Abstract: A tape support arrangement comprises a tape take up core (220) suitable for supporting a tape; and a tape supply core (210) suitable for supporting a tape (230). The supply core (210) comprises an inner surface (212), the inner surface defining an internal volume (240) of the supply core and being configured for engagement with a tape drive support. The take up core (220) is sized and shaped such that it can be located in the internal volume (240) of the supply core (210). Refer to FIG. 2.

Abstract: A tape drive comprises a spool support for supporting a tape spool, wherein the spool support comprises a support surface mounted to a tape drive base plate such that the support surface is fixed against rotation relative to the base plate, the support surface being configured such that, in use, as tape is removed from or wound onto the spool, the spool rotates relative to the spool support such that the spool rotates around the support surface.

Abstract: A tape drive comprises a spool support (30) for supporting a tape spool (32), wherein the spool support comprises a support surface (34) mounted to a tape drive base plate (36) such that the support surface (34) is fixed against rotation relative to the base plate (36), the support surface (34) being configured such that, in use, as tape is removed from or wound onto the spool (32), the spool (32) rotates relative to the spool support (30) such that the spool (32) rotates around the support surface (34).

Abstract: A printing machine comprising a processor and a memory storing computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions are arranged to cause the processor to generate access request data for processing by an access control server, receive access response data responsive to the access request data, process the access response data to determine a first print limit indicated by the access response data, and update, responsive to processing the access response data, an access status in the memory to indicate a second print limit.

Abstract: This application concerns an apparatus comprising a housing arranged to be positioned at any one of a plurality of rotational angles, a display mounted to the housing and a processor arranged to execute instructions stored in a memory. The instructions are arranged to cause a user interface to be displayed on the display, to receive an indication of a rotation amount and rotation direction from a rotation input, rotate at least one corner element about its centre point by the rotation amount in the rotation direction and if the rotation amount is greater than a first predetermined limit, move the at least one corner element to a different one of a plurality of corner portions of the display.

Abstract: A printing machine 1 comprises a processor (2a) and a memory (2b, 2c) storing computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions are arranged to cause the processor (2a) to generate access request data for processing by an access control server (3), receive access response data responsive to the access request data, process the access response data to determine a first print type and a first print quantity indicated by the access response data, and update, responsive to processing the access response data, an access status in the memory to indicate a second print quantity for the first print type.

Abstract: A method of operating a transfer printer (1), the transfer printer comprising first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool (3,4) of ribbon (2), a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon (2) from the first spool support to the second spool support along a predetermined ribbon path, and a printhead (7), the printhead being configured to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to a substrate as the substrate is moved relative to the printhead in a direction of substrate movement. The method comprises driving the ribbon in a direction parallel to the direction of substrate movement, printing a first plurality of images onto a first respective plurality of substrates, driving the ribbon in a direction opposite to the direction of substrate movement, driving the ribbon in the direction parallel to the direction of substrate movement, and printing a second plurality of images onto a second respective plurality of substrates.

Abstract: A printing machine comprising a processor and a memory storing computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions are arranged to cause the processor to generate access request data for processing by an access control server, receive access response data responsive to the access request data, process the access response data to determine a first print limit indicated by the access response data, and update, responsive to processing the access response data, an access status in the memory to indicate a second print limit.

Abstract: A tape drive comprises a spool support (30) for supporting a tape spool (32), wherein the spool support comprises a support surface (34) mounted to a tape drive base plate (36) such that the support surface (34) is fixed against rotation relative to the base plate (36), the support surface (34) being configured such that, in use, as tape is removed from or wound onto the spool (32), the spool (32) rotates relative to the spool support (30) such that the spool (32) rotates around the support surface (34).

Abstract: A tape support arrangement comprises a tape take up core (220) suitable for supporting a tape; and a tape supply core (210) suitable for supporting a tape (230). The supply core (210) comprises an inner surface (212), the inner surface defining an internal volume (240) of the supply core and being configured for engagement with a tape drive support. The take up core (220) is sized and shaped such that it can be located in the internal volume (240) of the supply core (210). Refer to FIG.

Abstract: This application concerns an apparatus comprising a housing arranged to be positioned at any one of a plurality of rotational angles, a display mounted to the housing and a processor arranged to execute instructions stored in a memory. The instructions are arranged to cause a user interface to be displayed on the display, to receive an indication of a rotation amount and rotation direction from a rotation input, rotate at least one corner element about its centre point by the rotation amount in the rotation direction and if the rotation amount is greater than a first predetermined limit, move the at least one corner element to a different one of a plurality of corner portions of the display.

Abstract: A method of operating a transfer printer (1), the transfer printer comprising first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool (3,4) of ribbon (2), a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon (2) from the first spool support to the second spool support along a predetermined ribbon path, and a printhead (7), the printhead being configured to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to a substrate as the substrate is moved relative to the printhead in a direction of substrate movement. The method comprises driving the ribbon in a direction parallel to the direction of substrate movement, printing a first plurality of images onto a first respective plurality of substrates, driving the ribbon in a direction opposite to the direction of substrate movement, driving the ribbon in the direction parallel to the direction of substrate movement, and printing a second plurality of images onto a second respective plurality of substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an inkjet printer printhead in a working state, the printer defining an array of orifices from which in use jets of ink are projected. The apparatus may have a means for applying a pressure pulse to ink with the printhead sufficient to discharge ink from each orifice when not in use to project ink. The pressure pulse may have a relatively rapidly rising leading edge and a relatively slow falling trailing edge.

Abstract: An inkjet printer in which a printhead defines an elongate array of orifices from which jets of ink are projected into a space within which substrates to be printed are presented. An air curtain generator fixed in position relative to the printhead extends along one side only of the array of orifices so as to direct a curtain of air across the array a of orifices and across an open portion of the printhead on the side of the array of orifices remote from the air curtain generator. The air curtain cleans the printhead. A pressure pulse may be applied to ink within the printhead sufficient to discharge ink form each orifice when not in use to project ink. The pressure pulse has a relatively rapidly rising leading edge and a relatively slowly falling edge. An ink reservoir is coupled to the printhead for supplying ink to the orifices.

Abstract: An inkjet printer in which a printhead defines an elongate array of orifices from which jets of ink are projected into a space within which substrates to be printed are presented. An air curtain generator fixed in position relative to the printhead extends along one side only of the array of orifices so as to direct a curtain of air across the array a of orifices and across an open portion of the printhead on the side of the array of orifices remote from the air curtain generator. The air curtain cleans the printhead. A pressure pulse may be applied to ink within the printhead sufficient to discharge ink form each orifice when not in use to project ink. The pressure pulse has a relatively rapidly rising leading edge and a relatively slowly falling edge. An ink reservoir is coupled to the printhead for supplying ink to the orifices.

Abstract: A method of printing utilises a print head comprising a plurality of printing elements which may be actuated independently to print on a substrate, and a control means which produces control signals for the printing elements for independently addressing and controlling the printing elements so that the print head may print a desired character, the method comprising analysing the performance of the individual printing elements to determine the printing characteristic of the print head and to produce control data, feeding the control data to the control means which utilises the control data to compensate for variations in the performance of the individual printing elements whereby the control means produces modified control signals for the printing elements so as to adjust the printing characteristic of the print head, wherein the control means compensates for variations in the performance of the printing elements by activating one or more of the printing elements at a different time to others of the printing e

Abstract: A method of printing that utilizes a printing head having a plurality of printing elements each of which is operable to transfer a pixel print medium from a carrier on to an adjacent substrate.