Cassette printer for multiple cassette sizes

Abstract

A laser printer may include one or more printing platforms, each supporting a cassette from the plurality of cassettes while printing occurs on the cassette; one or more cassette hoppers, each receiving at least one of the plurality of cassettes and feeding the at least one of the plurality of cassettes to at least one printing platform; a laser emitting device for emitting a laser beam to print on the plurality of cassettes; and a method comprising: receiving information indicative of a cassette size for the selected cassette, loading the selected cassette on a printing platform, aligning the selected cassette on the printing platform with a focus plane of the laser beam based on the received information indicative of the cassette size for the selected cassette, printing the marking on a printing surface of the selected cassette; and releasing the selected cassette from the printing platform after printing the marking.

Description

CASSETTE PRINTER FOR MULTIPLE CASSETTE SIZESBACKGROUND1. FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to printers. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to laser cassette printers.2. RELATED ART

[0002] Specimen collection is a frequent practice in the medical industry, allowing for specimens to be collected, transported, and tested in a variety of settings. For example, specimens may be collected during a surgical procedure and transported to a laboratory for chemical processing and evaluation. This practice is common in many fields, including cancer research. One consideration when studying a specimen in this manner is the vessel the specimen is put in for chemical processing. One commonly used vessel for housing a specimen during chemical processing is a plastic cassette. A typical plastic cassette is a rectangle shaped container. The specimen is put into the cassette, the cassette lid is closed, and the cassette containing the specimen is run through chemical processing. Once the specimen is placed in the cassette, it is important to be able to identify the specimen, such as the patient or situation it came from, both before and after chemical processing.

[0003] As such, the front faces of cassettes and / or other printing surfaces of cassettes are typically marked with identifying information so the specimens inside can later be tied to a particular patient or situation. One means of marking cassettes is through laser printing. At a high level, cassettes contain chemical additives that react when exposed to laser beams, the reaction causing a color change on the printing surface ofthe cassette, resulting in a marking. Laser printers are often designed to fit a standard cassette size. But, as medical research has grown, there is a growing need for both larger and smaller cassettes. For example, different cassette sizes have arisen all over the world, including a mega cassette, which is significantly larger than the standard cassette size traditionally used. Unfortunately, typical laser printers only include means to print on a single size of cassettes, requiring a user to buy additional printers when additional sizes of cassettes are used. Therefore, there is a need for laser printer systems and methods for printing markings on a multitude of cassette sizes.SUMMARY

[0004] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer for printing on a plurality of cassettes, where at least a first cassette of the plurality of cassettes is of a different size than a second cassette of the plurality of cassettes, and where the different size is at least one of a length, a width, a height, or a printing surface angle of the first cassette, the laser printer including: one or more printing platforms, each printing platform from the one or more printing platforms supporting a cassette from the plurality of cassettes while printing occurs on the cassette; one or more cassette hoppers, each cassette hopper from the one or more cassette hoppers receiving at least one of the plurality of cassettes and feeding the at least one of the plurality of cassettes to at least one printing platform from the one or more printing platforms; a laser emitting device for emitting a laser beam to print on the plurality of cassettes; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method for printing a marking on a selectedcassette, including: receiving information indicative of a cassette size for the selected cassette; loading the selected cassette on a printing platform from the one or more printing platforms; aligning the selected cassette on the printing platform with a focus plane of the laser beam based on the received information indicative of the cassette size for the selected cassette; printing the marking on a printing surface of the selected cassette; and releasing the selected cassette from the printing platform after printing the marking.

[0005] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, wherein aligning the selected cassette on the printing platform with the focus plane of the laser beam based on the receiving information indicative of the cassette size includes: positionally adjusting the laser emitting device relative to a predetermined position such that the printing surface of the selected cassette is within the focus plane of the laser beam.

[0006] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, further including: a drawer with a slot for receiving the second cassette of a second cassette size, wherein the drawer is aligned with the laser beam such that the second cassette is within the focus plane of the laser beam when in the drawer, wherein the selected cassette is the first cassette, and the cassette size for the selected cassette is a first cassette size, wherein the first cassette size and the second cassette size are different.

[0007] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, further includes: a selectively adjustable laser mirror for aligning the printing surface of the selected cassette with the laser emitting device such that the laser beam reflects offthe selectively adjustable laser mirror and is directed on the printing surface of the selected cassette.

[0008] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, wherein aligning the printing surface of the selected cassette with the focus plane of the laser beam includes: angularly adjusting the selectively adjustable laser mirror by a predetermined degree relative to a predetermined position, wherein the predetermined degree is based on the received information indicative of the cassette size for the selected cassette.

[0009] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, wherein the one or more cassette hoppers includes: a first cassette hopper for receiving the first cassette of a first cassette size; and a second cassette hopper for receiving the second cassette of a second cassette size, wherein the first cassette is the selected cassette and the first cassette size is the cassette size, wherein the first cassette size and the second cassette size are different.

[0010] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, wherein the one or more printing platforms includes: a second printing platform for receiving the second cassette of the second cassette size from the second cassette hopper, wherein the printing platform is a first printing platform for receiving the first cassette of the first cassette size from the first cassette hopper.

[0011] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer for printing on a plurality of cassettes, where at least a first cassette of the plurality of cassettes is of a different size than a second cassette of the plurality of cassettes, and where the different size is at least one of a length, a width, a height, or a printing surfaceangle of the first cassette, the laser printer including: a plurality of printing platforms, each printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms supporting a cassette from the plurality of cassettes while printing occurs on the cassette; a plurality of cassette hoppers, each cassette hopper from the plurality of cassette hoppers receiving at least one of the plurality of cassettes and feeding the at least one of the plurality of cassettes to at least one printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms; a laser emitting device for emitting a laser beam to print on the plurality of cassettes; a laser mirror aligned with the laser emitting device such that the laser beam reflects off the laser mirror; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method for printing on the first cassette and the second cassette, including: receiving first information indicative of a first cassette size for the first cassette, wherein the first cassette is located in a first cassette hopper from the plurality of cassette hoppers; loading the first cassette on a first printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms; aligning the laser beam with a first printing surface of the first cassette based on the received first information; receiving second information indicative of a second cassette size including for the second cassette, wherein the second cassette is located in a second cassette hopper from the plurality of cassette hoppers; loading the second cassette on a second printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms; and realigning the laser beam with a second printing surface of the second cassette based on the received second information.

[0012] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, wherein aligning the laser beam with the first cassette includes: adjusting a direction ofthe laser beam emitted by the laser emitting device based on the received first information.

[0013] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, wherein the first cassette size is different than the second cassette size such that a first printing surface angle of the first printing surface is different than a second printing surface angle of the second printing surface.

[0014] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, wherein the method further includes: printing a marking on the first cassette, wherein the marking includes a text string and a QR code.

[0015] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, wherein each cassette hopper from the plurality of cassette hoppers includes a slot located at an end of the cassette hopper for feeding the at least one of the plurality of cassettes to the at least one printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms.

[0016] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, further including: a plurality of hopper chutes attached to the plurality of cassette hoppers and the plurality of printing platforms such that each hopper chute from the plurality of hopper chutes transports the at least one of the plurality of cassettes from at least one of the plurality of cassette hoppers to the at least one printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms.

[0017] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, wherein the method further includes: feeding the first cassette from the first cassette hopper to the first printing platform via a first hopper chute from the plurality of hopper chutes.

[0018] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer for printing on a plurality of cassettes, where at least a first cassette of the plurality of cassettes is of a different size than a second cassette of the plurality of cassettes, and where the different size is at least one of a length, a width, a height, or a printing surface angle of the first cassette, the laser printer including: a printing platform for supporting a cassette from the plurality of cassettes while printing occurs on the cassette, wherein the printing platform is selectively adjustable such that an angle of the printing platform relative to a predetermined position is adjustable; one or more cassette hoppers located on a carousel rotatable to align each cassette hopper from the one or more cassette hoppers with the printing platform; a laser emitting device for emitting a laser beam to print on the plurality of cassettes; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method for printing a marking on a selected cassette, including: receiving information indicative of a cassette size for the selected cassette; loading the selected cassette on the printing platform; positionally adjusting the printing platform based on the received information indicative of the cassette size such that a printing surface of the selected cassette is in a focus plane of the laser beam; and printing the marking on the printing surface of the selected cassette.

[0019] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, wherein the method further includes: responsive to receiving the information indicative of the cassette size, rotating the carousel such that the printing platform aligns with a cassette hopper of the one or more cassette hoppers, the cassette hopper securing the selected cassette.

[0020] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, further including: a stopper attached to a securing arm, wherein the securing arm is attached to the printing platform.

[0021] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, wherein the method further includes: prior to positionally adjusting the printing platform, securing the selected cassette on the printing platform by engaging the selected cassette with the stopper such that the stopper applies a restraining force to the selected cassette.

