Abstract: A single-pass ink ribbon and a multi-pass ink ribbon are incorporated in a single recording apparatus. An identification mark is attached to one end of the single-pass ribbon (or the multi-pass ink ribbon) so that a ribbon sensor can discriminate two kinds of ribbon from each other to find out which one is used for the printing. With the result of the discrimination, a controller selects an appropriate program to set up a printing condition for the ribbon being used for the printing. A thermal head temperature, a degree of wear of the ribbon and a black ratio of the ribbon may also be taken in account in determining the printing condition. If the thermal head temperature is used, one temperature table is selected from a number of temperature tables which are prepared in advance for respective temperature. The printing condition is determined such that the printing density is maintained as long as the same ink ribbon is used.

Abstract: A video printing apparatus including a thermal head and accommodating an ink ribbon cartridge having a plurality of color blocks. The apparatus has a subsidiary head which records an identification mark on the color blocks when used in a printing operation. The identification mark is recorded on a predetermined portion of the color block which is not used in a printing operation. A sensor is provided for detecting the identification mark recorded on the used color blocks.

Abstract: Means to control feeding of a multi-strike ink ribbon housed in a reversible cassette is disclosed. The cassette carries a magnetizable element and when the cassette is inserted in printing apparatus the element is located in operative alignment with a magnetic sensing device and with an electromagnet. Upon insertion of the cassette, the polarity of magnetization is sensed and provided the polarity is correct printing is enabled. If the polarity is incorrect printing is disabled. When the end of the ink ribbon is sensed, the electromagnet is energized to reverse the polarity of magnetization of the element so that when the cassette is removed and reinserted with reversed orientation, the correct polarity of magnetization is sensed and printing is enabled. A counter may be provided to limit the number of permitted reversals of the cassette.

Abstract: A recording device in which an ink ribbon is used and recording is performed shifting the ribbon in the direction of the width of the ribbon and having a sensor for detecting the end of an effective portion of the ribbon. Using the end sensor, the vertical position of the region of the ribbon used for recording is detected.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a ribbon supply device for running a transfer ribbon through a printing section. The device includes a ribbon unit and a ribbon drive section which are removably mounted on a head supporting frame of the printing section. The ribbon unit includes a supply shaft on which the ribbon is wound, a take-up shaft for take-up the ribbon drawn from the supply shaft, a tension shaft, and a ribbon drive shaft. The supply and tension shafts are arranged to be symmetrical to the take-up and ribbon drive shafts, respectively, about an imaginary plane which extends between the supply shaft and the take-up shaft and between the tension shaft and the ribbon drive shaft, in parallel with these shafts, so that the unit is capable of being remounted on the head supporting frame while the unit is turned through 180 degrees.

Abstract: A printing device including a mounting base on which a ribbon cassette accommodating a ribbon having a transparent terminal end part is removably loaded, light emitting and receiving elements fixed on the mounting base and a reflective plate fixed on the mounting base, wherein when the ribbon in the ribbon cassette loaded on the mounting base comes to the end, light emitted from the light emitting element impinges upon and reflects back from the reflective plate through the transparent terminal end part of the ribbon interposed between the light emitting element and the reflective plate and then enters into the light receiving element.

Abstract: A printer, such as a thermal printer, which can print on a paper, etc.

Abstract: A ribbon reverse mechanism for a high-speed line printer having a towel ribbon driven between a pair of spring-loaded spools by gear means coupled to band drive motor includes an input shaft coupled to the drive motor and having mounted thereon a pair of spaced-apart worms for driving respective gears. The gears are each coupled a wrap-spring clutch, housed within a clutch stop collar having a plurality of teeth engageable with a floating disk, to an output shaft coupled to the spools. Each of the floating disks are alternately engaged to its respective clutch stop collar, thereby permitting the wrap spring clutch to be wound up, through energization of a coil. As one spool becomes full, a ribbon direction sensor outputs a signal indicative thereof to a machine co-processor in order that the active engagement may be de-energized, while the inactive engagement coil may be energized for reversing the direction of ribbon travel.

Abstract: A tape-ribbon alignment and delivery system for a thermal transfer device or the like of the type having a device housing and a transfer station including a printhead and a platen for transferring a selected image from a ribbon to a tape. The system further includes a replaceable tape-ribbon cartridge, a cartridge receiving tray connected with the device housing, a cam mechanism associated with the receiving tray for moving the cartridge into transfer alignment with the transfer station and a retaining member for retaining the cartridge in the transfer alignment position.

Abstract: A single drive source drives a pressing cam to selectively press a thermal head against a thermal transfer tape for printing on a recording paper behind the tape. The tape is divided into three longitudinal printing regions so the thermal head can be reciprocally moved forward, back and forward again respectively over the three regions of the tape before the tape is advanced to a new section. The drive source powers the reciprocating movement of the thermal head and the tape winding as well.

Abstract: A thermal printer is provided, wherein a carrier having a thermal head mounted thereon is driven in both directions and a printing ribbon is fed in an amount necessary to print data in each printing operation. In this thermal printer, a ribbon drive means for driving the ribbon is provided separately from the carrier 20, thereby feeding the ribbon by the distance to be determined in accordance with the front end position of the unused portion of the ribbon and the length of the ribbon necessary to print the print data.

Abstract: A printer including a printing head adapted for reciprocal displacement across a printing tape for effecting printing on the tape in at least one direction of reciprocation is provided. The printer includes a lever pivoted on a frame and adapted to reciprocate the printing head and a rotating disc engaged with a motor for driving the rotary disc which pivots the lever. The rotating disc is adapted to actuate a paper advance assembly, an ink-ribbon winding assembly and an ink-ribbon reversing assembly. The printing head may be of the type including a plurality of needles for recording dots by electromagnetic actuation of the needles.