Abstract: The present invention provides a tape printing device for printing a desirable series of characters on a tape and cutting the tape to a label of a desirable length, and also a tape cartridge used in the tape printing device. The tape cartridge has a characteristic element readably storing specific information on the tape such as a width of the tape. The tape printing device reads the characteristic element to control printing conditions according to the type of the tape cartridge. More specifically, the tape printing device determines a variety of parameters including a number of lines and character sizes of the character series printed on the tape as well as lengths of left and right margins. When a tape of a relatively large width is set in the tape cartridge, the device increases a rotation torque of a platen for feeding the tape.

Abstract: A tape-like label printing device capable of accurately setting a print start point of origin in case plural times of printings are required to the identical printing area of a tape by rewinding the tape for respective printing. A print start process is executed by manipulation of a print key. A ribbon color of a ribbon cassette is detected (S40). If the cassette has a desired ribbon color (S42:Yes) print data is retrieved.(S45). If the printing tape is detected by a tape detection sensor (S46), a message prompting the cutting is displayed (S48). When the tape is cut(S48, S46:Yes), the printing tape is fed in the tape feeding direction (S49), and the print start point of origin is set which is indicative of the printing position of the thermal head relative to the printing tape when the leading edge of the printing tape is detected by the tape detection sensor.

Abstract: A recording apparatus having a memory for storing recording data, and an address counter for controlling addresses in the memory in the direction of the columns or rows. The address counter controls a read start address for starting a process of reading the memory, thereby compensating for deviations in the longitudinal or widthwise direction of recording paper.

Abstract: A roll-shaped image receiving sheet usable in a thermal transfer printing process. The image-receiving sheet includes a plurality of indeterminatley spaced thermal transfer image-receiving areas, and a detection mark formed on the sheet corresponding to each image receiving area, the mark being adapted for detecting a starting-position for formation of a thermal transfer printing image on each of the image receiving areas.

Abstract: In a thermal printer, a continuous paper cutting device has an upper and a lower separator located downstream of a platen in the intended direction of paper transport and positioned to face each other with the intermediary of a continuous paper. The upper and lower separators are each provided with an arcuate end in place of a sharp edge for cutting the paper. The paper is formed with notches at opposite ends of each perforation. When a peforation immediately following the printed part of the paper reaches a predetermined position downstream of the arcuate ends of the separators in the direction of paper transport, the paper is brought to a stop. Therefore, the device allows the operator to separate the printed part from the paper along the perforation without resorting to cutters having sharp edges.

Abstract: A recorder comprises, a conveying roller for sending off sheets one by one from stacked sheets of paper; a sheet support biased toward the conveying roller; an feed roller positioned upstream a recording head and downstream the conveying roller; and a spring for biasing the feed roller downstream. The rotation shaft of the feed roller is supported with a bearing. The conveying roller has a semi-cylindrical shape, and the rotation shaft of the conveying roller is provided with a collar. The movement of the rotation shaft of the feed roller within a bearing is restricted, when a trailing edge of the sheet exits from the collar.

Abstract: A digital halftone pattern geometry adapted not to the characteristics of variable dot size printing presses but to the operating characteristics of the printer itself achieves a high degree of image quality. The techniques for creating the halftone pattern geometry include linear spot growth to provide uniform darkening and the use of a super-cell structure to maximize the number of tint or gray scale levels. A preferred super-cell structure is of hexagonal dispersed-dot form to reduce low frequency artifacts by spreading them over a greater number of frequencies. Hexagonal centered super-cells also distribute row and column artifacts along three axes of symmetry instead of two. The super-cell structure gives sharp edges and a greater amount of edge area available to manipulate when the super-cells are tessellated to form an image. This halftone cell arrangement is especially suited to thermal transfer printers, which print linear rows and form good rectangular shapes.

Abstract: In a printing unit of an offset rotary printing press with two pairs of plate and rubber blanket cylinders, the first plate cylinder and the two rubber blanket cylinders are mechanically coupled and are driven by a common drive. The second plate cylinder is provided with its own drive.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus has a body formed with a pocket for mounting a plurality of types of access objects each having an end surface for being accessed, therein from above. The body has an access block arranged therein for accessing the end surface of each of the plurality of types of access objects. Main support bosses are provided in the pocket in a manner extending upward for having each of the access objects being fitted thereon. The access object is comprised of a receiving member having an access surface (the end surface) for being accessed by the access block, a receiving member-attaching portion to which the receiving member is attached, and a receiving member-holding part for holding the receiving member-attaching portion. A cap is removably fitted on the access object in a manner such that the receiving member thereof is covered by the cap.

Abstract: A head driving device includes an ink-jet head having a large number of ink chambers arranged side by side and separated by piezoelectric elements, FETs for connecting electrodes of the ink chambers to a +Vcc power source line, FETs for connecting the electrodes of the ink chambers to a -Vcc power source line, bi-directional switches for connecting the electrodes of the ink chambers to a ground line, selectors each for selecting one of a plurality of pulse signals in which at least one of the pulse width and pulse interval is different according to gradation data, sequencers for generating sequence signals according to the pulse signals from the selectors, and decoders for decoding the sequence signals into driving signals and supplying them to the FETs and bi-directional switches.

