Versatile label sheet and sheet feeding mechanism

Abstract

A media sheet which can be a label sheet assembly is provided with bar code information thereon defining the layout of the labels on the backing sheet, and/or a validation symbol or mark. A sheet feeding mechanism which may be part of a label peeler has at least one sensor which reads the encoded information and/or the validation symbol, and either takes an action with respect to the sheet, does not take the action, or takes a different action with respect to the sheet depending on the encoding or symbol on the sheet. The actions can include advancing the label sheet according to the layout of labels on the sheet, dispensing labels depending on the presence of a validation code, or other actions.

1 . A machine that detects on a label sheet being fed through it the presence or absence of a validation code on the label sheet, and then takes either a first action with respect to labels on the sheet or does not take said first action, depending on whether the validation code is present.  
   
   
       2 . A machine as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said machine has a microprocessor and memory, with information stored in the memory, said machine having electronic circuitry to compare information detected on said label sheet with information stored in said memory.  
   
   
       3 . A machine as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first action comprises separating a label from the sheet.  
   
   
       4 . A method for taking an action, the method utilizing a label sheet and a machine into which the label sheet can be fed, the machine being adapted to detect on a label sheet being fed through the machine the presence or absence of a particular validation code on the label sheet, and then taking either a first action with respect to labels on the sheet or not taking the first action, depending on whether the particular validation code is present on the label sheet, the machine having memory, the method comprising the steps of: 
 feeding a label sheet into a machine;    detecting whether there is a validation code on the label sheet; and    taking an action if:    a) a validation code is detected on the label sheet, and    b) the validation code that is detected on the label sheet matches a validation code stored in memory on the machine.    
   
   
       5 . A method as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the action comprises separating a label from the sheet.  
   
   
       6 . A media feed mechanism comprising: 
 a motor and at least one feed roller operably connected to the motor for feeding a sheet having a plurality of labels removably affixed thereon;    a sensor and a processor for detecting a symbol on the sheet, and for causing the mechanism to take an action affecting the labels on the sheet if the symbol matches a predefined pattern stored in a memory associated with the processor.