Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink ribbon positioning system of a color printer for identifying a position of a color ink ribbon of the color printer. The ink ribbon is windingly installed inside an ink ribbon box comprising a plurality of dye blocks. Each of the dye blocks comprises a plurality of transparent color frames, and the color frames are used for storing different color dyes. The ink ribbon positioning system comprises a light source installed at one side of the ink ribbon for emitting a color light beam through the ink ribbon, an optical sensor for detecting the light beam and generating a corresponding output voltage, and an identification device for identifying positions of a dye block of the ink ribbon and color frames inside the dye block according to output voltages generated by the optical sensor and generating corresponding position signals. The color printer further comprises a thermal print head and a control circuit.

Abstract: Thermal printer and method for detecting donor ribbon type and for precise alignment of color patches relative to a thermal resistive print head. The printer includes a thermal resistive print head for thermally activating each donor color patch in a series of donor patches belonging to a dye donor ribbon having a predetermined width. Separating adjacent ones of the patches is a space in which is formed a first stripe extending the entire width of the ribbon. The first stripe defines borders between the adjacent color patches. A second stripe of a predetermined width together with the first stripe are disposed in the space before a beginning one of the color patches to define a beginning sequence of color patches. The second stripe is adjacent to and spaced-apart from the first mark by a predetermined distance and also extends the width of the ribbon parallel to the first stripe.

Abstract: A printing apparatus employs a nearly linear conveying path P2 for printing paper P from a position confronting the platen roller 6 and thermal head 7 for composing the printing unit 3 to the paper discharge unit 2. The capstan roller 4, pinch roller 5, and discharge rollers 10, 10 are disposed opposedly to the conveying path P2, and at an intermediate position of the conveying path P2 intersects the conveying path P1 from the paper supply unit 1 to the printing unit 3. A paper supply port is disposed at the bottom of the paper cassette forming the paper supply unit 1, so that the conveying path P1 from the paper supply port to the printing unit 3 is shortened, and accordingly the paper conveying path is shortened. The printer construction simplified and downsized, while the precision of positioning of the printing paper and positioning of the printing head is enhanced, so that the printing quality may be improved.

Abstract: A method of calibrating optical sensors for a thermal printer (10) is disclosed. A thermal printer for printing color images which uses a dye donor web having a repeating series of spaced frames of yellow, magenta and cyan colored heat transferable dyes, apparatus for identifying the different color frames of each series uses a source of second light and a source of first light. The apparatus responds to the intensity of second and first source light which passes through a dye donor frame to identify that dye donor frame. A CPU adjusts a digital potentiometer attached to a photodetector to determine a series of values for a first dye donor frame. The procedure is repeated for a second series of values for a second dye donor frame. An absolute value of the different potentiometer values for the two dye donor frames is determined, and the CPU adjusts the potentiometer setting to the maximum value determined.

Abstract: An adjusting keyboard for a small, touch screen display for a personal digital assistant provides a system and method for selecting a character for entry when a key of the keyboard is struck off center. The system and method of the adjusting keyboard select the next character for entry from the keyboard based on the occurrence frequency of a predetermined number of previously entered characters and the distance the user has contacted the touch screen keyboard from the center points of proximate keys including the key actually contacted. Contact by the user within 0.2 of the key length from the center point of a key is considered a direct hit, and the character represented by that key is entered. For touch contacts beyond 0.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer for printing images and patterns on a card with thermally transferable color inks while moving the card back and forth in such a state that the card is held and urged against a thermal print head through an ink ribbon by capstan and platen rollers. In printing, the card is first forwarded over a print-starting point, and then, reversed until the leading end thereof arrives at an overrun stop point prescribed behind the print starting point, and thereupon, moved forward until the leading end of the card is positioned at the print-starting point to start printing. Thus, mechanical clearance giving rise to backlash essentially possessed of mechanical elements can be completely eliminated, thereby enabling remarkably high-quality color images to be produced.

Abstract: A printing unit header finding mark PH1 is formed at the head of the color ink areas Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). Color header finding marks YH, MH, CH, and KH which are respectively formed at the head of the color ink areas Y, M, C, and K have a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction and do not overlap with the printing unit header finding mark PH1 in the ribbon width direction. The head of the printing unit and the color ink areas Y, M, C, and K are accurately detected in accordance with the output of two sensors 2A and 2B. One of the marks PH1, YH, MH, CH, and KH has a length which varies in a manner which indicates the diameter of the ribbon wound on one of the supply and the take-up reels.

Abstract: A half tone color image recording method is provided in which picture cells of a same main scanning line are staggered such that every second picture cell is shifted in a sub scan direction orthogonal to the main scan direction in one or two of three colors. Simultaneously, in the other two colors or in a remaining one color, every second picture cell group consisting of two adjacent picture cells of the same main scanning line is shifted in the sub scan direction. The amount of staggering or shifting corresponds to a half length of the picture cells in the sub scan direction.

Abstract: A color printing apparatus includes a printing head which prints different color segments of an ink ribbon on a sheet, and an image data memory storing a plurality of color image data corresponding to a color image. The color segment opposed to the printing head is identified. The color image data is read out and serves for judging whether or not the identified color segment is to be subjected to printing. With the judgment that the identified color segment is to be subjected to printing, the image data memory transmits a signal actuating the printing head. With the judgment that the identified color segment is not to be subjected to printing, the ink ribbon is driven to feed the next color segment so as to oppose to the printing head.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording head for discharging ink by imparting heat energy to the ink, wherein heaters (8a, 8b) for warming a board are provided on the board (1) provided with a discharging heater array (6) as a group of discharging warming heaters (5) for generating thermal energy at both sides of the discharging heater array (6) as well as sensors (2a, 2b) for detecting the temperature of the board are provided. Each of the sensors is disposed at the positions, at which a time required for the influence due to temperature change only when a predetermined ink discharging heater is energized, reaches said positions is substantially equal to a time required for the influence due to temperature variations when each of the warming heaters (8a, 8b) is energized, reaches said positions. Therefore, the recording head temperature control can be carried out with a high degree of accuracy and at excellent response in a stabilized mode.