[0022] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, further including; one or more sensors secured to the printing platform, the one or more sensors for collecting sensor data and transmitting the sensor data to an external computer system.

[0023] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a laser printer, wherein the method further includes: receiving the sensor data from the one or more sensors, the sensor data indicative of the selected cassette resting on the printing platform.

[0024] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0025] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary hardware platform relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary laser printer system block diagram relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for a method relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 11 A illustrates an exemplary laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 11 B illustrates an exemplary laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 12A illustrates an exemplary laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 12B illustrates an exemplary laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0040] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for a method relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0041] The drawing figures do not limit the present disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following detailed description references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the present disclosure can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the present disclosure in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0043] In this description, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and / or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the technology can include a variety of combinations and / or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

[0044] Generally, a laser printer system may include one or more cassette hoppers, one or more cassette chutes, one or more printing platforms, and a laser system. The one or more cassette hoppers may be configured to receive a cassette from a plurality of cassettes. The one or more cassette hoppers may include multiple cassette hoppers, where the multiple cassette hoppers receive different cassette sizes. For example, one cassette hopper may be sized to secure a larger cassette size than another cassette hopper also attached to the laser printer system. A cassette may be pushed out of the cassette hopper onto a cassette chute, where the cassette may then slide down to a printing platform. The cassette may be secured on the printing platform, printed on using the laser system, and then released from the printing platform. The laser printer system may contain multiple printing platforms to handle a multitude of cassette sizes.

[0045] A cassette has a printing surface, where the cassette has a printing surface angle defined by the angle between the printing surface and the bottom of the cassette.Accordingly, cassettes may have different printing surface angles, lengths, widths, andheights, which may make it difficult to align a cassette with the focus plane / direction of the laser. One or more components of the laser printer system may be adjustable to expose the printing surface of a cassette to the laser. For example, the angle of the printing platform in relation to a predetermined, baseline position of the laser printing system may be adjustable to account for differences in cassette sizes. To illustrate, one cassette may be aligned with the laser when the printing platform is at 90°, while a large cassette may be aligned with the laser when the printing platform is at 45°. By being able to adjust the printing platform of a laser printer to account for differences in cassette sizes, the need for multiple printers for multiple printer sizes may be obfuscated, allowing a user to purchase a single laser printer for their cassete printing needs.

[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary hardware platform relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Computer 102 can be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a server computer, a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet, or any other form factor of general- or special-purpose computing device. Depicted with computer 102 are several components, for illustrative purposes. In some embodiments, certain components may be arranged differently or absent. Additional components may also be present. Included in computer 102 is system bus 104, whereby other components of computer 102 can communicate with each other. In certain embodiments, there may be multiple busses or components may communicate with each other directly. Connected to system bus 104 is central processing unit (CPU) 106. Also atached to system bus 104 are one or more random-access memory (RAM) modules 108. Also attached to system bus 104 is graphics card 110. In some embodiments, graphics card 110 may not be a physically separate card, but rather may be integrated into the motherboard or the CPU106. In some embodiments, graphics card 110 has a separate graphics-processing unit (GPU) 112, which can be used for graphics processing or for general purpose computing (GPGPU). Also on graphics card 110 is GPU memory 114. Connected (directly or indirectly) to graphics card 110 is display 116 for user interaction. In some embodiments no display is present, while in others it is integrated into computer 102. Similarly, peripherals such as keyboard 118 and mouse 120 are connected to system bus 104. Like display 116, these peripherals may be integrated into computer 102 or absent. Also connected to system bus 104 is local storage 122, which may be any form of computer- readable media, and may be internally installed in computer 102 or externally and removably attached.

[0047] Such non-transitory computer-readable media include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and nonremovable media, and contemplate media readable by a database. For example, computer-readable media include (but are not limited to) RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile discs (DVD), holographic media or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, and other magnetic storage devices. These technologies can store data temporarily or permanently. However, unless explicitly specified otherwise, the term “computer-readable media" should not be construed to include physical, but transitory, forms of signal transmission such as radio broadcasts, electrical signals through a wire, or light pulses through a fiber-optic cable. Examples of stored information include computer-useable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data representations.

[0048] Finally, network interface card (NIC) 124 is also attached to system bus 104 and allows computer 102 to communicate over a network such as network 126. NIC 124 can be any form of network interface known in the art, such as Ethernet, ATM, fiber, Bluetooth®, or Wi-Fi ( / .e., the IEEE 802.11 family of standards). NIC 124 connects computer 102 to local network 126, which may also include one or more other computers, such as computer 128, and network storage, such as data store 130. Generally, a data store such as data store 130 may be any repository from which information can be stored and retrieved as needed. Examples of data stores include relational or object-oriented databases, spreadsheets, file systems, flat files, directory services such as LDAP and Active Directory, or email storage systems. A data store may be accessible via a complex API (such as, for example, Structured Query Language), a simple API providing only read, write and seek operations, or any level of complexity in between. Some data stores may additionally provide management functions for data sets stored therein such as backup or versioning. Data stores can be local to a single computer such as computer 128, accessible on a local network such as local network 126, or remotely accessible over Internet 132. Local network 126 is in turn connected to Internet 132, which connects many networks such as local network 126, remote network 134 or directly attached computers such as computer 136. In some embodiments, computer 102 can itself be directly connected to Internet 132.

[0049] Continuing on, FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Generally, laser printer 200 may include a laser configured to stimulate chemical components of a cassette printing surface to make a marking on the printing surface. For example, a surface of the cassette maybe exposed to a laser in a predetermined pattern to create a marking in that predetermined pattern. Markings may be semi-permanent or permanent Examples of markings include, but are not limited to, barcodes, QR codes, text, text strings, identifying information, and the like.

[0050] In some embodiments, laser printer 200 may receive computer-readable instructions for cassette printing, load the specified cassette onto a printing platform, adjust one or more components of laser printer 200 to align a laser with the printing surface of the cassette, print on the cassette, and release the cassette. Due to differences in sizes and angles of printing surfaces, laser printers with static components may be unable to align the lasers with the printing surface of a plurality of cassette sizes, resulting in poor print quality and / or an inability to print altogether. As discussed below, positional adjustments may be made to components of laser printer 200 to modify the focus plane of the laser, including, but not limited to, the printing platform, the laser mirror, the laser beam direction, and the laser emitting device. For example, laser printer 200 may adjust the angle of the printing platform relative to a predetermined, baseline position (as discussed further below) prior to exposing the printing surface of the cassette to the laser.

[0051] In some embodiments, due to the positionally adjustable components of laser printer 200, laser printer 200 may print on a plurality of cassette types and sizes, either simultaneously or in succession. For example, laser printer 200 may be able to print on at least two cassette sizes, one cassette size being longer, thicker, and wider than the other cassette size. Accordingly, as a greater variety of cassette sizes and types become available, a user may be able to use a single printer to print on the variety of cassettes, obfuscating the need for multiple printers.

[0052] In some embodiments, laser printer 200 may batch print cassettes, where a plurality of cassettes may be loaded into laser printer 200 such that laser printer 200 may automatically print on a plurality of cassettes without receiving separate instructions for each cassette. For example, as seen below in FIG. 3, laser printer 200 may include cassette hoppers for automatically loading a plurality of cassettes into laser printer 200. The batch printing capabilities of laser printer 200 may be beneficial in a number of situations, including when a plurality of specimens to be stored in a plurality of cassettes have a single origin and, therefore, similar and / or the same identifying information.

[0053] In some embodiments, laser printer 200 may print on individual cassettes that have been loaded in a singular, manual manner (e.g., loaded one-by-one). For example, laser printer 200 may include a slot, drawer, etc. where a user may manually load individual cassettes into laser printer 200. Accordingly, laser printer 200 may then align the printing surface of the cassette with the focus plane of the laser for printing. In some embodiments, laser printer 200 may be configured to both batch print and individually print cassettes. Being able to batch print and individually print is advantageous, as it allows a user to have a single printer for selectively printing based on the need for batch cassettes or singular cassettes.

[0054] In some embodiments, laser printer 200 may include computing components capable of causing laser printer 200 to perform sets of processor-executed instructions. For example, laser printer 200 may include computing components such as controllers, processors, memory, receivers, transmitters, and the like. Laser printer 200 may store instructions to assist in the execution of the printing capabilities of laser printer 200. For example, if laser printer 200 receives an instruction to print on a certain size of cassette,stored instructions may assist laser printer 200 in locating the cassette hopper containing the certain size of cassette.

[0055] In some embodiments, laser printer 200 may receive input from user 202 via user interface 204, which may then be executed by laser printer 200. Input received from user 202 via user interface 204 may include a specification of the type and / or size of cassette on which to print. Additionally, input received from user 202 via user interface 204 may include the marking to be printed, the number of cassettes to be printed on, the location of the cassettes relative to laser printer 200 (such as whether the cassettes are in a hopper), the dimensions of the cassette to be printed on, and any other information.

