WO2001030581A1

WO2001030581A1 - Printer programming tool and method

Info

Publication number: WO2001030581A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/041690
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeffrey R. Kaufman; David L. Poole
Original assignee: Zih Corporation
Priority date: 1999-10-29
Filing date: 2000-10-27
Publication date: 2001-05-03
Also published as: MXPA02004155A; AU2919501A; EP1226037A1; ZA200202485B; JP2003526845A; CA2386843A1; EP1226037A4

Abstract

A printer programming tool (40) that is configured for use by a programmer to generate a program which a printer (20) can use such that the printer can print labels, tags or the like using a data stream (84) which would otherwise be incompatible with the printer. The printer programming tool is configured to provide a visual display of at least a portion (108), of a data stream, and allows a user to specify delimiters which the user identifies in the data stream and/or automatically identifies the delimiters in the data stream. The printer programming tool generates a program (140) based on the delimiters which have been identified, where the program is configured to be used by a printer. Preferably, the printer programming tool provides a visual comparison of at least a portion of the data stream and at least a portion of a label, tag or the like (110) containing variables. Preferably, the printer programming tool displays a data correlator (112) which lists the variables of the label, tag or the like and provides fields in which identified delimiters are displayed. A method for programming an interpreter in a printer is also provided.

Description

PRINTER PROGRAMMING TOOL AND METHOD

Related Application

This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional

Application Serial No. 60/162,789, filed October 29, 1999.

Background

The present invention relates generally to bar code printers adapted

to print labels, tags or the like. The present invention relates more specifically

to a data extraction tool or printer programming tool which is used to generate a

program which can be executed by a printer to cause it to accept a legacy data

stream that would otherwise be unacceptable to it, and to cause printing of one or

more labels, tags or the like. The present invention also specifically relates to a

method of programming a bar code printer using a printer programming tool.

A typical bar code printer according to the prior art is connected to a host

system which sends a data stream in a proprietary protocol which the bar code

printer uses to print labels, tags or the like. The data stream contains information

defining the design and layout of the label, tag, etc. to be printed. This

information typically includes descriptions of lines, boxes, logos and other

graphics, bar code symbologies, and text fields together with their dimensions and

their intended locations on the label. The same data stream may optionally specify variable data to be rendered or encoded by one or more of those objects, or

it may name the data in such a way that it can be accepted in a further, proprietary

data stream. By way of example, one such proprietary protocol is the Zebra

Programming Language (ZPL) which is described in detail in the ZPL II®

Programming Guide, Rev. 1, available from Zebra Technologies Corporation,

located in Vernon Hills, Illinois.

Bar code printers typically use microprocessors to perform imaging and

printing functions. According to prior art, the protocol received is taken as data

by a firmware program stored in Read Only Memory (ROM) or light-Erasable

Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM.) The program performs the

operations necessary to render data as printed fonts or encode data into printed bar

code symbols. More recently, bar code printers are equipped with Electrically

Erasable Read-Only-Memory (FLASH Memory) which can be electrically erased

and reprogrammed in the printer. This provides a means to upgrade or replace all

or part of the printer's firmware program with a new program created by the

printer manufacturer. The upgraded or replacement program is supplied over the

Internet, floppy diskette, or CD-ROM containing a memory image and optionally

a program to download it from a personal computer and store it into the printer's

FLASH memory via a serial, parallel, network, or other interface.

The use of proprietary protocols has limited the usefulness of prior art bar

code printers to applications having software specifically written for them or to

use with "middleware" applications designed to translate "legacy" data from other sources or intended for other uses into the bar code printer's proprietary protocols.

Among such middleware systems are "label prep" applications such as BarOne

and JetForm, which allow a designer to design a label using a "wysiwyg"

graphical interface, and which then incorporate legacy data from other sources,

and assemble the proprietary protocol stream required by the bar code printer.

These systems run on a computer which is dedicated to the bar code printer, or as

a process or driver on a multitasked computer, either of which must be running

when ever the bar code printer is in use.

