WO2011146603A2

WO2011146603A2 - Indicator marks on a roll of label stock

Info

Publication number: WO2011146603A2
Application number: PCT/US2011/036982
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Campetti; Daniel P. Clark; Alan Wheeler; Kris Vandermeulen; Joseph K. Patterson; Patrick Reitz
Original assignee: Sanford, L.P.
Priority date: 2010-05-18
Filing date: 2011-05-18
Publication date: 2011-11-24
Also published as: WO2011146603A3

Abstract

A computer- readable medium stores a plurality of instructions for controlling a printing apparatus. The instructions include a first row (260) of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to define a first one of the plurality of instructions, where the first one of the plurality of instructions includes a direction to recognize a position of at least one label (252) on a substrate; a second row (262) of indicator marks (270) provided on the computer- readable medium to define a second one of the plurality of instructions, where the second one of the plurality of instructions includes an indication of a speed at which the substrate is actuated; a third row (264) of indicator marks provided on the computer- readable medium to define a third one of the plurality of instructions, where the third one of the plurality of instructions includes indication of a first parameter of at least one of a carrier (250) or the at least one label; and a fourth row (266) of indicator marks provided on the computer- readable medium to define a fourth one of the plurality of instructions, where the fourth one of the plurality of instructions includes indication of a second parameter of at least one of a carrier or the at least one label.

Description

INDICATOR MARKS ON A ROLL OF LABEL STOCK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to printing information on a material and, in particular, to printing information onto a label attached to a roll of label stock.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

[0002] Label printers that print information on a label attached to a roll of label stock typically propagate the label stock past a printing means at a certain speed and print text and/or images onto the label in accordance with several operational parameters. In general, it remains difficult to ensure that the information is always printed properly and at the desired rate.

[0003] As one example, during the manufacture of label stock, the length of the label stock that has passed through a manufacturing machine is the determining parameter for the ending point of one roll of label stock and the beginning point of the subsequent roll of label stock. The positional accuracy of the manufacturing equipment is such that the demarcation point between label rolls is random and has no positional relationship to the die cut label on the continuous label carrier. Therefore, it is highly probable that the first label of a previously unused roll of label stock will begin with a partial label. On the other hand, during normal use of a label printer such as a DYMO LabelWriter printer, the user typically separates individual full printed labels at the exit point of the printer after the completion of a print job. Therefore, the first label of a previously used roll of label stock will typically always begin with a full label.

[0004] As another example, a printing apparatus can be compatible with labels of different sizes. If improperly configured or otherwise ill-adapted to operate with different types of labels, the printing apparatus may print information outside the target area. Moreover, some components can be damaged if the printing apparatus does not properly recognize the size of the label stock. As yet another example, a printing apparatus cannot always properly control the speed at which label stock is propagated. SUMMARY

[0005] A roll of label stock has a substrate layer with a front side onto which labels are deposited, and a back side where indicator (or "index") marks are printed, etched, cut-out, or otherwise defined to provide instructions to a processing unit such as a microprocessor of a label printing system, for example. The substrate layer defines the physical carrier of labels, i.e., the "label carrier." In at least some of the embodiments, one or several sensors detect leading and/or trailing edges of indicator marks as the label stock is propagated through the label printing system. In some embodiments, indicator marks are provided in multiple rows to provide different instructions or even different types of instructions. For example, some instructions can direct the label printing apparatus to recognize the position of a label, other instructions can direct the label printing apparatus to recognize the dimension (e.g., length) of a label, while yet other instructions can direct the label printing apparatus to control the speed at which the label stock is propagated. Moreover, instructions in some embodiments can be conveyed using multiple rows (e.g., an instruction to recognize whether a label is complete can be effectively distributed among two rows of indicator marks) or, conversely, a single row of indicator marks can convey multiple instructions (e.g., an instruction to recognize a particular type of a label as well as an instruction to recognize a dimension of the label).

[0006] In an embodiment, both the size of a certain indicator mark and the distance between the indicator mark and another indicator mark specify respective instructions or respective portions of an instruction. For example, the distance between the leading edge of an indicator mark and the trailing edge of the indicator mark can specify a first digit of a multi-digit number, and the distance between the trailing edge of the indicator mark and a leading edge of another indicator mark can specify another digit of the multi-digit number. In this manner, indicator marks are efficiently utilized to convey instructions to the label printing apparatus. More specifically, using a combination of the size of a certain indicator mark and the distance between the indicator and another indicator mark to specify

instructions such as one associated with a multi-digit number, for example, allows placing a maximum amount of instructions on a minimum amount of space on the back side of the roll of label stock.

[0007] According to an embodiment, instructions can include directions to recognize parameters primarily associated with labels, a substrate layer to which the labels are removably adhered, or other attributes of the label stock. However, all parameters can be considered to be directly or indirectly associated with labels. For example, certain indicator marks in one embodiment, or distances between indicator marks in another embodiment, specify a distance between two successive top of form (TOF) marks, and thus effectively specify a maximum length of a label disposed between two successive TOF marks. In another embodiment, certain indicator marks directly specify the length of a label.

[0008] In some embodiments, a computer-readable medium stores a plurality of instructions for controlling a printing apparatus. The instructions include a first row of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to define a first one of the plurality of instructions, where the first one of the plurality of instructions includes a direction to recognize a position of at least one label on a substrate; a second row of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to define a second one of the plurality of instructions, where the second one of the plurality of instructions includes an indication of a speed at which the substrate is actuated; a third row of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to define a third one of the plurality of instructions, where the third one of the plurality of instructions includes an indication of a first parameter of the at least one label; and a fourth row of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to define a fourth one of the plurality of instructions, where the fourth one of the plurality of instructions includes an indication of a second parameter of the at least one label. In an embodiment, the indicator marks in the first row are top of form (TOF) marks.

[0009] In some embodiments, a computer-readable medium is defined by a back side of a substrate layer to store a plurality of instructions for controlling a printing apparatus, where the substrate layer includes a front side to which a plurality of detachable labels are affixed, and where the printing apparatus prints on the plurality of detachable labels. The plurality of instructions can include a first row of indicator marks disposed on the substrate layer to define a first one of the plurality of instructions, where the first one of the plurality of instructions includes a direction to recognize a position of at least one label on a substrate; a second row of indicator marks disposed on the substrate layer to define a second one of the plurality of instructions, where the second one of the plurality of instructions includes an indication of a speed at which the substrate is actuated; a third row of indicator marks disposed on the substrate layer to define a third one of the plurality of instructions, where the third one of the plurality of instructions includes an indication of a first parameter of the at least one label; and a fourth row of indicator marks disposed on the substrate layer to define a fourth one of the plurality of instructions includes an indication of a second parameter of the at least one label.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an example printing apparatus that may utilize a roll of label stock consistent with the present disclosure.

[0011] Fig. 2 illustrates several optical sensors disposed along respective optical paths defined on a substrate layer of a roll of label stock that can be used with the printing apparatus of Fig. 1.

[0012] Fig. 3 is a diagram of one side of the substrate layer of an example roll of label stock that includes a pair of indicator marks indicative of two parameters of a label deposited on the opposite side of the substrate layer.

[0013] Fig. 4 is a diagram of one side of the substrate layer of another example roll of label stock that includes several indicator marks indicative of several operational parameters.

[0014] Fig. 5 is a diagram of one side of the substrate layer of another example roll of label stock that includes several indicator marks in two rows to specify a certain operational parameter of a label.