[0056] User interface 204 may be any type of interface now known or later developed, including, but not limited to, a graphical user interface, a computer, a cellular device, a button, a keyboard, a microphone, a camera, a mouse, a tabular device, a laptop computer, and any other interfacing / computer device. User interface 204 may be communicatively coupled to laser printer 200 via a wired and / or wireless connection. For example, user interface 204 may be a graphical user interface on a computer, where user 202 may select a cassette size from a list of cassette sizes for printing. User 202 may be any person or entity, including, but not limited to, a laboratory, a laboratory technician, researching personnel, an automated system, and the like.

[0057] In some embodiments, laser printer 200 and / or user interface 204 may receive sensor data 206 from one or more sensors communicatively coupled to laser printer 200. For example, sensor data 206 may be received from one or more sensors attached to a printing platform of laser printer 200. For another example, sensor data 206 may be received from one or more sensors attached to a hopper of laser printer 200. Any type ofsensor now known or later developed may collect and transmit sensor data 206, including, but not limited to, through-beam optical sensors, capacitive sensors, and limit switches. The one or more sensors may be communicatively coupled to laser printer 200 and / or user interface 204 via a wired connection and / or a wireless connection. Sensor data 206 may include dimensions of a loaded cassette, an indication that a cassette is loaded, an indication of a type of cassette, an indication of the size of the cassette, an indication of the number of cassettes available, and any other information.

[0058] Accordingly, sensor data 206 may include information that allows laser printer 200 to automatically print on a plurality of cassette types. To illustrate, sensor data 206 may include an indication that a cassette is loaded and the size information for the loaded cassette. Using this information, laser printer 200 may automatically position one or more components of laser printer 200 based on the size of the cassette to align the printing surface of the cassette with the laser without needing further information (such as from user 202) on the cassette size. For another example, sensor data 206 may be received by user interface 204 to inform user 202 on cassette sizes available and the loading status of cassettes. Accordingly, user 202 may confirm the desired cassette is loaded and / or available for printing. Additionally, user 202 may then be able to select from a variety of cassette sizes for printing. In some embodiments, laser printer 200 may use information received from both user 202 and sensor data 206 for printing, such as is described in the above example.

[0059] Continuing on, FIG. 3 illustrates a laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure and generally referred to by reference numeral300. Laser printer 300 may be configured to laser print predetermined markings on theprinting surfaces of a plurality of sizes of cassettes. Additionally, laser printer 300 may allow for multiple sizes of cassettes to be loaded into laser printer 300 for printing. In some embodiments, laser printer 300 may include one or more cassette hoppers, such as cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b; one or more cassette printing platforms, such as printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b; one or more cassette chutes, such as hopper chute 310, and a laser system.

[0060] In some embodiments, cassettes are loaded into laser printer 300 via one or more hoppers, such as cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b. Broadly, cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b may secure and position cassettes for loading into laser printer 300. For example, as depicted in FIG. 3, cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b may be tubular-shaped components with a slot on one end, the tubular shape capable of receiving a plurality of cassettes stacked on top of each other. As such, the cassette may be fed onto hopper chute 310a and / or hopper chute 310b through the bottom slots of cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b. Accordingly, cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b may be shaped in such a way as to allow for batch printing on a plurality of cassettes.

[0061] In some embodiments, cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b may include a plurality of walls 304 and / or a plurality of lips 306 for housing and securing cassettes within cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b. For example, as depicted in FIG. 3, cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b each may include a back wall, two side walls, and two holding lips. In such an example, the plurality of walls 304 paired with the plurality of lips 306 may secure cassettes within cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b, while also giving the user of laser printer 300 a means tovisually determine how many cassettes are loaded in cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b.

[0062] Cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b may be sized and shaped to hold and dispense a variety of cassette sizes and types. For example, cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b each may be rectangular and slightly larger in dimension than the cassete size they are meant to receive to fit a particular size of cassette into the hopper. For another example, cassette hopper 302b may be larger in width and length relative to cassete hopper 302a, allowing cassete hopper 302b to hold a larger cassete size. In some embodiments, cassette hopper 302 may be dimensionally expandable such that a variety of cassete sizes can fit in cassette hopper 302.

[0063] It is noted herein that laser printer 300 may have any number of cassette hoppers, including more than two hoppers for loading differing sizes of cassetes into laser printer 300. For example, as described below with regard to FIG. 10, cassete hopper 302a, cassette hopper 302b and a number of additional cassete hoppers may be located in a carousel device.

[0064] Cassete hopper 302a and cassete hopper 302b may be attached to laser printer 300 at any number of locations. For example, cassette hopper 302a and cassete hopper 302b each may be attached directly to one side of hopper chute 310 via one or more fastening mechanisms 308 such that cassete hopper 302a and cassete hopper 302b may feed cassettes directly from the botom slots of cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b onto the respective hopper chute 310. For another example, cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b may be located in a carousel device, where the carousel device spins to align with hopper chute 310 and / or printing platform312 for loading into laser printer 300. Cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b each may be made from any type of material now known or later developed, including, but not limited to, plastic, plastic blends, glass, metal, polymers, and the like.

[0065] In some embodiments, as mentioned above, cassettes may be loaded into laser printer 300 by feeding cassettes from cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b into hopper chute 310. For example, cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b each may include a slot large enough for a predetermined number of cassettes to be pushed out of cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b and onto hopper chute 310. Accordingly, cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b may feed cassettes onto different hopper chutes, such as is depicted in FIG. 3.

[0066] Generally, hopper chute 310 may transport cassettes to one or more printing platforms. In order to do so, in some embodiments, hopper chute 310 may be a slanted platform. In such embodiments, hopper chute 310 may be sufficiently angled to allow a cassette to slide from the entrance of hopper chute 310 to where printing platform 312 is located. For example, hopper chute 310 may be angled at 45°. In some embodiments, hopper chute 310 may include a plurality of ridges to assist cassettes in sliding down from the entrance of hopper chute 310, where cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b feed in cassettes to printing platform 312.

[0067] Hopper chute 310 may be a sufficient dimension to transfer a predetermined type and / or size of cassette without the movement of the cassette being restricted. Thus, hopper chute 310 may be of sufficient size to allow cassettes to freely slide (i.e., without manual input from a user or mechanical or electrical means from the printer) from cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b to printing platform 312a and printing platform312b, respectively. For example, as depicted in FIG. 3, if cassette hopper 302b is larger in width than cassette hopper 302a, then hopper chute 310 extending from the bottom of cassette hopper 302b may be larger in width than hopper chute 310 extending from the base of cassette hopper 302a. For another example, hopper chute 310 extending from the bottom of cassette hopper 302b may be angled at a greater degree relative to a predetermined position than hopper chute 310 extending from the bottom of cassette hopper 302a.

[0068] In some embodiments, after sliding down hopper chute 310, cassettes may come to rest on printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b. At a high level, printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b may be the platforms in which the cassettes are located when they are exposed to laser beam 318. For example, a cassette may be resting on printing platform 312a when laser beam 318 is exposed to the printing surface of the cassette. Accordingly, printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b may be angled in such a way that laser beam 318 comes into contact with the printing surfaces of cassettes resting on printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b. Printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b may be angled in such a way that cassettes resting on printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b are within the focus plane of laser beam 318.

[0069] In some embodiments, the angle of printing platform 312a and the angle of printing platform 312b relative to a predetermined, baseline position may be different. For example, printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b may be configured to receive different sizes of cassettes (e.g. , cassettes with different lengths, widths, and / or heights). As such, printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b may be angled at differentdegrees relative to the predetermined, baseline position to account for differing sizes and angles of the printing surfaces of different cassette sizes that may affect alignment with the laser. For example, a first cassette may have a printing surface angle of 20°, while a second cassette may have a printing surface angle of 30°. Accordingly, if the first cassette rests on printing platform 312a and the second cassette rests on printing platform 312b, printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b may be angled at different degrees relative to the predetermined, baseline position to account for the difference in printing surface angles of the first cassette and the second cassette. A predetermined, baseline position may be a position that is known by laser printer 300 and used to determine an angle of rotation of printing platform 312 and / or laser mirror 320 for the purpose of printing on the cassette. The predetermined position can be measured using various devices and methods now known or later developed, including, but not limited to, a gyroscope, a level, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a coordinate measuring probe.

[0070] In some embodiments, printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b may be of sufficient length, width, and depth to receive predetermined sizes and types of cassettes. For example, printing platform 312a may be smaller than printing platform 312b because printing platform 312a may be designed to receive a smaller-sized cassette than printing platform 312b. In some embodiments, printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b may be designed to accommodate a wide variety of sizes. For example, printing platform 312a may be designed to receive cassettes below a certain width.

