the printing position serving device, a device (20) serving to input selected data to be printed, a in the printing device (64) provided thermographic print head (66), which has a large number of individually selectable, from an electrical energy source (26) supplied with energy printing elements for printing a having thermographic label in the printing device, one for applying an excitation voltage the electrical.energy source (26) to the print head (66) serving means (68), means for selectively exciting predetermined elements among the predetermined printing elements, one for detecting the voltage applied to the print head (66) and for forming a digital representation serving for this purpose, and one of the voltage detection device generated digital representation appealing digital device (42) for determining the for the different pressure elements to apply excitation duration depending on the applied to the print head (66) Tension. 5. Hand labeling device with a housing (12) which has a handle part (25) held _{in the hand 2U and which has a device for holding a label pre-} 413 Advisory roll (14) of a tape composed of releasably adhering labels on a carrier strip (18) has, a "for printing a label (16) serving device (64) in a printing position, a for peeling off the printed label from the device serving for the carrier strip (18), one adjacent to the peeling device arranged label applicator, one for a transport of the tape for peeling off a printed label from the carrier strip (18) on the Removal device and for transporting the printed label into a label application position with respect to the label application device and the device serving to transport a further label into the printing position, a device (20) used for inputting selected data to be printed, one in the printing device (64) provided thermographic print head (66), which has a plurality of individually excitable, from an electrical Energy source (26) with energy supplied printing elements for printing a thermographic label in the Having printing position, the electrical energy source having a multi-cell battery, and the hand-held labeling device furthermore a device for applying an excitation voltage from the multi-cell battery on the print head (66) and one for selectively energizing predetermined elements among the printing elements serving device (42) and a device (70) for detecting the generated by the multi-cell battery Voltage and for generating an indicator signal when the voltage of the multi-cell battery falls below a predetermined value Level drops. 6. Hand labeling device with a housing (12) having a handle part (25) to be held in the hand, the one device for holding a label supply roll (14) from a releasable on a carrier strip (18) adhesive labels of composite tape Advisory roll (14) of a tape composed of releasably adhering labels on a carrier strip (18) has, one for printing a 'label (16) serving device (64) in a printing position, one for peeling off the printed label from the support strip (18) serving device, one adjacent to the Label application device arranged on a pull-off device, one for transporting the tape for pulling off of the printed label from the carrier strip (18) on the pull-off device and for transporting the printed one Label in a label application position with respect to the label application device and for transporting one further labels in the printing position serving device, one for input selected to be printed Data-serving device (20), a thermographic print head provided in the printing device (64) (66), the plurality of individually excitable, from an electrical energy source (26) supplied with energy Printing elements for printing a thermographic label in the printing position have a device for applying an excitation voltage from the electrical energy source (26) to the print head (66), a Device for the selective arousal of predetermined owls among the printing elements in response to the selected data, means for individualizing Determining the resistance of each of the individual printing elements of the printhead (66), and a device for providing an indication signal when the resistance of any of the pressure elements is not within is a predetermined resistance range. 8. Hand labeling device with a housing (12) having a handle part (25) to be held in the hand, a device for holding a label supply roll (14) one from detachable on a carrier strip (18) adhesive labels of composite tape has a device (64) serving to print a label (16) in a printing position, a device serving to peel the printed label from the carrier strip (18), a label application device arranged adjacent to the peeling device, one for transporting the tape to the Removal of a printed label from the carrier strip (18) on the removal device and for transporting the printed label into a label application position with respect to the label application device and for transporting a further label into the printing position, a device serving to input selected data to be printed ( 20), a thermographic print head (66) provided in the printing device (64) and having a plurality of individually selectable printing elements supplied with energy by an electrical energy source (26) for printing a thermographic label in a printing position, a device for applying en energizing voltage from the electrical power source to the printhead (66), means, responsive to the selected data, for selectively energizing predetermined printing elements among the printing elements in response to that data, means for providing a function of the number of times to be simultaneously energized at any given time , display showing individually excitable pressure elements, and. a device for determining the length of time ^: during which the individually excitable pressure elements are to be excited, the time length determination device being responsive to the display in order to set the length of time during which the pressure elements are to be excited as a function of the number of simultaneously excited pressure elements . 