A basic printer 10 is illustrated schematically in FIGURE 1. As shown,

the printer 10 receives a data stream through a port 12, and a formatter 14 in the

printer 10 uses the data stream to generate a bit map 16. The printer 10 then prints

a label, tag, etc. according to the bit map 16. For the printer 10 to operate

normally, the data stream and formatter 14 must be compatible. In other words,

the data stream must be in a format that the formatter 14 can use to generate an

appropriate bit map 16. If the data stream is in a format which is incompatible

with the formatter 14 in the printer 10, the formatter 14 will not be able to

generate an appropriate bit map 16, and the printer 10 will not print acceptable

labels, tags, etc.

A more advanced printer 20 is illustrated schematically in FIGURE 2. As

shown, the printer 20 receives a data stream through a port 22, and an interpreter

24 in the printer receives the data stream. The interpreter 24 interprets the data

stream and effectively converts the data stream from one format into another, where the new format is compatible with a formatter 26 in the printer 20. The

formatter 26 uses the newly-formatted data to generate a bit map 28, and the

printer 20 prints a label, tag, etc. according to the bit map 28. Therefore, the

printer 20 illustrated in FIGURE 2 provides an advantage which the printer 10

shown in FIGURE 1 does not provide. Specifically, the printer 20 shown in

FIGURE 2 provides that the printer 20 can receive a data stream which would

otherwise be incompatible with the printer 20, can convert the data stream into a

format which is compatible with the printer 20, and can print labels, tags, etc.

using the newly-formatted data.

While the printer 20 illustrated in FIGURE 2 does provide a distinct

advantage, the interpreter 24 of the printer 20 must be configured such that the

interpreter 24 can properly convert the data stream which is received through the

port 22. To configure the interpreter 24 as such, typically a program must be

provided for the interpreter 24 to use. Unfortunately, drafting such a program

typically requires that one have a fair amount of programming skill.

Objects and Summary

From the foregoing, it may be appreciated that a need has arisen for a

system and method which adapts the bar code printer to accept the available data

stream directly from a non-barcoding application, thereby eliminating the

middleware. An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a printer

programming tool which can be used to generate an executable program for a bar

code printer which will print labels, tags or the like using a data stream which

would otherwise be incompatible with the printer.

A further object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide

executable code which is directly executable by the microprocessor in the printer

so as to print the label, ticket, or tag from the arbitrary data stream as quickly as

possible.

A still further object of an embodiment of the present invention is to

provide a printer programming tool as an easy-to-use graphical tool which can be

used to create the executable program by a person having limited programming

skill.

Briefly, and in accordance with at least one of the foregoing objects, an

embodiment of the present invention provides a printer programming tool that is

configured for use by a programmer to generate a program which a printer can use

such that the printer can print labels, tags or the like using a data stream which

would otherwise be incompatible with the printer. The printer programming tool

is configured to provide a visual display of at least a portion of a data stream, and

generates a program based on identified delimiters, where the program is

configured to be used by a printer. Preferably, the printer programming tool provides a visual comparison of

at least a portion of the data stream and at least a portion of a label, tag or the like

containing variables. Preferably, the printer programming tool displays a data

conelator which lists the variables of the label, tag or the like, and provides fields

in which a user can specify delimiters which have been identified in the displayed

data stream. The printer programming tool may also be configured to

automatically identify delimiters in a given data stream.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of

programming a printer using a printer programming tool. The method includes

importing a data stream into the printer programming tool, having the printer

programming tool display at least a portion of the data stream, and having the

printer programming tool generate a program based on delimiters which have been

identified, where the program is configured for use by a printer such that the

printer can print labels, tags or the like using a data stream which would otherwise

be incompatible with the printer.

Preferably, the printer programming tool displays at least a portion of the

data stream and at least a portion of a label, tag or the like, where the label, tag,

etc. includes variables. Preferably, the printer programming tool displays a data

conelator, and the data conelator lists the variables of the label, tag or the like,

and provides fields in which a user can specify delimiters which have been

identified in the data stream. The printer programming tool may also be

configured to automatically identify delimiters in a given data stream. Brief Description of the Drawings

The organization and manner of the structure and function of the

invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be

understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the

accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a basic printer, showing

the printer receiving a data stream and printing a label, tag or the like;

FIGURE 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of a printer which is more

advanced than the printer illustrated in FIGURE 1 , showing the printer receiving a

data stream in one format ("Format A"), converting the data stream into another

format ("Format B"), and printing a label, tag or the like;

FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of an anangement which can be used to

program an interpreter of a printer, wherein the anangement includes a printer

programming tool which is in accordance with an embodiment of the present

invention;

FIGURE 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer network which

includes a printer programming tool that is in accordance with an embodiment of

the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a block diagram of a method which can be used in

connection with the arrangement shown in FIGURES 3 and 4; FIGURE 6 is a screen shot of the printer programming tool illustrated in

FIGURES 3 and 4, depicting a portion of a data stream, a label containing

variables, and a data conelator that lists variables of the label and includes fields

in which delimiters which are identified in the data stream are listed; and

FIGURE 7 is another screen shot of the printer programming tool

illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, depicting a program which has been generated by

the printer programming tool, where the program is configured for use in

programming a printer as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

While the present invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different

forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, an

embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present description is

to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not

intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.

FIGURE 3 depicts an anangement 30 which can be used to program an

interpreter 24 of a printer 20. The anangement 30 includes a printer programming

tool or data extraction tool 40 which is in accordance with an embodiment of the

present invention. The printer programming tool 40 receives data in a given

format ("Format A"), and generates a program which converts the given format

("Format A") into another format ("Format B"). The program is then downloaded

to the printer 20, and an interpreter 24 (as shown in FIGURE 2) uses the program to interpret a data stream that is received in one format ("Format A"), and converts

the data stream to a different format ("Format B"), where the new format is

compatible with a formatter 26 in the printer. The formatter 26 uses the newly-

formatted data to generate a bit map 28, and the printer 20 prints a label, tag, etc.

according to the bit map 28. Hence, the program which is used by the interpreter

24 allows the printer 20 to use a data stream which otherwise would be

incompatible with the printer 20.

In the past, one had to have a fair amount of programming skill to write an

appropriate program for converting the format of a given data stream. The

program typically depends on what data format is compatible with the formatter

26 of the printer 20 and what data format is expected to be received through the

port 22 of the printer 20. Typically, each company has its own data format. Some

of the existing data stream formats are: BASIC, IPL (Intermec Printer Language),

Datamax Printer Language, Sato Printer Language, ZPL (Zebra Programming

Language), EPL (Eltron Programming Language), QMS and EPOS (Epson Point

of Sale).

For example, if a printer which is configured to print label, tags or like

based on ZPL is expected to receive a data stream which is formatted in EPOS, a

given program must be written for use by the interpreter in the printer so that the

interpreter can convert EPOS to ZPL. On the other hand, if the printer which is

configured to print based on ZPL is expected to receive a data stream which is

formatted in QMS, a different program must be written for use by the interpreter in the printer so that the interpreter can convert QMS to ZPL. A printer

programming tool 40 in accordance with the present invention provides a

relatively easy-to-use graphical tool which can be used by a programmer to

generate a program that can be used by a printer 20 so that the printer 20 can

receive a data stream in one format or language (i.e. BASIC, IPL, EPL, etc.) and

convert the data stream into another format (i.e. ZPL, etc.) which the printer 20

can use to print labels, tags or the like.

FIGURE 4 illustrates an exemplary computer network which includes a

printer programming tool in accordance with an embodiment of the present

invention. As shown in FIGURE 4, server 42 runs operating system 44 having a

print queue 46 and a connection 48 to a network 50. Operating system 44 need

not be graphically oriented and may be of any type, such as Unix, Linux,

Windows NT Server, or an earlier "legacy" operating system. Server 42 further

has connection 48 to a network 50, allowing it to communicate with a line printer

52 similarly connected to network 50. Server 42 runs a prior art "legacy"

application 54 such as an ERP application which is adapted to print human-

readable documents such as purchase orders and packing lists on line printer 52.

As such, the print job transmitted from application 54 through operating system

44 and print queue 46, over connection 42 and network 48 to line printer 52

typically consists of the variable data to be printed intermingled with formatting

codes appropriate to the type of line printer to specify the text fonts and character

positionings appropriate to the form to be printed. With continued reference to FIGURE 4, client system 56 (generally

conesponding to printer 20 in FIGURE 3) is shown having operating system 58

further having print queue 60 and a connection 62 to the network 50. Client

system 56 further has a graphics display 64 and a user input system 66, preferably

consisting of a keyboard 68 and mouse 70. Operating system 58 is preferably a

graphically oriented operating system such as Windows 95 or Windows NT for

reasons that will become apparent below. Client 56 further has its own connection

62 to network 50, allowing it to communicate with bar code printer 72 similarly

connected to network 50. As shown, preferably client 56 is running the printer

programming tool 40 that is in accordance with an embodiment of the present

invention.

