Abstract: A label sensing mechanism for a printer mechanism is provided. The label sensing mechanism may comprise a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor disposed opposite one another, each of the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor may comprise an emitter and a detector. The first optical sensor and the second optical sensor may be positioned on either side of a paper path along which label liner bearing labels to be printed travels. The first optical sensor and the second optical sensor may be operable together or separately in order to detect label position, preprinted marks on the label liner, and preprinted marks on the labels. A method for sensing labels using such a label sensing mechanism and a printer having such a label sensing mechanism are also provided.

Abstract: A print apparatus includes a holding unit to hold a roll sheet obtained by winding a sheet, a driving unit, a separation flapper, a pressure contact roller, a print unit, a displacement sensor, and a control unit. The driving unit rotates the held roll sheet. The separation flapper follows a roll sheet surface to separate the sheet from the roll sheet. The pressure contact roller comes into pressure contact with the roll sheet surface. The print unit prints an image on the sheet supplied by rotating the roll sheet in pressure contact with the pressure contact roller in a forward direction. The displacement sensor detects a separation flapper displacement amount according to separation flapper rotation when the sheet is supplied to the print unit after a roll sheet front end is detected. The control unit stops the roll sheet rotation when the amount of displacement exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A printer includes a housing, a printer cover configured to rotate between a closed position at which the printer cover closes an interior of the housing and an open position at which the printer cover opens the interior of the housing, a platen roller configured to feed print medium, a thermal head opposed to the platen roller when the printer cover is located at the closed position, and an operation member configured to connect and disconnect the thermal head, the operation member guides the print medium fed by the platen roller when the printer cover is located at the closed position.

Abstract: A foil transfer method of performing foil transfer onto a surface of a transfer subject includes preparing a foil transfer tool including a light output portion, preparing the transfer subject and a transfer foil, stacking the transfer foil and a light absorbing film with optical absorptivity on a surface, of the transfer subject, on which the foil transfer is to be performed, to produce a stack body, and while moving either one of the stack body and the foil transfer tool with respect to the other, putting the foil transfer tool into contact with a surface of the stack body at which the light absorbing film is provided and outputting light from the light output portion.

Abstract: A printer a housing, a printer cover that is rotatable relative to the housing about a first rotary axis, a thermal head configured to print on print medium, a connecting part capable of being connected to and disconnected from the thermal head, and a head cover that is rotatable about a second rotary axis being parallel to the first rotary axis, the head cover pivotally supported at the printer cover, the head cover rotating between a first position at which the head cover closes the connecting part and a second position at which the head cover does not close the connecting part to connect and disconnect the thermal head and the connecting part. The space is defined between the head cover located at the second position and the printer cover. The connecting part is exposed through the space.

Abstract: A transfer printing device includes a transfer ribbon, a print unit, a mark sensor and a controller. The transfer ribbon includes a transfer layer that is attached to a carrier layer. The transfer layer includes a series of transfer sections. The controller is configured to perform a print operation, in which a transfer section that is available for printing is selected by detecting an absence of a used mark in a predetermined position on the transfer ribbon corresponding to the transfer section using the mark sensor. An image is printed to the selected transfer section and a used mark is printed on the transfer ribbon using the print unit. At least a portion of the used mark is in a predetermined position relative to the selected transfer section and is outside the selected transfer section.

Abstract: Control of the print temperature for a thermal printer is disclosed. Two temperature sensors are used to sense the temperature of both the thermal printhead and the environment around the print medium. In this way, the energy applied to the thermal printhead's heating elements may be adjusted to match an ideal print temperature, which depends on both the printhead temperature and the print-medium temperature.

Abstract: A printing apparatus of the invention includes a medium information acquisition section that acquires medium information that can specify a type of a print medium, a printing section that discharges print ink to the print medium, a coating section that coats the print medium with precoat liquid before the printing section performs printing, and a coating control section that controls the coating section. The coating control section variably changes an amount of coating of the precoat liquid per unit area according to the acquired medium information.