[0015] Fig. 6A is a diagram of one side of the substrate layer of another example roll of label stock that includes multiple indicator marks in four rows to specify various parameters associated with a label.

[0016] Fig. 6B is a diagram of one side of the substrate layer of still another example roll of label stock that includes multiple indicator marks in four rows to specify various parameters associated with a label.

[0017] Fig. 7 is a flow diagram of an example method for determining whether a printing apparatus properly interacts with a label stock using a row of indicator marks. [0018] Fig. 8 is a flow diagram of an example method for determining dimensions of a label using several indicator marks.

[0019] Fig. 9 is a diagram of one side of the substrate layer of a roll of label stock that includes several pairs of indicator marks, each pair indicative of a respective parameter, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Fig. 10A is diagram of one side of a substrate layer of an example roll of label stock with indicator marks in two rows specifying various parameters, and the alignment between certain two indicator marks in different rows specifying additional information, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Fig. 10B is diagram of one side of a substrate layer of an example roll of label stock with indicator marks in two rows specifying various parameters, and a measure of misalignment between certain two indicator marks in different rows specifying additional information, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Fig. 11 is a flow diagram of an example method for determining dimensions of a label using indicator marks consistent with the embodiment depicted in Fig. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Fig. 1 illustrates an example label printing system 10 that accepts a reel 11 of label stock 12 having a substrate layer (hereinafter, "the substrate") and labels adhered to the front side of substrate, and prints information onto the labels. In particular, a motor 14 drives a platen 16 so that the platen rotates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. As a result, the label stock 12 advances in a forward direction to position one of the labels in front of a print head 18 that disposed so as to print information at pinch-point 20 of the platen 16 and the print head 18. A processing unit 30 is communicatively coupled to the motor 14, the print head 18, as well as to a memory unit 32, a PC interface 34, and detectors 36 and 38. As discussed in more detail below, each of the detectors 36 and 38 can include single or multiple sensors. The text and/or images printed on the tape may be supplied to the label printing system 10 via the PC interface 34. Further, the components 12-38 may be enclosed in a protective housing 40. [0024] In general, the label carrier of the label stock 12 can include any number of layers including a layer to which labels are adhered. For simplicity, the label stock 12 is described herein as having a single substrate layer having a front side and a back side. In these embodiments, the terms "substrate" and "label carrier" (or "carrier") may be used

interchangeably. In other embodiments, however, labels may adhere to an upper (substrate) layer that in turn is deposited over one or more lower layers of the label carrier.

[0025] To ensure that the label printing system 10 operates according to the desired parameters (such as, for example, the speed at which the label stock 12 moves past the print head 18 or the positioning of printed information relative to the horizontal and vertical boundaries of the label), the detectors 36 and 38 detect information provided on the back side of the substrate of the label stock 12, generate control signals in response to the detected information, and supply the generated control signals to the processor 30. The processor 30 can use a mapping table 39 stored in the memory 32 to determine various parameters of the label stock 12 based on the control signals received from one or both of the detectors 36 and 38. In one embodiment, the back side of the substrate includes a row of indicator marks sized and arranged so as to identify the length and the width of the label. In an embodiment, several indicator marks disposed in different rows indicate whether the label is a full label. In another embodiment, several rows of indicator marks specify several operational parameters and/or properties of the label stock 12. Some of these embodiments of the label stock 12 are discussed in more detail below.

[0026] However, for clarity of illustration, an example sensor arrangement 50 that can be used as the detector 36 or 38 is discussed first with reference to Fig. 2. The sensor arrangement 50 includes four sensors 52a-d arranged over respective optical paths 54a-d defined on the surface 56 that corresponds to the back side of a label stock 60. One or several labels can be adhered to the opposite surface that corresponds to the front side 58 of the label stock 60. In this embodiment, the surface 56 includes marks 61 that are darker than the background of the surface 56, and each of the sensors 52a-d includes a light source 62 (e.g., a light emitting diode) and a light detector 64 (e.g., a phototransistor). The light detector 64 is arranged so as to detect light emitted by the light source and reflected from the surface 56. In an embodiment, all or some of the indicator marks are invisible to the human eye, and the label printing system 10 accordingly includes sensors for reading invisible indicator marks. [0027] In operation, more light is reflected from the regions between the marks to the light detector than when the light from the light source 62 impinges a marking. Accordingly, as the label stock 60 moves in a direction D, each of the sensors 52a-d generates an electrical signal that is indicative of the presense or absence of a portion of a mark below the sensor, and propagate the electrical signal via a communication line 66. For example, the sensor 52a can output a logical one if a portion of the surface 56 below the sensor 52a is darkened, and a logical zero if the portion is light.

[0028] In an embodiment, one or more of the optical paths 54a-d are associated with multiple sensors. For example, the marks 61 in the optical path 54a may be top of form (TOF) marks, and the corresponding sensor arrangement may include a first sensor disposed over the optical path 54a before the platen 16 along the direction in which the label stock 12 propagates, and a second sensor disposed over the optical path 54a after the platen 16 along the same direction. Accordingly, a label printing system in this embodiment can utilize five sensors. Referring back to Fig. 1, for example, the detector 36 can include one of the TOF sensors, and the detector 38 can include the other TOF sensor as well as several sensor to process the remaining optical paths.

[0029] In some embodiments, a grating (not shown) may be provided between the source 62 and the light detector 64 on the one hand and label stock 60 on the other hand. The width of the slit of the grating can be selected to generally correspond to the width of single optical path 54a-54d. The grating can improve the quality of the wave form provided by the light source 62. In particular, the grating can improve the contrast between the light regions and the dark regions on the surface 58 which, in turn, can provide sharper peaks and troughs in the wave form provided by the light detector 64.

[0030] Further, at least one of the sensors 52a-d in some of the embodiments can sense leading edge label stock 60. In many situations, a sensor equipped with a light source and a light detector can detect the leading edge of the label stock if the surface of a platen or other support (not shown) on which the label stock 60 rests directly in front of the sensor provides sufficient contrast. For example, the surface of the platen can be relatively dark, and the leading edge of the label stock 60 having a relatively light surface can provide sufficient contrast to register as a transition from a light area to a dark area, i.e., a transition similar to detecting the trailing edge of an indicator mark. In other embodiments, a label printing apparatus can include a dedicated sensor capable of sensing the leading edge of a label stock using a mechanical trigger, for example, to make the detection independent of the contrast between the surface of the platen and the label stock.

[0031] In the example embodiment of Fig. 2, the sensor arrangement 50 can properly operate if the marks 60 are printed on the surface 56 using relatively dark ink or deposited onto the surface 58 in any other manner that results in at least two types of regions with different levels of light relfectivity. It is also possible for the sensor arrangement 50 to operate with marks defined by openings cut out in the substrate. In other embodiments, marks on the back side of a label stock can be magnetic stripes, and the detectors 36 and/or 38 accordingly can be magnetic sensors. In these embodiments, marks can be invisible to a human, if desired. It will be noted that other types of marks and sensors also can be used.

[0032] With continued reference to Fig. 2, the sensors 52a-d need not be disposed in a single line. For example, it may be desirable to place the sensor 52b at a certain distance away from the sensor 52a along the direction D to better arrange components inside the housing of the corresponding label printing system, for example. In these embodiments, the memory unit may store the distance between the sensors 52a and 52b along the direction D to support some of the calculations discussed below. Further, the number of optical paths 54a-d can vary according to a suitable embodiment. For example, a label printing system in one embodiment may not include the detector 38 at all, and instead may rely only on the detector 36 equipped with a single sensor such as the sensor 52a. As discussed in more detail below, the label printing system of this embodiment can interact with a label stock having a single line of indicator marks that specify several parameters using indicator mark widths and/or distances between successive indicator marks.