Bar code printer 72 preferably includes a microprocessor, FLASH

Memory, Random Access Memory (RAM) for storing bitmap images of labels to

be printed, and a port for connection to a network (see FIGURE 4). The printer 72

further preferably includes a motor driver and a print head interface which is

connected to a print mechanism, all of which is generally known in the prior art.

Preferably, the print mechanism is of the thermal printing type, but may instead be

ink jet, laser, or some other type adapted to print bar codes.

Preferably, bar code printer 72, client 56 and server 42 (see FIGURE 4) are

continuously connected by network 50; however, each may be equipped with

serial, or parallel ports of the ordinary type through which the bar code printer 72

is connected. The printer programming tool 40 and a method using same will now be

described in further detail. With reference to FIGURES 4 and 5, preferably the

user selects a new project from the file menu at step 80. The legacy data stream

from non bar-code application 54 is then imported at step 82, containing both

variable data and formatting codes appropriate to line printer 52 as described

previously. Also at step 82, printer programming tool 40 optionally displays

legacy data 108 intact in a window 106 (see FIGURE 6), which will be described

more fully later herein. Printer programming tool 40 may be configured to

perform the functions of line printer 52 with respect to formatting codes and to

display the image thereby printed in an on-screen window, generally interpret the

formatting codes and create a label that looks similar to the legacy label (steps 86

and 88), and then automatically conelate the data 84 from the data stream to

variable fields (step 90) on the label which has been created.

In addition, or in the alternative, printer programming tool 40 may be

configured to allow a user to draw, or otherwise create, a label that looks similar

to the legacy label, where user identifies the fixed information that is on the label

(step 86 and 88). At step 90, the user then identifies the variable data in the

legacy data stream and indicates where on the label of step 86 the variable

information should be printed (step 90).

Regardless of whether the printer programming tool 40 is configured to

automatically interpret the data stream to create a label that looks like the legacy

label or is configured to have a user create the label manually, after the variable data in the data stream has been conelated with variable fields on the label,

preferably the printer programming tool generates a program (step 92), executable

by the microprocessor of the printer which later separates the designated

information from the legacy data stream 84. This program is downloaded to the

printer (step 94) which stores it in its Flash ROM in the prior art manner.

Thereafter, when the printer receives legacy label data (boxes 86 and 88), the

printer, using the program (step 98) which has been downloaded, separates the

required data and printer an appropriate label, tag or the like (boxes 100 and 102).

Preferably the printer programming tool 40 is a computer program which

operates under Windows^® as shown in the screen shots 104 and 140 illustrated in

FIGURES 6 and 7, respectively. As shown in FIGURE 6, preferably after the

legacy label data has been imported, the printer programming tool 40 displays a

window 106 that contains at least a portion of the legacy data 108 that has been

imported. Additionally, preferably the printer programming tool 40 also displays

the label 110 which has been generated (either automatically or by a user) which

looks generally like the legacy label. As shown, the displayed label 110

preferably contains names of variables which will be printed on the label and

which are contained in the data stream which is displayed.

As shown, preferably the printer programming tool 40 also displays a data

conelator 112. The data conelator 112 is preferably in a spread sheet format and

contains a plurality of fields ananged in columns and rows. Preferably, one

column 114 (i.e. "Column A") displays the names of the variables which will be printed on the label and which are contained in the displayed data stream (i.e.

"Company Name," "Company Address," "Company Phone," Vendor ID" and

"Container ID") as well as displays "Start-of-Format" and "End-of-Format."

Preferably, another column 116 (i.e. "Column B") contains fields in which

a user can insert data which is identified in the data stream. Preferably, each row

initially lists the data as being "Delimited." However, if a user detects that

particular type of data (i.e. "Start-of-Format," "Company Name," "Company

Address," "Company Phone," Vendor ID," "Container ID" and "End-of-Format")

is constant in the data stream, the user can insert the data entry which is identified.