Abstract: A conveyor line system, including: an image processing device configured to irradiate a recording part with laser light to record or erase, or record and erase an image, wherein the conveyor line system is configured to manage a conveying container containing the recording part, and wherein the following formula is satisfied at a wavelength of the laser light emitted from the image processing device when recording the image: A+50>B where A is an absorbance of the recording part, and B is an absorbance of the conveying container.

Abstract: An image forming device and method are provided which reduce erroneous detection of a border between transfer material areas when forming a new image by using unused portions of partially used transfer material areas. The image forming device forms an image having a first size or a second size which is one-half of the first size or smaller on a recording medium by transferring transfer materials respectively for transfer material areas, while feeding a strip-shaped transfer medium on which the transfer material areas each having the first size and respectively corresponding to the transfer materials are repeatedly arranged in a predetermined sequence in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a sheet loading unit configured to load a plurality of sheets; a sheet feeding unit configured to feed the sheets loaded on the sheet loading unit; a light emitting unit configured to irradiate a sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit; an image sensor disposed at a position opposing the sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit and configured to sense an image reflected with light irradiated by the light emitting unit; and a trailing edge detection unit configured to cause the image sensor to repetitively perform sensing during sheet conveyance by the sheet feeding unit, compare images sensed by the image sensor, and detect a trailing edge of the sheet currently being conveyed from the sheet feeding unit based on a determination of an area where a pattern remains unchanged.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer comprises a print head drive mechanism that is configured to reciprocally move a print head parallel to movement of a carrier ribbon past the print head. A controller is configured to control the print head drive mechanism to move the print head in a first direction along the carrier ribbon to transfer ink material from the carrier ribbon to a substrate to print a first portion of an image on a first area of the substrate. The controller is also configured to control movement of the print head in a second direction opposite to the first direction as the carrier ribbon and substrate are also moved in the second direction to position the print head relative to the carrier ribbon so that a second portion of the image is printed on a second are of the substrate adjacent to the first area of the substrate.

Abstract: A system and related method for selectively printing color content of a page with a reduced color gamut are provided. The system includes a detection module, a printing mode module, and a conversion module. The detection module is configured to detect a color object in the page and the printing mode module exists in at least one mode. The conversion module can selectively convert the detected color object to a converted reduced-colorant object in accordance with the existence of the at least one mode of the printing mode module.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an erasing apparatus includes: a recording medium sorting apparatus including a first conveyance guide having a curvature radius smaller than curvature radiuses of all curved surfaces present in a downstream direction in a recording medium conveying path, a second conveyance guide forming the recording medium conveying path in conjunction with the first conveyance guide and set to be capable of opening and closing the recording medium conveying path, and a displacing device configured to open and close the second conveyance guide; and a control unit. If the control unit determines that a jam occurs in the recording medium sorting apparatus, the control unit opens the second conveyance guide to collect a recording medium that causes the jam.

Abstract: A printer may include a sheet conveyance unit, a sheet detection unit, an ink sheet conveyance unit, a search position detection unit, and a control unit both to execute a continuous print mode by using sets of ink portions, where each set of ink portions has ink portions of an ink sheet, and to print screens adjacent to each other. In a case where power for the printer is turned ON, the control unit conveys a sheet that has been pulled out from a sheet housing unit in a direction for returning the sheet into the housing unit using the sheet conveyance unit. In addition, the control unit calculates a leading-end detection conveyance amount until a leading end of the sheet is detected by the sheet detection unit, and determines a discharge amount of the sheet based on the leading-end detection conveyance amount.

Abstract: A method of registering a print between print stages in a printing system is provided. The method comprises: printing a first part of a digital image on a substrate with a first print engine, wherein the first part of the digital image includes a plurality of reference features; scanning image content on the substrate as it is readied for the second print engine; determining the actual positions of the reference features; using the actual positions of the reference features to determine desired adjustments for the second part of the digital image; applying electronic registration according to the desired adjustments to modify image content of the second print to be aligned with content already on the substrate; and printing a second part of the digital image on the substrate.