[0071] In some embodiments, printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b may include means to prevent cassettes from sliding off printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b before being printing. For example, as depicted in FIG. 3, printing platform312a may include cassete stopper 314. As mentioned, cassette stopper 314 may prevent a cassete from being released from printing platform 312a before laser beam 318 is able to mark the printing surface of a cassete. For example, cassette stopper 314 may be a tab or projecting member extending upwardly in relation to the surface of printing platform 312a such that cassette stopper 314 makes contact with the bottom end of a cassette, preventing the cassete from sliding off printing platform 312a.

[0072] Cassette stopper 314 may be any shape, size, and material now known or later developed that is suitable for preventing a cassette from being released from printing platform 312a. In some embodiments, cassette stopper 314 may be formed of plastic or rubber and may be of any shape, e.g., rectangular or circular. In embodiments, the stopper extends upwards in relation to printing platform 312a until printing on the printing surface of the cassette, at which point cassete stopper 314 may retract downwards to allow the cassete to be released from printing platform 312a and subsequently released from laser printer 300.

[0073] As discussed above, laser printer 300 may print on printing surfaces of cassettes through the excitation of chemicals / materials within the cassetes via lasers that then forms a predetermined pattern. As such, laser printer 300 may include laser beam 318. Laser beam 318 may be any wavelength suitable for the excitation of the chemicals forming the printing surfaces of cassettes, including, but not limited to, lasers having wavelengths ranging from 157nm- 10,600nm. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the wavelength of laser beam 318 may be selected to excite a predetermined type of material. Additionally, the wavelength of laser beam 318 may be dependent on the type of laseremitting device 316 being used, as described below. In some embodiments, the power of laser beam 318 and / or the speed at which laser beam 318 moves are adjustable.

[0074] For laser printer 300 to print on cassettes using laser beam 318, laser printer 300 may include laser emitting device 316. Laser emitting device 316 may be any device now known or later developed for emitting a laser beam 318 suitable for printing on the cassette. For example, as depicted, laser emitting device 316 may comprise a rectangular housing including internal hardware (not shown) capable of producing various laser wavelengths. Such hardware may include but is not limited to, a laser head, a gain medium, an active medium, a pump source, an energy source, a flash lamp, mirrors, an optical cavity, an optical coupler, and an optical resonator. For example, laser emitting device 316 may include an optical cavity in which a gain medium amplifies an energy source, the amplified gain medium then being directed out of an optical coupler as a laser beam. Examples of laser emitting device 316 include, but are not limited to, yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) lasers, gas lasers, solid-state lasers, fiber lasers, dye lasers, and laser diodes.

[0075] In some embodiments, laser emitting device 316 may emit laser beam 318 in a predetermined direction. For example, laser emitting device 316 may emit laser beam 318 at a predetermined angle (such as an angle specified by a user, controller, or system) in both a horizontal and vertical direction. Any number of components of laser emitting device 316 may be rotatable and / or positionally adjustable (such as by using a motor) to allow laser beam 318 to be emitted in a selective direction, including, but not limited to, the laser head, the laser resonator, the gain medium, one or more mirrors, and the energy source. In some embodiments, laser emitting device 316 may be positionally adjustedand / or rotated (such as by using an associated motor) relative to a predetermined position to emit laser beam 318 in a predetermined direction.

[0076] To illustrate, assume laser beam 318 is currently directed to printing platform 312a. To adjust the focus plane of laser beam 318 to be centered on printing platform 312b, which may be, for example, 10° to the left (relative to a predetermined position) of printing platform 312a, laser emitting device 316 may be rotated 10° to the left by a motor such that laser emitting device 316 directs laser beam 318 onto printing platform 312b. The ability to direct a laser in a particular direction is advantageous, as it allows laser emitting device 316 to adjust the direction of laser beam 318 to account for the positioning of cassettes on printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b in relation to laser emitting device 316.

[0077] Broadly, laser beam 318 emitted from laser emitting device 316 reflects off laser mirror 320 to excite one or more materials in the cassettes resting on printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b. For example, laser mirror 320 may be a hot mirror that reflects laser beam 318 such that laser beam 318 has a focus plane surrounding one or more cassettes located on printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b. Laser mirror 320 may be any mirror type now known or later developed suitable for reflecting laser beams, including, but not limited to, hot mirrors, cold mirrors, lenses, and the like.

[0078] In some embodiments, the angle and / or position at which laser mirror 320 is positioned relative to laser emitting device 316 may be selectively adjustable. For example, laser mirror 320 may include one or more hardware components, such as a motor (not shown), for rotating laser mirror 320 to a set angle relative to laser emittingdevice 316, thereby changing the positioning of the focus plane of laser beam 318 to direct laser beam 318 on a cassette located on printing platform 312. For a nonlimiting example, laser emitting device 316 may be selectively positionally adjustable between 15° and 90°. Laser mirror 320 may be positionally adjustable to allow for different locations and angles of cassette printing surfaces to be in the range of laser beam 318. As such, the angle and / or position of laser mirror 320 may be adjusted when laser printer 300 switches from printing on a certain size of cassette to another size of cassette. The positional at which laser printer 300 automatically sets laser mirror 320 such that laser beam 318 is directed on the cassette is discussed further below.

[0079] As depicted in FIG. 4, mirror angle 400 may be selectively adjustable to accommodate a variety of cassette sizes. For example, some cassettes may have printing surfaces of differing angles in relation to other cassettes. As such, mirror angle 400 may be adjusted (by a motor, for example) to ensure the cassette loaded on the printing platform is within the focus plane of laser beam 318 reflecting off laser mirror 320. Mirror angle 400 may be any angle suitable for a particular focus plane, including any angle between 20° and 70° depending on the angle of laser beam 318 directed on laser mirror 320.

[0080] To illustrate selective adjustment of mirror angle 400, assume there are two different sizes of cassettes loaded in two side-by-side printing platforms, as depicted in FIG. 3. Accordingly, mirror angle 400 may be selectively adjusted after printing on the first cassette on the first printing platform and before printing on the second cassette on the second printing platform. In some embodiments, mirror angle 400 is adjusted automatically by laser printer 300 in response to determining the size of the cassette, asdiscussed further below. One or more computer systems associated with laser printer 300 may instruct one or more motors associated with laser mirror 320 to adjust mirror angle 400. In other embodiments, mirror angle 400 is adjusted manually by a user.

[0081] FIG. 5 depicts a laser printer relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As described above, cassette 500 loads in cassette hopper 302, exits cassette hopper 302, slides down hopper chute 310, and comes to rest on printing platform 312. Cassette 500 may be any shape and size now known or later developed. For example, cassette 500 may be considered a standard cassette, with dimensions of 41 mm x 28.8mm x 6mm. A broad range of dimensions for cassette 500 is contemplated, including, but not limited to, 65.5 x 28.4 x 10 mm, 40.3 x 28.5 x 7.9 mm, 41.6 x 28.3 x 12 mm, 74.5 x 52.4 x 16.5 mm, and the like.

[0082] In some embodiments, as mentioned above, cassette hopper 302 may be sized according to cassette 500. For example, as depicted in FIG. 5, dimension 502 (corresponding to the width of cassette hopper 302) may be greater than or equal to the width of cassette 500, while dimension 504 (corresponding to the length of cassette hopper 302) may be greater than or equal to the length of cassette 500. Additionally, the height of cassette hopper 302 may correspond to a predetermined number of cassettes stacked on top of cassette 500. For example, cassette hopper 302 may have a maximum capacity of 50 cassettes, where the cassettes are stacked on top of each other.

[0083] In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 5, cassette hopper 302 may contain a slot for releasing cassettes onto hopper chute 310. Accordingly, one or more mechanisms may be within or attached to cassette hopper 302 for pushing cassette 500 down hopper chute 310.-For example, cassette hopper 302 may include or be attachedto a solenoid-driven or motor-driven protrusion for driving the bottom cassette out of cassette hopper 302 and onto hopper chute 310.

[0084] In some embodiments, as discussed above with regard to FIG. 3, cassette hopper 302 is secured to laser printer 300 using one or more fastening mechanisms 308. For example, one or more fastening mechanisms 308 may include a clip that cassette hopper 302 clicks into that secures cassette hopper 302 to the opening of hopper chute 310. In some embodiments, cassette hopper 302 may be removably coupled to laser printer 300, such that cassette hopper 302 may be replaced. Cassette hopper 302 being removably coupled to laser printer 300 may be advantageous, as it may allow a user to attach a wide range of cassette hoppers containing different sizes of cassettes to laser printer 300.

[0085] FIG. 6 depicts a laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, as described above, cassette 500 may come to rest on printing platform 312 for marking printing surface 602 of cassette 500. Accordingly, in some embodiments, printing platform 312 may include cassette stopper 314 resting against the bottom edge of cassette 500 to maintain cassette 500 on printing platform 312 before and during the marking of printing surface 602. As such, when releasing cassette 500 from printing platform 312, cassette stopper 314 may retract to create a smooth surface for cassette 500 to slide down.