Abstract: A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding of indicia. A diagnostic test procedure reads a printed test document and determines whether the MICR indicia are within a certain specification. A test document found to be out of specification prompts the adjustment of the print parameters of the printing system of the transaction printer. The machine establishes and maintains a data base of each print transaction, and compares the printing parameters to determine the degree to which each parameter complies with the specification.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler which is easy to load, clean and service. The labeler has a gear driven print head wherein the print head is situated on an upper housing section and the print head is actuated from a lower housing section. The upper housing section can be moved to an open position without interfering with the maintenance of the drive connection with the print head or the advance of a label carrying web through the labeler.

Abstract: A tape printing apparatus with a blank setting function is provided which enables a blank of a desired length to be formed at a desired position when input text data is printed. Thus, an improvement is achieved in the degree of freedom available for controlling printing layout. The tape printing apparatus includes a printing device for printing input text data on a tape recording medium being fed, a blank position setting device for designating the position of a blank to be made when printing is performed by the printing device, a blank length designating device for designating the length of the blank, and a control device for controlling the printing device such that the text data is printed while making a blank with the length as designated by the blank length designating device at a position corresponding to the blank position designated by the blank position designating device.

Abstract: A tensioner and tensioning system for maintaining tension in a printer liner while providing manual advancement of the printer liner without accessing the inner compartment of the printer. A tension comprises first and second end brought in proximity to form a channel, and a middle portion formed into a circular configuration to hold the roll of printer liner. A stopper is included within the channel between the two ends which resists movement of the liner and promotes tension. The liner is preferably advances against the resistance of the tensioner by a take-up roller cooperating with a one-directional clutch which advances the liner without relaxation to maintain tension. The one-directional clutch is operated from an external area on the printer to enable the manual advancement of the liner without accessing the printer's inner compartment.

Abstract: A modular, multi-function information processing device suitable for point-of-sale (POS) station arrangements wherein separate printer and controller components are individually housed and arranged in a stacked vertical configuration. This arrangement save space by minimizing the overall footprint of the station. The connection between these components can be easily established or terminated for performing maintenance on a particular component or subassembly. Subassemblies within the housing may be extracted without impacting the overall structure of the device or use of the other components, and additional components can be easily added.

Abstract: In the case of printing in three-value level utilizing two kinds of inks mutually different densities for one color (higher and lower density inks), it is assumed that a reflection density of a region having a predetermined area when solid print is performed only by the lower density ink, and that when solid print is performed only by the higher density ink are expressed ODt and ODn, respectively. Since the granular appearance of the ink dots is expressed in terms of reflection density of one dot, the granular appearance of a lower density ink dot at a portion of image formed only by the lower density ink dots and the granular appearance of a higher density ink dot at a portion of image formed by the higher and lower density ink dots are expressed in terms of values of ODt and (ODn-ODt) divided by the number of pixels included the above region, respectively.

Abstract: A carriage is driven along a carriage rod. The carriage includes a roller or a sled which runs along a track. As the carriage moves along the rod the roller or sled runs along the track. Defects in the roller or bumps along the track cause the carriage to rotationally vibrate about the carriage rod during movement. A vibration isolator (e.g., tuned spring) is included at the connection between the carriage and the roller or sled. Such isolator absorbs vibrations introduced by the roller, sled or track. The reduced vibrations lead to improved print quality for printers having smaller dot size or increased precision.

Abstract: A printer receives image information from a host computer and performs printing based on the image information. When an optional unit is newly attached to the printer, the printer changes the device ID which is selected from an ID ROM in accordance with the optional unit. Then output from an interface circuit is changed so that the host computer detects the change of the output from the interface circuit. The host computer makes a device-ID request to the printer to obtain the device ID corresponding to the optional device. Then the host computer determines whether or not a printer driver which is currently operative corresponds to the printer with the newly-attached optional device.

Abstract: Data input received by a printer is printed. Dot data, which indicates location of dots on a print medium, is generated from the data input. Dot shift data is used in order to make sub-pixel shifts in locations of a subset of the dots on the print medium. Pulses are provided to a printhead which result in ink being emitted through nozzles located on the printhead. When placing the dots on the print medium, sub-pixel shifts in locations of the subset of the dots is achieved by time shifting the occurrence of pulses used to generate the dots.

Abstract: A paper discharge section for a printer having a printer body includes first and second support portions mounted on the printer body. At least one of the support portions is slidable towards and away from the other support portion. A paper pushing down portion is mounted on the printer body and positioned intermediate the support portions. The first support portion can rotate between at least a first position at which the first support portion supports a first bottom side portion of the sheet of paper and at least a second position in which the first support portion does not support the first bottom side portion of a sheet of paper. A slidable edge guide for guiding a first side edge of a sheet of paper is provided and slidable towards the other edge guide. A linkage mechanism links the slidable edge guide to the first support portion to cause the first edge guide and first support portion to slide together.