Abstract: Restriction information on a total colorant amount for a medium is obtained. Patches at grid points in a color space corresponding to a plurality of colorants at which the total colorant amount falls within a restriction represented by the restriction information, and a patch at a point surrounded by the patches are generated. Color values are obtained by measuring the colors of the patches printed on the medium. It is determined based on a color prediction value between the grid points whether the measured color values are appropriate, and if so, a color value at a grid point at which the total colorant amount exceeds the restriction is estimated based on the measured color values. A color separation table is created based on the measured color values and the estimated value.

Abstract: The color printing control device outputs color material reduction processed data generated by applying a color material reduction process to each pixel of bitmaps converted to color material colors to be used in printing, when it is judged that the color material reduction printing mode is specified. The color material reduction process includes chroma conversion that reduces chroma and under-color removal/black generation that replaces at least a portion of achromatic components generated by overlaying of a plurality of color materials.

Abstract: A printer device that prints an image to a printing paper using a thermal head formed with a plurality of heating resistors. The printer device includes: edge position detection means for performing edge position detection, at four corners, to an incoming printing paper using the thermal head based on a change of temperature increase observed in, as a result of energization, any of the heating resistors opposing the printing paper and the remaining heating resistors not opposing the printing paper; and control means for exercising control over an image printing operation using the thermal head based on a detection output derived by the edge position detection means.

Abstract: A printer includes an upper unit which opens and closes about a fulcrum lying at a rear position of a lower unit, and a paper path which is opened by opening the upper unit. A sensor unit is attached to the lower unit and includes a lower sensor holder and an upper sensor holder which are disposed in opposition to each other via the paper path. The paper path can be opened by pivoting the upper sensor holder relative to the lower sensor holder. When the upper unit is closed, the upper sensor holder is also closed in accordance with a closing pivoting motion of the upper unit.

Abstract: A printer includes an upper unit which opens and closes about a fulcrum lying at a rear position of a lower unit, and a paper path which is opened by opening the upper unit. A sensor unit is attached to the lower unit and includes a lower sensor holder and an upper sensor holder which are disposed in opposition to each other via the paper path. The paper path can be opened by pivoting the upper sensor holder relative to the lower sensor holder. When the upper unit is closed, the upper sensor holder is also closed in accordance with a closing pivoting motion of the upper unit.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a first zone for receiving a supply of image receiving tape and a second zone for receiving a supply of thermal transfer ribbon, means for identifying the nature of the image receiving tape and the thermal transfer ribbon located in the first and second zones, and means for implementing a compatibility check to determine whether said image receiving tape and said thermal transfer ribbon are compatible, and to generate an incompatibility indication if the the compatibility check fails.

Abstract: A thermal activation device has a thermal activation head that thermally activates a heat-sensitive adhesive layer of a sheet material having a printing layer on one surface of a sheet-like base material and the heat-sensitive adhesive layer formed on the other surface thereof. A platen roller conveys the sheet material and is disposed in pressure contact with the thermal activation head so that the platen roller and the thermal activation head apply a holding force on the sheet material. A pair of conveyor rollers hold and convey the sheet material and are disposed on a downstream side of the thermal activation head in a conveying direction of the sheet material. A holding force applied on the sheet material by the pair of conveyor rollers being larger than a holding force applied on the sheet material by the platen roller and the thermal activation head.

Abstract: A compact printer that includes a sensor system for monitoring the position and/or status of media is provided. The system includes a photo source extending along a line across all or a portion of the width of a media path. The photo source can comprise a number of sources, such as a number of focused LED sources. A single detector or receiver is disposed on a side of the media path opposite the source. The location of the single receiver with respect to the width of the media path can be adjusted by a user. Information related to the intensity of light received at the receiver is passed to a controller, which can use the information to generate a media out signal or to determine the location of an index mark.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet for forming an image having an identifying mark, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus using the same, wherein the identifying mark is useful to identify various information concerning the sheet. The sheet for forming an image is provided with two or more image-formative layers which are defined by frame respectively and arranged in a longitudinal direction of the sheet.

