Abstract: In a terminal system having a printing function for printing additional information about special events, introductions, or advertising to sales receipts issued by a convenience store or kiosk when a purchase is made, or to queuing number tickets issued to customers waiting in a bank, customers can select information of personal interest from a list of advertising information so that the selected information is printed to the receipt or ticket issued by the system. A functional terminal of a POS system having an input device, printer, display, and controller for use in various applications comprises a display for presenting plural advertising information entries, a means for selecting desired entries from the displayed list, and a means for printing the selected information to a receipt issued by the terminal device. Information wanted by the customer can thus be selectively printed with the sales transaction information normally printed to the receipt that is handed to the customer.

Abstract: An ink jet printer comprising a print pattern storage device for storing the input print pattern data and sequentially outputting the stored data in conjunction with the relative movement of the print head, and a separate preliminary ejection data generator for causing ink droplets to be ejected from plural print elements of the print head simultaneously, the ink jet printer further comprises a selecting device for selecting the output from either the print pattern storage device or the preliminary ejection data generator, and ejecting ink droplets from the plural print elements according to the selected output.

Abstract: A paper cutter includes a blade extending in the width of a rolled paper, the blade having a linear edge and a serrated edge formed at an end of the linear edge. A paper guide for discharging the paper is disposed downstream from the cutter, the paper guide having an upper and a lower member and a discharge port at the downstream end thereof. A cutout section is formed at the upper member of the paper guide, and the position of the cutout section corresponds to the serrated blade edge in the width direction of the paper. The cutout section permits the paper to be grasped with fingers by the operator. When the paper is pulled, a force acts on the paper in a direction to press it against the serrated blade edge, cutting the paper from the edge.

Abstract: A printer and printing method suitable for high speed multicolor printing. A paper transport section (112) advances the printing medium (113), and a print head (110) prints text or graphics on the printing medium (113) by driving printing elements corresponding to a plurality of colors. A transport unit (111) moves the print head (110) orthogonally to the direction in which the printing medium (113) travels. A plurality of image buffer units (109) store information indicating where the printing elements are driven. A logic device (102) performs a logic operation on information read from image buffer units (109) to detect whether at least one of the printing elements is driven at a particular dot column position. A logic operation results memory (114) stores the logic operation results correlated to a print head (110) position.

Abstract: A printing device and control method that facilitates setting of waiting periods for cut-sheet paper insertion and commencement of paper transport or printing through application of waiting time control commands. By establishing a command for setting these waiting periods and incorporating apparatus in the printer for analyzing such a command, a configuration is realized in which these waiting periods are settable and adjustable by the host computer. This provides more efficient POS type printer control and allows setting of the desired time required for positioning recording paper according to operator experience. An interface unit is used to receive and interpret print data and recording paper positioning time setting commands and data from the host computer.

Abstract: An ink jet printer comprising a print pattern storage device for storing the input print pattern data and sequentially outputting the stored data in conjunction with the relative movement of the print head, and a separate preliminary ejection data generator for causing ink droplets to be ejected from plural print elements of the print head simultaneously, the ink jet printer further comprises a selecting device for selecting the output from either the print pattern storage device or the preliminary ejection data generator, and ejecting ink droplets from the plural print elements according to the selected output.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer having pressure generate means for pressurizing ink inside the printer nozzles, either a first electric pulse of an amplitude enabling ink drop ejecting, or a second electric pulse of an amplitude lower than the amplitude of the first electric pulse for mobilizing ink inside a nozzle, is applied to each pressure generator synchronized to a reference signal of a single frequency. An ink drop is not ejected when a low amplitude second pulse is applied to a pressure generating means. Applying said second electric pulse instead stimulates ink around the nozzle so that high viscosity ink at the nozzle tip mixes with low viscosity ink deeper inside the nozzle, thereby lowering the overall viscosity of ink in the nozzle so that ink drop ejecting is easier.

Abstract: A printer capable of printing on differing types of recording media. A memory section is provided that is capable of storing insertion wait times that wait for insertion of the respective recording medium types and setting wait times that wait for the recording medium to be properly set. Also, when the type of recording medium to be printed on is designated, then the printer waits for insertion of the recording medium according to the insertion wait time and setting wait time corresponding to that recording medium and then starts an automatic feed operation. Therefore, it is possible to offer a printer and its control method wherein the wait times can be set according to the level of experience of the operator and to the recording paper types, the ease of use of the recording medium and the installation circumstances of the printer, setting times can be set that do not cause stress on the operators, and printing can be performed without wasted time.

Abstract: An ink jet printer and control method therefor efficiently eliminates temporary ink eject defects during print interruptions. A time interval, i.e., the time lapse between a previous ink ejecting operation and a present ink ejecting operation, is evaluated before printing. If the time interval is less than a first time reference value (t1), an ink purging operation is not performed or is performed only a first minimum number of times. If the time interval is between first and second time reference values (t1.ltoreq.TI<t2), ink purging is executed a second number of times. If the time interval is greater than or equal to the second time reference value (t2.ltoreq.TI), ink purging is executed a third number of times that is less than the specified second number of times.

Abstract: While eliminating the need for a dedicated on-line selector switch, a printing apparatus and control method is provided to improve the processes required to replenish consumable printing materials consumed during the printing operation. Using a transport mechanism for transporting the print medium and a printing mechanism for printing to the print medium, the printing apparatus accomplishes the printing process based on data received from a host device, selectively switches between an on-line state and an off-line state and notifies the host device of the currently selected state. The printing apparatus further comprises sensors for detecting the presence of consumable products, including roll paper and ink, that are consumed by the printing process, a switch with two functional settings, and a control device.

