Philip H Mclean

US Patent:

53921267, Feb 21, 1995

Filed:

Dec 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/175187

Inventors:

Goeffrey G. Cochrane - Longmont CO
Michael D. Tartamella - Aurora OH
Philip W. McLean - Richfield OH
Samual K. Taylor - Chardon OH
Christ H. Heipp - Chagrin Falls OH

Assignee:

Summit World Trade Corporation - Hudson OH

International Classification:

H04N 1387
H04N 700
G01D 900
G06F 1500
G01S 116

US Classification:

358296

Abstract:

A mobile printer having features particularly suited for use in a mobile conveyance such as an airplane. The printer stores a first data set in a memory that is accessed under control of a programmable controller. The printer then receives a second data set via a communications transceiver. Data from the first and second data sets are combined to form a composite bit mapped image which is printed by means of a thermal printhead controlled by the programmable controller.

US Patent:

52066606, Apr 27, 1993

Filed:

May 24, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/705517

Inventors:

Goeffrey G. Cochrane - Longmont CO
Michael D. Tartamella - Aurora OH
Philip W. McLean - Richfield OH
Samuel K. Taylor - Chardon OH
Christ H. Heipp - Chagrin Falls OH

Assignee:

Summit World Trade Corporation - Hudson OH

International Classification:

G01D 1500
G01D 1510
B41J 1500
B41J 1516

US Classification:

346 76PH

Abstract:

A mobile printer having features particularly suited for use in a mobile conveyance such as an airplane. The printer stores a first data set in a memory that is accessed under control of a programmable controller. The printer then receives a second data set via a communications transceiver. Data from the first and second data sets are combined to form a composite bit mapped image which is printed by means of a thermal printhead controlled by the programmable controller. The thermal printhead uses rolls of thermally sensitive paper which are supported by means of a mandrel roll. The thermal paper is positioned adjacent the print head by means of a platen roll. A biasing force is provided to bias the platen roll away from the print head when a door in the printer housing is opened to provide a space into which the free end of the roll of paper can enter. A cam is provided on the underside of the door to close the gap between the platen roll and the print head when the housing door is closed so that the platen roll presses the paper against the print head while the printing operation takes place. A back pressure acts on the paper upstream of the platen and idler rolls to straighten the paper with respect to the print head.