Abstract: Thermal printers and methods for operating a thermal printer that applies donor material from donor patches on a donor ribbon to a received medium, the donor material being organized into sets, each set including at least one colored donor material patch and a protective material donor patch. A non-visible light is applied to a location on the donor ribbon, and a portion of the non-visible light that is not absorbed by the donor ribbon is sensed. The sensed non-visible light determines whether the portion of the donor ribbon to which the non-visible light has been applied has unused protective donor material thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting an image alignment of an image forming apparatus that uses a thermal print head for applying heat to first and second sides of a medium for printing are provided. In the apparatus and method, a first printed area on the first side of the medium is detected by a sensor after printing a first pattern on a first setup print zone of the first side of the medium, a first-to-second printed area on the medium is detected by the sensor after printing a second pattern on a second setup print zone of the second side of the medium, a position deviation between the printed areas of the first and second sides is calculated using the first setup print zone, the second setup print zone, the detected first printed area, and the detected first-to-second printed area, and the setup print zones of the first and second sides of the medium is adjusted using the calculated position deviation.

Abstract: In a thermal transfer printer, before a thermal head transfers an ink component of a yellow region on a recording paper, the thermal head is preheated up to a transfer temperature and by sublimating a black ink component constituting a mark pattern during preheating, records used information in the mark pattern. After turn-on of an electric power, when an optical sensor reads the used information, an ink ribbon driving mechanism is driven until the optical sensor detects the rear mark pattern in which the used information is not recorded to locate the start of an unused region of an ink ribbon. Thus, residual amount of the ink ribbon is grasped accurately and the start of the unused region is located accurately without increasing the costs of ink ribbon.

Abstract: A method for printing on a thermal medium by aligning test patterns comprises the steps of feeding a thermal medium to a print starting position of the medium beyond a predetermined distance from a heating elements of a thermal printhead; printing a first test pattern when a front edge of the medium is detected by an edge detection sensor; measuring a first distance between the front edge and the first test pattern by detecting the first test pattern using the edge detection sensor; rotating the thermal printhead to face the second surface; feeding the thermal medium to the print starting position of the medium is beyond predetermined distance the thermal printhead; printing a predetermined second test pattern when the front edge of the medium is detected by the edge detection sensor while feeding the medium; and measuring a second distance between the front edge and the second test pattern.

Abstract: A ribbon sensor includes a first and second emitter and a receiver. The first emitter is configured to transmit a yellow light signal and the second emitter is configured to transmit a blue light signal. The receiver is configured to produce an output signal in response to the transmission of the yellow and blue light signals through a panel of a print ribbon, wherein the output signal is indicative of a color of the panel. Additional aspects of the present invention are directed to a printer that includes the above-described sensor and a method of using the sensor to identify colored ribbon panels.

Abstract: Provided is a printer apparatus, including: a thermal print head that performs printing by contacting a heat-sensitive color-developing layer of a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet that includes a printable surface made from the heat-sensitive color-developing layer on one surface of a sheet-like base material, and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer on another surface of the sheet-like base material; a thermal-activation thermal head that activates the heat-sensitive adhesive layer by heating; a cutter device that cuts the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet; a transporting unit that transports the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet; and a controlling unit that controls the thermal print head, the thermal-activation thermal head, and the cutter device.

Abstract: A modular printer having a media take-up assembly, a support block assembly, a printhead assembly, a stepper motor assembly and a display assembly is provided. A support housing having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support housing. The support housing is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other.

