Abstract: Printers and methods of printer operation are disclosed for detecting print line loss. Embodiments include at least one stable frame element and a print head that is moveable with respect to the stable frame element; and at least two optical elements mounted on one or more of the stable frame element and the print head, the optical elements oriented with respect to one another so as to detect motion of the print head.

Abstract: Printers and methods of printer operation are disclosed for detecting print line loss. Embodiments include at least one stable frame element and a print head that is moveable with respect to the stable frame element; and at least two optical elements mounted on one or more of the stable frame element and the print head, the optical elements oriented with respect to one another so as to detect motion of the print head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for indicating paper supply in receipt printers, the system including a paper roll including a core and length of paper that forms a paper portion, the core including a core diameter and the paper portion including a decreasing paper diameter, wherein the core contrasts in color to the paper portion to create a contrast, a scanner configured to sense data pertaining to areas occupied by the core and the paper portion via the contrast, wherein the computing resource is configured to convert the data into measurements of the core diameter and paper diameter, the computing resource being programmable to create alerts when remaining lengths of paper are left on the paper roll, the remaining lengths corresponding to low paper conditions of the paper roll, and being calculated by measurements pertaining to the core diameter, decreasing paper diameter, and a thickness of the paper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for indicating paper supply in receipt printers, the system including a paper roll including a core and length of paper that forms a paper portion, the core including a core diameter and the paper portion including a decreasing paper diameter, wherein the core contrasts in color to the paper portion to create a contrast, a scanner configured to sense data pertaining to areas occupied by the core and the paper portion via the contrast, wherein the computing resource is configured to convert the data into measurements of the core diameter and paper diameter, the computing resource being programmable to create alerts when remaining lengths of paper are left on the paper roll, the remaining lengths corresponding to low paper conditions of the paper roll, and being calculated by measurements pertaining to the core diameter, decreasing paper diameter, and a thickness of the paper.

Abstract: A printer employs a print head having a wire column arranged at an angle between 0.degree. and 90.degree. relative to a permitted line of motion of the print head. This angled print head allows for both portrait and landscape printing. Portrait mode printing is performed by controlling movement of the angled print head along the permitted line of motion during printing of each line of images. Landscape mode printing is controlled by maintaining a stationary position of the print head while the print receivable medium is moved in a direction perpendicular to the permitted line of motion of the print head.

Abstract: A touch sensing direct input data display device is described. The data display screen is directly and solely supported within a housing by stiff springs having essentially uniaxial freedom of motion. Strain gauge sensors are applied directly to the springs and are connected in a full Wheatstone bridge sensing circuit. The outputs of the sensors are fed to a calculating and processing device for calculaating the X, Y and Z coordinate information relative to the point on the face of the display which has been pushed or touched. The Z component is of total force and the X any Y components give the two dimensional location for the application of the force measured in the Z axis. The stiff springs allow very little deflection to occur under normal touch imposed fores on the display screen. They permit essentially uniaxial motion only in the Z axis.

Abstract: A touch sensing display apparatus having improved electrical signal processing is described. A plurality of signal threshold comparison levels are employed by the electronic signal calculating and processing unit to identify actual touch signals and to exclude extraneous vibration and offset signal components. Static thresholds of comparison are utilized at lower signal levels and a dynamic, signal tracking threshold is utilized at higher signal levels. The apparatus is particularly effective for use in designs employing a suspended CRT display or other display device in which the screen of the display device is directly touched by a user to record selections of information presented or to input graphical or handwritten information.

Abstract: A piezoelectric touch screen assembly can be attached to mounting ears on an ordinary CRT assembly. The touch screen assembly includes a frame, a glass plate which is seated on a gasket at one surface of the frame and a plurality of piezoelectric elements which are bonded to the glass plate and are "trapped" between the CRT face and the glass plate. Studs extend outwardly from the CRT ears through openings in the frame. Coil springs are placed on the studs and are trapped by washer nuts to load the touch screen assembly toward the CRT by a predetermined amount. Grommets with a unique cross sectional configuration are mounted at the openings through the frame. The grommet is designed to provide minimal resistance to movement of the touch screen assembly toward or away from the CRT face but greater resistance to movement of the assembly in other directions.