Abstract: The printer is provided with a detection data storage area section comprising sixteen storage areas for storing detection data from a transmission type sensor for every 1-step driving of a feed motor. When the difference between the last detection data and the detection data before steps is a value equal to or more than 0.7 V, the last detection data is set in a gap determination level storage area, is set in a gap flag area, and counting by a gap length counter is started. Thereafter, when the detection data from the transmission type sensor comes to be equal to or smaller than the value set in the gap determination level storage area is set in the gap flag area and the position in the half of the count value of the gap length counter is recognized as the gap center.

Abstract: A printer for continuously printing out essentially identical images with partial differences. The printer comprises a storage area (34) for storing predetermined constant data (3) and variable data (4), and at least a first and a second image data storage area (40, 41) for storing image data (2). The constant data (3) is combined with first variable data, and the combined data is stored into the first image data storage area (40) as the first image data. The first image data is then copied from the first image data storage area (40) to the second image data storage area (41). The first and the second image data storage area (40, 41) are switched by turns, and the variable data (4) within the image data (3) is updated using subsequent variable data. In parallel with the updating of the variable data (4) stored in the first image data storage area (40), the image data (2) held in the second image data storage area (41) is printed out.

Abstract: A label printer includes a communication interface for sequentially inputting issue label data; a frame memory for storing print pattern data; a printing unit for printing print pattern data stored in the frame memory; and a processing circuit for creating print pattern data corresponding to input issue label data in the frame memory. With the above label printer, the processing circuit determines an empty area of the frame memory which is different from an area occupied by the to-be-printed print pattern data when issue label data is input from the communication interface and creates print pattern data corresponding to input issue label data in the empty area.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an ink jet print head which jets ink through an ink jet nozzle by pressurizing the ink supplied to a pressure chamber from an ink supplying portion, including applying flowable resin on a surface of a piezoelectric member polarized along a thickness thereof; forming a low rigidity member having a rigidity less than that of the piezoelectric member by curing the resin; grinding a surface of the low rigidity member; forming a plurality of grooves extending from the surface of the low rigidity member to an inside of the piezoelectric member; forming electrodes on the entire inner surface of the grooves; and sticking a top plate on the ground surface to close an opening of the grooves, thereby forming a plurality of pressure chambers communicating with an ink supplying portion and the ink jet nozzle. Since the low rigidity member is cured before it is ground, the proportion of the height of the low rigidity member and the piezoelectric member is equalized.

Abstract: A self-scanning checkout device includes a stationary scanner for reading an article code affixed to an article, and a cash register disposed adjacent to the stationary scanner, for performing a settlement process based on article codes sequentially supplied from the stationary scanner. The cash register has a printing unit for printing a result of the settlement process. In particular, the cash register has a housing section having an article table which is exposed at a top of the housing section and on which an article whose article code is difficult to read by the stationary scanner is placed. The housing section is provided for receiving the printing unit below the article table and permitting the printing unit to be freely exposed.

Abstract: A driving device for driving an end-luminescent line head provided with an array of end-luminescent EL elements includes a power supply, a high-voltage unit having an input side connected to the output side of the power supply and capable of generating a positive voltage and a negative voltage, a driver for driving the end-luminescent line head, connected to the output side of the high-voltage unit, voltage detecting device for detecting the drop of the output voltage of the power supply, and discharge device having one side connected to the output side of the high-voltage unit and the other side connected to the ground. The discharge devices closed to discharge the high-voltage unit immediately after the power supply has been turned off, to protect the driver and the end-luminescent line head from destruction.

Abstract: In the present invention, draft holes are provided a the corners of an ink storage tank. The holes have diameters which enable them to hold ink inside the ink storage tank by the surface tension of the ink, and even when the position of the ink storage tank is changed to a different position, some of the draft holes can be positioned higher than the ink level. This makes it possible to communicate the inside of the ink storage tank with air and keeps the inside pressure at atmospheric pressure, whereby ink leakage through the draft hole is prevented. At the draft holes positioned lower than the ink level, the ink is held by the surface tension of the ink, thus preventing ink leakage through the draft holes.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image in accordance with an external signal comprises a photosensitive drum, a charging unit for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum at a predetermined potential, an exposing unit for exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum and forming an electrostatic latent image, a developing apparatus for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum and forming a visible image, a transfer unit for transferring the visible image on the photosensitive drum onto a medium, and a fixing unit for fixing the visible image transferred onto the medium.

Abstract: Dot width data of a plurality patterns each corresponding to a recording range in one scanning operation are stored in a memory in advance. Each dot width data required to correct an f-.theta. error is used to determine each dot width in one scanning operation. In accordance with the operation of an address counter, a bus switching circuit selectively reads out dot width data of a pattern different from a preceding pattern from the memory for each scanning operation, and outputs the data to a latch circuit. A programmable counter determines each dot width of image data on the basis of the dot width data from the latch circuit. A laser diode driver ON/OFF-controls a laser beam from a laser diode on the basis of the image data from the programmable counter.

Abstract: An open-top case is provided wherein an inside portion of the open-top case is separated by partition plates in a lateral manner, whereby several bank note storage portions are provided in the open-top case. Several openings are provided in an upper region of the partition plates. Accordingly, money handling for bank notes can be done easily even if the bank notes are small sized. Because an upper region of each of the bank notes are exposed at the openings regardless of the size thereof, it is easy to touch the bank notes at the openings even for small sized bank notes. Also the bank notes are reliably supported by the partition plates since it is not necessary to provide a wide opening in the partition plates for easy access to bank notes.

Abstract: A product-selling-data processing apparatus which performs a bundle-of-selling in which a predetermined number of a same kind of articles each having a unit price are sold in a lump at a price lower than the total of the unit price of the predetermined number of the articles, includes an article code inputting device for inputting a first article code identifying an article to be sold, a memory for memorizing price data including the unit price of the articles and a bundle-of-selling price of the articles, and article code data including the first article code and a second article code identifying an article to be sold as a bundle-of-selling, the second article code being modified based on the first article code, the price data being memorized in correspondence with the article code data, a discerning device for discerning whether the article indicated the first article code inputted by the article code inputting device, can be sold as the bundle-of-selling, a first calculation device for calculating selling

Abstract: A leaf plate is disposed in abutment, through a guide path of printing paper, with a feed roller whose peripheral surface is in contact with the guide path. The printing paper is transported by the feed roller rotationally driven while the printing paper is pressed against the feed roller by the leaf plate. In the course of transportation of the printing paper, the printing paper fed by the feed roller is guided along a flat paper guide surface, and printing is performed by having ink jetted from a nose portion of an ink jet head to the printing paper being guided as described above. Immediately before the printing position in the guide path, there are disposed a plurality of projections in contact with the guide path and at predetermined intervals in the direction transverse to the printing paper. By bringing the transported printing paper into contact with the projections, the amplitude of undulations continuously produced in the printing paper in the direction transverse to the paper is reduced.