Abstract: A docking station for a removable printer mechanism is provided, together with methods for providing a removable printer mechanism. The docking station may have a base with parallel side arms adapted to be fixed to an interior of a printer housing. Side walls may extend from each of the parallel side arms. The side walls may be adapted to guide the printer mechanism into a docked position in the printer and to removably fix the printer mechanism in the docked position. A bridge element may extend between the parallel side arms at a rear of the base. A clamping element may be fixed to the bridge element and be adapted to hold a printer-side cable connector in position to accept a corresponding cable connector of the printer mechanism. The printer mechanism may easily be slid into and out of the docking station for repair or replacement.

Abstract: A print head assembly that includes a receptacle supported from a carriage frame and configured to receive a print head, and a toggle mechanism configured to move the receptacle relative to the carriage frame.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a printhead carrier for mounting a printhead cartridge. The printhead carrier includes a carrier back wall having an upper portion. A back portion of a printhead cartridge cradle is connected to the carrier back wall. A first proximal end of a latch lever is pivotably attached to a front portion of the printhead cartridge cradle. The latch lever has at least one cam follower, with each cam follower being located near the first distal end of the latch lever. A second proximal end of a carrier lid is pivotably attached to the upper portion of the carrier back wall. Each cam of the carrier lid is formed near a second distal end of the carrier lid, and each cam is positioned for progressive engagement by a corresponding cam follower as the latch lever is moved from an open position toward a latched position.

Abstract: A printer includes a supporting device, a cantilevered first guide arm, a second guide arm, and a printer head. The supporting device is configured to support a material to be printed. The cantilevered first guide arm has a longitudinal direction. The second guide arm is connected to the first guide arm to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the first guide. The second guide arm extends along a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The printer head is configured to print on the material supported by the supporting device and provided on the second guide arm to be movable along the lateral direction.

Abstract: An interlock arrangement for selectively removably mounting an ink cassette in the chute of a printer carriage comprises an ink cassette including a notch or recess and an interlock clip selectively connectable to a side of a printer carriage chute and cooperates with the notch member to provide an interlock which allows insertion of the ink cassette into the chute and prevents insertion of an ink cassette that does not have a notch or recess.

Abstract: An identification circuit for identifying the type of an ink jet print head and method thereof is disclosed. A reset signal and at least a clock signal are provided. A count value is reset if the identification circuit receives a reset signal. The count value is counted to next value if the identification circuit receives a corresponding clock signal. A logic circuit is programmed to output the required identification code sequentially from the ink jet print head according to the required identification code designated for the ink jet print head and the count value.

Abstract: An inking apparatus including an inking head which is manually adjustable in the X, Y and Z directions to facilitate quick and easy positioning of an inking probe in proximity to a defective die on a semiconductor wafer to ink and mark the die for exclusion from further processing. A horizontal positioning plate is horizontally adjustably mounted on a base plate, and an angular adjustment arm is angularly adjustably mounted on the horizontal positioning plate. The inking head is vertically adjustably mounted on the end of the angular adjustment arm and carries an ink reservoir from which ink is dispensed through an inking probe to the dies on the wafer.

Abstract: An elongate printhead assembly has a housing having a series fluid gallery for supplying a multi fluid inkjet printhead chip. The galleries extend along the length of the housing and are open at both ends.

Abstract: A printhead assembly has one or more printhead chips mounted end or end in or on a housing. The housing has an elongate air duct that supplies air to the printhead chips. The duct is open at both ends so the assembly may be used in left and right hand configurations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a marking engine for use in a marking machine. The marking engine is responsive to control signals for selectively depositing marking material on media. The marking engine includes a housing associated with the marking engine. The housing is configured for docking with the printing system. Also included is a radio frequency linking device mounted to the housing for providing a radio frequency link for transferring information between the marking engine and surveillance devices different from the marking machine.