For example, in the data stream which is shown in FIGURE 6 (in window 106), it

can be discerned that the "Start-of-Format" (i.e. the beginning of a new label, tag

or the like) is always indicated with "S50-C-" and the "End-of-Format" (i.e. the

end of a new label, tag or the like) is always indicated with "E5-5-", therefore a

user enters "S50-C-" and "E5-5-"in the appropriate fields.

Preferably, other columns (i.e. "Columns C and D") 118 and 120 contain

fields in which a user can insert delimiters which are identified in the data stream.

For example, one column 118 (i.e. "Column C") may contain fields for inserting

left delimiters, or data which is to the left of variable data (i.e. a company's name,

address, phone, vendor ID and container ID), and another column 120 (i.e.

"Column D") may contain fields for inserting right delimiters, or data which is to

the right of variable data. For example, "Sears" appears in the data stream

displayed in FIGURE 6. Obviously, "Sears" is a company's name. Therefore, a user inserts the left delimiter, i.e. "HO;041,45;FOC20,7,1 l;d3," in the appropriate

column and row, and does the same for the right delimiter. After imputing all the

identified delimiters in the appropriate positions in the data conelator 112, the

user directs the printer programming tool 40 to generate a program based thereon

which can be used by a printer to operate with a data stream which would

otherwise be incompatible. Such a program is shown in the screen shot 140

illustrated in FIGURE 7.

Alternatively, or in addition to, that which has been described, the printer

programming tool may 40 be configured to automatically detect the delimiters in a

given data stream and generate a program, such as the program shown in FIGURE

7, which can be used by a printer to operate with a data stream which would

otherwise be incompatible.

The printer programming tool 40 may be configured to allow the user to

draw a label design in window 110 by dragging and dropping objects from an

associated tool bar and filling in the dialogs in a manner customary to Windows

applications.

While FIGURE 6 depicts a prefened screen shot 104, it is possible to

provide a different screen shot which would effectively provide the same

advantages. For example, the printer programming tool 40 may merely provide a

visual display of a portion of the legacy data stream 108 and have the user indicate

the delimiters of each of the variables, etc. contained therein and/or the printer

programming tool 40 may automatically identify the delimiters in a given data stream. The printer programming tool 40 may provide still other features and

advantages which will become evident from reviewing the appendix which is

attached to United States Provisional Application Serial No. 60/162,789, filed

October 29, 1999, from which this application claims benefit. United States

Provisional Application Serial No. 60/162,789 is hereby incorporated in its

entirety by reference.

Preferably, the printer programming tool 40 is configured such that it

automatically recognizes certain, known printer label languages, and can quickly

generate the program for downloading to a printer. Preferably, the printer

programming tool identifies the delimiters in the data stream, and displays a list of

variables identified in the data stream. The user can then identify which variables

are desired from the list of variables.

Preferably, the program which has been generated by the printer

programming tool 40 is downloaded to the printer over a network, via a telephone

line, where the printer is connected to the telephone line via a modem. Preferably,

the printer can be directed, either offsite through the telephone line or on site, to

run a print test, where the results of the test are communicated back over the

telephone line and/or onto a label. Preferably, the delimiters of the data stream are

identified or any other information which would be helpful to determine why the

printer may not be printing labels conectly. Providing a printer programming tool and method in accordance with the

present invention preferably provides that a programmer can effectively write a

program which a printer can use to convert a data stream in one format into a

different format which the printer can use to print labels, tags or the like.

Preferably, the printer programming tool and method provide that the programmer

need not have a high level of programming skill.

Preferably, the printer programming tool 40 is configured to interpret and

extract variable data from XML data streams. As one having ordinary skill in the

art would recognize, XML is a text/ ASCII based data format that comprises a

series of hierarchical tags that label variable data.

While an embodiment of the present invention is shown and described, it

is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications

without departing from the spirit and scope of the foregoing description.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A printer programming tool (40) that is configured for use by a

programmer to generate a program which a printer (20) can use such that the

printer can print labels, tags or the like using a data stream (84, 108) which would

otherwise be incompatible with the printer, wherein the printer programming tool

is characterized by being configured to provide a visual display (106) of at least a

portion (108) of a data stream (84), and is configured to generate a program (140)

based on identified delimiters, and wherein the program is configured to be used

by the printer to print labels, tags or the like using a data stream which would

otherwise be incompatible with the printer.