Abstract: An identification card printer or laminator system includes a card transport mechanism configured to transport a card along a path, a printer or lamination mechanism configured to print or laminate the card, a print or lamination consumable supply, and a controller. The printer or lamination consumable supply includes a tag circuit that contains supply data including a tag security code. The controller is configured for communication with the tag circuit and is further configured to allow operation of the printer or laminator system with the consumable supply when the tag security code is valid, and to prevent operation of the printer or laminator system with the consumable supply when the tag security code is invalid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet for forming an image having an identifying mark, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus using the same, wherein the identifying mark is useful to identify various information concerning the sheet. The sheet for forming an image is provided with two or more image-formative layers which are defined by frame respectively and arranged in a longitudinal direction of the sheet.

Abstract: A method for setting focus of a multichannel printhead for an imaging apparatus (10) comprises moving the printhead (500) to a premove position. A first set of patches (82) is printed wherein a focus position of the printhead is varied in a first random pattern from one patch to another. A second set of patches (83) is printed wherein the focus position of the printhead is varied in a second random pattern from one patch to another. A density for each of the patches is measured in the first series of patches. A density for each of the patches is measured in the second series of patches. An optimum focus position is calculated for the multichannel printhead based on a polynomial curve (72) of density and focus position for each of the patches.

Abstract: Illumination adjustment of LEDs is carried out prior to printing to a color thermosensitive recording paper with each thermosensitive coloring layer of yellow, magenta, and cyan. A light control circuit lights on the LEDs by one line printing period upon printing to each thermosensitive coloring layer, and makes CCD line sensors use its reflected light to image lateral edge of the color thermosensitive recording paper. Consequently, the output signal from the CCD line sensors is set within the linearity.

Abstract: An erasable recording material including a substrate, and an erasable recording layer which is formed overlying the substrate and in which image information is repeatedly recorded and erased, and optionally includes an undercoat layer formed between the substrate and the recording layer, a protective layer formed overlying the recording layer and an intermediate layer formed between the recording layer and the protective layer, wherein the erasable recording material further includes one or more markers which are used for inputting image information additionally written on the recording material. An information recording system and method are also provided in which additional information written on the erasable recording material, in which image information is previously recorded, is incorporated to the previously recorded image information.

Abstract: A separator abuts on a leading edge of a recording paper to separate it from a periphery of a paper roll when the paper roll is rotated forward in a paper feeding direction. The separator is attached to a supporting arm, which is urged by a spring so as to move the separator in accordance with a change of a diameter of the paper roll. The separator is provided with a vibration detecting sensor. While the paper roll is rotated backward in a winding direction, the vibration detecting sensor outputs a signal to a controller. This signal has a level corresponding to a scale of vibration. The controller detects the leading edge from the signal level when a head portion of the separator has overleapt the leading edge of the recording paper.

Abstract: Illumination adjustment of LEDs is carried out prior to printing to a color thermosensitive recording paper with each thermosensitive coloring layer of yellow, magenta, and cyan. A light control circuit lights on the LEDs by one line printing period upon printing to each thermosensitive coloring layer, and makes CCD line sensors use its reflected light to image lateral edge of the color thermosensitive recording paper. Consequently, the output signal from the CCD line sensors is set within the linearity.

Abstract: An apparatus for donor colorant detection and donor pick sensing employs N light sources of distinct wavelengths paired with N photosensors. Measured light values for a donor are combined to form an N-dimensioned coordinate value which is then compared against N-dimensioned reference values to determine a color or donor picking condition. The decision algorithm uses a decision rule based on Maximum Likelihood Decoding methods, whereby an Euclidean distance is computed between the measured N-dimensioned coordinate value and each of a set of reference N-dimensioned coordinate values. The apparatus and method detect which donor color has been picked and also detects and identifies multi-pick and pick failure conditions.

Abstract: A separator abuts on a leading edge of a recording paper to separate it from a periphery of a paper roll when the paper roll is rotated forward in a paper feeding direction. The separator is attached to a supporting arm, which is urged by a spring so as to move the separator in accordance with a change of a diameter of the paper roll. The separator is provided with a vibration detecting sensor. While the paper roll is rotated backward in a winding direction, the vibration detecting sensor outputs a signal to a controller. This signal has a level corresponding to a scale of vibration. The controller detects the leading edge from the signal level when a head portion of the separator has overleapt the leading edge of the recording paper.