7. Hand labeling device with a housing (12) having a handle part (25) to be held in the hand, the one device for holding a label has, a device (64) serving for printing a label (16) in a printing position, a for peeling off the printed label from the carrier strip (18) serving device, a label application device arranged adjacent to the peeling device, one for transporting the tape for peeling off a printed label from the carrier strip (18) on the pull-off device and for transporting the printed label to a label application station , Q development in relation to the label applicator and for transporting a further label into the printing position, a device selected for input device (20) serving the data to be printed, a thermo-graphic, provided in the printing device (64) Print head (66), which has a multitude individually selectable printing elements supplied with energy by an electrical energy source (26) for printing a has thermographic labels in the printing position, one coupled to the data input device (20) "_. Device for electrical processing of the chosen Data and an excitation of the individual pressure elements in'einer determined by the selected data predetermined sequence for printing the label with data ', wherein the transport device a Having "P with the processing device electrically coupled DC motor (50) and a coupled with the DC motor (50) and the processing means tachometer (132) for providing a the overall 'speed of the DC motor (50) representing _n tachometer signal to the processing means, and wherein the processing means includes means for applying electrical pulses to the DC motor (50) to cause the DC motor (50) to transport the tape. 9. Handheld labeling machine with a one in hand CQPY ^T to be held handle part (25) having housing (12), the a device for holding a label supply roll (14) of a tape composed of releasably adhering labels on a carrier strip (18) comprises, a device (64) serving for printing a label (16) in a printing position, a for peeling off the printed label from the support strip (18) serving device, one adjacent to the Label application device arranged with a pull-off device, one for transporting the tape for peeling off a printed label from the carrier strip (18) on the pull-off device and for transporting the printed label into a label application position with respect to the label application device and for transporting a further label into the printing position serving device, a device (20) serving to input selected data to be printed, a in the printing device (64) provided thermographic print head (66), which a plurality of individually 2Q selectable from an electrical energy source (26) with Having energy-supplied printing elements for printing a thermographic label in the printing position, a device for electrical processing coupled to the data input device (20) of the selected data and an excitation of the individual printing elements in one by the selected data specified 'predetermined sequence for printing the label with data, wherein the transport device one with the processing device electrically QQ has coupled DC motor (50), and wherein the processing device includes a device for applying electrical pulses to the direct current motor (50! has to the DC motor (50) for transporting the To induce tape, as well as one with the DC motor (50) and the processing device coupled Device for determining the amount of the DC motor * 12. Thermographic printer for printing a thermographically .sensitive supply tape with bar codes, with egg Printing station (64), a device serving to transport the tape past the printing station, a ° A thermographic printhead located at the printing station, which has a large number of individually excitable thermographic Has printing elements which are aligned in a straight line transversely to the direction of transport of the tape Field are arranged, a device for * -® selective excitation of predetermined elements having a predetermined mutual positional relationship among the printing elements to produce a predetermined bar code pattern, and means for selectively exciting different predetermined ones thereof · * · ° mutual spatial positional relationship of elements among the printing elements for generating the same bar code pattern on the tape at one of the predetermined ones Barcode pattern laterally spaced location. ^ O 13. Thermographic printer with a one A plurality of individually excitable printing elements having ■ thermographic print head, one for applying a Energizing voltage to the printhead (66) serving means, one for selectively energizing predetermined Elements under the printing elements serving device, ' means for sensing the voltage applied to the printhead (66) and delivering it in response a digital representation for this, and a digital representation generated by the voltage detection device Appealing digital device for determining the length of time during which the various Printing elements are to be energized, depending on the printhead tension. 14. Operable by a multi-cell battery thermographic printer with a variety of GOPY (50) between the electrical impulses applied to it generated back emf and to provide a speed of the DC motor (50) representative signal to the microprocessor or the processing device responsive to the back emf. 10. Thermographic printer with a plurality of individually excitable pressure elements having thermographic print head (66), one for applying an excitation voltage to the print head (66) serving device, one for the selective excitation of predetermined elements under the pressure elements serve- j the device, one for the acquisition of the print head \ (66) applied voltage serving means (70); one for determining the resistance of the pressure elements j means in the printhead (66) serving, and a j on the voltage and resistance detection devices to change the duration of the excitation of the different · j nen printing elements depending on the printing element- "f. resistance and printhead voltage responsive j direction. ' 11. Thermographic printer with a one A multiplicity of individually excitable printing elements facing the thermographic print head (66), one for selectively energizing predetermined elements among the pressure elements for predetermined time intervals serving facility, a facility for delivery. . one the energization order of each of the pressure elements digital display, a device for storing the digital display, and a on the stored digital display to change the predetermined time intervals depending on the stored digital display responsive digital facility. \ thermographic print head (66) having individually excitable printing elements, a device for applying an excitation voltage from the multi-cell battery (26) to the printing head (66), a device for selectively exciting predetermined elements among the printing elements, and a device (70) for detection the voltage generated by the multi-cell battery (26) and for generating an indication signal when the voltage of the multi-cell battery (26) falls below a predetermined level. 15. Thermographic printer with a plurality of individually excitable pressure elements having thermographic print head (66), a device for applying an excitation voltage to the print head (66), a means for selectively energizing predetermined elements among the pressure elements, a Means for delivering an advertisement which is a function of the number of simultaneous at any given time represents exciting individually excitable pressure elements, and one for determining the period of time during which the individually excitable pressure elements are to be excited, serving device, which is on the display for a setting the length of time during which the printing elements are to be excited, depending on the number of times excited pressure elements responds. 