A portable label printer is provided having a central control section, and first
and second printing sections coupled to the central section. Each of the first
and second printing sections has a printing mechanism with a thermal printhead
and motor driven platen roller, a compartment for receiving a roll of paper, and
a cover enabling loading of a roll in the compartment. The central control section
has a printer control circuitry which independently controls the printing mechanism
of each of the first and second printing sections interactive with signals from
a host computer or terminal. Each of the first and second printing sections represents
a module detachable from the central control section and can be replaced with another
module providing a printing section capable of accommodating printing on different
type of paper. One type of terminal is provided which is attachable to the central
control section of the printer and can communicate with the printer control circuitry
of the printer. The terminal may have circuitry for enabling RF, LAN, voice over
Internet, or cell phone communication, and for enabling optical scanning through
a window of the terminal. The terminal may be detached from the housing to facilitate
its use as a communication device or optical scanner.