[0086] In some embodiments, printing platform 312 may include sensor device 604 to collect and transmit information regarding printing platform 312 and / or cassette 500. For example, as depicted in FIG. 6, sensor device 604 may be located on a side of printing platform 312. In some embodiments, sensor device 604 may detect when cassette 500is located on printing platform 312, measure the dimensions of cassette 500, and collect data on other features of printing platform 312 and / or cassette 500. For example, sensor device 604 may determine and transmit a signal to an external computer, such as user interface 204 depicted in FIG. 2, indicating that laser printer 300 is ready to print on cassette 500. Sensor device 604 may be any sensor now known or later developed suitable, including, but not limited to, through-beam optical sensors, capacitive sensors, limit switches, cameras, laser-based sensors, sound-based sensors, motion sensors, and the like.

[0087] FIG. 7 depicts a laser printer, relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, cassettes may be loaded in from cassette hopper 302a and cassette hopper 302b, slide down hopper chute 310a and hopper chute 310b, and come to rest on printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b for printing. As depicted, both cassette 500a and cassette 500b may be simultaneously loaded on printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b, respectively. In such embodiments, both cassette 500a and cassette 500b, when located on printing platform 312a and printing platform 312b, may be within the laser focus plane reflecting off laser mirror 320.

[0088] In some embodiments, printing on both cassette 500a and cassette 500b may occur without modifying the focus plane of the laser beam. Accordingly, printing may occur simultaneously for both cassette 500a and cassette 500b. In other embodiments, between printing on cassette 500a and printing on cassette 500b, one or more components of laser printer 300 may be positionally / angularly adjusted, such as laser mirror 320, printing platform 312a and / or printing platform 312b (as described furtherbelow in regard to printing platform 1108), and laser emitting device 316 depicted in FIG.4, to direct the focus plane of the laser from cassette 500a to cassette 500b.

[0089] FIG. 8 depicts a laser printer relating to embodiments of the present invention and generally referred to by reference numeral 800. At a high level, laser printer 800 may both batch print and individually print. Laser printer 800 may include components substantially relating to laser printer 300 described above. Laser printer 800 may include cassette hopper 802, hopper chute 810, and printing platform 812, generally relating to cassette hopper 302, hopper chute 310, and printing platform 312 depicted in FIG. 3, respectively. As such, cassette 804a may be loaded in from cassette hopper 802, slide down hopper chute 810, and come to rest on printing platform 812 for printing. After printing on one or more surfaces of cassette 804a, cassette 804a may be released and slide down exit chute 814, at which point a user may retrieve cassette 804a.

[0090] Laser printer 800 may include drawer 806 for individually loading cassette 804b for printing. In some embodiments, drawer 806 may include handle 808 for pulling out drawer 806, at which point cassette 804b may be loaded into drawer 806. After loading in cassette 804b, drawer 806 may be pushed back in such that cassette 804b is within the focus plane of laser system 816, laser system 816 including components substantially similar to laser emitting device 316, laser beam 318, and laser mirror 320 depicted in FIG. 4. Accordingly, laser system 816 may print on both cassette 804a, located on printing platform 812 and loaded in through cassette hopper 802, and cassette 804b, loaded in through drawer 806.

[0091] Laser printer 800 may be advantageous, as it allows for both automatic printing through cassette hopper 802 and printing platform 812, as well as singularprinting using drawer 806. For example, if a user wishes to print on a plurality of a first type of cassette and once on a second type of cassette, the user may be able to load the first type of cassette in cassette hopper 802 and the second type of cassette in drawer 806 for printing. As such, it is contemplated that less frequently used cassette types may be loaded in directly from 806, while more frequently used cassette types may be automatically fed in through cassette hopper 802.

[0092] Continuing on, FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram of a method relating to embodiments of the present invention and generally referred to by reference numeral 900. Broadly, method 900 may be a method of printing on a cassette using a laser printer, such as laser printer 300, depicted in FIG. 3 and laser printer 800 depicted in FIG. 8. At step 902, information indicative of a cassette size to print on may be received. As described above with regard to FIG. 2, the cassette type may be inputted by a user through a user interface, or the cassette type may be indicated using one or more sensors attached to a printing platform, such as printing platform 312 depicted in FIG. 3. Any number of cassette sizes may be indicated, including, but not limited to, 41 mm x 28.8mm x 6mm, 65.5 x 28.4 x 10 mm, 40.3 x 28.5 x 7.9 mm, 41 .6 x 28.3 x 12 mm, and 74.5 x 52.4 x 16.5 mm.

[0093] At step 904, it may be verified that a cassette of the cassette size indicated in step 902 is loaded in the printer. In some embodiments, the laser printer may use sensor devices, such as sensor device 604 depicted in FIG. 6, to determine if a cassette of the selected cassette size is loaded on the printing platform, such as printing platform 312 depicted in FIG. 6. The sensor devices may determine if an object is present and indicate the presence of an object to a computer system of the laser printer. If it is determined thata cassette is not loaded on the printing platform, the laser printer may initiate the loading of a cassette via a cassette hopper, such as cassette hopper 302 depicted in FIG. 3, or may instruct a user to load a cassette in a drawer, such as drawer 806 depicted in FIG.8.

[0094] At step 906, the laser of the laser printer may be aligned with the printing surface of the cassette. As described above, any number of mechanisms of the laser printer may be adjusted to align the printing surface of the cassette with the laser. For example, the angle of the printing platform may be adjusted to locate the printing surface within the focus plane of the laser, such as by a motor attached to the printing platform. For another example, various components of the laser, such as a laser mirror, the laser beam, and a laser emitting device, (such as laser mirror 320, laser beam 318, and laser emitting device 316 depicted in FIG. 3, respectively) may be adjusted to put the printing surface of the cassette within the range of the laser.

[0095] At step 908, a marking is printed on the printing surface of the cassette. Generally, the marking may be printed on the printing surface of the cassette via a laser beam emitted from a laser head of a laser-emitting device. More specifically, the laser beam may excite one or more chemical components of the printing surface of the cassette, causing a semi-permanent or permanent marking to form in the pattern in which the printing surface was exposed to the laser. For example, the marking created by the laser may include a human-readable text string along with a QR code, and the marking may appear darker than the surface.

[0096] At step 910, the cassette is released from the printing platform. As described above with regard to FIG. 3, the printing platform on which the cassette is resting mayinclude a cassete stopper, where the cassete stopper retracts and / or folds down to release the cassete from the printing platform. The cassette stopper may be any size, shape, and material suitable for preventing movement downwards of the cassette before printing on the cassette. After the cassete has been released, as depicted in FIG. 8, the cassette may then slide down an exit chute and subsequently exit the laser printer, at which point it may be retrieved by a user.

[0097] Continuing on, FIG. 10 depicts a laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure and generally referred to by reference numeral 1000. Broadly, laser printer system 1000 may be used in a substantially similar fashion to laser printer 300 depicted in FIG. 3. Accordingly, laser printer system 1000 may use one or more lasers to excite one or more chemical components of cassettes, causing a marking to form on the printing surfaces of the cassettes in a predetermined pattern. Additionally, laser printer system 1000 may be configured to print on a plurality of cassette sizes.

[0098] In some embodiments, laser printer system 1000 includes a hopper carousel 1006 for feeding cassettes into laser printer 1004. Hopper carousel 1006 may include any number of cassette hoppers 1002, generally relating to cassete hopper 302 depicted in FIG. 3. Hopper carousel 1006 may include one or more mechanisms that allow hopper carousel 1006 to rotate one or more cassete hoppers 1002 in a clockwise and / or counterclockwise direction. For example, hopper carousel 1006 may include a rotary motor that may be controlled by one or more computer systems of laser printer system 1000. In some embodiments, hopper carousel 1006 may be configured to rotate to align one or more cassette hoppers 1002 with the entrance of laser printer 1004. In someembodiments, hopper carousel 1006 may include or be attached to a solenoid-driven or motor-driven protrusion for driving the bottom cassette out of one or more cassette hoppers 1002 and into laser printer 1004. In some embodiments, hopper carousel 1006 may be excluded from laser printer system 1000. In such embodiments, one or more cassette hoppers 1002 may be configured in relation to laser printer system 1000 in a substantially similar to that described above with regard to laser printer 200.

[0099] Continuing on, FIGs. 11A-11 B depict a laser printer relating to some embodiments of the present invention and generally referred to by reference numeral 1004. Generally, laser printer 1004 loads a plurality of cassette sizes onto printing platform 1108 from hopper carousel 1006, prints on a plurality of cassette sizes, and releases the plurality of cassette sizes from the system. As such, laser printer 1004 may include a positionally adjustable printing platform 1108 to accommodate differing angles and sizes of printing surfaces of different sizes of cassettes.