16. A thermographic printer with a plurality of individually excitable pressure elements having thermographic printhead (66), a device for applying an excitation voltage to the printhead (66), means for selectively energizing predetermined elements among the pressure elements, means for the individual determination of the resistance of each of the individual printing elements in the print head (66), and a device for supplying a display signal, when the resistance of any of the printing elements is not within a predetermined range of resistance values lies. 17. Thermographic printer with a plurality of individually excitable printing elements having thermographic Print head (66), a device for applying an excitation voltage to the print head (66), means for selectively exciting predetermined elements among the pressure elements, means (20) for entering data representing the information to be printed, one coupled to the data input device (20) Means (42) for the electrical processing of the entered data and for the excitation of the individual Printing elements in a predetermined order determined by the inputted data for printing a Tape with the data, and a device for transporting the tape past the print head (66), wherein the Transport device a direct current motor (50) electrically coupled to the processing device and a tachometer (132) coupled to the DC motor (50) and the processing device for delivery a tachometer signal indicative of the speed of the DC motor (50) to the processing device and wherein the processing means includes means for applying electrical pulses to the DC motor (50) to cause the DC motor (50) to transport the tape, and the Processing device for adjusting the width of the pulses applied to the direct current motor (50) for a change in the speed of the direct current ■ motor (50) serving device. 18. One variety thermographic printer of individually excitable printing elements having thermographic print head (66), a device for 4- "i 3Γ8 87- Applying an excitation voltage to the printhead (66), one for selectively energizing predetermined elements under the printing elements serving institution, 'one Device (20) for inputting data representing the information to be printed, one with the data input device (20) coupled device for the electrical processing of the entered data and for Excitation of the individual pressure elements in a predetermined, determined by the entered data Sequence for printing the data on a tape, a device for transporting the tape the print head (66) past, wherein the transport device is electrically connected to the processing device coupled DC motor (50) and the processing device has a device for applying electrical pulses to the DC motor (50) to the DC motor (50) to transport the To cause tape, and the processing means means for adjusting the width of the DC motor (50) has applied pulses to change the speed of the DC motor, and having a device coupled to the DC motor (50) and the processing device for Detection of the back EMF generated by the DC motor (50) between the pulses and for application responsive to a signal representative of the speed of the DC motor (50) to the microprocessor on the amplitude of the back emf. 19. Labeling system with a hand-held labeling device that has a handle part to be held in the hand (25) having housing (12) which has a device for holding a supply of labels, a device (64) serving for printing a label (16) in a printing position, one for Used to transport the labels (16) into a printing position / IG- de device, a keyboard (20) arranged on the housing (12) having data input and Transmission device for inputting data including those to be printed out in the labeling device selected data, a thermographic print head provided in the printing device (64), the one A plurality of individually excitable pressure elements supplied with energy by an electrical energy source (26) for printing a label in the printing position, a coupled to the input device Device for electrical processing of the data entered by the input device, one the data processing device and means electrically coupling the printhead (66) through which the data processing means is caused to the print head (66) to print the label with the selected To operate data, a memory device for data storage, and with one to the data input device connectable interface device (138) for receiving data, including selected data, from a centrally located computer (140) and for feeding the data to the hand-held labeling device and for receiving data stored in the memory device Data from the hand-held labeling device and for their transmission to the central computer (140). 20. Hand labeling device with a housing (12) having a handle part (25) to be held in the hand, the one device for holding a label supply roll (14) from a releasable on a carrier strip (18) has adhesive labels composite tape, one for printing a label (16) in a Device (64) serving the printing position, one for peeling off the printed label from the carrier strip (18) serving device, a label application device arranged adjacent to the peeling device, one for a transport of the tape for peeling off a printed label from the carrier strip (18) on the Pull-off device, as well as for transporting the printed label into a label application position in relation to the label application device and the device serving to transport a further label into the printing position, a device (20) used to input selected data to be printed, one in the printing device (64) provided thermographic print head (66), which has a plurality of individually selectable, from an electrical Energy source (26) for printing elements supplied with energy for printing a thermographic label in the Has printing position, a device coupled to the data input device (20) for electrical Processing of the selected data and for exciting the individual printing elements in one by the selected Data defined predetermined sequence for printing the label with data, wherein the transport device one electrically coupled to the processing device for providing the position of the label (16) indicating signals serving signal device (44), which means a device for delivering a comprises a signal representing a printable area on the label, and wherein the processing means means responsive to the means for providing the signal indicative of the printable area for putting the print head into operation for an application of the data on the label.