[0033] Now referring to Fig. 3, labels 102, 104 (partially shown), and 106 (partially shown) of a label stock 100 can be discrete (i.e., die cut) labels adhered to front side of a backing material 108, also referred to herein as the substrate. The backing material 108 can have a release coating on the front side to allow a label to be easily removed from the backing material 108 once information has been printed on the label. Indicator marks 110, 112, and 114 are disposed on the back side of the backing material 108, and can correspond to printed, cut-out, or any other types of detectable marks, as discussed above with reference to Fig. 2. In some embodiments, the indicators marks 110 and 112 define a group of marks that repeats multiple times along the length of the label 102. For clarity of illustration, Fig. 3 illustrates both the labels 102-106 and the indicator marks 110-114. However, it will be noted that the labels 102-106 are invisible from the perspective illustrated in Fig. 3 in a typical embodiment of the supply stock 100.

[0034] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the label 102 has a length L and a width W. In general, the label 102 can be of any length and width, and the labels 104 and 106 may have the same size as the label 102 or can be of different sizes. As the label printing system 10 (or a similar system) propagates the label stock 100 in the direction D at a certain controlled speed v, the label printing system can determine the length L and the width W based on the leading edge of the indicator mark 110, the trailing edge of the indicator mark 110, and the leading edge of the indicator mark 112 that define a pair of measurements Mi and M₂. More specifically, the detector 36 can detect a transition from a relatively light region of the back side of the label stock 100 to a relatively dark region of the back side of the label stock 100 and report the transition to the processor 30. In response, the processor 30 may record the time of the transition in the memory 32 and wait for the next transition to be reported from the detector 36. In this example embodiment, the next transition occurs as the last portion of the indicator mark 110 travels past the detector 36, and the detector 36 reports a transition from a darker region to a lighter region (i.e., the trailing edge of the indicator mark 110) to the processor 30. Similar to the first transition, the processor 30 may store the time of the second transition in the memory 32.

[0035] The processor 30 can then multiply the known (e.g., preset, measured, specified via the PC interface) speed v by the time difference between the two transitions to calculate the width of the indicator mark 110. The detector 36 can then report the leading edge of the indicator mark 112, and the processor 30 can calculate the distance between the trailing edge of the indicator mark 110 to the leading edge of the indicator mark 112 in a similar manner. Using the table 39, the processor 30 can then determine the length and the width of the label 102. For example, an entry in the table 39 can specify that a an indicator mark width of 3 mm and a distance of 4 mm following the indicator mark corresponds to a label of length 6 cm and with 4 cm. In general, a measurement such as the width of an indicator mark or the distance between two indicator marks need not be proportional to a parameter to which the measurement corresponds. However, to preserve memory or to simplify the logic of determining operational parameters, each measurement can relate to the corresponding parameter via a mathematical function such as a simple linear function, for example.

[0036] If desired, each parameter can be mapped separately, e.g., the width of the indicator mark 1 10 can be mapped to the length of the label 102, and the distance between the indicator marks 1 10 and 1 12 can be independently mapped to the width of the label 102. Alternatively, each pair of parameters can be mapped to a corresponding pair of label dimensions:

{Width(indicator marks), Distance (two successive indicator mark)} -> {Length( label), Width(Label)} . Of course, the processor 30 also can support any other type of mapping.

[0037] In other embodiments, the processor may forward the width and distance measurements to another host via the PC interface 34. In these embodiments, the memory 34 need not maintain a local table 39.

[0038] Using the dimensions of the label 102 determined as discussed above, the processor 30 can control the print head 18 to properly fit the text and/or images onto the label 102. If it is determined that the text and/or images cannot properly fit into the label 102, the processor 30 can generate an alarm and communicate the alarm using a display (not shown), a sound module (not shown), or by transmitting the alarm to a personal computer via the PC interface 34.

[0039] Of course, the two measurements Mi and M₂ also can be used to specify other parameters. Alternatively, additional indicator marks can be disposed in the same optical path to specify further operational parameters. Referring to Fig. 4, a label stock 150 includes a label 152 on the front side on the label stock 150 and several indicator marks on the back side of the label stock 150. In this embodiment, the distance between the leading edge of an indicator mark 160 and the trailing edge of the indicator mark 160 defines a measurement Mi, the distance between the trailing edge of the indicator mark 160 and the leading edge of a following indicator mark 162 defines a measurement M₂, and the distance between the leading edge of the indicator mark 162 and the trailing edge of the indicator mark 162 defines a measurement M₃. Collectively, the measurements Mi, M₂, and M3 define a three-digit or three-letter parameter Pi such as a stock keeping unit (SKU) or another type of product identification, for example. In an embodiment, some or all of the measurements Mi, M₂, and M₃ define a type of label or label stock, each associated with multiple parameters (e.g., liner width, label width, label length, label material type, label material color). Thus, a manufacturer could assign a unique label type identity to each of the X types of label stock manufactured, and a printing apparatus can determine the label type identity using some or all of the measurements Mi, M₂, and M₃. Further, the distance between the leading edge of an indicator mark 164 and the trailing edge of the indicator mark 164 defines another

measurement M₄ that can correspond to a parameter P₂ such as a liner width LW. Using a suitable technique such as the method discussed above with reference to Fig. 3, the processor 30 can determine the measurements M₁-M₄ and obtain the parameters Pi and P₂ using an appropriate table in the memory 32 or by reporting the measurements M₁-M₄ to an external host via the PC interface 34, for example.

[0040] In general, the measurements Mi, M₂, and M₃ can be obtained with any desired resolution and interpreted in any suitable manner as a three-number tuple or a three-digit number, for example. In an embodiment, each of the measurements Mi, M₂, and M₃ corresponds to a digit between 0 and 5 to support 6³ = 216 product identifiers. Table 1 illustrates several identifier values and the corresponding values of Mi, M₂, and M₃, measured in inches, in one example embodiment of a label stock consistent with Fig. 4.

Table 1

[0041] Specifically with respect to parameter LW, it will be appreciated that knowing the width of the liner advantageously allows the label printing system to use less power during printing because the area of the print head 18 can be restricted to cover only the width of the label 152. Further, printing beyond the area of the label 152 and onto the platen 16 can "gum-up" or otherwise damage the platen 16.

[0042] It will be noted that in this example, the indicator marks 160-164 are disposed in the same optical path but indicate several independent parameters of the label stock 150 and the label 152. Of course, it is possible to arrange the indicator marks 160, 162, and 164 in another manner relative to each other. For example, the indicator mark 164 can be disposed closer to the leading edge of the label 152 so that the indicator marks 160 and 162 are detected after the indicator mark 164. Also, it will be appreciated that several measurements of indicator marks of spaces between pairs of indicator marks can correspond to respective portions of a parameter such as a three-digit SKU, for example.

[0043] In some embodiments, indicator marks disposed along the same optical path to indicate several independent parameters and/or instructions include one or several indicator )or "separator") marks that separate instructions and/or parameters. In some embodiments, these separator marks have predefined dimensions to be properly recognized as separator marks by a printing apparatus. Based on the separator marks, the label printing apparatus can correctly separate parameters and/or instructions during processing.