[0100] In some embodiments, as mentioned above, cassette 1110 may be loaded on printing platform 1108. Printing platform 1108 may achieve an angle and / or position for a cassette size associated with cassette 1110 that will align a printing surface of cassette 1110 within the focus plane of laser beam 1116 being emitted from laser emitting device 1114, generally relating to laser beam 318 and laser emitting device 316 depicted in FIG. 3, respectively. For example, as depicted in FIG. 11 A, printing platform 1108 may be perpendicularly aligned relative to a predetermined position, such as the surface on which laser printer 1004 is resting.

[0101] For another example, as depicted in FIG. 11 B, printing platform 1108 may be tilted at angle 1120, to allow laser beam 1116 to reach the printing surface of cassette1110. Angle 1120 may be any angle suitable for aligning the printing surface of cassette 1110 with the laser, including, but not limited to, 45°, 60°, 70°, 75°, 90°, 135°, and the like. In such embodiments, motor 1112 may adjust printing platform 1108 to achieve angle 1120. Motor 1112 may be any motor system now known or later developed suitable for causing printing platform 1108 to tilt, including, but not limited to, a DC motor, a stepper motor, a linear motor, and the like. For example, motor 1112 may be a DC motor for rotating a pulley, which in turn tilts printing platform 1108.

[0102] In some embodiments, in a similar fashion to sensor device 604 depicted in FIG. 6, sensor devices 1118 may be attached to printing platform 1108. Sensor devices 1118 may measure any number of characteristics of printing platform 1108 and cassette 1110. Sensor devices 1118 may be any sensors suitable for determining the presence of an object and or the dimensions of an object, including, but not limited to, laser-based sensors, sound-based sensors, light-based sensors, through-beam optical sensors, capacitive sensors, and limit switches.

[0103] For example, sensor devices 1118 may determine if cassette 1110 is present on printing platform 1108. For another example, sensor devices 1118 may determine the dimensions of cassette 1110. Sensor devices 1118 may transmit information regarding the dimensions of cassette 1110 to various computer systems, such as an onboard computer of laser printer system 1000 and / or an external user interface such as user interface 204 depicted in FIG. 2. Accordingly, upon knowing the dimensions of cassette 1110 from sensor devices 1118, instructions may be provided to and executed by laser printer system 1000 to tilt printing platform 1108 to a predetermined angle that allows laser beam 1116 to make contact with the printing service of cassette 1110.

[0104] FIGs. 12A-12B depict a laser printer system relating to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Given the tilting nature of printing platform 1108, one or more components may be present to prevent cassette 1110 from prematurely releasing from printing platform 1108, in a similar fashion to cassette stopper 314 depicted in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, securing arm 1200, including stopper 1204, may be attached to printing platform 1108 to prevent cassette 1110 from being released from printing platform 1108 prior to printing. Generally, securing arm 1200 may be secured to printing platform 1108 by fastener 1202, which may be any fastener now known or later developed, including, but not limited to, screws, nuts, bolts, tape, welds, glue, and the like.

[0105] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12B, when printing platform 1108 is tilted at angle 1120, securing arm 1200 may prevent cassette 1110 from sliding to and / or off the lower end of printing platform 1108. Stopper 1204 may secure cassette 1110 to printing platform 1108 by engaging cassette 1110 such that stopper 1204 applies a restraining force to cassette 1110. For example, stopper 1204 may secure cassette 1110 to printing platform 1108 by contacting cassette 1110 and providing a downward force in relation to printing platform 1108. Accordingly, after cassette 1110 has been printed on, stopper 1204 may release cassette 1110, allowing cassette 1110 to be released from printing platform 1108 and, subsequently, laser printer system 1000.

[0106] In some embodiments, stopper 1204 may include a solenoid for automatically securing and then subsequently releasing cassette 1110. For example, the solenoid of stopper 1204 may activate stopper 1204 such that stopper 1204 makes contact with and applies pressure to cassette 1110. After printing on cassette 1110, the solenoid maydeactivate stopper 1204 such that stopper 1204 no longer makes contact with or applies force to cassette 1110.

[0107] Finally, FIG. 13 depicts a flow diagram of a method relating to embodiments of the present invention generally referred to by reference numeral 1300. Generally, method 1300 may be a method of printing a marking on a printing surface of a cassette using a laser printer. Method 1300 may account for the size of the cassette being printed on, allowing method 1300 to be used to print a plurality of cassette sizes. Method 1300 may be used on cassette printers configured to print on a range of cassette sizes, including laser printer system 1000 depicted in FIG. 10.

[0108] In step 1302, information indicative of a cassette size to print is received. As described above with regard to step 902, the cassette type may be input by a user through a user interface, or the cassette type may be indicated using one or more sensors attached to a printing platform, such as sensor devices 1118 attached to printing platform 1108 depicted in FIG. 11 A. For example, a user may select a cassette size from a list of cassette sizes for printing. For another example, one or more sensors may measure the dimensions of a currently loaded cassette and transmit the dimensions to an on-board processor of the laser printer. Any number of cassette sizes may be indicated, including, but not limited to, 41 mm x 28.8mm x 6mm, 65.5 x 28.4 x 10 mm, 40.3 x 28.5 x 7.9 mm, 41 .6 x 28.3 x 12 mm, and 74.5 x 52.4 x 16.5 mm.

[0109] In step 1304, the carousel is rotated to align a hopper with a cassette of the indicated cassette size with the printing platform. For example, a carousel, such as hopper carousel 1006 depicted in FIG. 10, may be instructed to rotate, using a motor, until a hopper containing the 65.5 x 28.4 x 10 mm cassettes is reached. Upon reachingthe selected hopper, the carousel may be instructed to line up with the opening of the laser printer, allowing for cassettes to be fed through the bottom slot of the hopper into the laser printer. In step 1306, the cassette is loaded onto the printing platform from the hopper. Once fed out of the bottom slot of the hopper, the cassettes may then be fed onto a printing platform and / or a chute that may guide the cassettes to the printing platform. As described above, the printing platform may be the surface on which a cassette is located when printing occurs.

[0110] In step 1308 the cassette is secured to the printing platform. As described above with regard to FIGs. 12A-12B and FIG. 3, the cassette may be secured to the printing platform using a stopper. The stopper may be configured to place downward force on the cassette to prevent the cassette from moving and / or the stopper may be configured to contact one or more surfaces of the cassette (such as the bottom end) to prevent the cassette from passing the stopper. In some embodiments, upon receiving instructions indicating the tilting of the printing platform, a solenoid may automatically activate the movement of a stopper device, in turn securing the cassette with the stopper device.

[0111] In step 1310, the printing platform may be adjusted based on the cassette size. As described above with regard to FIGs. 11 A-11 B, the angle of the printing platform may be adjusted, via one or more hardware components (such as a motor and pulley system) based on the cassette size. Cassette sizes may relate to printing platform angles in the following manner: 41 mm x 28.8mm x 6mm at 45°, 65.5 x 28.4 x 10 mm at 60°, 40.3 x 28.5 x 7.9 mm at 90°, 41.6 x 28.3 x 12 mm at 70°, and 74.5 x 52.4 x 16.5 mm at 75°. For example, if the printing platform is currently oriented at 90° and a 41 mm x 28.8mm x 6mmcassette size is to be printed, a motor may adjust the angle of the printing platform relative to a predetermined position by 45° such that the printing platform is at 45°.[001121lnstep 1312, printing occurs on the printing surface of the cassette. As described above with regard to step 908, the marking may be printed on the printing surface of the cassette via a iaser beam emitted from a laser-emitting device, such as one including an energy source, active medium, and a resonator. More specifically, the laser beam may excite one or more chemical components of the printing surface of the cassette, causing a semi-permanent or permanent marking to form in the pattern in which the printing surface was exposed to the laser. For example, the marketing created by the laser may include human-readable text along with a QR code, and the marking may appear darker than the surface.

[0113] In step 1314, the cassette is released from the printing platform. As described above with regard to step 1308, the cassette may be secured to the printing platform by a stopper. Accordingly, upon printing on the cassette, the cassette may be released by the stopper (by deactivating the stopper using a solenoid, for example) such that the stopper no longer makes contact with the cassette and the cassette is free to slide down the printing platform. Upon sliding down the printing platform, the cassette may slide down an exit chute, at which point the cassette may exit the laser printer and be retrieved by a user.

[0114] Features described above as well as those claimed below may be combined in various ways without departing from the scope hereof. The following examples illustrate some possible, non-limiting combinations:

[0115] Clause 1. A laser printer for printing on a plurality of cassettes, where at least a first cassette of the plurality of cassettes is of a different size than a second cassette of the plurality of cassettes, and where the different size is at least one of a length, a width, a height, or a printing surface angle of the first cassette, the laser printer comprising: one or more printing platforms, each printing platform from the one or more printing platforms supporting a cassette from the plurality of cassettes while printing occurs on the cassette; one or more cassette hoppers, each cassette hopper from the one or more cassette hoppers receiving at least one of the plurality of cassettes and feeding the at least one of the plurality of cassettes to at least one printing platform from the one or more printing platforms; a laser emitting device for emitting a laser beam to print on the plurality of cassettes; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method for printing a marking on a selected cassette, comprising: receiving information indicative of a cassette size for the selected cassette; loading the selected cassette on a printing platform from the one or more printing platforms; aligning the selected cassette on the printing platform with a focus plane of the laser beam based on the received information indicative of the cassette size for the selected cassette; printing the marking on a printing surface of the selected cassette; and releasing the selected cassette from the printing platform after printing the marking.