Abstract: An inking apparatus including an inking head which is manually adjustable in the X, Y and Z directions to facilitate quick and easy positioning of an inking probe in proximity to a defective die on a semiconductor wafer to ink and mark the die for exclusion from further processing. A horizontal positioning plate is horizontally adjustably mounted on a base plate, and an angular adjustment arm is angularly adjustably mounted on the horizontal positioning plate. The inking head is vertically adjustably mounted on the end of the angular adjustment arm and carries an ink reservoir from which ink is dispensed through an inking probe to the dies on the wafer.

Abstract: A cartridge identification system for identifying a characteristic of a cartridge inserted in a printer. The cartridge identification system comprises an identification circuit which is triggered by an electrical connection between a printed circuit board coupled to the cartridge and a plurality of spring contacts in a cartridge receptacle in the printer. An electrical logic signal is read by an internal processing unit, which determines a characteristic of the cartridge based on the logic signal.

Abstract: A recognition circuit for an ink jet printer has a plurality of heating cells. Each of the heating cells has a heating element coupled with a power line and a switch coupled with an address line. When voltages are applied to the power line and the address line, the switch is turned on and a current flows via the power line through the heating element. The recognition circuit further has a plurality of identifying cells each coupled with a corresponding power line. The recognition circuit can read the identification code from each the identifying cells by applying voltage to corresponding power lines.

Abstract: An apparatus provides identification information related to at least one ink jet print head in an ink jet printer. The apparatus includes a printer controller for providing a first identification data string comprising n number of bits, at least one of which has a first state, and no more than n−1 number of which have a second state different from the first state. Coupled to the printer controller is a first ink jet print head having a first serial input shift register. The first serial input shift register has at least n number of bit positions for receiving the n number of bits of the first identification data string. The first ink jet print head also includes at least n number of first latches, each of which is coupled to a corresponding one of the n number of bit positions of the first shift register. The n number of first latches are for latching the n number of bits of the first identification data string from the n number of bit positions of the first shift register.

Abstract: A datum arrangement on the replaceable semi-permanent compact print cartridge includes three x-datums, one y-datum and two z-datums to assure proper seating of the print cartridge in the carriage as well as proper electric and fluidic interconnections.

Abstract: In a postage meter machine that has a printing unit with a replaceable print head, a print head for such a postage meter machine and a method for the authentication of such a print head, a number of manipulation possibilities are precluded, such as refilling an authorized print head, unauthorized ink usage of a printhead and using an authorized print head in a conventional printer without paying fees for franking. For this purpose a security code is generated by an encryption algorithm from a first identification code attached to the print head and from a second identification code stored in a memory unit allocated to the print head, and is compared to a security code that is likewise stored in the memory unit when the print head is manufactured.

Abstract: A component, such as an ink cartridge, is provided with magnetic members. A corresponding component in the printer system, such as a carriage, is also provided with magnetic members so that magnetic attraction between the two components provides or enhances the connecting force between those components. The magnetic members on one component (such as the ink cartridge) are arranged in a particular pattern that indicates a print characteristic of the cartridge. The print characteristic may relate to the color of the ink in the cartridge that is used. A corresponding pattern is provided in the carriage. The pattern is such that magnetic force will attract the cartridge when positioned in the correct mating location in the carriage. This magnetic attraction is provided as tactile feedback to the user in the course of seating the cartridge in the correct location.

Abstract: A marking/image pick-up engine includes a platform on which a plurality of marking cartridges may be mounted. At least one of the marking cartridges may be interchanged with an image pick-up cartridge. Scanning, marking, and at least one self-diagnostic function may be performed by the marking/image pick-up engine.