2. A printer programming tool (40) as recited in claim 1 ,

characterized in that the printer programming tool is configured to provide a

visual comparison of at least a portion of the data stream (108) and at least a

portion of a label, tag or the like (110).

3. A printer programming tool (40) as recited in claim 1,

characterized in that the printer programming tool is configured to display a data

conelator (112) which lists variables of the label, tag or the like, and provides

fields in which a user can specify delimiters which have been identified in the

displayed data stream (108).

4. A printer programming tool (40) as recited in claim 1 ,

characterized in that the printer programming tool is configured to automatically

identify delimiters in the data stream (84).

5. A printer programming tool (40) as recited in claim 1 ,

characterized in that the printer programming tool is configured to interpret and

extract variable data from an XML data stream (84).

6. A printer programming tool (40) that is configured for use by a

programmer to generate a program which a printer can use such that the printer

can print labels, tags or the like using a data stream (84) which would otherwise

be incompatible with the printer, wherein the printer programming tool is

characterized by being configured to provide a visual display (106) of at least a

portion (108) of a data stream (84), and is configured to generate a program based

on identified delimiters, and wherein the program is configured to be used by the

printer to print labels, tags or the like using a data stream which would otherwise

be incompatible with the printer, wherein the printer programming tool is

configured to provide a visual comparison of at least a portion of the data stream

and at least a portion of a label, tag or the like (110), wherein the printer

programming tool is configured to display a data conelator (112) which lists

variables of the label, tag or the like, and provides fields in which a user can

specify delimiters which have been identified in the displayed data stream.

7. A printer programming tool (40) as recited in claim 6,

identify delimiters in the data stream (84).

8. A printer programming tool (40) as recited in claim 6,

extract variable data from an XML data stream (84).

9. A method of programming a printer (20) using a printer

programming tool (40), said method characterized by importing a data stream (84)

into the printer programming tool; having the printer programming tool display at

least a portion (108) of the data stream; and having the printer programming tool

generate a program (140) based on delimiters which have been identified, where

the program is configured for use by a printer such that the printer can print labels,

tags or the like using a data stream which would otherwise be incompatible with

the printer.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, characterized by displaying at least

a portion (108) of the data stream (106) and at least a portion of a label, tag or the

like (110).

11. A method as recited in claim 10, characterized by using the printer

programming tool (40) to display at least a portion (108) of the data stream (84)

and at least a portion of a label, tag or the like (110).

12. A method as recited in claim 9, characterized by displaying a data

fields in which a user can specify delimiters which have been identified in the data

stream (108).

13. A method as recited in claim 12, characterized by using the printer

programming tool (40) to display a data conelator (112) which lists variables of

the label, tag or the like, and provides fields in which a user can specify delimiters

which have been identified in the data stream (108).

14. A method as recited in claim 9, characterized by automatically

identifying delimiters in the data stream (84).

15. A method as recited in claim 14, characterized by using the printer

programming tool (40) to identify delimiters in the data stream (84).

16. A method as recited in claim 9, characterized by using the printer

programming tool (40) to interpret and extract variable data from an XML data

stream (84).

17. A method of programming a printer (20) using a printer

programming tool (40) , said method characterized by importing a data stream

(84) into the printer programming tool; having the printer programming tool

display at least a portion (108) of the data stream; and having the printer

programming tool generate a program (140) based on delimiters which have been

identified, where the program is configured for use by a printer such that the printer can print labels, tags or the like using a data stream which would otherwise

be incompatible with the printer, further comprising using the printer

programming tool to display at least a portion (108) of the data stream and at least

a portion of a label, tag or the like (110) and using the printer programming tool to

display a data conelator (112) which lists variables of the label, tag or the like,

and provides fields in which a user can specify delimiters which have been

identified in the data stream.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, characterized by automatically

identifying delimiters in the data stream (84).

19. A method as recited in claim 18, characterized by using the printer

programming tool (40) to identify delimiters in the data stream (84).

20. A method as recited in claim 17, characterized in that the printer

programming tool (40) is configured to interpret and extract variable data from an

XML data stream (84).