US 12,459,768 B2
Media processing device configured to reduce media waste
Blake E. Nemura, Saint Charles, IL (US); Christopher Ensign, Volo, IL (US); and Richard E. Bergstrom, Lake Villa, IL (US)
Assigned to Zebra Technologies Corporation, Lincolnshire, IL (US)
Filed by ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, Lincolnshire, IL (US)
Filed on Feb. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/104,637.
Prior Publication US 2024/0253922 A1, Aug. 1, 2024
Int. Cl. B65H 7/02 (2006.01)
CPC B65H 7/02 (2013.01) [B65H 2511/11 (2013.01); B65H 2801/03 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A media processing device, comprising:
a printing assembly located downstream of a media supply, the media supply comprises a plurality of media elements arranged end-to-end in a continuous strip, and the printing assembly is configured to sequentially receive the plurality of media elements at an upstream end of the printing assembly, sequentially feed the plurality of media elements past the printing assembly, and sequentially eject the plurality of media elements from a downstream end of the printing assembly;
a memory configured to store a plurality of media profiles;
an edge detection sensor configured to detect edges of the plurality of media elements, wherein the edge detection sensor is located proximate to the upstream end of the printing assembly; and
a control circuit configured to:
receive an input requesting a new media profile be created for the media supply;
perform media calibration with the media supply;
store media calibration data in the new media profile;
receive the new media profile for the media supply, wherein the media profile corresponds to media profile data;
determine calibration data based on the media profile data;
feed a first media element of the plurality of media elements of the continuous strip through the printing assembly and downstream of the printing assembly to a presentation position;
determine a media element length based on the media profile data;
retract the first media element back through the printing assembly based on the media element length; and
print on the first media element by way of the printing assembly.