Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal printer comprising a thermal head, and means for inhibiting an energization signal for heat generation of said thermal head. The inhibition means prevents the thermal head from being energized when it is in a non-operational position thereby preventing damage to the thermal head.

Abstract: An information output device basically comprises character output means for visibly outputting at least one of characters such as letters, numbers, symbols, etc., a keyboard carrying thereon keys corresponding to the characters and usable for the selection of the characters, and a miniature body for containing therein the character output means and the keyboard. Most of the size of the body is occupied by the keyboard. The character output means may be printing means for printing the characters on recording paper, or character display means comprising a plurality of display elements for displaying the characters. The information output device may also include a control circuit for applying a control or driving signal to the printing means or the display elements of the character display means to cause the characters selected by the keys to be printed on the recording paper or to cause the display elements to successively display the characters selected by the keys.

Abstract: The thermal printer pertinent to the present invention is of the type in which a heat sensitive paper having a coating of heat sensitive material on the upper side and a coating of heat fusible ink on the backside is used. A thermal head is brought into contact with the upper side surface under pressure to transfer the ink coated on the backside of the heat sensitive paper onto a common paper. According to the invention, a feed source of the heat sensitive paper and a feed source of the common paper are provided separately at different positions.

Abstract: An information output device basically comprises character output elements for visibly outputting at least one of characters such as letters, numbers, symbols, etc., a keyboard carrying thereon keys corresponding to the characters and usable for the selection of the characters, and a miniature body for containing therein the character output elements and the keyboard. Most of the size of the body is occupied by the keyboard. The character output elements may be printing devices for printing the characters on recording paper, or character display devices comprising a plurality of display elements for displaying the characters. The information output device may also include a control circuit for applying a control or driving signal to the printing devices or the display elements of the character display devices to cause the characters selected by the keys to be printed on the recording paper or to cause the display elements to successively display the characters selected by the keys.

Abstract: A printer device using thermosensitive paper as a printing medium includes a thermal head for effecting printing on the printing medium, and means for moving the printing medium and the thermal head relative to each other. An electromagnetic plunger and a spring member for urging the thermal head against the printing medium are provided. The plunger serves to control the printing and, in addition, urges the thermal head against the printing medium with a predetermined pressure force, and the spring member is controlled during the relative movement between the thermal head and the printing medium along a print line on the medium, to urge the thermal head against the printing medium with a lower pressure force.

Abstract: The printing apparatus includes a printing head moving forward and backward. The printing head is, when moving, inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to recording paper. The direction of the inclination is changed when the direction of movement of the head is reversed so that printing may be carried out in either direction, forward or backward.

Abstract: An input device is provided with simplified operation for correcting errors. One key is adapted to perform a plurality of key functions, for instance, one function feeds a recording medium backwardly, another prints an error mark. Such key is provided with a bridge member which is interposed, in bridge configuration, between the bottom part of the key top and switch contact member located over other switch contact elements in a pair with said switch contact members. When one key is depressed, a plurality of key switches are actuated.

Abstract: A control system for use with a printer device or the like comprises means whereby the time during which a subject to be controlled, such as the thermal head of the printer, is driven may be determined in accordance with the quiescent period of the subject to be controlled.

Abstract: A printer for use with a portable calculator, a handy typewriter or the like is provided with a printing control device which comprises a control circuit for controlling the operation of a stepping motor to feed a recording medium. In order to control the motor, the control circuit generates a series of printing control signals and stepping control signals which include an initial stepping control pulse and a final stepping control pulse. Before printing is started, the motor is stepped forwardly with the initial control pulse and is set in an initial condition to make a space preceding a character to be printed on the recording medium. After the printing of one character is performed, the motor is stepped forwardly with the last stepping control pulse to make sufficient space between adjacent characters to be recorded on the recording medium.