Abstract: A ribbon for a thermal printer has a series of frames of different colors in a sequence that are correlated to the position of cards to be printed. The ribbon has indexing marks for each frame and also indicators for each repeating sequence of frames. The index marks are arranged in a line across the ribbon and the marks can be coded to individually indicate the color or other characteristic of the frame associated with the line of index mark. This information is received by a controller to control various printer functions.

Abstract: Thermal line head includes an electrically-insulated base member, plural sets of at least two electric resistance elements formed on a surface of the base member and aligned with each other, and a driver circuit that selectively and electrically energizes the at least two electric resistance elements in each set in accordance with an associated digital image-pixel signal and an associated digital gradation-signal. When the digital image-pixel signal has a value “0”, none of the at least two electric resistance elements in a corresponding set are electrically energized, and, when the digital image-pixel signal has a value “1”, the selective and electrical energization of the at least two electric resistance elements in the corresponding set are performed in accordance with values of the digital gradation-signal, wherein a total thermal energy output of each of the plural sets of at least two electric resistance elements is stepwisely adjustable.

Abstract: A printer for printing onto a substrate includes a substrate feed mechanism configured to secure the substrate during printing and a print mechanism configured to print on the substrate. A transceiver is configured to transfer power through a non-physical link to a radio frequency (RF) circuit carried on a printer supply to thereby power the RF circuit. The transceiver also responsively receives printer supply data through a non-physical link from the RF circuit.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal head, which records an image to a recording material. Feeder rollers feed the recording material relative to the thermal head. An EEPROM stores first distance data adapted to image recording to a predetermined first type of the recording material. A keyboard inputs second distance data representing a second type of the recording material at a time of image recording to the second type. A personal computer causes the feeder rollers to set the first and second types to the thermal head according to respectively the first and second distance data, and drives the thermal head and feeder rollers in synchronism. The image is recorded in first and second printing regions suitable to respectively the first and second types.

Abstract: A ribbon for a thermal printer has a series of frames of different colors in a sequence that are correlated to the position of cards to be printed. The ribbon has indexing marks for each frame and also indicators for each repeating sequence of frames. The index marks are arranged in a line across the ribbon and the marks can be coded to individually indicate the color or other characteristic of the frame associated with the line of index mark. This information is received by a controller to control various printer functions.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus provides a plurality of recording units to form images based on their respective image data, overlaying the images formed by the plurality of recording units on a single transfer member traveling in a predetermined direction, control means to sequentially cause registration patterns of predetermined shape to be formed by the plurality of recording units, and detecting means to detect each registration pattern on the transfer member in at least two locations in both the diretion of travel of the transfer member and a direction perpendicular thereto, and output non-integrated detection values.

Abstract: A noise cancellation apparatus provides an inexpensive mechanism that is readily adaptable for printers and other equipment and devices that are used in areas where external noise is undesirable. In an embodiment of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a transport mechanism for transporting a media through the thermal printer and a thermal print head for printing on the media. At least one sound emitter is provided for generating an inverse sound signal to cancel noise generated by at least one noise source in the thermal printer. At least one microphone is provided for receiving sound signals from the at least one noise source. Each microphone is connected to an inversion circuit which inverts the received sound signals. The inversion circuit sends the inverted sound signal to one of the sound emitters, which emits the inverted sound signal, canceling out the noise.

Abstract: The printer is adapted to print an image onto a substrate using a web carrying a color material. The printer includes a web supply configured to supply the web and a web take-up configured to receive the web. A print head is configured to material from the web to the substrate. A controller provides a control signal to the web take-up or web supply as a function of heat energy applied to the web.

Abstract: A printing method for an apparatus printing in which a sheet of paper is positioned on a surface and printing is performed from the leading edge of the paper sheet to the bottom edge thereof with a printing head.