[0044] On the other hand, several indicator marks disposed in different optical paths can be associated with a common parameter or can jointly serve a particular function. For example, Fig. 5 illustrates label stock 180 with a label 182 on the front side of the label stock 180, TOF marks 184 and 186 in a first row on the back side of the label stock 180, and indicator marks 190, 192, and 194 in a second row on the back side of the label stock 180. In at least some of the embodiments, the first row and the second row may define respective optical paths processed by separate detectors. If desired, different techniques for defining the TOF marks 184 and 186 and the indicator marks 190-194 can be used. For example, the TOF marks 184 and 186 can be defined by punching out holes in the label stock 180, whereas the indicator marks 190-194 can be printed. In other embodiments, all marks 184-186 and 190-194 are of the same type. The marks 184 and 186 and similar marks in other embodiments, however, are referred to herein as TOF marks for clarity.

[0045] The distance between the trailing edge of the indicator mark 190 and the leading edge of the indicator mark 192 defines a measurement Mi that can be repeated, if necessary, as the identical distance between the trailing edge of the indicator mark 192 and the leading edge of the indicator mark 194. During operation, a label printing system such as the system 10 can detect the leading edge of the label stock 180 in the optical path in the first row, i.e., the same row in which the TOF marks 184 and 186 are disposed. In other embodiments, the leading edge of the label stock 180 is detected in another row, or possibly along the entire edge of the label stock 180 (i.e., in multiple rows). The processor 30 can store the timing of this detection in the memory 32, and the label printing system then proceed to obtaining the measurement Mi using the techniques described above, for example. In some embodiments, the label printing system can obtain several measurements Mi and calculate the average to increase the probability of obtaining an accurate measurement. The processor 30 can convert the measurement Mi to the distance between two successive TOF marks (e.g., the marks 184 and 186) or, in another embodiment, to the length of the label 182 using a look-up table similar to the table 39, for example. The measurement Mi and/or the calculated distance between TOF marks or length of the label 182 can be stored in the memory 32. Further, the length of the label 182 in other embodiments can be communicated using indicator marks in another row.

[0046] In an embodiment similar to the one illustrated in Fig. 5, the TOF marks 184 and 186 are disposed near the borders of the corresponding labels. Accordingly, when the label printing apparatus detects the leading edge of the TOF mark 184, the processor can calculate the difference between the time of detecting the leading edge of the label 182 and the time of detecting the TOF mark 184 and calculate the actual length of the label 182. Further, by comparing the actual length of the label 182 to the length derived from the measurement(s) Mi, the processor 30 can determine whether the label 182 is a full label or a partial label. It is noted that when the label 182 is only a partial label, it is desirable to avoid printing on the partial label (or determine that a partial label has been printed upon) and advance the label stock 180 forward to the next label. In an embodiment, the data printed on the partial label is re-printed automatically or, in still another embodiment, the label printing system will display a message with a request to properly position a full label as the first label of the label roll or a message, or a prompt asking the user whether the label should be re -printed.

[0047] In other embodiments, however, TOF marks can be disposed relatively far from the respective edges of labels. As one example, the trailing edge of the TOF mark 184 and the leading edge of the TOF mark 186 can be detected, the distance between the TOF marks 184 and 186 can be determined, and the determined distance (or "TOF length") can be compared to Mi along a predetermined offset value to determine whether the label 182 is a full label or a partial label.

[0048] In an embodiment, the offset from the trailing edge of a TOF mark to the leading edge of a label is communicated to the label printing apparatus via one or more indicator marks in one of the rows. For example, two rolls of label stock can have TOF marks separated by the same distance (e.g., three inches) but with labels of different lengths (e.g., 2.0 inches and 2.5 inches) deposited between the respective pairs TOF marks. In this embodiment, the width of a certain indicator mark can indicate the respective type of the label (e.g., a 2.0-inch label or a 2.5-inch label) or the respective offset (e.g., 0.5 or 0.25) from a TOF mark to the label. In yet another embodiment, a combination of a predetermined base offset value and a value communicated using one or several indicator marks is used to determine the offset of a label relative to a TOF mark.

[0049] Thus, TOF marks and the indicator marks 190-194 disposed in two rows and, consequently, in two optical paths of the detector 36 or 38, can be used to collectively convey a particular status of the label 182.

[0050] Now referring to Fig. 6A, the back side of a label stock 250 includes four rows of indicator marks corresponding to four optical paths of a detector. Similar to some of the examples discussed above, some of the indicator marks illustrated in Fig. 6A are TOF marks. The front side of the label stock 250 includes a label 252 having a length L, a width W, and a liner width LW. The indicator marks in the first row 260 and in the fourth row 266 can be used similarly to the indicator marks discussed above with reference to Fig. 5. Further, the indicator marks in the third row 264 can be used similarly to the indicator marks discussed with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. [0051] With respect to the second row 262, the indicator marks 270 each have the same width M5 and the same separation distance M₆. By way of example only, M5 may be 3 mm, and M₆ may be 8 mm. However, these measurements are given by way of example only and the size of the measurements may vary. The indicator marks 270 may extend continuously along the length of the backing material or may be provided in clusters at regular intervals. For example, N marks equally spaced apart from one another may constitute a set of marks. There may be M sets of N marks with the sets of marks being separated by a distance which is greater than the separation of the marks within a set. Generally speaking, the size of the indicator marks and/or the distance therebetween may be altered to reflect different label sizes and/or materials.

[0052] During operation, the processor 30 and the detectors 36 and 38 obtain the values for M5 and M₆ and compare the measured values to certain expected values stored in the memory 32. In response to determining that the value M5 or M₆ is outside the respective allowable range, the processor 30 can cause the motor 14 to stop advancing the label stock and cause the printing head 18 to stop printing. To compare M5 to the allowable range, the memory 32 can store constants min_acceptable_mark and max_acceptable_mark that may be

configurable via the PC interface 34, for example. Similarly, to analyze the value M₆, the memory 32 can store constants min_acceptable_space and max_acceptable_space. In some embodiments, the processor 30 can also generate an alarm in response to determining that one or both of M5 and M₆ is out of range.

[0053] Further, in some embodiments, the processor 30 uses the indicator marks in the row 262 to control the speed at which the label stock propagates through the label printing apparatus. To this end, the processor 30 can rely on the constants corresponding to M₅ and M₆. More specifically, the processor 30 can multiply the number of encountered indicator marks by the sum of M5 and M₆ to determine the distance traversed by the label stock. The processor can then divide the measured distance by the measured time (i.e., the time it took to traverse a certain number of indicator marks in the second row 262) to obtain the measured speed. Similarly, the expected speed can be calculated by dividing the expected distance by the expected time to traverse the distance. In another embodiment, the processor 30 does not control the speed at which the label stock propagates but interrupts the operation of the label printing apparatus if the measured speed exceeds a pre-set value. [0054] In some embodiments, the actual time can be compared to an expected time stored in the memory 32. In response to determining a difference in excess of a certain threshold value (which also can be stored in the memory 32), the processor 32 can generate an alarm.