Abstract: An ink jet printer comprising a print pattern storage device for storing the input print pattern data and sequentially outputting the stored data in conjunction with the relative movement of the print head, and a separate preliminary ejection data generator for causing ink droplets to be ejected from plural print elements of the print head simultaneously, the ink jet printer further comprises a selecting device for selecting the output from either the print pattern storage device or the preliminary ejection data generator, and ejecting ink droplets from the plural print elements according to the selected output.

Abstract: A printing device and control method that facilitates setting of waiting periods for cut-sheet paper insertion and commencement of paper transport or printing through application of waiting time control commands. By establishing a command for setting these waiting periods and incorporating apparatus in the printer for analyzing such a command, a configuration is realized in which these waiting periods are settable and adjustable by the host computer. This provides more efficient POS type printer control and allows setting of the desired time required for positioning recording paper according to operator experience. An interface unit is used to receive and interpret print data and recording paper positioning time setting commands and data from the host computer.

Abstract: A printer which includes a paper selector for setting return amount and return amount memories for storing return amounts for at least two kinds of recording paper. The type of recording paper is selected by a printer control command so that a return amount for continuing a printing operation specific to the selected type of recording paper can be set. As a result, printing can be executed once a return amount has been set for each type of recording paper if the user wishes to print on different types of recording paper having different return amounts, thereby reducing the burden on the part of the host computer in controlling the printer and increasing the printing speed of the printer.

Abstract: A printing device and control method that facilitates setting of waiting periods for cut-sheet paper insertion and commencement of paper transport or printing through application of waiting time control commands. By establishing a command for setting these waiting periods and incorporating apparatus in the printer for analyzing such a command, a configuration is realized in which these waiting periods are settable and adjustable by the host computer. This provides more efficient POS type printer control and allows setting of the desired time required for positioning recording paper according to operator experience. An interface unit is used to receive and interpret print data and recording paper positioning time setting commands and data from the host computer.

Abstract: A printer which includes a paper selector for setting return amount and return amount memories for storing return amounts for at least two kinds of recording paper. The type of recording paper is selected by a printer control command so that a return amount for continuing a printing operation specific to the selected type of recording paper can be set. As a result, printing can be executed once a return amount has been set for each type of recording paper if the user wishes to print on different types of recording paper having different return amounts, thereby reducing the burden on the part of the host computer in controlling the printer and increasing the printing speed of the printer.

Abstract: A highly reliable ink-jet printer or printing mechanism capable of consistent ink discharge in an on-demand type ink-jet printer. The printing mechanism is equipped with an ink-jet head having a plurality of ink nozzles that discharge ink drops and pressure generating elements corresponding to the nozzles, for applying pressure to the ink therein. A timer measures a preselected time period and a recovery processor controls recovery operations for each nozzle. The recovery operations are executed at prescribed time intervals during non-operation of the ink-jet head based on timer output. The recovery processor performs recovery processing when the power source is powered on. Further, an automatic power disconnection is performed when the number of consecutive recovery performed in response to the output of the timer reaches a prescribed maximum number.

Abstract: A printing device and control method that facilitates setting of waiting periods for cut-sheet paper insertion and commencement of paper transport or printing through application of waiting time control commands. By establishing a command for setting these waiting periods and incorporating apparatus in the printer for analyzing such a command, a configuration is realized in which these waiting periods are settable and adjustable by the host computer. This provides more efficient POS type printer control and allows setting of the desired time required for positioning recording paper according to operator experience. An interface unit is used to receive and interpret print data and recording paper positioning time setting commands and data from the host computer.

Abstract: A recording apparatus having a print head control apparatus containing an IC drive control circuit utilizes at least two shift registers having N single bit registers with respective data input terminals sequentially switched to receive print data wherein, at any one print cycle, one shift register is storage for current print data and the other shift register is storage for past print data so that, on the succeeding print cycle, the latter shift register receives new print data and the former shift register becomes the holder of past print data. When one of the shift registers provides output for the current print data to the thermal print head drivers, the other shift register is employed for referencing the past print data, i.e., comparing current and past print data. Thus, the function of shift registers are sequentially switched to control the drive data output to the thermal elements of the print head based on past print data history.

Abstract: A printing device and control method that facilitates setting of waiting periods for cut-sheet paper insertion and commencement of paper transport or printing through application of waiting time control commands. By establishing a command for setting these waiting periods and incorporating apparatus in the printer for analyzing such a command, a configuration is realized in which these waiting periods are settable and adjustable by the host computer. This provides more efficient POS type printer control and allows setting of the desired time required for positioning recording paper according to operator experience. An interface unit is used to receive and interpret print data and recording paper positioning time setting commands and data from the host computer.

Abstract: A thermal printer drive control apparatus of the type having a thermal print head comprising a plurality of heating elements provides for reliable cost effective thermal head temperature detection by means of producing multiple, different current flow intervals that are applied to binary data to produce data drive signals for the heating elements. The current flow intervals are based upon historical drive data derived from linear temperature conditions sensed at the thermal print head. This information is converted to a digitized representation for use in conjunction with a table placed in memory that provides predetermined current flow intervals based upon the digitized representation. Further, circuitry is provided to produce heating element drive signals having pulse widths based upon the determined current flow intervals.