Abstract: A label printing device is disclosed in which font data for a plurality of characters is stored. Characters are derived from the font data for displaying and printing in sizes determined by appropriate scaling factors. In this way, characters derived for printing have the same proportion and appearance as characters derived for displaying. Moreover, a large variety of character sizes can be produced both for printing and displaying.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism for a printing apparatus is described. The cutting mechanism is particularly suitable for tape printers. In the cutting mechanism, one of a cutting blade and an anvil is mounted for rolling motion with respect to the other so that as the rolling motion occurs a cut is made through the tape. Moreover, the cutting mechanism can be actuated by a handle which lies flush with the printer casing and which can be actuated externally of the casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing device having a baseplate with a flat base portion and upstanding elements. The flat base portion and upstanding elements are provided as a unitary part which may be formed from die casting, injection molding, outsert molding, or similar construction techniques.

Abstract: A printing device is described which can provide extended functions while nevertheless remaining portable and inexpensive. This is achieved by providing an interface which is connected to a controller of the printing device and which is adapted to be connected to one of a selection of external cartridges to support a wider variety of functions of the printing device.

Abstract: There is described a blade assembly particularly for performing a tab cut in a label. The blade assembly comprises a blade received in an injection moulded plastics holder. The holder has shoulders on either side of the blade to assist in locating it and spacing it from a label to be cut. During manufacture, the blade is located within the mould for accurate injection moulding.

Abstract: A printing device includes a portable body having support means within which is defined a print face. The support means is capable of abutment against a surface on which an image is to be printed so that the print face is exposed to the surface and defines a region over which print is to be distributable without relative movement of the print face and said surface. The support means is arranged to support spaced from the surface to be printed an ink jet print head for distributing said print, and the ink jet print head is selectively operable at a plurality of locations within the print face to print an image onto the surface to be printed. The device has an electronic control device including a buffer for holding data defining at least part of the image and print actuating means controlled by the control device for operating the ink jet print head to print an image.

Abstract: A tape holding case is described for use with a thermal printing device which allows for more efficient cutting and feeding of tape. The cassette has a slot into which a cutting blade can pass which avoids the use of an anvil for cutting. Moreover, the cassette can have a stepped portion for providing a so-called "peel cut" at the end of the tape.

Abstract: A thermal printing device is capable of printing labels in a plurality of colours. When printing in a particular colour has been completed, further movement of image receiving tape is prevented so that an image transfer ribbon of a different colour can be exchanged for the first image transfer ribbon. In this way, multiple colour labels can be printed in a simple and efficient manner.

Abstract: A label printing apparatus receives a cassette holding printing tape on which an image is to be printed. The apparatus also has a printing mechanism which includes a thermal printhead having a group of printing elements to which pixel data defining the image to be printed is passed sequentially on a group-by-group basis. The groups are printed adjacent one another in the direction of movement of the printing tape. A drive system is provided for driving the printing tape through the printing mechanism end includes a dc motor which is provided with a shaft encoder for monitoring the speed of rotation of the motor. Sequential printing of the groups of pixel data is controlled in dependence on the monitors speed of rotation of the motor. There is also described a label printing apparatus which uses monitoring of the speed of rotation of the motor to detect an end of tape condition.

Abstract: A tape cutting apparatus which provides for cutting a multi-layered tape through only one layer of the tape. The apparatus includes a cutting device with a cutting blade wherein the cutting device is actuated by a drive mechanism and the position of the cutting device is controlled by a position controller. The apparatus further provides a braking mechanism to ensure that the cut is terminated at the proper position.

Abstract: An automatic tape detecting and tape width identifying printing apparatus or tape holder wherein the printing apparatus and tape holder include an optical sensing arrangement having at least first and second optical sensing assemblies. The first and second optical sensing assemblies each, preferably, include a photo transistor and a light emitting diode. The photo transistor is located to receive and detect light from the light emitting diode. The first and second optical sensing assemblies are located to automatically detect the presence or absence of tape within the tape holder. In a preferred embodiment, the first optical sensing assembly is located to automatically discriminate the presence of a particular width, w2, of tape within the tape holder. In addition, the second optical sensing assembly is located to automatically discriminate the presence of a different width, w1, of tape within the tape holder.

Abstract: A label printing device is disclosed in which font data for a plurality of characters is stored. Characters are derived from the font data for displaying and printing in sizes determined by appropriate scaling factors. In this way, characters derived for printing have the same proportion and appearance as characters derived for displaying. Moreover, a large variety of character sizes can be produced both for printing and displaying.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing characters that minimizes the information that needs storage for each character that can be printed. The apparatus according to the invention uses a storage device containing font data for the characters and identifiers which identify an algorithm to be used for recreating the character.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating tape at a cut edge is described in which a bend is formed in the tape and in which a wall portion acts against the cut edge of the tape so that as the tape is drawn to straighten it, there is resilience in an upper layer of the tape which overcomes the adhesive strength between upper and lower layers and causes them to separate at the cut edge of the tape.