Tragbarer Strichcodedrucker mit Funktionstasten und zugeordnetem Display

A portable, on-line barcode printer has a very small number of variable function keys, each of which is actuable to perform a large number of non-data entry functions for monitoring various components, performing diagnostic testing and setting up the operation of the printer. A display is positioned in association with the function keys and provides both a message section for displaying a text or pictorial message in association with a current mode of operation and an icon section for displaying an icon in association with each of the function keys wherein each icon symbolizes a non-data entry function selectable by actuation of the associated key in the current mode. A controller enables one or more of the function keys in each of a plurality of modes in the printer and controls the message and icon set depicted in each mode so as to change the function of each of the variable function keys.