[0055] Referring to Fig. 7, an example method 300 may be implemented in the processor 30 using any suitable coding techniques to support the functionality discussed with reference to the row 262 of Fig. 5. At block 302, the distance between the leading edge and the trailing edge of an indicator mark is determined to calculate the size of the indicator mark. Next, at block 304, the distance between two successive indicator marks is determined using the trailing edge of the first indicator mark and the leading edge of the second indicator mark. The two measured values are compared to the allowable ranges at respective blocks 306 and 308, and an alarm is generated at block 310 in the event of a mismatch. Next, at block 312, the speed at which the label stock is moving is determined based on the assumption that the indicator marks are sized and spaced in accordance with constant values stored in the memory 32. For example, the time between detecting respective leading edges of two successive indicator marks is measured, and a value stored in the memory and corresponding to the distance between the leading edges of two successive marks is divided by the measured time. An alarm is generated at block 310 if the speed is outside the expected or allowable range, or the method 300 completes at block 312 if the speed is acceptable. In general, the processor 300 can execute the method 300 continuously or at certain predetermined intervals (e.g., every 20 seconds).

[0056] Next, Fig. 8 illustrates an example method 350 that can be implemented by a processor in a label printing system such as the system 10 of Fig. 1 to determine the dimensions of a label based on two indicator marks and the distance between the two indicator marks. Referring back to Fig. 3, a processor can implement the method 350 to analyze a row in which the indicator marks 110 and 112 are disposed . At block 352, the leading edge of the first indicator mark is detected and stored in a memory. At block 354, the trailing edge of the same indicator mark is detected and similarly stored in the memory. Next, at block 356, the distance between the two stored values is evaluated and the size of the first indicator mark is determined. In an embodiment, the time difference is multiplied by a known constant speed at which the motor 14 propagates the label stock to determine the distance. In another embodiment, the speed is measured using a technique identical or similar to the method described with reference to Fig. 7.

[0057] At block 358, the leading edge of the second indicator mark is detected, and the distance between the trailing edge of the first indicator mark and the leading edge of the second indicator mark is determined at block 360. Finally, at block 362, each of the calculated width of the first indicator mark and the distance between the first indicator mark and the second indicator mark is converted into a respective parameter. In some

embodiments, the parameters can be label length and label width. In other embodiment, each of the width of an indicator mark and the distance between two successive indicator marks corresponds to one of x distinct values, so that the width and the distance together provide x² parameter values. In yet another embodiment, the width of a first indicator mark along with the distance between the first indicator mark and the second indicator mark and the width of the second indicator mark define x³ parameter values. For example, if each of the first width, the distance, and the second width has 6 distinct values, a certain parameter (e.g., label length, label width, SKU) can be associated with 6³ = 216 distinct values. It is noted that in this manner, instructions can be provided on a computer-readable medium such as label stock in a space-efficient manner . In other words, a relatively large number of instructions can be provided on a small amount of surface of the label stock.

[0058] Now referring to Fig. 9, labels 402, 404 (partially shown), and 406 (partially shown) of a label stock 400 are discrete labels adhered to front side of a backing material 408, and are generally similar to the labels 102, 104, and 106 discussed above with reference to Fig. 3. In this embodiment, pairs of indicator marks 410A-B, 412A-B, and 414A-B are disposed on the back side of the backing material 408, and can correspond to printed, cut-out, or any other types of detectable marks. In this embodiment, the pair of indicator marks 410A-B (illustrated, for clarity, as logically connected using dashed lines) defines an indication region 420 with a width measured from the leading edge of the indicator mark 41 OA to the leading edge of the indicator mark 410B. Similarly, an indication region 422 is demarcated by the indication marks 412A and 412B, and an indication region 424 is demarcated by the indication marks 414A and 414B. [0059] For clarity of explanation, Fig. 9 additionally depicts a signal diagram 418 corresponding to an example output of a sensor (or a sensor arrangement having multiple sensors) of the label printing apparatus configured to print on the label stock 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the label printing apparatus detects the leading edge of the indicator mark 41 OA as a first transition 430 from a light area to a dark area on the back side of the backing material 408. The label printing apparatus ignores, or is not configured to detect, the dark-to-light transition associated with the trailing edge of the indicator mark 41 OA.

However, the light-to-dark transition 432 associated with the leading edge of the indicator mark 410B is detected to generate a measurement Mi, as illustrated in the diagram 418.

Next, the dark-to-light transition associated with the trailing edge of the indicator mark 410B is again ignored or undetected, and the label printing apparatus subsequently detects the light- to-dark transition 434 associated with the leading edge of the indicator mark 412A. The difference between the transitions 432 and 434 defines a measurement Mi .

[0060] The measurements Mi and M₂ can correspond to a number of clock ticks between the transitions 432 and 434, translated according to a mathematical relationship or a mapping (e.g., a look-up table) into distance. Similar to the embodiments above, the transitions 432 and 434 can correspond to a time, speed, or distance measurement according to any suitable technique. Also as in the embodiments discussed above, the measurements Mi and M₂ can be used to determine the length of the label 402, the width of the label 402, the type of material used in the label 402, etc. In some embodiments, the measurements Mi and M₂ are used to convey instructions and/or parameters of a different type (e.g., length of the label and color of the label respectively).

[0061] In some situations, the reflectivity of the dark regions within the indicator marks 410A-B, 412A-B, and 414A-B is relatively non-uniform, e.g., ranging from 3% to 1 1%, and thus it is difficult to define a reliably dark region (i.e., a region that will not falsely trigger a dark-to-light transition). It has been found, for example, that when a relatively wide indicator mark is printed on a surface, the reflectivity at the beginning of the printed region is generally lower than the reflectivity near the end of the printed region. Thus, as compared to the indicator marks 1 10, 1 12, and 1 14 illustrated in Fig. 3, the indication regions 420, 422, and 424 permit the manufacturer of the label stock 400 to provide reflectivity of indicator marks with a significantly larger margin of error, and accordingly utilize less expensive techniques for printing or otherwise depositing indicator marks and/or less expensive materials. Of course, when printing techniques are used, the indication regions 420, 422, and 424 also require less ink as compared to wide indicator marks defined by solid blocks.

[0062] Moreover, the technique illustrated in Fig. 9 is compatible with using indicator marks of the same width. Thus, each of the indicator marks 410A-B, 412A-B, and 414A-B can have the same width of 2 mm, for example, thereby further simplifying the process of manufacturing the label stock 400. It is noted that in a sense, each of the indication regions 420, 422, and 424 can be regarded as defining a block with a empty, rather than solid, inner region.

[0063] It is also noted that the technique discussed with reference to Fig. 9 can be implemented even if a sensor reliably detects only a single type of transition, such as light-to- dark transition.

[0064] Further, it is possible to use the approach described with reference to Fig. 9 with sensors that reliably detect both leading edges and trailing edges of indicator marks to convey additional information. For example, the distance between the trailing edges of two succesive indicator marks can be used to confirm the distance between the respective leading edges or, if the indicator marks do not share the same width, can convey information unrelated to the information conveyed by the corresponding leading edges.

[0065] Fig. 10A illustrates a label stock 450 that includes at least two rows of indicator marks, corresponding to two optical paths of a detector. According to an embodiment, the indicator marks in a row 452 correspond to measurements Mi, M₂, M₃, and M₄ to define several parameters associated with the label stock 450 and/or a label 456, and the indicator marks in a row 454 indicate the length of the label 456. Similar to some of the embodiments discussed above, a set of parameters is repetitively defined by groups of indicator marks in the row 452 (e.g., a group of three indicator marks 458 occurs several times in the row 452 on a single label, with each instance of the group specifying the same set of parameters). For simplicity, Fig. 10A does not illustrate additional rows of indicator marks that communicate further information in some embodiments. However, it will be understood that the label stock 450 may also include, for example, a row with TOF marks, so that indicator marks in the row 454 specifying a distance between two successive TOF marks, as well as a row in which the distance between indicator marks controls the speed at which the label stock 450 is actuated. In at least some of these embodiments, the rows 452 and 454 are generally similar to the third and the fourth rows, respectively, of a label stock consistent with the embodiment of Fig. 6A or Fig. 6B.

