Patent attributes
A label printer having a plurality of input devices for inputting information to said label printer where a first input device can be a keyboard, and a second input device can be a connectable external controlling entity; a supply of image receiving medium such as a tape; a printer adapted to print an image on the tape; and a printer controller for controlling the label printer, so that when the label printer is connected the label printer can be operated in a stand alone mode in which information can only be input to said label printer via said first input device, or an external control mode in which information can only be input to said label printer via the connecting device, such that for a predetermined period of time after use in one of the said stand alone mode and the said external control mode, any information input via the input device not in use can not operate the label printer, but after the predetermined period of time information can be input to operate the label printer via either the first input device or the connected second input device.