Abstract: An integrated computer, scanner, and printer has elements of all three in a single enclosure with a single CPU performing all of the control tasks for the three, usually separate, devices. The three functions also share memory space, and control circuitry for the scanning and printing operations are interfaced directly to the system bus of the computer. Control routines in a preferred embodiment are integrated into a single system BIOS. In embodiments of the invention, a light source, such as a laser source, used for electrostatically writing images on a drum for printing, is diverted and also used for scanning operations. In another alternative embodiment, a device-driver-software transparent extended enhanced parallel port is provided for expansion of the bus into an external copy of the internal bus, such that expansion ports may be transparently provided in an external docking box.

Abstract: A thermal transfer color printer according to the present invention thermal inkribbon having heat-fusible color materials in a plurality of colors divided in the feed direction, a thermal head which moves relative to a print paper in order to cause the selective thermal transfer of the color material on a thermal inkribbon onto the print paper, and a color sensor for detecting the types of color materials on the thermal inkribbon. The distance in the feed direction of the color material portions of the thermal inkribbon is set at one divided by an integral portion of the standard print width of the print paper, while the distance between the color sensor and the thermal head is set the same as the distance in the feed direction of the color materials portion of the thermal inkribbon.

Abstract: A heat transfer recording apparatus comprises rotatable means for winding a recording sheet thereon, a transfer sheet having a layer of heat transfer material, guide means for winding the transfer sheet on the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable means with tension and guiding the recording sheet so that it is held by and between the rotatable means and the transfer sheet, means for applying heat to the transfer sheet wound on the rotatable means on the basis of recording information and effecting transfer recording on the recording sheet, and drive means for rotating the rotatable means in forward direction to cause recording to be effected by the recording means and rotating the rotatable means in reverse direction to discharge the recorded recording sheet.

Abstract: An improved technique and apparatus for color-on-demand resistive ribbon printing is provided in which selected colored ink layers are transferred to a resistive printing ribbon from a color-bearing ribbon, prior to resistive ribbon printing. The color ribbon and the resistive printing ribbon both contain ink layers, the only difference being that the ink layer in the printing ribbon is preferrably uncolored. When the ink layers on the two ribbons are brought into contact with one another and heated, the ink layers will become tacky and will adhere to one another. The temperatures of these ink layers are then reduced and the printing ribbon and the color ribbon are separated from one another to cause the colored ink layer on the color ribbon to separate from that ribbon and adhere to the printing ribbon, thus causing a transfer of the colored ink layer to the printing ribbon. After this, the resistive printing ribbon can be used to print colors.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon including a resistive heating element layer having a thermally transferable ink layer on the front side thereof is provided with a thermally sensitive indicator layer on the back side thereof. Heat generated in the resistive layer fuses the ink which transfers selectively to record grey scale image defining dots of various sizes on an ink receiving sheet in contact with the ink layer. The heat generated in the resistive layer also flows to the indicator layer to form corresponding indicator marks which are proportional to the recorded dots. The indicator marks are visible on the back side of the ribbon and are optionally monitored to provide feed back to a thermal system for accurately controlling the density of pixel area defining the recorded image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal printing system in which, an auxiliary heating means is driven to heat a main heating means for dot printing to a print feasible temperature, and at the time of dot printing, the main heating means is heated to the said print feasible temperature. The main heating means and the auxiliary heating means are both disposed on the surface of a radiating substrate. The thermal head apparatus is thus simple in construction and capable of improving printing speed.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a plurality of recorders each of which is provided for a color to be recorded, these recorders being reciprocated relative to a recording medium such that they are selectively driven in a combination upon their forward movement and in another combination upon the reverse movement of the recorders.

Abstract: An induction motor controller with a scaling convertor for both providing selective alteration of the overload sensitivity characteristic of the controller and converting the input current to a proportional control voltage. The feedback circuit includes a plurality of feedback resistors which are selectively connectable between the output of the current-to-voltage convertor and its input to selectively change its gain and thus the sensitivity of the controller.

Abstract: An automatic control for various domestic appliances has a ferrite core which surrounds the run winding for the drive motor of the appliance. The run winding represents the primary winding for the ferrite core, which has a secondary winding at which a brief output voltage is generated whenever the run winding current changes direction. This sensor in combination with a voltage zero detector circuit and post-connected logic circuitry generates a voltage pulse and a phase pulse which are respectively related to the voltage level of the drive motor and the motor output torque which is required to operate a movable member in the appliance. A microcomputer is utilized to generate a representative digital phase number which corresponds to the torque expended in the appliance. The phase number is utilized in various programs of the microcomputer for automatically controlling various functions of the appliance as well as other events in an operational sequence upon the attainment of selected torque levels.

Abstract: A motor control system in which an actual torque indication is derived from the motor and compared with a reference, or demand, torque. From the difference signal is derived a stator M.M.F. in magnitude and position relative to a reference frame locked to the rotor. Orthogonal components of this stator M.M.F. are derived and transformed to stator phase winding drive signals.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a battery-operated, dot type recording apparatus which comprises a drive mechanism unit having its number of revolutions regulated by the output of a quartz oscillator, a circuit for connecting a d.c. power source with a meter only when a measured value is to be recorded, and delay switching means for causing the tip of a pointer of a meter to hit the recording paper at the time when that meter becomes stable. Thus, the dot type recording apparatus is so constructed of a small number of mechanical means that it can reliably operate for a long time, while having its adjustment and maintenance facilitated, with little influence from changes in circumstances.

Abstract: A current sensing circuit includes an impedance network having a capacitor which produces a voltage proportional to the steady-state component of current and an inductance which produces a voltage proportional to the transient component. The capacitor voltage modulates a carrier signal which conveys the steady-state component through an isolation transformer to a demodulator. The transient component is conveyed through a second isolation transformer and is summed with the demodulated steady-state component.