[0066] In the embodiment of Fig.1 OA, the leading edge of an indicator mark 460 in the row 452 is aligned with the leading edge of an indicator mark 462 in the row 454. This alignment is schematically illustrated as a virtual line 470 on which the leading edges of the indicator marks 460 and 462 define corresponding line segments. In operation, a label printing apparatus detects the leading edge of the mark 462 and, in response, transitions to an operational state in which the label printing apparatus processes parameters in the row 452. Thus, the leading edge of the indicator mark 462 in this embodiment carries a certain quantum of information (i.e., a parameter start indication) in addition to communicating the data for which the row 454 is primarily used, e.g., an indication of the distance between two successive TOF marks.

[0067] It is noted that by checking for alignment between the indicator marks 460 and 462, the printing apparatus can advantageously distinguish between an indicator mark in the middle of the group 458 and the first indicator mark 460 in the group 458, thereby reducing the probability of an erroneous reading of a parameter. It is further noted that the technique illustrated in Fig. 10A makes it unnecessary to provide additional "instruction-start" indicators, such as marks of a particular width or shape, in the row 452. Still further, in this example, information is encoded on the back side of the label stock using multiple rows on the one hand, and positioning of indicator marks in one row relative to indicator marks in another row on the other hand, thus increasing the amount of information conveyed by a certain number of indicator marks.

[0068] In an embodiment, the label printing apparatus checks the alignment of indicator marks in the rows 452 and 454 only for the first occurrence of an indicator mark in the row 454. Thus, an indicator mark 472 need not align with any of the indicator marks in the rows 452. In another embodiment, the label printing apparatus checks for alignment between indicator marks in two rows for every n-t occurrence of an indicator mark in the row 454. [0069] In general, a pair of aligned indicator marks need not be in adjacent rows. Thus, in an embodiment, the label printing apparatus may check for alignment between indicator marks in rows two and four, for example.

[0070] Now referring to Fig. 10B, a label stock 500 is similar to the label stock 450, except that indicator marks 502 and 504 in respective rows 510 and 512 have different offsets relative to the leading edge of a label 506. In particular, the leading edge of the indicator mark 502 is a line segment on a virtual line 520, and the leading edge of the indicator mark 504 is a line segment on a virtual line 522. Of course, the virtual line 522 in other embodiments can be closer to the leading edge of the label 506 than the virtual line 520. In some embodiments, a label printing apparatus determines whether the distance between the virtual lines 520 and 522 (i.e., the difference in offsets of the indicator marks 502 and 504) corresponds to a predefined value. The label printing apparatus may then interpret this distance as an equivalent of the alignment discussed above with reference to Fig. 10A. In another embodiment, the label printing apparatus uses the distance between the virtual lines 520 and 522 as an additional indicator that may correspond to several possible values.

[0071] Referring to Fig. 11, example method 550 for processing indicator marks can be implemented by a processor in a label printing system such as the system 10 of Fig. 1, for example, to determine the dimensions of a label based on two indicator marks and the distance between the two indicator marks. At block 552, the leading edge of an indicator mark is detected and the transition is recorded in a computer-readable memory or a dedicated digital electronic component, for example. Immediately upon detecting the leading of the indicator mark, the method 550 begins to wait for another leading edge. Once the leading edge of the second indicator mark is detected at block 554, the difference between the time when the two leading edges are detected at blocks 552 and 554 is calculated at block 556. The difference in time is then converted to a distance between the two leading edges which, in turn, is used as a parameter or instruction in accordance with the techniques described above.

[0072] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a roll of label stock such as the label stock 60 or 100 discussed defined a computer-readable medium that stores information in the form of indicator marks (or absence thereof). The density of information stored on this computer-readable medium is a function of how frequently a detector (e.g., the sensor 52a) checks whether a beam of light is being reflected off the surface of the label stock. In accordance with the information obtained from the back side of a label stock, a processor (such as the processor 30) controls the operation of some or all of the motor 14, the print head 18, the memory 32. Thus, indicator marks effectively define instructions to control the speed at which the label stock propagates, specify the size of the region in which printing is allowed, indicate whether a label is full, etc.

[0073] In another aspect, the indicator marks define computer-readable instructions in the form of binary data. As discussed above, each portion of the back side of a label supply in accordance with at least some of the embodiments of the present disclosure either reflects light or absorbs light detected by a sensor, and thus defines either a logical zero or a logical one.

[0074] In general, it will be noted that the embodiments discussed above are provided for illustration only, and that the techniques described in the present disclosure can apply to other printing systems as well. Referring back to Fig. 1, for example, the supply reel 11 can mount on a spindle. However, in alternative embodiments, the label stock 12 may be provided in a cassette or as a fan-fold stack, for example. Also, labels and/or indicator marks in general can be provided on any type of carrier.

[0075] Further, it will be noted that indicator marks generally can have any desired shape, although in some embodiments it may be preferable to define at least a larger portion of the leading edges and trailing edges as lines perpendicular the direction along which the label supply propagates. In some embodiments, indicator marks can be rectangular. In other embodiments, indicator marks have rounded corners. Moreover, indicator marks in some embodiments have different colors (although preferably some of the colors reflect similar amounts of incident light).

[0076] Still further, operational parameters in some embodiments can be associated with label stock parameters rather than with an individual label. Referring back to Fig. 3, for example, the parameter Win one embodiment is associated with the width of the label stock, i.e., the combined width of the label and the liner. Further, the parameter L can be associated with the distance between two successive TOF marks rather than with the length of an individual label. In some of these embodiments, the distance between two successive TOF marks relates to the length of a label according to a certain deterministic relation that may be programmed into the processor 30. For example, the length of a label LL can be determined by subtracting a certain value x from to the distance between the TOF marks disposed on either side of the label. As another example, a pair of TOF marks can delimit a group of N labels, in which case the distance between two successive TOF marks can be divided by N (and possibly reduced by x) to calculate the length of an individual label. Similar relations can be defined for label width and substrate width. Of course, indicator marks in one or multiple rows similarly can be used to specify other instructions and/or parameters alternatively or in addition to the instructions and parameters discussed above.

[0077] As indicated above, the techniques discussed above may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, and can be any suitable processing element such as a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.

[0078] While this disclosure has been described with respect to various preferred embodiments, variations may be made thereto that are still within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions for controlling a printing apparatus, the plurality of instructions comprising:

a first row of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to define a first one of the plurality of instructions, wherein the first one of the plurality of instructions includes a direction to recognize a position of at least one label on a substrate;

a second row of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to define a second one of the plurality of instructions, wherein the second one of the plurality of instructions includes an indication of a speed at which the substrate is actuated;

a third row of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to define a third one of the plurality of instructions, wherein the third one of the plurality of instructions includes indication of a first parameter of at least one of a carrier or the at least one label; and a fourth row of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to define a fourth one of the plurality of instructions, wherein the fourth one of the plurality of instructions includes indication of a second parameter of at least one of the carrier or the at least one label.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the computer-medium is a back side of the substrate, and wherein the label is deposited on the front side of the substrate.