Abstract: A printing device is described that has a print head held displaceably on a print-head holder. To achieve a relative movement between the print head and a medium to be printed, the print-head holder is configured such that during printing it can be moved in a first line with respect to a base element, between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. An offsetting device is provided which permits a printing of images offset from one another transversely with respect to an imaginary line and which is configured to offset the print head relative to the print-head holder from a first transverse position into at least a second transverse position spaced apart from the first transverse position, transversely with respect to the imaginary line.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, in particular, a franking machine, includes a base, a printing-head mounting moveably connected thereto, and printing head displaceably connected to the mounting. The mounting moves, during printing, between first and second longitudinal positions in a given direction with respect to the base to effect a relative movement between the printing head and a printing medium. An offsetting device for printing images offset to one another transverse to the given direction is included and is configured to offset the printing head relative to the mounting from a first transverse position into at least one second transverse position spaced from the first transverse position in a direction transverse to the given direction. A holder for holding the printing head in at least one of the first and second transverse positions during printing is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for mounting a print head in a printer. The arrangement comprises a frame (1) to which a feeder device feeds a material to be printed which the printer will print on by means of a print head (3), movably arranged adjacent to a print roll (2) for being brought into, or out of, contact with the material to be printed. According to the invention, the arrangement uses a magnet (5) to hold the print head. Preferably, the print head is fitted in a fixture device (4), which is pivoting freely around a rear axle (7) parallel to the print roll, and the pressure is applied on the print head by a pressure member (6). The magnet (5) is preferably attached to the pressure member (6) so as to transfer pushing as well as pulling forces. The invention enables screws or fixed mounting of the print head to be avoided. The arrangement according to the invention also allows for the print head (3) pressure point to be transversally displaced.

Abstract: A printer head includes a wireless print head provided with a memory buffer for storing data corresponding to at least one line of data. The print head is also provided with a motor and runs along a guide means in a self-propelled manner, the print head further includes power pick-up means for taking power for the motor from the guide means. In one embodiment for example the guide means are a pair of parallel metal rails connected to a power supply and the print head includes metal wheels and brush means. In this way the amount of cabling required to connect to the print head to a controlling computer may be minimized.

Abstract: A printer device for printing on a strip medium, the device comprising a body (1), a carriage (5) movable in translation along a guide (2) secured to the body (1) and carrying a pivoting print head (7), and resilient means (9) disposed between the carriage (5) and the print head (7), a cover carrying a platen and pivotally connected to the body (1) to pivot between an open position and a closed position in which the print head (7) is held pressed against the platen by the resilient means (9), a locking member carried by the body (1) in retractable manner between a first position in which it co-operates with an abutment secured to the cover and a second position in which it escapes from the abutment, the locking member (17) being secured to a lever (19) hinged to the body (1), the lever (19) having an end that co-operates with the print head in such a manner that during the movement of the locking member (17) between its first and second positions, the end of the lever (19) causes the print head (7) to pivot a

Abstract: A character wheel, particularly for a numbering machine, including a character wheel disc having a plurality of printing portion mounting surfaces formed at an interval from each other in a circumferential direction on an outer peripheral surface of the character wheel disc and an engaging groove formed to at least one of portions between the respective printing portion mounting surfaces and a flexible character wheel band mounted to the outer peripheral surface of the character wheel disc. The character wheel band is formed with engaging projections formed at both longitudinal ends thereof and the engaging projections are engaged with the engaging groove formed to the character wheel disc so that the flexible character wheel band is mounted to the character wheel disc therearound.

Abstract: A device for accurately controlling the positions of a driving motor and a print head and enhancing print quality by sensing the position of the driving motor by occurring pulses from a timer at shorter intervals than predetermined step units and synchronously driving the print head with control of the driving motor, includes a synchronizing pulse generator for generating high speed synchronizing pulses for controlling the position of the driving motor and the print head, a position controller for synchronously controlling the position of the driving motor with divided generated pulses, a print head controller for synchronously controlling the position of the print head with the divided generated pulse, an interrupt controller for receiving interrupt signals generated in the position controller during the acceleration and deceleration of the driving motor and for generating interrupt in the priority order, and a CPU (central processing unit) for generating interrupts according to interrupt request signals, se

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved wide format color digital print engine, and in particular to a cooperating group of print engine sub-assemblies comprising a sealable enclosure defining electronics and printing sub-spaces within the enclosure and supporting two critical alignment plates which alone control alignment of all major sub-assemblies of the print engine and which provide accurate attachment points for a carriage drive and rail sub-assembly, a motor and drum mounted to rotate within a printing bay, and mounting points for a service station for cleaning and storing a plurality of marking elements associated with replaceable ink emitting cartridges. The subassemblies cooperate to generate high quality colored images as a drum-based large format digital ink jet print engine.