[0116] Clause 2. The laser printer of clause 1 , wherein the one or more cassette hoppers are attached to a carousel for aligning a cassette hopper from the one or more cassette hoppers housing the selected cassette with the printing platform such that the cassette hopper can load the selected cassette onto the printing platform.

[0117] Clause 3. The laser printer of clause 1 or clause 2, further com prising: a drawer with a slot for receiving the second cassette of a second cassette size, wherein the drawer is aligned with the laser beam such that the second cassette is within the focus plane of the laser beam when in the drawer, wherein the selected cassette is the first cassette, and the cassette size for the selected cassette is a first cassette size, wherein the first cassette size and the second cassette size are different.

[0118] Clause 4. The laser printer of any of clause 1 through clause 3, further comprises: a selectively adjustable laser mirror for aligning the printing surface of the selected cassette with the laser emitting device such that the laser beam reflects off the selectively adjustable laser mirror and is directed on the printing surface of the selected cassette.

[0119] Clause 5. The laser printer of any of clause 1 through clause 4, wherein aligning the printing surface of the selected cassette with the focus plane of the laser beam comprises: angularly adjusting the selectively adjustable laser mirror by a predetermined degree relative to a predetermined position, wherein the predetermined degree is based on the received information indicative of the cassette size for the selected cassette.

[0120] Clause 6. The laser printer of any of clause 1 through clause 5, wherein the one or more cassette hoppers comprises: a first cassette hopper for receiving the first cassette of a first cassette size; and a second cassette hopper for receiving the second cassette of a second cassette size, wherein the first cassette is the selected cassette and the first cassette size is the cassette size, wherein the first cassette size and the second cassette size are different.

[0121] Clause 7. The laser printer of any of clause 1 through clause 6, wherein the one or more printing platforms comprises: a second printing platform for receiving the second cassette of the second cassette size from the second cassette hopper, wherein the printing platform is a first printing platform for receiving the first cassette of the first cassette size from the first cassette hopper.

[0122] Clause 8. The laser printer of any of clause 1 through clause 7, wherein the selectively adjustable laser mirror is positionally adjustable relative to a predetermined position such that the laser beam aligns with the printing surface of the selected cassette.

[0123] Clause 9. The laser printer of any of clause 1 through clause 8, wherein the laser emitting device is positionally adjustable relative to a predetermined position such that the laser beam aligns with the printing surface of the selected cassette.

[0124] Clause 10. The laser printer of any of clause 1 through clause 9, wherein both the selectively adjustable laser mirror and laser emitting device are positionally adjustable relative to a predetermined position such that the laser beam aligns with the printing surface of the selected cassette.

[0125] Clause 11 . The laser printer of any of clause 1 through clause 10, wherein the one or more printing platforms comprises: a first printing platform receiving the first cassette of a first cassette size; and a second printing platform receiving the second cassette of a second cassette size, wherein the first cassette is the selected cassette and the first cassette size is the cassette size, wherein the first cassette size is different than the second cassette size.

[0126] Clause 12. The laser printer of any of clause 1 through clause 11 , wherein each respective printing platform from the one or more printing platforms is positionallyadjustable relative to a predetermined position such that a printing surface of a cassette of the plurality of cassettes resting on the respective printing platform is within the focus plane of the laser beam.

[0127] Clause 13. A laser printer for printing on a plurality of cassettes, where at least a first cassette of the plurality of cassettes is of a different size than a second cassette of the plurality of cassettes, and where the different size is at least one of a length, a width, a height, or a printing surface angle of the first cassette, the laser printer comprising: a plurality of printing platforms, each printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms supporting a cassette from the plurality of cassettes while printing occurs on the cassette; a plurality of cassette hoppers, each cassette hopper from the plurality of cassette hoppers receiving at least one of the plurality of cassettes and feeding the at least one of the plurality of cassettes to at least one printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms; a laser emitting device for emitting a laser beam to print on the plurality of cassettes; a laser mirror aligned with the laser emitting device such that the laser beam reflects off the laser mirror; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method for printing on the first cassette and the second cassette, comprising: receiving first information indicative of a first cassette size for the first cassette, wherein the first cassette is located in a first cassette hopper from the plurality of cassette hoppers; loading the first cassette on a first printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms; aligning the laser beam with a first printing surface of the first cassette based on the received first information; receiving second information indicative of a second cassette size comprising for the second cassette, wherein the secondcassette is located in a second cassette hopper from the plurality of cassette hoppers; loading the second cassette on a second printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms; and realigning the laser beam with a second printing surface of the second cassette based on the received second information.

[0128] Clause 14. The laser printer of clause 13, wherein aligning the laser beam with the first cassette comprises: adjusting a direction of the laser beam emitted by the laser emitting device based on the received first information.

[0129] Clause 15. The laser printer of clause 13 or clause 14, wherein the first cassette size is different than the second cassette size such that a first printing surface angle of the first printing surface is different than a second printing surface angle of the second printing surface.

[0130] Clause 16. The laser printer of any of clause 13 through clause 15, wherein the method further comprises: printing a marking on the first cassette, wherein the marking includes a text string and a QR code.

[0131] Clause 17. The laser printer of any of clause 13 through clause 16, wherein each cassette hopper from the plurality of cassette hoppers comprises a slot located at an end of the cassette hopper for feeding the at least one of the plurality of cassettes to the at least one printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms.

[0132] Clause 18. The laser printer of any of clause 13 through clause 17, further comprising: a plurality of hopper chutes attached to the plurality of cassette hoppers and the plurality of printing platforms such that each hopper chute from the plurality of hopper chutes transports the at least one of the plurality of cassettes from at least one of theplurality of cassette hoppers to the at least one printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms.

[0133] Clause 19. The laser printer of any of clause 13 through clause 18, wherein the method further comprises: feeding the first cassette from the first cassette hopper to the first printing platform via a first hopper chute from the plurality of hopper chutes.

[0134] Clause 20. The laser printer of any of clause 13 through clause 19, wherein the laser mirror is positionally adjustable relative to a predetermined position such that the laser beam aligns with at least one of the first printing surface of the first cassette or the second printing surface of the second cassette.

[0135] Clause 21. The laser printer of any of clause 13 through clause 20, wherein the laser emitting device is positionally adjustable relative to a predetermined position such that the laser beam aligns with at least one of the first printing surface of the first cassette or the second printing surface of the second cassette.

[0136] Clause 22. The laser printer of any of clause 13 through clause 21 , wherein both the laser mirror and laser emitting device are positionally adjustable relative to a predetermined position such that the laser beam aligns with the printing surface of at least one of the first printing surface of the first cassette or the second printing surface of the second cassette.

[0137] Clause 23. The laser printer of any of clause 13 through clause 22, wherein the first cassette size is different than the second cassette size.

[0138] Clause 24. The laser printer of any of clause 13 through clause 23, wherein each respective printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms is positionally adjustable relative to a predetermined position such that a printing surface of a cassetteof the plurality of cassettes resting on the respective printing platform is within the focus plane of the laser beam.

[0139] Clause 25. A laser printer for printing on a plurality of cassettes, where at least a first cassette of the plurality of cassettes is of a different size than a second cassette of the plurality of cassettes, and where the different size is at least one of a length, a width, a height, or a printing surface angle of the first cassette, the laser printer comprising: a printing platform for supporting a cassette from the plurality of cassettes while printing occurs on the cassette, wherein the printing platform is selectively adjustable such that an angle of the printing platform relative to a predetermined position is adjustable; one or more cassette hoppers located on a carousel rotatable to align each cassette hopper from the one or more cassette hoppers with the printing platform; a laser emitting device for emitting a laser beam to print on the plurality of cassettes; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method for printing a marking on a selected cassette, comprising: receiving information indicative of a cassette size for the selected cassette; loading the selected cassette on the printing platform; angularly adjusting the printing platform based on the received information indicative of the cassette size such that a printing surface of the selected cassette is in a focus plane of the laser beam; and printing the marking on the printing surface of the selected cassette.

[0140] Clause 26. The laser printer of clause 25, wherein the method further comprises: responsive to receiving the information indicative of the cassette size, rotating the carousel such that the printing platform aligns with a cassette hopper of the one or more cassette hoppers, the cassette hopper securing the selected cassette.

[0141] Clause 27. The laser printer of clause 25 or clause 26, further comprising: a stopper attached to a securing arm, wherein the securing arm is attached to the printing platform.