3. The computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein each of the first row of indicator marks, the second row of indicator marks, the third row of indicator marks, and the fourth row of indicator marks is printed on the back side of the substrate.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the substrate is a roll of labels, and wherein each of the at least one label is a detachable label that adheres to the front side of the substrate.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the front side of the substrate has a coating thereon to facilitate removal of the label by peeling.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the first parameter is a set of digits specifying a type of the label.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the set of digits includes:

a first digit defined by a width of a first indicator mark in the third row of indicator marks;

a second digit defined by a space between the first indicator mark in the third row of indicator marks and a second indicator mark in the first row of indicator marks; and

a third digit defined by a width of the second indicator mark in the third row of indicator marks.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the second parameter indicates a distance between two successive indicator marks in the first row of indicator marks.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the first row of indicator marks includes top of form (TOF) marks.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the carrier includes the substrate.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the first parameter corresponds to a dimension of the carrier; and

wherein a dimension of the label is deterministically related to the dimension of the carrier.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the dimension of the label differs from the dimension of the carrier by at least one of a value stored in a memory or an offset parameter associated with one or more indicator labels.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first parameter and the second parameter is defined by a distance between a leading edge of a first indicator mark and a leading edge of a second indicator mark, wherein the first indicator mark and the second indicator mark are disposed in a same row.

14. A computer-readable medium defined by a back side of a substrate layer to store a plurality of instructions for controlling a printing apparatus, wherein the substrate layer includes a front side to which a plurality of detachable labels are affixed, and wherein the printing apparatus prints on the plurality of detachable labels; the plurality of instructions comprising:

a first row of indicator marks disposed on the substrate layer to define a first one of the plurality of instructions, wherein the first row of indicator marks includes top of form (TOF) marks;

a second row of indicator marks disposed on the substrate layer to define a second one of the plurality of instructions, wherein the second one of the plurality of instructions includes an indication of a speed at which the substrate is actuated;

a third row of indicator marks disposed on the substrate layer to define a third one of the plurality of instructions, wherein the third one of the plurality of instructions includes indication of a first parameter of the at least one label or of the substrate layer; and

a fourth row of indicator marks disposed on the substrate layer to define a fourth one of the plurality of instructions includes an indication of a second parameter of the at least one label or of the substrate layer.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein each indicator mark in each of the first row of indicator marks, the second row of indicator marks, the third row of indicator marks, and the fourth row of indicator marks is printed on the substrate so that a region within the indicator mark corresponds to one binary value, and a region outside the indicator mark corresponds to the other binary value.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein each of the first row of indicator marks, the second row of indicator marks, the third row of indicator marks, and the fourth row of indicator marks is detectable by at least one of a radiation source and a sensor of a printing apparatus to recognize a respective sequence of binary digits.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the first operational parameter includes a stock-keeping unit (SKU) number of a roll of label stock that includes the substrate.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the second operational parameter signals one of a leading edge or a trailing edge of an indicator mark in the first row of indicator marks.

19. A roll of label stock, comprising:

a substrate having a front side and a back side; and

a plurality of labels that adhere to the front side of the substrate;

a plurality of indicator marks on the back side of the substrate, the plurality of indicator marks comprising:

a first row of top of form (TOF) indicator marks to specify a position of at least one label on a substrate;

a second row of indicator marks to indicate indication of a speed at which the substrate is actuated;

a third row of indicator marks to indicate of a first parameter of the at least one label; and

a fourth row of indicator marks to indicate a second parameter of the at least one label.

20. The roll of label stock of claim 19, wherein the first parameter is a set of digits specifying a type of the label.

21. The roll of label stock of claim 20, wherein the set of digits includes:

22. The roll of label stock of claim 19, wherein the second parameter indicates a distance between two successive indicator marks in the first row of indicator marks.

23. The roll of label stock of claim 19, wherein the first parameter corresponds to a dimension of the substrate; and

wherein a dimension of the label is deterministically related to the dimension of the substrate.

24. The roll of label stock of claim 23, wherein the dimension of the label differs from the dimension of the substrate by at least one of a value stored in a memory or an offset parameter associated with one or more indicator labels.

25. The roll of label stock of claim 19, wherein at least one of the first parameter and the second parameter is defined by a distance between a leading edge of a first indicator mark and a leading edge of a second indicator mark, wherein the first indicator mark and the second indicator mark are disposed in a same row.

26. A computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions for controlling a printing apparatus, the plurality of instructions comprising:

a first indicator mark provided on the computer-readable medium to define a first instruction, wherein the first instruction specifies a first parameter of a label or a substrate; and

an interval between the first indicator mark and a second indicator mark provided on the computer-readable medium to define a second instruction, wherein the second instruction specifies a second parameter of the label or the substrate.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the first indicator mark includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein the first instruction corresponds to a distance between the leading edge and the trailing edge.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the second indicator mark includes a leading edge, and wherein the second instruction corresponds to a distance between the trailing edge of the first indicator mark and the leading edge of the second indicator mark.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the computer-medium is a back side of the substrate, and wherein the label is deposited on the front side of the substrate.

30. A roll of label stock, comprising:

a substrate having a front side and a back side; and

a plurality of labels that adhere to the front side of the substrate;

a plurality of indicator marks on the back side of the substrate; the plurality of indicator marks comprising:

a first indication region including at least one of the plurality of indicator marks, wherein the indication region specifies a parameter associated with a physical dimension the roll of label stock; and

a second indication region including at least another one of the plurality of indicator marks, wherein the second indication region specifies a partial identity of a type of the label stock; wherein

the first one of the plurality of indicator marks and the second one of the plurality of indicator marks are in a same row.

31. The roll of label stock of claim 30, wherein the parameter associated with the physical dimension the roll of label stock specifies a liner width of the label stock.

32. The roll of label stock of claim 30, wherein the first indication region includes a first one of the plurality of indicator marks and a second one of the plurality of indicator marks, each having a respective leading edge and a respective trailing edge; wherein the first parameter corresponds to a distance between the leading edge of the first one of the plurality of indicator marks and the leading edge of the second one of the plurality of indicator marks.

33. The roll of label stock of claim 30, wherein the first indication region includes exactly one of the plurality of indicator marks having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein the first parameter corresponds to a distance between the leading edge and the trailing edge.

34. A computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions for controlling a printing apparatus, the plurality of instructions comprising:

a pair of instructions defined by a row of indicator marks provided on the computer- readable medium, wherein the pair of instructions are respectively associated with two independent parameters; and

a separator instruction defined by a portion of the row of indicator mark to indicate a separation between the pair of instructions.

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein the separator instruction defined is defined by a single indicator mark in the row of indicator marks.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein the computer-readable medium is a back side of a substrate on which at least one label is deposited; and

wherein the two independent parameters are associated with the at least one label.

37. The computer-readable medium of claim 36, wherein a first one of the two independent parameters is a width of the at least one label, and a second one of the two independent parameters is a length of the at least one label.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein a first one of the two independent parameters is a type of the at least one label, and a second one of the two independent parameters is a dimension of the at least one label.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein the row of indicator marks is a first row; and wherein the plurality of instructions comprises a third instruction defined by a second row of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium.