Abstract: A printing device includes a casing housing a sheet-feed mechanism for transporting a print medium and a carriage transporting mechanism for reciprocally moving a carriage in a main scanning direction. A print unit having a print head is detachably attached to the carriage. The print unit is capable of printing whether attached or detached from the carriage. A detection unit is provided for determining whether the print unit is attached to the carriage. The casing can be formed with a hollow space in which the print unit can be stored when the print device is not being used.

Abstract: A head holder incorporating a thermal printing head is detachably mounted in a printing position defined in a thermal transfer printer by use of guide means. The head holder secured by the guide means is vertically moved by means for vertically moving the head holder so as to be positioned at a stand-by point in non-operation of printing, and at a print working point in operation of printing. When the head holder demounted for exchanging or other possible purposes is replaced in the printing position, the head holder is restrained by lateral and longitudinal spring members, thus being placed in an adequate printing position, so as to enable excellent printing on a recording medium such as ID cards to be successfully performed without marring the essential printing quality.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to facilitate the replacement of printing types and to eliminate mistakes in the replacement thereof. A printing type wheel 2 and a stock wheel 3 are coaxially arranged. The printing type wheel 2 is provided with an attachment part for inserting and attaching a printing type unit 5 for printing on an object F to be printed. The printing type unit 5 is detachably stocked in the stock wheel 3. The printing type unit 5 is taken out from the stock wheel 3 with a robot 6 so as to be attached on the printing type wheel 2. Ink is deposited to the printing type unit 5 attached on the printing type wheel 2 with an ink roller 45. The printing type wheel 5, the stock wheel 3 and the ink roller 45 are warmed with the heater 30 and the heater 46.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus of the type in which a printing head is detachable to a carriage, a detecting circuit is provided for detecting whether or not a printing head 8 is mounted on a carriage. A CPU 2 included in the printing apparatus supervises the output of the detecting circuit at every predetermined time interval. When determined the printing head 8 is not mounted, the supplement of the driving voltage for the printing head 8 is suspended.

Abstract: A print block cassette for franking machine print drums comprises a support having a block support side, longitudinal guide and support members perpendicular to the block support side and engaged in bosses on the support and a plurality of separate print blocks each mounted interchangeably on at least one longitudinal guide and support member.

Abstract: A serial printer is disclosed in which a serial printer body is connected to a carriage via a cable. The carriage is driven by electric power supplied through the cable, and signals are also transmitted between the serial printer body and the carriage through the cable. The cable comprises a sheet-like substrate and a plurality of conductive strips which are formed on the sheet-like substrate and which extend in a longitudinal direction of the sheet-like substrate. The plurality of conductive strips includes at least one wide conductive strip for supplying the electric power and at least one narrow conductive strip for transmitting the signals. The wide and narrow conductive strips are arranged such that noise created by the electric power supplied by the wide conductive strip does not interfere with the signals transmitted in the narrow conductive strip.

Abstract: A transfer printer comprises a printer body having first and second support frames separated from and opposing to each other. A printing portion includes a platen roller supported by the first and second support frame, and a line thermal head having one end portion supported by the first support frame and a free end located near the second support frame. A ribbon magazine having an ink ribbon is detachably fitted in the printer body from a free end side of the thermal head. The first support frame has first magazine positioning pins for engaging the support body of the fitted ribbon magazine to position and support the ribbon magazine. The second support frame has second magazine positioning pins for engaging the support body of the fitted ribbon magazine to position and support the ribbon magazine. The support body of the ribbon magazine has head positioning pins for engaging the free end of the thermal head to position and support the free end.

Abstract: A type disk for a typewriter, having a hub which can be plugged over a drive shaft of the typewriter and a catch, which can be moved to or fro relative to the hub, and is carried by an outrigger connected integrally to the hub and capable of being deflected in the axial direction of the hub and can be engaged in a recess of a collar of a drive shaft for rotational position fixing of the type disk. A cut-out which is arranged in the surface portion of the type disk for the hub extends in the configuration of a circular arc in the hub plane substantially in a semi-circular arc, and the outrigger is configured as a circular arc-shaped bow, the course of which is congruent with that of the cut-out in the region of the cut-out, and can be accommodated in the cut-out, the catch being arranged in a peak region of the bow.