[0142] Clause 28. The laser printer of any of clause 25 through clause 27, wherein the method further comprises: prior to angularly adjusting the printing platform, securing the selected cassette on the printing platform by engaging the selected cassette with the stopper such that the stopper applies a restraining force to the selected cassette.

[0143] Clause 29. The laser printer of any of clause 25 through clause 28, further comprising; one or more sensors secured to the printing platform, the one or more sensors for collecting sensor data and transmitting the sensor data to an external computer system.

[0144] Clause 30. The laser printer of any of clause 25 through clause 29, wherein the method further comprises: receiving the sensor data from the one or more sensors, the sensor data indicative of the selected cassette resting on the printing platform.

[0145] Clause 31. The laser printer of any of clause 25 through clause 30, wherein the laser mirror is positionally adjustable relative to a predetermined position such that the laser beam aligns with the printing surface of the selected cassette.

[0146] Clause 32. The laser printer of any of clause 25 through clause 31 , wherein the laser emitting device positionally adjustable relative to a predetermined position such that the laser beam aligns with the printing surface of the selected cassette.

[0147] Clause 33. The laser printer of any of clause 25 through clause 32, wherein both the laser mirror and laser emitting device are positionally adjustable relative to apredetermined position such that the laser beam aligns with the printing surface of the selected cassette.

[0148] Clause 34. The laser printer of any of clause 25 through clause 33, wherein the printing platform is operable to receive the first cassette having a first cassette size and the second cassette having a second cassette size, wherein the first cassette size and the second cassette size are different.

[0149] Clause 35. The laser printer of any of clause 1 through clause 34, wherein the printing platform is positionally adjustable relative to a predetermined position such that the printing surface of the selected cassette is within the focus plane of the laser beam.

[0150] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as recited in the claims.

[0151] Having thus described various embodiments of the present disclosure, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following:

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . A laser printer for printing on a plurality of cassettes, where at least a first cassette of the plurality of cassettes is of a different size than a second cassette of the plurality of cassettes, and where the different size is at least one of a length, a width, a height, or a printing surface angle of the first cassette, the laser printer comprising: one or more printing platforms, each printing platform from the one or more printing platforms supporting a cassette from the plurality of cassettes while printing occurs on the cassette; one or more cassette hoppers, each cassette hopper from the one or more cassette hoppers receiving at least one of the plurality of cassettes and feeding the at least one of the plurality of cassettes to at least one printing platform from the one or more printing platforms; a laser emitting device for emitting a laser beam to print on the plurality of cassettes; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computerexecutable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method for printing a marking on a selected cassette, comprising: receiving information indicative of a cassette size for the selected cassette; loading the selected cassette on a printing platform from the one or more printing platforms; aligning the selected cassette on the printing platform with a focus plane of the laser beam based on the received information indicative of the cassette size for the selected cassette;printing the marking on a printing surface of the selected cassette; and releasing the selected cassette from the printing platform after printing the marking.

2. The laser printer of claim 1 , wherein aligning the selected cassette on the printing platform with the focus plane of the laser beam based on the receiving information indicative of the cassette size comprises: positionally adjusting the laser emitting device relative to a predetermined position such that the printing surface of the selected cassette is within the focus plane of the laser beam.

3. The laser printer of claim 1 , further comprising: a drawer with a slot for receiving the second cassette of a second cassette size, wherein the drawer is aligned with the laser beam such that the second cassette is within the focus plane of the laser beam when in the drawer, wherein the selected cassette is the first cassette, and the cassette size for the selected cassette is a first cassette size, wherein the first cassette size and the second cassette size are different.

4. The laser printer of claim 1 , further comprises: a selectively adjustable laser mirror for aligning the printing surface of the selected cassette with the laser emitting device such that the laser beam reflects offthe selectively adjustable laser mirror and is directed on the printing surface of the selected cassette.

5. The laser printer of claim 4, wherein aligning the printing surface of the selected cassette with the focus plane of the laser beam comprises: angularly adjusting the selectively adjustable laser mirror by a predetermined degree relative to a predetermined position, wherein the predetermined degree is based on the received information indicative of the cassette size for the selected cassette.

6. The laser printer of claim 1 , wherein the one or more cassette hoppers comprises: a first cassette hopper for receiving the first cassette of a first cassette size; and a second cassette hopper for receiving the second cassette of a second cassette size, wherein the first cassette is the selected cassette and the first cassette size is the cassette size, wherein the first cassette size and the second cassette size are different.

7. The laser printer of claim 6, wherein the one or more printing platforms comprises: a second printing platform for receiving the second cassette of the second cassette size from the second cassette hopper,wherein the printing platform is a first printing platform for receiving the first cassette of the first cassette size from the first cassette hopper.

8. A laser printer for printing on a plurality of cassettes, where at least a first cassette of the plurality of cassettes is of a different size than a second cassette of the plurality of cassettes, and where the different size is at least one of a length, a width, a height, or a printing surface angle of the first cassette, the laser printer comprising: a plurality of printing platforms, each printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms supporting a cassette from the plurality of cassettes while printing occurs on the cassette; a plurality of cassette hoppers, each cassette hopper from the plurality of cassette hoppers receiving at least one of the plurality of cassettes and feeding the at least one of the plurality of cassettes to at least one printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms; a laser emitting device for emitting a laser beam to print on the plurality of cassettes; a laser mirror aligned with the laser emitting device such that the laser beam reflects off the laser mirror; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computerexecutable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method for printing on the first cassette and the second cassette, comprising:receiving first information indicative of a first cassette size for the first cassette, wherein the first cassette is located in a first cassette hopper from the plurality of cassette hoppers; loading the first cassette on a first printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms; aligning the laser beam with a first printing surface of the first cassette based on the received first information; receiving second information indicative of a second cassette size comprising for the second cassette, wherein the second cassette is located in a second cassette hopper from the plurality of cassette hoppers; loading the second cassette on a second printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms; and realigning the laser beam with a second printing surface of the second cassette based on the received second information.

9. The laser printer of claim 8, wherein aligning the laser beam with the first cassette comprises: adjusting a direction of the laser beam emitted by the laser emitting device based on the received first information.

10. The laser printer of claim 8, wherein the first cassette size is different than the second cassette size such that a first printing surface angle of the first printing surface is different than a second printing surface angle of the second printing surface.11 . The laser printer of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises: printing a marking on the first cassette, wherein the marking includes a text string and a QR code.

12. The laser printer of claim 8, wherein each cassette hopper from the plurality of cassette hoppers comprises a slot located at an end of the cassette hopper for feeding the at least one of the plurality of cassettes to the at least one printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms.

13. The laser printer of claim 8, further comprising: a plurality of hopper chutes attached to the plurality of cassette hoppers and the plurality of printing platforms such that each hopper chute from the plurality of hopper chutes transports the at least one of the plurality of cassettes from at least one of the plurality of cassette hoppers to the at least one printing platform from the plurality of printing platforms.

14. The laser printer of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:feeding the first cassette from the first cassette hopper to the first printing platform via a first hopper chute from the plurality of hopper chutes.

15. A laser printer for printing on a plurality of cassettes, where at least a first cassette of the plurality of cassettes is of a different size than a second cassette of the plurality of cassettes, and where the different size is at least one of a length, a width, a height, or a printing surface angle of the first cassette, the laser printer comprising: a printing platform for supporting a cassette from the plurality of cassettes while printing occurs on the cassette, wherein the printing platform is selectively adjustable such that an angle of the printing platform relative to a predetermined position is adjustable; one or more cassette hoppers located on a carousel rotatable to align each cassette hopper from the one or more cassette hoppers with the printing platform; a laser emitting device for emitting a laser beam to print on the plurality of cassettes; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computerexecutable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method for printing a marking on a selected cassette, comprising: receiving information indicative of a cassette size for the selected cassette; loading the selected cassette on the printing platform;positionally adjusting the printing platform based on the received information indicative of the cassette size such that a printing surface of the selected cassette is in a focus plane of the laser beam; and printing the marking on the printing surface of the selected cassette.

16. The laser printer of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises: responsive to receiving the information indicative of the cassette size, rotating the carousel such that the printing platform aligns with a cassette hopper of the one or more cassette hoppers, the cassette hopper securing the selected cassette.

17. The laser printer of claim 15, further comprising: a stopper attached to a securing arm, wherein the securing arm is attached to the printing platform.

18. The laser printer of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises: prior to positionally adjusting the printing platform, securing the selected cassette on the printing platform by engaging the selected cassette with the stopper such that the stopper applies a restraining force to the selected cassette.

19. The laser printer of claim 15, further comprising;one or more sensors secured to the printing platform, the one or more sensors for collecting sensor data and transmitting the sensor data to an external computer system.

20. The laser printer of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises: receiving the sensor data from the one or more sensors, the sensor data indicative of the selected cassette resting on the printing platform.

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