40. The computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein at least one of the pair of instructions is defined by a distance between a trailing edge of a first indicator mark and a leading edge of a second indicator mark, wherein the first indicator mark and the second indicator mark are disposed in the row of indicator marks.

41. The computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein at least one of the pair of instructions is defined by a distance between a leading edge of a first indicator mark and a leading edge of a second indicator mark, wherein the first indicator mark and the second indicator mark are disposed in the row of indicator marks.

42. The computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein at least one of the pair of instructions is defined by a distance between a leading edge of an indicator mark and a trailing edge of the indicator mark.

43. A computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions for controlling a label printing apparatus, wherein the computer-readable medium is defined by a back side of a substrate, and wherein a plurality of labels adhere to a front side of the substrate; the plurality of instructions comprising:

a first one of the plurality of instructions defined by a first indication region having at least one indicator mark, wherein the first one of the plurality of instructions includes a direction to recognize a type of the plurality of labels; and

a second one of the plurality of instructions defined by a second indication region having at least one indicator mark, wherein the second one of the plurality of instructions includes a direction to recognize a physical dimension associated with the substrate;

wherein the first indication region and the second indication region are in different rows.

44. The computer-readable medium of claim 43, wherein the first indication region includes a first indicator mark and a second indicator mark, each having a respective leading edge and a respective trailing edge;

wherein the first one of the plurality of instructions is defined by a distance between the leading edge of the first indicator mark and the leading edge of the second indicator mark.

45. The computer-readable medium of claim 43, wherein the first one of the plurality of instructions is defined by a distance between a leading edge of the indicator mark and a trailing edge of the indicator mark.

46. The computer-readable medium of claim 43, wherein the indicators marks associated with the first one of the plurality of instructions and the second one of the plurality of instructions are printed on the back side of the substrate.

47. The computer-readable medium of claim 43, wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises a third one of the plurality of instructions defined by a third indication region associated disposed in the same row as the first indication region.

48. A computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions for controlling a printing apparatus, the plurality of instructions comprising:

a row of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to define a first one of the plurality of instructions associated with a multi-digit number; the row of indicator marks including:

a first indicator mark in the row of indicator marks, wherein the width of the first indicator mark defines a first digit;

a space between the first indicator mark and a second indicator mark in the row of indicator marks defining a second digit; and

the second indicator mark, wherein the width of the second indicator mark defines a third digit;

wherein the first digit, the second digit, and the third digit are associated with the multi-digit number.

49. The computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the computer-medium is a back side of a substrate having an opposite front side on which a plurality of labels are deposited; wherein the multi-digit number identifies a type of the plurality of labels.

50. The computer-readable medium of claim 49, wherein the row of indicator marks is a first row; the plurality of instructions further comprising:

a second row of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to define a second one of the plurality of instructions; wherein the second one of the plurality of instructions is associated with a physical dimension of at least one of the plurality of labels.

51. The computer-readable medium of claim 49, wherein the row of indicator marks is a first row; the plurality of instructions further comprising:

a second row of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to define a second one of the plurality of instructions; wherein the second one of the plurality of instructions is associated with a physical dimension of the substrate.

52. The computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein each of the first indicator mark and the second mark has a respective leading edge and a respective trailing edge;

wherein a measurement of the space between the first indicator mark and the second indicator mark corresponds to a distance between the leading edge of the first indicator mark and the leading edge of the second indicator mark.

53. The computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein row of indicator marks further includes a third indicator mark, wherein the width of the third indicator mark is associated with a parameter independent of the multi-digit number.

54. The computer-readable medium of claim 53, wherein the parameter is a width of a liner of a substrate on which a plurality of labels are deposited; wherein the multi-digit number identifies a type of the plurality of labels.

55. A roll of label stock, comprising:

a substrate having a front side and a back side; and

a plurality of discrete labels arranged on the front side of the substrate;

a first row of indicator marks provided on the back side of the substrate opposite the plurality of labels, so that each of the plurality of discrete labels is positioned on the front side of the substrate between two adjacent indicator marks; a second row of indicator marks provided on the back side of the substrate and defining a regular pattern, wherein the second row of indicator marks is substantially parallel to the first row of indicator marks;

a third row of indicator marks provided on the back side of the substrate, wherein the third row of indicator marks is substantially parallel to the second row of indicator marks, wherein a non-empty set of indicator marks in the third row is positioned opposite one of the plurality of labels, and wherein the non-empty set of indicator marks provides information associated with an identity of one of the plurality of labels; and

a fourth row of indicator marks provided on the back side of the substrate, wherein the fourth row of indicator marks is substantially parallel to the third row of indicator marks, wherein the fourth row of indicator marks includes a plurality of non-empty sets of indicator marks, wherein an indicator mark in each of the plurality of non-empty sets is proximate to an edge of a respective one of the plurality of labels, and wherein each of the plurality of nonempty sets indicates a distance between two adjacent indicator marks in the first row of indicator marks.

56. The roll of label stock of claim 55, wherein the information associated with the identity of the one of the plurality of labels is provided by a first indicator mark in the nonempty set of indicator marks, a second indicator mark in the non-empty set of indicator marks, and a distance between the first indicator mark and the second indicator mark.

57. The roll of label stock of claim 55, wherein the third row of indicator marks further includes an indicator mark indicative of a physical dimension of the substrate.

58. The roll of label stock of claim 55, wherein each of the first row of indicator marks, the second row of indicator marks, the third row of indicator marks, and the fourth row of indicator marks is printed on the back side of the substrate.

59. The roll of label stock of claim 55, wherein the front side of the substrate has a coating thereon to facilitate removal of the label by peeling.

60. The roll of label stock of claim 55, wherein the first row of indicator marks includes top of form (TOF) marks.

61. A computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions for controlling a printing apparatus, the plurality of instructions comprising:

a first instruction to cause the printing apparatus to recognize a position of at least one label on a substrate;

a second instruction to cause the printing apparatus to obtain a first parameter of at least one of the substrate or the at least one label; and

a third instruction to cause the printing apparatus to obtain a second parameter of at least one of the carrier or the at least one label; wherein

each of the first instruction, the second instruction, and the third instruction is provided by a respective row of indicator marks on the computer-readable medium.

62. The computer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein the first parameter is a set of digits specifying a type of the label.

63. The computer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein the second parameter indicates a distance between two successive indicator marks in a row of indicator marks in which the first instruction is provided.

64. The computer-readable medium of claim 61, the plurality of instructions comprising: another row of indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to cause the printing apparatus to actuate the substrate at a specified speed.

65. The computer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein the substrate is a roll of labels, and wherein each of the at least one label is a detachable label that adheres to the front side of the substrate.

66. A computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions for controlling a printing apparatus, the plurality of instructions comprising: a set of one or more indicator marks provided on the computer-readable medium to define an instruction; and

an instruction start indication provided on the computer-readable medium to indicate a start of the instruction.

67. The computer-readable medium of claim 66, wherein the set of one or more indicator marks is provided in a first row, and wherein the instruction start indication is associated with an indicator mark in a second row.

68. The computer-readable medium of claim 67, wherein the instruction start indication corresponds to an alignment between a leading edge of the indicator mark in the second row and a leading edge of a first one of the set of one or more indicator marks in the first row.

69. The computer-readable medium of claim 67, wherein the instruction start indication corresponds to a mis-alignment between a leading edge of the indicator mark in the second row and a leading edge of a first one of the set of one or more indicator marks in the first row.