Abstract: An adjustable printhead-carrying yoke for a printer which permits dynamic adjusting of the printhead's fore and aft and skew positions. There is a fixed yoke portion carried by the printer and a movable yoke portion carrying the printhead. There is also fore and aft adjusting apparatus for moving the movable yoke portion thereby adjusting the printhead's fore and aft position while the printhead is printing and skew adjusting apparatus for moving the movable yoke portion thereby adjusting the printhead's skew while the printhead is printing.

Abstract: With the aid of a fixture, a lens holder for holding on the top surface thereof a lens array radiating outwardly a light emitted from an array of LED elements is secured to a support plate for supporting the lens holder on the top surface thereof. The fixture comprises a bottom portion having a upwardly swelling central section and serving as a leaf spring, side portions extending upward from both sides of the bottom portion, and engagement portions formed by being acutely folded and extending diagonally inward to mate with the upper side edges of the body of the LED head. The fixture is allowed to be slidably displaceable with respect to the LED head body.

Abstract: A printer comprises a platen, a guide shaft extended in parallel to the platen, a carriage supported on and guided by the guide shaft for sliding movement along the platen, a wheel holder including a motor holder holding a print wheel driving motor and supported on the carriage, and a print wheel cassette held on the wheel holder. The motor holder is supported on the carriage so as to be swingable on the guide shaft or about an axis parallel to the guide shaft by a predetermined angle between a working position, adjacent to the platen to position the wheel cassette held on the wheel holder for a printing operation, and a releasing position distant from the platen to remove the wheel cassette from the wheel holder. The wheel holder is formed by bending a lower portion of the motor holder so that the wheel cassette is seated thereon.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image recording apparatus with a detachable recording head. The head is equipped with a non-volatile memory which contains data representing the recording characteristics of the head and data (check sum or parity data) enabling to identify whether the head matches the apparatus. At the start of power supply, the recording apparatus reads these data and identifies whether a matching head is mounted.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques are disclosed for aligning the operation of the ink jet printhead cartridges of a multiple printhead ink jet swath printer that includes a print carriage that is movable along a horizontal carriage scan axis, (b) first and second ink jet printhead cartridges supported by the movable carriage for printing onto a print media that is selectively movable along a vertical media scan axis, and (c) an optical sensor supported by the movable carriage. Correction of misalignment along the media scan axis is performed by adjusting the position of the nozzle array of one printhead cartridge relative to the position of the nozzle array of another printhead cartridge along the media scan axis. A movable printhead is supported on the print carriage of the printer and is moved relative to the carriage by a rotatable cam that is supported by the carriage fixedly attached to a cam lever.

Abstract: A liquid ejection recording head in which information associated with energy generating members for forming flying droplets discharged from discharge ports is symbolized and recorded at a predetermined location on the head.

Abstract: An exact constraint mounting is provided between the print head and the carriage of an ink jet printer. The mounting scheme includes three generally spherical alignment features on the carriage, a conical depression on the print head for cooperating with a first alignment feature to define a point, a trough on the print head for cooperating with a second alignment feature to define a line through the point, and a flat on the print head for cooperating with the third alignment feature to define a rotation about the line. The improved mounting system results in a highly precise, repeatable, stress-free mounting for the print head.

Abstract: The carriage is configured for interchangeably holding pens of different sizes at the same position relative to a circuit that is mounted to the carriage. In a preferred embodiment, a black-ink pen or a relatively large color-ink pen may be carried by the carriage. The size of the carriage opening into which the pen is inserted is reduced by a spacer mechanism to accommodate the smaller pen, which spacer mechanism is retracted from the opening upon insertion of the larger pen.

Abstract: By the driving of drive means for the vertically moving member of a type wheel in one way and resiliently holding means for the type wheel, the type wheel is moved upwardly to a position suitable for printing with the vertically moving member of the type wheel by pivotal movement, whereafter the resilient holding of the type wheel by the resiliently holding means is released by the driving of the drive means in the other way, whereby only the vertically moving member of the type wheel is contained in a type wheel containing housing, and by the driving of the drive means in one way after the termination of printing, the type wheel is resiliently held on the vertically moving member of the type wheel by the resiliently holding means, whereafter by the driving of the drive means in the other way, the type wheel, with the vertically moving member of the type wheel, is contained in the type wheel containing housing.

Abstract: A label printer comprises a supporting frame having a pair of side plates facing each other. A print head and a platen roller are arranged between the side plates. Above the print head is arranged a ribbon supply device for running a transfer ribbon between the print head and the platen roller. The ribbon supply device includes a ribbon drive section, and a ribbon unit supported on a supporting member and movable between a first position wherein the unit engages the drive section and a second position wherein the unit is located outside the supporting frame. A fixing member is attached to one of the side plates and movable between a release position wherein the fixing member allows the ribbon unit to move and a fixing position wherein the fixing means engages the ribbon unit to hold it in the first position.

Abstract: A printing device having a detachable printwheel coupling means which includes a motor driven drive plate which is formed with a cantilevered spring finger and an aligning slot disposed on the side opposite the spring finger. The spring finger carries at its free end an alignment pin which automatically engages a radially offset cam surface located in a recess formed in the hub of a printwheel when the drive plate rotates relative to the printwheel. The printwheel hub also includes a drive pin which engages the aligning slot when the printwheel and drive plate abut under the urging of a pressure plate. The device inhibits angular and radial movement between the drive plate and the printwheel.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic printing apparatus with a printing mechanism utilizing a type-font element integrally provided with plural printing types for printing characters and numerals, in which a detector identifies the kind of the typefont element, and a display unit indicates the printing style of the typefont element in response to the output signals of the detector.

Abstract: A matrix printer is furnished with a matrix print head (1) supported on a back and forth movable slider (2), guided on a rail guide (3), wherein the print elements (4) can be operated at a high frequency. A matrix print head (1), disposed fixedly in its position relative to the slider (2), is furnished at least at one reference face (8) between the matrix print head (1) and the slider (2) with a sound-insulating layer (10) of an elastic material, and where the matrix print head (1) and the slider (2) can be braced and/or clamped to each other in this region. This construction opposes a sound formation and sound propagation via the print head, the slider (2) and the rail guide (3) by body sound conduction onto frame parts of the printer by employing sound-insulation and sound absorption.

Abstract: The print head includes a print head support, a pair of actuators on one side of the support, and wire guide supports on the opposite side of the print head support for clamping the actuators and wire guide supports to the print head support. The wire guide supports have diameters equal to the centerline-to-centerline spacing of the print wires. The print head support has a linear surface extending perpendicular to a plane passing along the edges of the wire guide supports. The print heads are aligned along a support member by securing the print head support to the support member with the tangent plane and linear surface engaging mutually perpendicular surfaces on the support member whereby the contact between the wire guide supports along the support member establishes the centerline-to-centerline spacing of the print wires.

Abstract: A liquid jet recording head comprises a recording apparatus having an orifice for discharging liquid and an energy generator for generating energy to discharge the liquid. Each recording head has an engaging member which is of complementary contour to an engaging member of another recording head. The engaging members are disposed in a different location on each recording head so that recording heads for different colors are located properly in the apparatus.

Abstract: A printhead cartridge and carriage assembly (10) is provided comprising: a carriage (12); a snap-spring (62) for securing a printing cartridge (14) in postion on the carriage; and an interconnect strip (16) for supplying electrical signals to the cartridge, including a force loading spring pad (24) for urging a portion of the interconnect strip against a portion of the cartridge. The cartridge has top (32), bottom (34), sides (36, 38), front (40) and rear (42) surfaces and includes a printhead (44) on the bottom surface, an electrical contact strip (46) on the back surface connected to the printhead, referencing pads (56) on the side surface, and a lip (64) on the back surface for accepting the snap-spring. Referencing surface (60) are provided for receiving the referencing pads on the cartridge. The spring pad urges the interconnect strip against the electrical contact of the cartridge.